Reset Xiaomi smart watches to factory settings: a complete guide with photos and videos

Why You Need to Reset Xiaomi Smart Watches and When to Do It

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartwatch to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems, and is most often used when the device starts to brake, doesn’t sync with the phone, or makes errors when updating the firmware. For example, after a failed attempt to flash the Mi Band 7 through third-party utilities, the watch may stop turning on, in which case a hard reset becomes the only way out.

Another common situation is preparing the hours to be sold or transferred to another person. Even if you delete all data through the Mi Fitness or Zepp Life app, some information (such as linked accounts or notification settings) can remain in the device's memory, a full reset ensures that the new owner does not gain access to your personal data.

But don't be too quick to reset your watch at the first crash. Sometimes a simple reboot or reconnection to your phone solves the problem. For example, if the Xiaomi Watch S3 doesn't sync steps, try updating the app and the watch's firmware first. Reset is a last resort that should only be resorted to after other diagnostic methods.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you reset your Xiaomi smartwatch, follow a few steps to keep your data from being lost. First, sync all the data you have accumulated with the app. Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life, go to the device section and wait for the sync to be completed, especially for Mi Band 6/7 owners, where sleep and activity data is stored locally and may disappear after the reset.

Second, write down your current settings that don't sync automatically.

• 🔊 Individual vibration settings for notifications
• ⏰ Alarms and reminders (they don’t always stay in the cloud)
• 🎨 Color schemes of dials (if you used custom dials)
• 🔒 Passwords and PIN-codes (for example, to unlock the screen)

If you’re using the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or other models that support Wear OS, check if payment cards or other services (such as Google Pay) are tied to the watch, and you’ll have to reconfigure them after you reset.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Mi Band 5) do not delete the steps and sleep data from the last 30 days, but when the hardware reset (through a button) all the information is permanently erased.

How to reset Xiaomi smart watches: which one to choose

There are three main ways to return Xiaomi smartwatches to factory settings, depending on the model of the device and its current state:

1. The mobile app is the safest method, suitable for most models (Mi Band 4-8, Xiaomi Watch S1/S2, Redmi Watch 3/4).
2. Through the settings menu on the watch, an alternative if the app doesn't see the device but the watch screen responds to touch. Available on the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro and other touch-display models.
3. Hard reset: Forced reset via a physical button, used when the watch is not on, getting stuck or responding to touch.

If your watch doesn’t turn on at all (for example, after a failed firmware update), hardware reset is the only option. For models without physical buttons (for example, the Mi Band 8), a special charger with a reset button may be required.

💡

If you plan to sell the watch, after the reset, be sure to untie it from the Xiaomi account in the app, otherwise the new owner will not be able to link the device to his phone.

Reset via Mi Fitness/Zepp Life app

This is the easiest and safest way to go, and it’s suitable for most models, and the instructions are relevant for Mi Fitness (for Mi Band) and Zepp Life (for Xiaomi Watch and Redmi Watch).

Step 1: Open the app and go to the section with your device, and tap the icon at the top of the screen.

Step 2. Scroll down to Device Settings (or Device Management in Zepp Life) and select it.

Step 3: Find the option Reset or Reset factory settings. In some versions of the application, this option may be located in the submenu Additional.

Step 4: Confirm action. The app will warn you that all data will be deleted. Click Confirm and wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

Synchronize data with the cloud

Record alarm settings and notifications

Make sure your watch is at least 50% charged

Disconnect the watch from other devices (if linked to multiple phones)-->

Once reset, the watch will automatically reset, you will only have to re-attach it to your phone via the app, and if the device doesn't appear on the list of available devices, try restarting Bluetooth on your phone or reinstalling the app.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Watch) S3) After resetting via the application, you may need to re-activate the Unlock Phone function.

Reset via the settings menu on the clock (for models with a screen)

If your watch has a touchscreen display (like the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro or Redmi Watch 4), you can reset it directly through the menu.This method is handy when there is no access to the phone or the app does not see the device.

Instructions for Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 and Redmi Watch 3/4:

1. Swipe your finger across the screen from top to bottom to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Slip the Settings (cog) icon.
3. Scroll down and select System → Reset.
4. Confirm the action by selecting Restore factory settings.
5. Enter. PIN-code (if installed) and wait for the reboot.

Instructions for Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (Wear OS):

1. Click on the physical button to open the app menu.
2. Find the Settings icon and tap it.
3. Go to System → Reset → Delete all data.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset.

After resetting, the watch will reset and show the welcome screen, as when you first turn on. If the screen does not respond to touch after reset, try connecting the watch to charge for 10-15 minutes - sometimes this helps to restore performance.

Hard reset for all Xiaomi models

This method is used when the watch does not respond to touch, does not turn on or is not determined by the application. The procedure differs depending on the model, but the general principle is the same: you need to press the physical button (or charging contacts) for a certain time.

For the Mi Band 4/5/6/7/8:

1. Take a paper clip or toothpick and press and hold the reset button for 10-15 seconds until you feel a slight vibration.

For Xiaomi Watch S1/S2/S3 and Redmi Watch 3/4:

1. Charge your watch by at least 30% to avoid failure during reset.
2. Press and hold the physical button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out and reboots.
3. If the button does not respond, connect the watch to the charge and try again.

For the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro (Wear OS):

1. Press and hold the physical button + touch the screen at the same time for 10 seconds.

⚠️ Attention: On the Mi Band 8, the reset button is hidden under the removable contact lid. If you can't find it, flash a flashlight - the hole is barely noticeable. Don't use metal objects so as not to damage the contacts.

After a hardware reset, some models (such as the Xiaomi Watch S3) may require re-association with your Xiaomi account via SMS or email. If you forget your account details, restore them in advance, otherwise the watch will remain locked.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, Xiaomi's smartwatch will go back to "out of the box" and you'll need to re-attach it to your phone and reset it.

1. Connect the watch to the phone: 📱 Open Mi Fitness or Zepp Life. 🔍 Click Add Device and select your model. 📶 Follow the instructions on the screen to sync your watch over Bluetooth.

Set up notifications and alarms:

• 🔔 Reset the alerts for calls, SMS applications.
• ⏰ Add alarms and reminders (they don't stay in the cloud).