Resetting your Xiaomi smartphone is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, prepare your device for sale or eliminate the consequences of virus attacks, but many users are afraid of this procedure, fearing losing important data or even “breaking” the phone. In fact, resetting to factory settings is a regular function. MIUI, But the consequences depend on the type of discharge, the model of the device and the pre-preparation.
In this article, we will discuss what is happening to your Xiaomi (or your Xiaomi). Redmi/POCO) When you reset, what data is deleted and what can be restored, and you will also learn how to prepare for the procedure, avoid typical errors and return the phone to working condition with minimal losses, TWRP or the sanctuary, the consequences may differ.
Types of resetting settings on Xiaomi: how are they different?
V MIUI There are two main ways of resetting, and the consequences are very different: one is a soft reset (through the settings menu), the other is a hard reset (through Recovery Mode or Fastboot.
Mild reset (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting) removes:
- 📱 Installed applications and their data (cache, settings, accounts within applications).
- 🔑 System settings: wallpaper, sound profiles, display parameters, gestures.
- 📶 Saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords to them.
- 🔒 Fingerprints and Face Unlock data (if linked to a device, not a Mi Account).
The files in the device’s memory (photos, videos, music) remain intact – but only if you have not selected the option “Clear internal memory”!
Hard reset (via Recovery or Mi Flash Tool) is more radical:
- 🗃️ Completely formats the section /data, Deleting all user data, including files in folders DCIM, Downloads, Documents.
- 🔄 Restores firmware to a “clean” state (sometimes with a rollback to the factory version). MIUI).
- 🔐 Resets Mi Account settings (if the device is not linked to the account).
A critical difference: Hard resets via Fastboot (e.g., fastboot erase userdata) also erase the internal storage section, which stores downloads and media files, a method often used to “reanimate” the frozen devices, but requires subsequent flashing.
⚠️ Note: On Dynamic Partition devices (all Android 10 models)+) A hard reset can cause data loss even on the SD-the card, if it was used as an internal memory!
What data is deleted irrevocably (and how to save it)
The most painful part of a reset is the loss of identity. Even if you regularly sync with Mi Cloud, some things are not recoverable. Here's a full list of things that will disappear forever if you don't prepare in advance:
| Type of data | Removed? | Can we restore it? | How to save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo and video at the gallery | ✅ Yes (hard resetting) | ❌ Not (unless there was a backup copy) | Copy on PC or in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) |
| SMS/MMS messages | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially (via Mi Cloud, if synchronized) | Export to XML through settings → Additionally. → Backup |
| Call logs | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Yes (if linked to Google Account) | Sync with Google Contacts |
| Application data (save games, chats in) Telegram/WhastApp) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (except for cloud backup apps) | Use built-in backup features in each application |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Devices Settings | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | Take a picture of the list of networks in Settings → Wi-Fi |
Critical point: on devices with root rights or custom firmware, a reset can delete files even from a folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup, backup MIUI. Always check this folder before resetting!
The checklist will help to save the data:
☑️ Preparing for Xiaomi's reset
Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (for example, Google Authenticator or Telegram). If you do not move the codes before reset, you will lose access to accounts!
- Open the Google Authenticator → ⋮ → Export of accounts.
- Save it. QR-codes or text keys in a secure location (e.g., in Keepass).
- After the reset, import the accounts back.
What Happens to Mi Accounts and Google Accounts After a Reset
One of the most common problems after a reset is blocking your Mi Account (especially on devices with a China-based connection). ROM). Even if you remember your login and password, the system may require additional verification:
1. On devices with Global ROM: After the reset, the phone will prompt you to log into Mi Account when you first turn on. If the account was previously linked, just enter the data - there will be no lock.
2.On devices with China ROM: The phone will require you to enter the account data that was tied before the reset. Without this, you can unlock the device only through the official Xiaomi service (with a purchase check).
With Google Account, the situation is simpler:
- 🔄 If it was on before the reset. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, after restarting the phone will require you to enter the data of the last synchronized Google account.
