Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a one-stop solution for most software problems, from freezes and brakes to viruses and bugs after updates. However, many users get lost when they need to find this feature on the menu, especially if the phone is glitchy or locked. In this article, we will detail where the reset option hides in different versions of MIUI, how to activate it through settings, Recovery modes and even physical buttons.
It’s important to understand that the reset process removes all data from the device: photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. So before you start, make sure to back up through Settings → About Phone → Backup or sync important files with Mi Cloud. If the phone is locked or does not respond to touch, you will have to use alternative methods — we will also consider them.
This article is relevant for all modern Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note, POCO, Mi and Black Shark series, running on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS. If your device is released before 2018, some menu items may differ slightly - we will warn you about this separately.
1. Reset via basic settings (if the phone is working)
The easiest way to do this is to use the built-in menu. MIUI. This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, reacts to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-Here's the step-by-step instruction:
- Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
- Scroll down and select About Phone (on HyperOS – About Device).
- Slip on the item Backup and reset (in older versions of MIUI – Additional → Reset settings).
- Select Settings Reset, then confirm the action by entering the password from your Mi Account (if tied).
The screen will display a warning to delete all data, and once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the cleanup process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and do not interrupt it, which can damage system files.
Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud
Remember the username/password from the Mi Account
Connect the charger (battery > 30%)
Delete SD-card (if any)-->
⚠️ Note: If you forget your Mi Account password, resetting through settings may block your phone due to the Mi Account Lock feature.
2.Where to look for reset in different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s interface is regularly updated, and the location of the reset option may change. In the table below, we have collected the current paths for popular firmware versions:
| Firmware version | The way to dump | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12–14 | Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Resetting settings | Requires a password from Mi Account if tied |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → About the device → Resetting settings | Menu simplified, option brought to the first screen |
| MIUI 10–11 | Settings → Additional → Resetting settings | You may need confirmation via SMS |
| MIUI for POCO | Settings → System → Additional → Resetting settings | The interface is similar to stock Android |
On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), the path may be slightly different. If you don't find the right item, search for settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner) and enter the "reset" request.
MIUI 14
HyperOS 1.0
MIUI 12/13
Old version (up to MIUI 11)
I don't know.-->
On HyperOS devices, you may need to re-assign your Mi Account after a reset, even if you didn’t have one before, due to Xiaomi’s tightening security policy in 2026.
3. Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on or locked)
If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, freezes on the logo, or is locked after a failed update, use Recovery Mode.This method works on all models, including the Redmi 4X, Mi A2, and the new POCO F5.
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older smartphones (until 2018): Volume up + Volume down + Power.
Mi
Recovery
Wipe Data
Factory Reset
Yes
Once the reset is complete, select Reboot to restart. The first run can take up to 10 minutes - that's fine.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) may have a "This device is locked" error after reset via Recovery, which means that the phone is tied to a Mi Account and you will need to enter a login/password to unlock it.
4. Hardware reset via buttons (for older models)
On Xiaomi devices released before 2017 (e.g. Redmi 3S, Mi 4), there was an alternative way to reset through the service menu, which worked even when the screen was damaged or sensors were not working.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the combination Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10-20 seconds.
- When the menu in Chinese appears, release the buttons.
- Use the Volume Down button to select the item with the characters (this is the reset).
- Confirm the choice of the power button.
This method doesn’t work on new smartphones (after 2018), as Xiaomi has removed the service menu due to security vulnerabilities.If you have a modern model, use Recovery or Fastboot.
5.What to do if the reset does not help or the phone asks for a password
Sometimes, after a reset, a Xiaomi device can:
- 🔄 Getting stuck on the Mi logo (bootloop).
- 🔒 Require a password from a Mi Account you don’t remember.
- 🚫 Recovery Error: No Command Error in Recovery.
Here is what can be done in each case:
- 🔄 Bootloop: Try to log into Recovery and repeat the reset. If it doesn't work, you'll need to flash it through Fastboot (instructions are on the forum). 4PDA).
- 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account: Restore your password through the official website or contact the service center with a check to purchase. EDL Can lock your phone permanently.
- 🚫 "No command": This means that Recovery is corrupted. The solution is to flash stock Recovery through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
If you're not sure what you're doing, you should go to the experts, because the wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick.
💡
Fastboot resets are the last chance to save the phone if other methods don't work, but it requires a PC, a cable, and a commands knowledge.
6.How to prepare the phone for reset: checklist
To avoid data loss and other issues, follow these steps before resetting:
- 📱 Sync your contacts with Google or Mi Cloud (Settings) → Accounts).
- 📸 Copy photos on PC or in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
- 🔐 Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account (if tied).
- 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50% to avoid turning off during reset.
- 📋 Write it down. IMEI (dial *#06# in case of recovery after resetting.
If the phone is locked and you can’t make a backup, try connecting it to your PC via a computer. USB-Cable and copy files manually (sometimes) MIUI Allows access to memory even without unlocking).
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Many users make the same mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common:
- 🔌 Interrupting process: If you pull out the battery or force the phone to turn off during a reset, it can damage system files.
- 🔑 Ignoring Mi Account: If the phone is tied to an account, a reset without decoupling will result in locking. → Mi Account.
- 📱 Resetting through unofficial Recovery: Installation of custom TWRP Without unlocking the bootloader can block the device.
- 🔄 Use of outdated instructions: Resetting methods for MIUI 8 will not work for HyperOS. Always check the relevance of the information.
If the phone started to run slower after the reset, it may have been a hardware problem (e.g., worn-out memory), in which case only replacing the module in the service will help.