How to Reset Xiaomi to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a powerful MIUI shell or a new HyperOS that can over time overgrow software debris, accumulate registry errors and slow down the device. Often users are faced with a situation when the gadget begins to work unstable, applications fly out and the battery runs out faster than usual, in which case the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state of the system.

The reset procedure removes all user data, including photos, contacts, installed apps and accounts, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state.It is important to understand that this is a radical measure that requires prior preparation.If you plan to simply sell the device or transfer it to another user, data cleanup is a must for your digital security.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can do this, from the standard settings menu to the Recovery engineering mode, and we will also discuss how to bypass Google and Mi Account locks, which are often experienced by inexperienced users after formatting.

Preparation of the device before complete reset

Before you start the formatting process, you need to perform a number of critical actions. Ignoring this step can lead to the loss of valuable information or complete locking of the device by the manufacturer's security mechanisms. Backup is the first and most important step that should not be missed.

Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system partitions, which will turn the smartphone into a “brick.” Also check if you know the passwords from your accounts, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm ownership.

If you have a MicroSD card installed, it is strongly recommended to remove it before starting the procedure. Although modern versions of MIUI usually ask for confirmation to erase the external drive, physical extraction ensures that your files on the card are safe. It is also worth turning off the Find Device feature in the Mi Account settings if you plan to reset through the menu to avoid unnecessary checks.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone has a pattern lock or pin that you have forgotten, a standard reset via settings won’t work for you.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)

The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the built-in menu, which is suitable for cases where you remember the unlock password and have full access to the smartphone interface, and it ensures that all processes are closed correctly before formatting.

To start, go to Settings and find About Phone, and at the bottom of the screen is a Reset button (or Delete All Data) that warns you that all files will be destroyed. If there are multiple users on the device, you may need to reset each profile separately.

💡

Before resetting via the settings menu, take screenshots of important Wi-Fi network configurations and email settings to quickly restore communication after formatting.

Once confirmed, the phone will request a screen unlock password or a Mi Account password, which is a security mechanism against theft, and once confirmed, the phone will reboot and the cleaning process will begin, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory, so don't interrupt this process and don't try to use the device.

Some firmware versions may have slightly different paths, such as global versions of MIUI often use the path: Settings → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset → Reset. The new HyperOS shells have the same logic, but the visual design of the menu has become more minimalistic.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or you forget your lock password, the only option is to use Recovery Mode, which works at the bootloader level and doesn't require access to the Android operating system.

To enter this mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears. Then release the power button, but continue holding the volume button until the Recovery menu appears.

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down), and the power button confirms the choice. Depending on the version of Recovery (Chinese or global), the items can be called differently. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

⚠️ Note: On Chinese versions of Recovery, the menu can be entirely in Chinese. The reset point is usually in the second or third item at the top.

After the cleaning process is completed, which is displayed as a percentage, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first start of the system will take longer than usual, as the initial configuration of file tables and system services takes place.

Solving Mi and Google Account Problems (FRP)

Modern smartphones are equipped with a theft protection system known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection). If you drop your phone through Recovery, the first time you turn on it will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the device earlier, so that the thief can not use the stolen phone after formatting.

A similar situation arises with a Xiaomi account: if a device search was enabled on the phone before the reset, the system will require authorization, you can not circumvent this protection in legal ways without the owner’s data, the only option is to remember the password or restore access to the account through the manufacturer’s website.

To avoid problems, always log out before selling or resetting. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select Google and Mi accounts, and click Delete Account or Sign Out. Only then can you safely reset.

Use the Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot for advanced

For users who want to completely reinstall the firmware, rather than just clear the data, there is a utility called Mi Flash Tool, which requires the smartphone to be put into Fastboot mode, pressing the Volume Down button and connecting the USB cable to the computer.

The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, with the words Fastboot. Connecting the device to a PC with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, you can start the flashing process. In the Mi Flash Tool, you need to choose the path to the firmware files and press the Flash all button, which also clears all data.

fastboot devices


fastboot oem edl




fastboot reboot

This method is useful if the software failure is so serious that the phone can not boot even in Recovery, or if you need to change the firmware region (for example, from Chinese to global).

⚠️ Note: Using Fastboot commands and flashing incompatible images can cause permanent damage to the device. Make sure the firmware model matches your smartphone model accurately.

Frequent errors and troubleshooting

In the process of resetting, users often encounter typical problems, such as the phone may hang on the Mi logo after a reboot. 90% of the time, this means that the formatting process has been interrupted or damaged the system partition. The solution is one: repeat the procedure through Recovery or reflash the device.

Another common mistake is endless restart (bootloop). If the phone is constantly rebooted after a reset, the cache partition may be damaged. Try logging into Recovery and selecting Wipe Cache (if available in your version) without touching user data, although a full reset usually solves this problem.

💡

If you reset your phone, it warms up and it discharges quickly in the first 30 minutes, that's OK, and it indexes your files and optimizes your apps in the background.

Also worth mentioning is the problem with the touchscreen after reset on some models: If the screen has stopped responding to touch, try a forced reset (press the power button for 10-15 seconds). If this did not help, it may be hardware in nature and not related to the software.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions