How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: 3 Proven Ways

Why would you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings?

Resetting Xiaomi’s phone to factory status is a radical but sometimes necessary solution, most often when the device starts to brake after years of use, is infected with viruses or requires transfer to a new owner. However, a complete reset removes all data from internal memory, including photos, messages and installed applications. So it is important to understand when it is really needed and when the problem can be solved with less drastic methods.

Among the typical reasons for hard reset on Xiaomi are:

• 🐢 Strong slowdown after update MIUI
• 🔒 Forgotten graphical key or unlock password
• 📱 Preparation of the device for sale or transfer
• 🦠 Suspicion of virus infection or malware
• 🔄 Failed firmware update that led to failures

Before you start resetting, make sure you’ve actually exhausted all of the alternatives. For example, if your phone is just slowing down, try clearing the cache first through Settings → Memory → Cleanup or rolling back the MIUI update. And if you forget your password, use Xiaomi’s Find Device feature to unlock through your Mi Account.

Resetting: What to Do Before a Hard Reset

Regardless of the reset method chosen, without backing up the data, you will lose all the contents of the internal memory. Even if you plan to recover the information later through your Mi Account, some data (such as SMS or notes) can be lost forever.

Create a backup in Mi Cloud|Copy photo/video on PC|Export your contacts to Google|Record the Mi Account details|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

For backup in Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select Backup and click Create Backup
3. Tick the necessary data (contacts, messages, notes, settings)
4. Wait until the process is completed (may take up to 30 minutes)

If you use a Google Account, sync contacts, calendar and email via Settings → Accounts → Google. For media files, it is better to use physical copying to a computer or external drive – Xiaomi cloud services have a limit on the amount of free storage (usually 5 GB).

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone because of a forgotten password, but do not remember the Mi Account details, it will be impossible to restore access to backup copies. ADB (Requires skills to work with the command line).

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

This method is suitable if the Xiaomi phone turns on and you have access to the main menu. It is the simplest and least risky, since it passes through the regular MIUI interface. The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others on MIUI 14/15.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen)
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI - Additional)
3. Select Resetting → Delete all data
4. If necessary, enter a password or pattern lock.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings
6. Wait for the reboot (can take 5-15 minutes)

Once the process is complete, the phone will turn on in a “out of the box” state, you will need to reconfigure the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Mi/Google account. If you backed up to Mi Cloud, the system will prompt you to restore data at the initial setup stage.

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If the phone hangs on the MI logo for a long time after reset, don't panic - that's normal for the first 10-15 minutes. If the freeze lasts more than an hour, try the Recovery method.

Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If you forget the unlock password or Xiaomi phone does not load beyond the logo, you will have to use Recovery mode.This method works on all models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 12T, but requires care – wrong actions can lead to complete data loss without the possibility of recovery.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection
5. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data
6. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm
7. After you complete the process, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

In newer models (starting with MIUI 13), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese, in which case look for characters (clear data) and (confirm). If you are not sure, you should use the interpreter from the photo.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter the Mi Account data that was linked to the phone. Without this information, the device will remain locked (Mi Account Lock function).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

The Fastboot method is the most radical and requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is not available or working
• 📱 The phone is completely "brick" (does not respond to buttons)
• 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (requires unlocking the bootloader)

First, download and install:

• 🖥️ Google Platform Tools (includes) ADB and Fastboot)
• 🔌 Drivers for your Xiaomi model (can be found on the official website)

Follow the instructions:

1. Connect the phone off to the PC via USB


2.Put the Power Button + Volume Down for 10 seconds




3. In the command line (on behalf of the administrator) enter:




fastboot devices




(Your device’s serial number should be displayed)




4. Perform the complete reset command:




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




5.Reset the phone:




fastboot reboot

If the phone doesn’t turn on or produces a No command error, you may need to reflash the device via the Mi Flash Tool, a process that is more complex and requires a separate instruction.

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Resetting via Fastboot erases all data without recovery, including information about your associated Mi Account. Use this method only if other options have not helped.

Frequent Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often experience problems after a reset, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

Especially often, users are faced with blocking Mi Account after buying used phones. If the previous owner did not untie his account, you can unlock the device only through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check. In some cases, the appeal for support with proof of ownership (photo box with IMEI) helps.

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after resetting via Fastboot. This makes the phone unsuitable for calls. To avoid this, write down your IMEI before reset (you can find it on the box or via the *#06# command), and check it in the settings after recovery.

Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

If you back up your Mi Cloud or Google Account, most of the data will be automatically restored when you first set up your phone, but some types of information require manual recovery:

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Restore from Mi Cloud backup or external drive
• 📞 Contacts: synced from a Google Account or SIM-map
• 💬 Messages: Restore only if sync with Mi Cloud was enabled
• 🎮 Game saves: Depends on the game (some use the cloud, others don’t)
• 📝 Notes and documents: Recovered from Mi Cloud or Google Drive

You can use specialized programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver to recover data from internal memory (if you don't have a backup), but their effectiveness depends on whether the data was overwritten after the reset, and the faster you start recovering, the better the chances of getting it back.

If you used TWRP Recovery to build a backup, it will take a few minutes to recover:

1. Download to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Up)
2. Choose Restore.
3. Put the backup folder in.
4. Tick the required sections (usually Data and System)
5. Confirm the recovery.

⚠️ Note: Data recovery programs often require root rights, which voids warranty and can lead to security issues.On new Xiaomi models (starting with the newer ones). MIUI 14) rooting is becoming more difficult due to enhanced protection.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Reset