How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings through Recovery: a complete guide with nuances

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings via Recovery mode is a radical but effective solution when the phone is glitching, slowing down or not responding to conventional reset methods. Unlike standard resetting via the settings menu, this method works even if the system is not booting, the screen is locked or the device is infected with a virus. However, the wrong actions in the recovery fashion can turn the smartphone into a “brick”, so it is important to understand each step.

In this article, we will analyze not only the basic instructions for all Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note). 10 Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but also nuances that the manufacturer does not specify in the official manuals, for example, why some devices disappear after reset. IMEI, How to avoid E:unknown command error in a Recovery, and what to do if the phone does not turn on after reset, you will also learn how to prepare for the procedure so as not to lose important data, and what alternative methods exist for different versions of the phone. MIUI (including MIUI 14 and MIUI 15 Android-based 13/14).

What is Recovery Reset and When You Need It

Recovery Mode (or “recovery”) is a service environment built into Xiaomi’s firmware that allows you to perform critical operations without loading the main system. Recovery over the receptacle is called hard reset because it:

• 🧹 Completely clears the section /data (including accounts, settings, applications)
• 🔄 Restores the factory firmware (but does not update it!)
• 🔒 Resets all passwords, graphic keys and fingerprints
• 📱 Does not affect files on the memory card (unless it is encrypted)

When to use this method:

• 🚨 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo MI
• 🔐 Forgot your pattern lock/password, and Find Device doesn’t help
• 🦠 The virus blocked access to system settings
• 🐢 The system is severely inhibited and a normal reset does not help
• 📦 You need to sell/give the phone and completely clear the data

⚠️ Warning: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a reset over the Recovery can lead to loss IMEI This is true for Redmi Note models. 9/10/11, POCO X3/F3 and others with MediaTek processors.

If your goal is just to speed up the phone, first try a soft reset via the settings (Settings). → The phone. → Hard Reset should only be used when other methods do not work.

Resetting: What to do before entering Recovery

Unprepared resets can result in data loss or a build-up of the device, and here is a checklist of mandatory actions:

Backup of important data|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Find out the model and version MIUI|Prepare the cable. USB (bug-in)|Make sure SIM-map removed (for models with MediaTek)

-->

1. Backup

Resetting over the Recovery removes ALL from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers)
• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log (if not synced to Google)
• 🎮 Save games (e.g. in Genshin Impact or in the game) PUBG Mobile)
• 📝 Notes, documents and files in the folder MIUI/Notes

Backup methods:

2. Verification of the MIUI model and version

It depends on the model, which recavator is installed on your Xiaomi:

• 📱 Stock Recaveri (official, Chinese/English) – on most out-of-the-box devices.
• 🛠️ TWRP (If you have been using it for the purpose of installing it.

You can find out the version of the Recaveri as follows:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the MI logo appears.
3. If you see a menu with items in English/Chinese, it's a stock recaveri. TWRP.

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO M4 Pro) discharge through stock recaveries may result in loss IMEI. Check before the procedure IMEI team-wise *#06# and keep it.

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: All Ways

Entry into the recavéry on Xiaomi depends on the state of the device. Here are all the working methods:

Method 1: Classic button combination (for switched off phone)

1. Turn off the phone completely (clip the power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press and hold the buttons: Power + Loudness up for most models (Redmi Note) 10/11, POCO X3/F3, Xiaomi 11/12/13). Nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down for older models (Redmi) 4X, Note 5).

MI

In 5-10 seconds you will see the Recaveri menu.

Challenges and solutions:

• 🔋 If the phone is not responding, check the battery (minimum 30%).
• 🔄 If a logo appears, MI and the phone restarts – try to pinch the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).
• 🔌 In some models (POCO F1, Mi 8) you need to first hold the volume up + Eating, and after vibration let go of Nutrition, continuing to keep Volume up.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the phone is switched on)

If the phone is working, but you want to enter the Recovery without buttons:

1. Turn on the debugging. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times, then additionally → For developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb reboot recovery

Method 3: Fastboot (if the phone doesn't respond to buttons)

If the button combination doesn’t work, try:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Squeeze the power. + Volume down before Fastboot mode (Android robot labeled Fastboot).
3. On PC, run the command: fastboot reboot recovery

💡

If the Android robot with a red exclamation point appears on the screen, pinch the Power + Volume up for 10 seconds – this will force the Recovery menu to open.

Step-by-step: how to make a reset through stock Recovery

If you have official Xiaomi recavators, follow this instruction. The interface can be in Chinese or English - below is the translation of all points.

Select a language (if available)|Find the Wipe Data Item|Confirm discharge|Reboot the phone

-->

Step 1: Navigating the menu

In the drain Recovery, the volume buttons (Up/Down for moving, Power for selecting) are controlled.

• Reboot - reboot (exit without changes).
• Wipe Data – reset to factory settings.
• Connect with MIAssistant is a mode for firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

Translation of Chinese paragraphs:

• 🌐 (Qīngchú shùjù) = Wipe Data (reset).
• 🔄 (Chóngqǐ) = Reboot (reboot).
• 📱 (Liánjiē Xiǎomǐ Zhùshǒu) = Connect with MIAssistant.

