How to reset the settings on Xiaomi to factory: 5 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the device for sale to fixing software failures. However, many users face difficulties: where to find the right menu item, how to bypass the screen lock or what to do if the phone does not turn on. This instruction covers all possible scenarios, from a standard reset through settings to recovery through Fastboot for “bricks”.

It is important to understand that the reset removes all data from internal memory, including photos, contacts and installed applications. Even if you have previously made backups through Mi Cloud, some settings (such as Wi-Fi passwords or camera settings) will have to be reconfigured. Before you start, make sure you have access to your Mi Account – without it, it may be impossible to unlock the device after the reset.

In this article, we will discuss:

• 📱 Standard reset via the settings menu (for working devices)
• 🔧 Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone freezes or doesn't respond)
• 🔌 Recovery via Fastboot (for "dead" devices)
• 🔒 Bypassing the screen lock without data loss (limited options)
• ⚠️ Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Before you hit the Reset button, follow a few critical steps that will save you data loss and trouble activating your device after the procedure.

First, save all the important data. Even if you plan to recover it from the cloud, some files (such as screenshots or voice recorders) may not sync automatically.

• 🖥️ PC - connect the phone to USB file transfer mode (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads, Documents
• ☁️ Cloud – upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Yandex.Disk (check if there is enough space)
• 📱 Another smartphone – use apps like ShareMe (from Xiaomi) for wireless transmission

Second, unplug accounts. After the reset, you will need to log back in to Mi Account, Google, and other services. If the device has two-factor authentication enabled, make sure you have backup codes, especially for models with Mi Account lock (such as Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro), where you may need to enter the username/password of the previous owner after the reset.

⚠️ Note: If you buy used Xiaomi, ask the seller to untie Mi Account before payment.Otherwise, the device may turn into a “brick” after your reset – unlocking through Xiaomi Support takes up to 30 days and requires purchase checks.

Finally, check the battery. The reset process can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, and if the phone runs out at that point, the consequences will be unpredictable, from data loss to firmware damage. Optimal charge level: at least 50%.

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Copy photos and documents on PC/cloud|Record the username and password from Mi Account|Disable two-factor authentication (if any)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

Method 2: Reset via the settings menu (for working devices)

This is the easiest and safest method available on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, from the budget Redmi 9A to flagships like Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on newer versions of MIUI).
3. Click Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
4. Select Erase all data (on some models – Reset to factory settings).
5. Enter a password/pattern lock if the system requests it.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset phone (or similar button).

It takes 5-15 minutes, the phone will reboot several times, after which you will see the screen of the initial settings, as after the purchase, at which point you can restore data from the backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) You may be asked to enter your Mi Account password after you reset, even if you haven't tied it to it. This is anti-theft protection. If you forget your account information, use the recovery service.

If the menu doesn’t have Backup and Reset, try an alternative route:

Settings → System → Additional → Reset parameters → Erase all data

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't respond)

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, doesn’t respond to touch, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery Mode, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the device’s buttons.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition 🎵 For some older devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X): Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selection) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in English).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (some firmware may call Factory Reset).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
4. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

Follow the instructions:

1. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
2. Check the connection of the device by command: fastboot devices If the phone is detected, you will see its serial number.
3. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the device is restarted, it will be in a factory state. If the process is stuck in the erase phase, don't turn off the cable, wait 10-15 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) A Fastboot reset may result in a bootloader lock, which requires official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting time.

5. Method 4: Bypassing locking without resetting (limited features)

If you have forgotten your password or graphical key but don’t want to lose data, you can try alternative unlock methods, and note that newer versions of MIUI (12 and above) have most of these blocked for security reasons.

Options for action:

• 🔑 Mi Account: If the phone is linked to a Xiaomi account, after 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the button Forgot the password?. Press it and log in via Mi Account (Internet required).
• 📧 Google Account: On Android 9 and below, after several missteps, the system will prompt you to enter data from Google.
• 🖥️ ADB: If previously enabled Developer Mode and Debugging USB, You can delete the password file via the command: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key After the reboot, the lock will reset, but this method only works on older versions. MIUI (before 10-oo).

On models with MIUI 13/14 and new security patches, these methods probably won’t work, in which case you only have to reset completely via Recovery or Fastboot, but the data will be lost.

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The only official way to unlock Xiaomi without losing data is to recall your password or use the Mi Account attached. All other methods are either outdated or require root rights.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If the phone is running slower than before, follow these steps:

• 🧹 Clean the cache in Recovery Mode (wipe cache item).
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 📵 Reset network settings (Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings).

7. Reset on specific models: features

Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when reset, and here are the most popular models and their features:

• 📱 Redmi Note 10/11 Series: After a reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account, even if the phone hasn't been tied up before.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy for markets outside China.
• 📱 POCO F3/GT: In Recovery Mode, the touch screen doesn’t work – use volume buttons to navigate.
• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: When reset via Fastboot, the bootloader can lock.Unlock takes up to 30 days.
• 📱 Redmi 9/9A/9C: These models often have a "No command" error in Recovery, and the solution is to re-clamp Volume up. + Nutrition.

For global firmware devices (such as the Redmi Note 10 Global), the reset is usually smooth, but on Chinese versions (with the CN suffix in the model name), after reset, you may need to link to a Chinese phone number to activate Google services.

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To find out the firmware version, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version. If at the end of the name there is CN - Chinese firmware, Global - international, RU - Russian.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions