Reset Xiaomi to factory settings through Recovery: detailed instructions with photos

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings via Recovery Mode is a last resort when the device doesn’t respond to standard reset methods through settings, which comes in handy if you forget your password, the phone is stuck on the Mi logo, or after a failed firmware update, but it’s important to understand that a full reset deletes all data — photos, contacts, messages and installed apps.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you sign in to Recovery (including hidden combinations for new models), explain how to avoid reset errors, and what to do if your phone doesn’t respond to commands, and reveal the secret Fastboot recovery method for devices with locked Recovery.

If you’ve never worked with a recovery mode, don’t worry: we’ve detailed each step with pictures and warnings about possible risks, but remember: once reset, the phone will be “like new” – you’ll have to reset your Mi Account, connect Google, and restore backups (if any).

What is Recovery Mode and When to Use It

Recovery Mode is an Android service mode that allows you to perform critical operations without booting the main system. On Xiaomi smartphones, it is used to:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings (wipe data)
• 🔧 Installation of official and custom firmware
• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (bootloader)
• 🛠️ Recovery after failures (bootloop)

From standard reset via Settings → About Phone → Recovery Settings Reset is different in that it works even if the system does not boot. For example, if Xiaomi hangs on the Mi logo or cyclically reboots, then only through Recovery can it be brought back to life.

But there are limitations:

• ⚠️ New models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12) Recovery can be blocked by Mi Account password.
• ⚠️ Resetting through Recovery doesn't get by FRP-Blocking (Google protection after reset).
• ⚠️ On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global) may not have a Wipe Data option.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone before selling, be sure to log out of Mi Account in the pre-reset settings. otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device!

How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: all the ways

Recovery login depends on the model and version of MIUI, and here are the proven combinations for different devices:

If the combination does not work:

1. Try holding the buttons for longer than 20 seconds.
2. Connect your phone to charge – some models don’t include Recovery at low charge.
3. For devices with a power button that is not working, use the ADB command: adb reboot recovery.

Xiaomi’s step-by-step reset via Recovery

When you are successfully logged in to Recovery, follow this instruction:

Turn off the phone from charging (to avoid failures)

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Backup important data (if the phone is still working)

Remember the data from Mi Account and Google

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1. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to confirm your choice.
2. Select Wipe Data (on some firmwares – Wipe & Reset).
3. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data or Yes.
4. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

If you see a screen that says Data wipe complete or Success, it means that the reset was successful. If the process is frozen during Formatting /data... for more than 10 minutes, then:

• 🔋 The battery is discharged (plug the charger and try again).
• 🛠️ The file system is damaged (try resetting via Fastboot).
• 🔒 Device locked with Mi Account (unlocked).

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If the phone asks you to enter the old password after the reset, it means that FRP protection has been activated. To get around it, you need to enter data from the last connected Google account.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the right actions, resetting through Recovery can go wrong, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

If after resetting the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo:

1. Try going to Recovery and repeat the reset.
2. Install the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (instruction below).
3. Check if the antirollback is activated (on models with MIUI 12+).

⚠️ Note: On dynamic partition devices (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50 Ultra) resetting via Recovery can cause the userdata partition to be lost, in which case only flashing through Fastboot will help.

Alternative Resetting Methods If Recovery Does Not Work

If a standard Recovery reset is not available (for example, due to a blocked menu or a damaged partition), use these methods:

1. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and an unlocked bootloader.

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Power + Volume down).
2. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

2. Reset via EDL Mode (Emergency Mode)

Used if the phone doesn't respond to any combination of buttons.

• 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC via USB.
• 🔧 Close the contacts test point (location depends on the model).
• 💻 In Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and press Flash.

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Resetting via EDL deletes all data without recovery, including IMEI. Use this method only as a last resort!

3. Reset via service codes (for a running system)

If the phone turns on, but you want to return factory settings without Recovery, type in the dialer:

• ##7378423## is a Xiaomi service menu (on some models).
• #3646633## - Engineering menu (caution: not all items are safe!)

How to recover data after resetting

If you haven’t backed up in advance, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are a few ways to do this:

• 📱 Recovery from the cloud: When you first turn on after a reset, the system will prompt you to restore data from Mi Cloud or Google. Enter the account details that were tied before the reset.
• 💾 Recovery software: Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver or DiskDigger can scan the phone's internal memory. Success depends on whether the data has been overwritten.
• 🔧 Manual search in folders: Connect your phone to your PC and check folders DCIM, Downloads and MIUI — sometimes they persist.

For the future: set up automatic backup in Settings → About Phone → Backup. Xiaomi lets you save copies to Mi Cloud (5GB free) or Google Drive.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone, after the reset, be sure to untie it from the Mi Account on account.xiaomi.com. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting via Recovery