Step 2: Selecting a Wipe Data Item

1. The volume buttons select Wipe Data (or ).
2. Press Power for confirmation.
3. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data (or ).
4. Confirm the action (usually you need to choose Confirm or ).

What happens at this stage:

• 🗃️ All data from the section is deleted /data (applications, settings, accounts).
• 🔄 Factory settings are being restored MIUI.
• 📛 Not affected: files on SD-map (if not encrypted), firmware, section /system.

Step 3: Reboot after resetting

After the procedure is completed (usually 1-3 minutes), you will see the words Data wipe complete or.

1. Select Reboot().
2. If the phone does not reboot automatically, press the power for 10 seconds.

On devices with a MediaTek processor (Redmi Note) 11/12, POCO M4/M5) After the reset, the mobile network may disappear, in which case you will need to restore the mobile network. IMEI through the engineering menu (##3646633##).

💡

Resetting through stock receptacles does not update the firmware. If the phone is unstable after the procedure, check for updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

Features of discharge through TWRP (squirrel)

If your Xiaomi is installed TWRP, This custom recap allows you to backup, install firmware and perform advanced reset (for example, format individual partitions).

Step 1: Entering TWRP

The combination of buttons is the same: Nutrition + Loudness up. Differences:

• 📱 The interface is touch (you can touch your finger).
• 🌐 The language can be changed to Russian in the settings.
• ⚠️ At the first entrance, you may need to enter a password (if encryption was installed).

Step 2: Selecting the type of discharge

V TWRP available:

• Wipe → Swipe to Factory Reset – Standard Reset (analogue of stock Recovery).
• Wipe → Advanced Wipe – Selecting individual partitions for formatting (e.g, Dalvik/ART Cache, System).
• Wipe → Format Data – Full Formatting of the Partition /data (Deletes everything, including internal memory).

Which option should I choose?

⚠️ Note: If you choose Format Data in TWRP, After restarting, your phone may need to enter a password to decrypt the data (even if you haven’t set it), in which case only a complete flashing through Fastboot will help.

Step 3: Additional actions after discharge

After discharge through TWRP recommended:

1. Reboot to the system and check the performance.
2. If the phone does not boot, install the firmware through Install → choose ZIP-file MIUI.
3. When you have problems with the download, run the Wipe → Advanced Wipe and format Cache and Dalvik.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the reset correctly, you can have problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to correct them:

Error 1: The phone will not turn on after resetting

Reasons:

• 🔋 The battery was drained during the procedure.
• 📱 Firmware damaged (relevant for devices with unlocked bootloader).
• 🔒 Partition structure is broken (for example, after a failed Format Data in the TWRP).

Decisions:

1. Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes, then try turning it on.
2. If it doesn't help, log in to Fastboot (Food). + Volume down) and reflash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool.
3. For devices with TWRP Try installing the firmware through Install → choose ZIP-file MIUI.

Mistake 2: Loss IMEI after reset (for MediaTek)

This problem is relevant for models with MediaTek processors (Redmi Note). 11/12, POCO M4 Pro and others.).

How to restore the IMEI:

1. Find out the original IMEI (see box or check).
2. Enter the engineering menu: ##3646633##.
3. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information.
4. In the field AT+ enter: AT +EGMR=1,7,"Yours_IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"Yours_IMEI_2"
5. Reboot the phone.

Mistake 3: Hanging on the logo MI post-discharge

Reasons:

• 📦 System cache damaged.
• 🔄 Conflict of firmware and recaveri versions.
• 🔒 Mi Account is activated but no internet connection.

Decisions:

1. Enter the Recavéri and perform Wipe Cache.
2. If it doesn’t work, make a Wipe Dalvik Cache. TWRP).
3. For devices with Mi Account binding, connect to Wi-Fi and wait for activation.

Error 4: The sensor is not working TWRP

In some models (POCO F1, Mi 8) after updating the firmware, the sensor stops working in the TWRP.

Bypasses:

• 🔌 Connect. OTG-mouse.
• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation (like in a drain Recovery).
• 🔄 Reinstall the current version TWRP via Fastboot.

Alternative Resetting Methods (if Recovery does not work)

If you can’t enter the river, try these methods:

Method 1: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for bricks)

It will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 📋 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
5. Wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Reset by Find Device (if phone is on)

If the phone is on but locked:

1. Go to the Find Device website and log in.
2. Choose your device.
3. Press Erase Device (Erase Device).
4. Confirm the action.

Limitations:

• 🔒 The phone must be connected to the internet.
• 📱 A Mi Account must be attached to the device.
• ⚠️ After reset, you will need to enter a password from Mi Account.

Method 3: Reset via engineering menu (for older models)

On some devices (Redmi) 4X, Note 5) Hidden reset code is running:

1. Enter the dialer: ##7378423##.
2. Choose Wipe Data or Factory Reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting via Recovery