How to Reset Your Firmware on Xiaomi: 5 Ways to Work (Including Bricks)

Firmware resets on Xiaomi devices are a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from the Mi Account ban to critical failures after a failed update. Unlike a normal factory reset, a full firmware reset affects system partitions, allowing the device to return to a “clean” state even if it does not turn on or hung on the logo. However, the wrong actions here are fraught with the transformation of the smartphone into a “brick” – a state where the device does not respond to charging and is not determined by the computer.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reset firmware on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (including models from 2023-2026), taking into account the features of bootloaders and anti-Rollback protection. Particular attention is paid to methods that work even on locked devices, as well as the nuances for devices with Qualcomm and Mediatek processors. If your smartphone loads but slows down, you may need a soft reset. If the screen is black and the computer does not see the phone, read the section on emergency mode EDL.

Why to Remove the Firmware: 7 Real Reasons

Many users confuse firmware reset with regular Wipe Data in recovery, the difference being that the firmware reset deletes all system information, including:

• 📱 Custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox) and root rights;
• 🔄 Remains of old versions MIUI, conflict-provoking;
• 🔒 Blocking your Mi Account (in some cases);
• 🐞 Damaged system files after failed update.

Here's when it's really necessary:

1. The device does not turn on (hung on the Mi logo, a red indicator flashes, the screen is black, but vibrates when charging).
2. After the firmware appeared bootloop (cyclic reboot) or errors like dm-verity verification failed.
3. The smartphone is blocked by Mi Account, and the original account is lost (running the firmware sometimes bypasses the lock on older models).
4. Failed OTA update that has lost features (e.g., camera or sensors)

Important: on new devices (released after 2021), a firmware reset does not remove the Mi Account lock if it has been activated, and this will require an official unlocker from Xiaomi or a service center.

Preparation: What to do before the discharge

Unprepared firmware resets can result in loss of IMEI, a failed camera, or total data loss. To avoid problems, follow these steps:

Download the official firmware for your model|Check the battery charge (minimum) 50%)|Install the drivers. Qualcomm/Mediatek|Prepare. OTG-cable (for some methods)|Backup important data (if the device is switched on)-->

1. Identify the model and firmware version.

• If the phone is turned on: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and Model Number.
• If not, look at the sticker under the battery (for models with removable batteries) or on the box.

2. Download the correct firmware. Use only official sources:

• 🌐 Official website MIUI (Choose Fastboot. ROM fully discharged).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative archive with version history).

3. Install drivers. Without them, the computer won't see the device in Fastboot or EDL modes:

• For Qualcomm: QDLoader HS-USB Driver.
• MediaTek: MediaTek USB VCOM Driver.

💡

If you have a smartphone running a Qualcomm processor (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), check before you reset the firmware to see if Anti-Rollback is activated. Installing an older version of MIUI on these devices will lead to an irreversible brick. A list of models with Anti-Rollback can be found on the XDA-Developers forum.

Method 1: Recovery Resetting (if the phone is switched on)

This is a good way to boot a device but it's not running smoothly, it doesn't remove the firmware completely, it just resets the settings and user data to the factory, but in some cases (for example, after a failed update) it's enough to restore the functionality.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the button combination to enter recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up. For POCO F1/F2/F3: Power + Volume down.

In the recovery menu, select the language (if there is one).

Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

Reboot → Reboot to System

If after reset, the again device stuck on the logo, then the problem is deeper, and a complete firmware reset is needed (see the following methods).

Method 2: Full reset via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

This method completely reinstalls the firmware, removing all system files and replacing them with clean ones.

• 🔄 Downloaded to Fastboot (screen with rabbit and inscription) FASTBOOT);
• 🔓 Have an unlocked bootloader (if not, read the section about the EDL);
• 📱 Have no hardware damage (for example, a burned motherboard).

You'll need:

• Windows computer (or Linux/macOS with fastboot installed)
• USB cable (preferably original)
• The official firmware is in.tgz or.zip (Fastboot ROM) format.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder on your computer (for example, C:\MIUI\).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and go to the firmware folder: cd C:\MIUI\
3. Connect the phone to your computer, holding Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Check that the device is determined: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the phone.
5. Start the firmware script: For Windows: flash_all.bat For Linux/macOS: sudo./flash_all.sh

Wait until it is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

💡

If you have an anti-rollback check fail error during firmware, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI, in which case you need to download a newer firmware or use the EDL method (see below).

Possible errors and solutions:

Method 3: Emergency discharge via EDL (for bricks)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring back a device that:

• 🔌 It does not turn on or respond to charging;
• 🖥️ Not defined in Fastboot;
• 🔄 It hung on the logo after a failed firmware;
• 🔒 It has a locked loader.

Entry to the EDL will require:

• 🔧 Testpoint (for some models) or special cable;
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool (for Qualcomm) or SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek);
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn format (for Qualcomm) or scatter-file (for Mediatek).

Instructions for Qualcomm (Mi Flash Tool):

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the firmware in the folder (should be a file) prog_emmc_firehose.mbn).
3. Enter in. EDL: For most models: Volume up + Loudness down + USB-cable (plug the cable by holding the buttons). For Redmi Note 8/9, POCO X3 etc.: you will need to close the testpoint (see diagrams for your model).

Mi Flash Tool

Select

Refresh

COM3

• Clean All – Full reset (recommended)
• Clean All and Lock – Reset + Lock the bootloader (caution!).
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Mediatek (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO C3) erect SP Flash Tool can lead to loss of IMEI. Preserve before the procedure NVRAM and NVDATA assisted MTK Droid Tools.

Method 4: Firmware reset without a computer (for some models)

If you do not have access to the PC, but the phone somehow responds to the buttons, you can try to reset the firmware through a hidden menu or OTG-This method does not work on all devices, but it can help in cases where:

• 📱 The phone is turned on but does not load beyond the logo;
• 🔄 There is access to recovery, but resetting through it doesn't help;
• 📁 There is. OTG-wire-drive.
• Update your firmware to the latest version. Once reset, you can install an old version of MIUI with vulnerabilities. Update through Settings → About Phone → System Update.
• Unlock the bootloader (if you plan custom firmware). On new devices, the bootloader is locked after the reset. To unlock: Link the device to your Mi Account; Download Mi Unlock Tool; Connect the phone to Fastboot and follow the instructions of the program.

Recover the backup data.

If you backed up your files with Mi Cloud or TWRP, restore your contacts, photos and apps. Don't restore your system settings, which can bring back old bugs.

Check the sensors.

Sometimes after the reset stop working:

• 📸 Camera (Cannot connect to camera);
• 📍 GPS (does not determine location);
• 🔋 Battery dash (shows 0% or 100%).