What happens if you reset the Xiaomi phone to factory settings: a full analysis of the consequences and instructions

Introduction: Why reset Xiaomi to factory settings?

Resetting Xiaomi's smartphone (or hard reset) is a radical solution that users resort to in critical situations, from system freezes to getting the device ready for sale. But what exactly happens to your phone after this procedure? Will all photos, messages and apps be deleted? Will the binding to the Mi Account remain? And most importantly, can data be recovered?

In this article, we will discuss in detail what changes await your Redmi, POCO or Mi after a reset, how to properly prepare for the procedure so as not to lose important information, and what to do if something went wrong.

Spoiler: The reset effects depend not only on the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), but also on the firmware version (MIUI 14 vs HyperOS), the type of reset (via menus or Recovery), and even whether the factory unlocker (OEM Unlock) was enabled.

What exactly will be deleted after reset: a complete list of data

Resetting to factory settings is not just about cleaning up garbage, but about fully formatting the /data partition, where all user files and settings are stored. Here's what will disappear forever (if you don't backup):

• 📸 Photos and videos – including screenshots, saved stories from Instagram/Telegram and media files in folders DCIM, Pictures, Downloads.
• 💬 Communications — SMS, chats on WhatsApp, Viber, Telegram (if there was no cloud backup).
• 📱 Installed applications – all programs, games and their data (game progress, messenger settings, etc.).
• 🔑 Local accounts – Wi-Fi passwords, saved logins/passwords in the browser, Google Account data (if not linked to the device).
• ⚙️ System settings - wallpaper, sound circuits, configurations MIUI (For example, the Game Turbo or Second Space settings).

There are exceptions, however: For example, files on a memory card (unless it has been encrypted) usually remain intact, and some system files in the /MIUI folder are not affected by resetting them.

⚠️ Note: On devices with data encryption (on by default in the MIUI 12+) After resetting, it will be impossible to restore files through programs like Recuva or DiskDigger - the data is erased at a low level.

What will remain after the reset: myths and reality

Many users mistakenly think that resetting will return the phone to its "original state out of the box." In fact, it's not quite true.

• 🔄 System updates - version MIUI or HyperOS will remain the same as before the reset, for example, if you upgraded to MIUI 14.0.5, you will not return to the MIUI 13.
• 📶 IMEI and serial number – these data are registered in the modem firmware and do not depend on user settings.
• 🔐 Link to Mi Account – if the phone was linked to Xiaomi account, after reset, you will need to enter a login / password for activation (Mi Cloud Lock).
• 🛠️ Unlocked bootloader – if you previously unlocked bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, the unlock status will remain.

Also on some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60, etc.) you can stay:

• 🎵 DRM-Keys (for Widevine) L1), unless they were dropped separately.
• 📡 Network settings (APN), If they are in the operator’s firmware.

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Before reset, check the OEM Unlock status in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (shackle 7 times). If the status is "Unlocked", after reset, the phone will not lock, even if you forget the data from the Mi Account.

How to prepare for the reset: checklist

To avoid data loss and unpleasant surprises, follow these steps before resetting:

Backup in Mi Cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup)

Copy photo/video on PC or external disk (DCIM, Pictures, Downloads folders)

Export WhatsApp chats (Settings → Chat → Backup)

Write down logins/passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts (use Google Password Manager)

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Pay special attention to the backup of Mi Cloud, which, unlike Google Drive, saves:

• 📞 Call log and SMS.
• 📱 Settings MIUI (topics, gestures, energy saving modes).
• 🔧 Data of system applications (Gallery, Notes, Calculator).

For models with HyperOS (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), backup in the Mi Cloud has become mandatory - without it, after reset, some functions (for example, Cross-Device Connectivity) may not work properly.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Second Space or Private Mode MIUI, They don't have their data included in the standard backup. To save them, you have to manually export files through Settings. → Special facilities → Second Space.

Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi to factory settings

There are 3 ways to reset: through the settings menu, using the Recovery and through the Fastboot. Let's take a look at each in detail.

Method 1: Through the settings menu (the most secure)

Suitable for most situations where the phone turns on and responds to touch.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data” (not to be confused with “Reset network settings”).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

Use this method if Xiaomi is stuck on the logo or does not respond to the screen.

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select "Wipe Data" (manage - volume buttons, confirmation - power button).
4. After reset, select "Reboot".

Method 3: Through Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if the first two do not work, or you need to reset the phone with the bootloader locked.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Implementation will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 🛠️ Unlocked bootloader (otherwise the command will not be executed).

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If the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo after being reset via Fastboot, the firmware has been damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the choice of the "Clean All" option.

Frequent mistakes after resetting and how to fix them

Even if the reset is successful, Xiaomi users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔒 "This device is locked" (Mi Cloud Lock) Reason: The phone is tied to Mi Account and you don't remember login details.Solution: Restore password via account.xiaomi.com or contact support with proof of purchase. On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) lock is removed after 72 hours of waiting.
• 📵 No network after reset Reason: Settings reset APN or IMEI (It's rare, but it happens on custom firmware. Solution: Manually add it. APN operator in settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN). If it's gone. IMEI — Restore it with Engineer Mode (#4636##).
• 🔋 Fast battery drain Reason: After the reset, the system re-indexes files and optimizes applications, which temporarily increases the load. Solution: Let the phone run 1-2 days in normal mode. If the problem persists, check Settings. → Battery → Using the battery for the presence of “gluttonous” processes.

Another common error is the cyclic bootloop, which occurs when:

• The discharge was interrupted (for example, the battery was dead).
• It was installed custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• The /data partition (often on older models like the Redmi 4X) is damaged.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone Xiaomi requires to enter the old PIN-The code, although you haven't changed it, is a sign that the encryption data hasn't been deleted correctly, and then only a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with the "Clean All and Lock" option will help".

How to recover data after reset: working methods

If you haven’t done a backup, the chances of recovering data depend on whether encryption was enabled:

• 🔓 No encryption (old models or manually disabled): You can try programs like DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver or 7-Data Recovery. Connect your phone to your PC in mode MTP And scan your internal memory.
• 🔒 With encryption (by default in the MIUI 12+): You can't recover it, because it's encrypted with a unique key that's erased when you reset it, and the only way out is to back up Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

To restore contacts and SMS:

1. Log in to the same Google Account as before the reset.
2. Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync and enable Contact Sync.
3. For SMS, use applications like SMS Backup & Restore (if you had a backup).

For photo and video:

• Check the Mi Cloud/Backup folder on your phone after recovering from the cloud.
• If the files were on SD-map - connect it to the PC and copy the data.
• For WhatsApp, restore the backup from Google Drive (if you had one) when you first set up the messenger.

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If you used TWRP Recovery before reset, check if the backup in /TWRP/BACKUPS folder is still in internal memory.It can be restored through the same TWRP even if the phone was reset.

Reset before sale: how to delete all data irrevocably

If you sell or transfer a phone, a simple menu reset is not enough — you can recover data with special programs, to ensure that the information is erased:

1. Encrypt your phone before resetting: Go to Settings → Lockdown and protection → Encrypt the phone. Install it. PIN-code and wait for encryption to be completed (may take an hour or more).

Reset the settings.

Settings → Resetting settings

Fill your memory with garbage.

• Install any application (e.g. Fill Disk).
• Fill internal memory to failure with random files.
• Remove them and reset them again.

⚠️ Note: On phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon (most Xiaomi) after the reset may remain EDL-The attacker can theoretically access data through this loophole, so to close this loophole, you can search the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the option "Clean All and Lock" before selling".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Reset