Smartphones have become essential parts of our daily lives, but sometimes, technical issues or forgotten passwords can make them temporarily inaccessible. If you’re using the Poco M7 5G and find yourself locked out due to a forgotten password or want to wipe the device for a fresh start, performing a hard reset (also called a factory reset) can help you regain control.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about hard resetting your Poco M7 5G — including precautions, step-by-step instructions, and important post-reset notes.
Why You Might Need a Hard Reset
There are several reasons users perform a hard reset on their device. These include:
- Forgotten screen lock password, pattern, or PIN.
- Wanting to sell or give away the device and needing to wipe all data.
- The phone is lagging, freezing, or experiencing software glitches.
- System or app errors persist despite troubleshooting.
- Removing malware or misbehaving apps.
If you’re locked out of your device or simply want to restore it to factory settings, this guide will help you reset the Poco M7 5G safely and effectively.
Important Warning Before You Reset
Before diving into the steps, you must understand that a hard reset will erase all your data stored on the phone’s internal memory. This includes:
- Photos and videos
- Messages
- Contacts
- Apps and their data
- Custom settings and preferences
Once the reset is complete, there’s no way to recover the lost data unless you previously backed it up to the cloud or an external storage.
Also, take note:
- Your Google account (Gmail) and Mi account may still be required after the reset due to Factory Reset Protection (FRP).
- If you don’t remember your account credentials, you may be locked out even after the reset.
So, ensure you know your Google/Mi account credentials before proceeding.
How to Hard Reset Poco M7 5G via Recovery Mode
The most effective way to reset your Poco M7 5G if you’ve forgotten your password is by using the Android recovery mode. Here’s a full walkthrough:
Step 1: Power Off the Phone
If your phone is on, begin by turning it off completely:
- Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
- Tap on Power off and wait for the device to shut down.
- If the screen is unresponsive due to a lock, continue holding the Power button until the device turns off forcibly.
Step 2: Boot into Recovery Mode
Now you’ll access the device’s recovery mode using a specific button combination.
- Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time.
- When the POCO or Mi logo appears, release the Power button but keep holding Volume Up.
- After a few seconds, the MIUI Recovery Mode screen should appear.
You’re now in recovery mode, where you can perform various system-level tasks.
Step 3: Navigate Recovery Mode
Recovery mode does not support touch, so you’ll use the Volume buttons to navigate and the Power button to select.
- Use Volume Down to scroll to “Wipe Data”
- Press the Power button to select
You’ll now be taken to a confirmation screen.
Step 4: Perform the Factory Reset
Here’s where the actual reset happens:
- Select “Wipe All Data”
- Confirm your selection by choosing “Confirm”
The phone will now start erasing all your data. This process usually takes a minute or two, depending on the data size and system load.
Step 5: Reboot the Device
After wiping is complete:
- You’ll be taken back to the main recovery screen.
- Select “Reboot” > then “Reboot to System”
Your phone will now restart. The first boot after a factory reset may take a few extra minutes.
What Happens After the Reset
Once the reset is done and the phone reboots, it will be in the same state as when you first took it out of the box. Here’s what you can expect:
- You’ll be greeted with the MIUI setup screen
- You’ll need to select your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and go through the usual setup process.
- If Factory Reset Protection is enabled, you’ll be required to sign in with the Google account that was previously linked to the device.
- If the device is connected to a Mi account, you’ll also need to verify it during setup.
If you successfully log in with the previous accounts, you’ll be able to use the phone normally again.
Understanding Factory Reset Protection (FRP)
FRP is a security feature on Android devices running Android 5.1 or later. It prevents unauthorized access after a reset by requiring the user to log in with the last synced Google account.
This means even if someone steals your phone and tries to reset it, they can’t use it unless they know your account login. However, this also means you must remember your Google account credentials, or you may get locked out.
To check if FRP is enabled before a reset:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Google and see if an account is listed.
- If you remove all Google accounts before resetting, FRP won’t be triggered.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Reset Experience
- Charge your phone to at least 50% before starting the reset process to avoid interruptions.
- If you’re preparing to sell or donate your phone, log out of your Google and Mi accounts first.
- After a reset, consider backing up your important data regularly to Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
Final Thoughts
Performing a hard reset on your Poco M7 5G is a reliable way to fix serious software issues or regain access if you’ve forgotten your lock screen password. Though it erases all data, it brings your phone back to factory condition, often resolving problems like slow performance, crashes, and lockouts.
Just remember to back up your data, make sure you know your Google and Mi account credentials, and follow the steps carefully.
Whether you’re troubleshooting or preparing your device for a new owner, a hard reset is a powerful tool that, when used wisely, can breathe new life into your smartphone.