💡
If you buy used Xiaomi, always ask the seller to unplug Mi Account and Google Account before the reset, otherwise you risk getting a brick with the account blocked.
On models POCO F1/F2/F3 And some Redmi Notes, when they're reset, may have a "This device is locked" error, even if they're untied. MIUI, decider:
- Reboot to Fastboot (Power) + Vol Down).
- Entering the command: fastboot oem clean_frp
- Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (for power users only).
Effects of reset on devices with unlocked loader or TWRP
If your Xiaomi has an unlocked bootloader installed TWRP Or custom firmware (like LineageOS, Pixel Experience), a reset over a standard menu can cause a device to fail:
1. Recovery Mode Reset: If you have a TWRP, A standard reset (Wipe Data) will not delete files in the folder /sdcard, but it can be erased /system, If you have chosen Format Data.
2. Fastboot Reset: Commands like fastboot erase userdata will delete all partitions, including vendor and product, making the firmware inoperable without re-installation.
To avoid problems:
☑️ Reset for devices with TWRP
On Xiaomi models 11/12/13 A reset via Fastboot can cause an error of "Invalid sparse file format at header:
- Download fastboot firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
- Use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All and Lock option (but this will block the bootloader!).
- Or you can run through. TWRP Pre-formatting the data in F2FS.
⚠️ Note: On devices with Anti-Rollback Protection (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) downgrading of the version MIUI When reset, you will always check the anti version in Fastboot with the fastboot getvar anti team.
How to recover the phone after reset: step-by-step instructions
After a successful reset, your Xiaomi will turn on in a “out of the box” state, and the next steps depend on whether you want to return old data or configure the device from scratch.
Step 1. Initial setting
- 🌍 Select the language and region (important for Mi Cloud and Google Services to work correctly).
- 🔌 Connect to Wi-Fi (preferably the same network as before the reset – this will speed up the recovery of backups).
- 🔑 Log in to Mi Account and Google Account that were tied before the reset.
Step 2: Data recovery
If you have been backing up Mi Cloud:
- Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
- Select the last backup and click “Restore”.
- Confirm the restoration of contacts, SMS, note-and-settings.
If there is no backup, but the files are copied to the PC:
- 📁 Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode).
- 🖥️ Move the files back to the folders DCIM, Downloads, Music.
- 🔄 Reboot your phone so that media files appear in the gallery.
Step 3: Reconfigure the system
Some parameters are not automatically restored:
- 🔒 Set up unlock (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint).
- 📡 Add Wi-Fi networks manually (or restore from the backup of the Mi Cloud).
- 🎵 Set up sound profiles and notifications in Settings → Sound.
- 🔋 Turn off unnecessary auto-runs of applications in Settings → Annexes → Auto-start.
What to do if the phone does not turn on after reset?
Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that make a reset a nightmare, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
| Mistake. | Effects of consequences | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Account reset to China without detachment ROM | Locking the phone to require the previous owner to enter data | Untie the account in Settings → Mi Account → Get out before the dump. |
| Use of Format Data in the TWRP backup | Loss of all files, including internal memory | First, make a backup in TWRP → Backup, then formatting |
| Reset on the Anti-Rollback device and downgrade version MIUI | Hard brick (phone not switched on) | Check the anti version before the firmware command fastboot getvar anti |
| Interrupting the reset process (removed the battery, disconnected the power) | Damage to section /data, cyclic | Wait for the process to be completed (may take up to 10 minutes) |
Another common problem is loss. IMEI After being reset on custom firmware devices, this is because you delete files in the folder. /data/nvram. To restore IMEI:
- Make sure you have a backup of the nvram folder (you need to do it before you reset!).
- Swipe the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.
- If IMEI Reset on 0000000000, use the engineering menu (#4636##) or utility SN Write Tool (for experienced users only!).
💡
Never drop Xiaomi with custom firmware through the standard Recovery Mode menu – this will lead to loss. TWRP And a possible brik. Use only TWRP → Wipe → Format Data (with pre-backup!).