How to return Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that solves most software problems, from slowdowns and errors to preparing the device for sale. However, not all users know that a complete reset removes not only apps and settings, but also Mi Account data associated with the device, which can lead to locking the phone if you do not perform a preliminary decoupling from the account.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to reset — through the settings menu, Recovery mode and Fastboot — and how to avoid typical errors. Particular attention will be paid to the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other popular lines where the procedure may differ due to MIUI versions. If your phone is locked or not turned on, here you will find a solution.

We warn you beforehand that resets will not help with hardware failures (such as motherboard or battery failures), which require diagnostics at the service center, but software failures — lags, update errors, viruses — are eliminated by reset in 90% of cases.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you reset the Xiaomi Redmi, take the necessary steps to avoid losing important data and locking your phone permanently. Even if the device is unstable, take time to prepare – this will save you nerves and money in the future.

1. Backup. Use built-in Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party apps like Swift Backup (root rights required).

• 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf on Google Drive or Google Drive) SIM-map)
• 📷 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud Mi Cloud)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (save a screenshot of the network list in Settings) → Wi-Fi)
• 🎮 Save games (use the cloud or root manager to access the folder) /data/data)

2 Unplug your Mi Account. If you sell a phone, be sure to unlink the Xiaomi account, otherwise the new owner won't be able to activate the device!

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Click on the avatar → Exit → Delete the account.
3. Confirm with your password and wait. SMS-code (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from your Mi Account, resetting your phone without a detachment will lead to activation of the protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection! Unlock the device after that you can only through the official Xiaomi service with a check of purchase.

3. Check the battery power. Make sure the charge level is at least 50%. If the reset is interrupted due to discharge, the phone can turn into a brick (it will not respond to charging or on).

Make a backup copy of the data|Unplug your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)|Charge the battery to 50%+|Remember the password from the Google account (required after resetting)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The instructions are valid for all Redmi models on the MIUI 12/13/14, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 10C others.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
4. Select Erase all data (on some firmware – Reset to factory settings).
5. Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when you reboot, you'll see the screen that you set up in the first place, like you did after you bought it, and if the phone requests your Mi or Google account information, you can type it in, which is fine to protect against theft.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models with MIUI Global may have a "This device is locked" error after the reset, which means that the Mi Account has not been untied, the decision is to enter the associated account details or contact Xiaomi for support.

What to do if the settings menu is not available?

• 🔄 If the phone is stuck on the Redmi logo, try rebooting it with a long hold on the power button (10-15 seconds).
• 🔒 If you forget your pattern lock, use method 2 or 3 (via Recovery or Fastboot).
• 📱 If the screen doesn’t respond to touch, connect the phone to the PC and try to control the mouse through the touch. ADB (Included debugging is required USB).

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If the phone is slower than before the procedure, check the animation settings. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and press 7 times on the line with the version to activate Developer Mode. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, turn off window and transition animation.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Xiaomi Redmi is not booted or locked, use Recovery mode, which works even without access to the system, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10+ seconds).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time (on some models – volume reduction).
3. Hold them until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.

Recovery interface on Xiaomi can be in Chinese or English.

1. Use volume buttons to navigate the menu.
2. Select Wipe Data (or Chinese firmware).
3. Confirm the choice of the power button.
4. Select Wipe All Data (or )
5. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password if it was previously set).
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Possible problems and solutions:

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A Redmi 8, after resetting through Recovery, the firmware region may reset, which will result in the loss of support for some frequencies. 4G. To avoid this, check the current region in Settings before resetting. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If the first two fail, you have to use Fastboot mode, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. It is suitable for unlocking the bootloader, flashing or resetting when other methods are not available.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don’t use cheap cables – they can interrupt the connection)
• 🛠 Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site)
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press the power button + volume down button before the screen with a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with ADB/Fastboot.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

What if the Fastboot doesn’t recognize the device?

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🔄 Reinstall Mi Phone Manager drivers (official website).
• 🛠 Enable debugging mode on your phone (if it is turned on): Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → For developers → Debugging by USB.

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase userdata command deletes all data without recovery, including files on internal memory.

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Fastboot resets are the most radical method, but also the most reliable, bypassing screen locks and resetting settings even on bricked phones, but requires minimal command line knowledge.

5. Frequent errors after resetting and how to fix them

Even after a successful Xiaomi Redmi reset, there may be problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

1.The phone asks for Mi Account details after reset

• 🔑 If you have not untied the account before the reset, enter the data of the associated account.
• 📧 If you forget your password, restore it through the official website.
• 🛠 If your account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought with hands), contact the service center with a check of purchase.

2. no network or no network. SIM-map

• 📶 Check if the firmware region has dropped (see Section 3).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and wait for the automatic activation of the network.
• 🛠 Manually select the operator in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choice of network.

3.The phone got slower after the reset

• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Turn off animation (see tip in Section 2).
• 📱 Install the latest version MIUI through settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

4: Touch ID or Face Unlock is not working.

• 🔒 These functions are reset with the data. Configure them again in Settings. → Passwords and security.
• 🛠 If the fingerprint sensor does not recognize the fingers, clean its surface with an alcohol wipe.

6. How to avoid data loss during a reset

If you are resetting Xiaomi Redmi not because of a breakdown but for optimization, try alternative methods that will save your data:

1.Cache cleansing without resetting

• 🧹 Go to Settings. → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 For individual applications: Settings → Annexes → Select the application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

2. Delete unnecessary files

• 📂 Use the built-in cleaner (Security) → Cleaner).
• 🗑 Delete large files manually through Explorer or Google Files.

3. rollback of updates

• 🔄 If the problem started after the update MIUI, Reverse to the previous version via Recovery (pre-downloaded firmware required).

4. Reset only settings (without deleting files)

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Reset (not to be confused with Erase all data!).
3. Confirm action. This method saves photos, videos and documents, but resets the settings of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and applications.

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If you experience slowdowns often, turn on Light Mode in Settings → Battery and Performance → Performance Mode. This will turn off background processes and increase your non-recharge time.

7.Reset for specific Redmi models: features

The reset procedure on most Xiaomi Redmi models is the same, but there are nuances for some lines.

1. Redmi Note 10/11/12 series

• 🔄 On these models, resetting via Recovery can result in a firmware region reset. To avoid network problems, check the current region in Settings before resetting. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (It should be in line with your region, for example, EEA Europe).
• 🔒 If after reset, the phone requires a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, use the recovery service or contact support.

2. Redmi 9/9A/9C

• 📶 On these budget models, after reset, support for certain ranges may disappear. 4G. The solution is to flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the right firmware for your region.
• 🔋 The battery on the Redmi 9 discharges quickly after reset. calibrate it: completely discharge the phone, then charge to 100% without interruption.

3. Redmi K40/K50 (Enthusiast Series)

• 🛠 These models are often bought for customization. If you installed custom Recovery (for example, for example, for the first time, TWRP), Resetting through standard Recovery can lead to errors.Use Fastboot or return to the drain Recovery.
• 🔓 If you unlock the bootloader, after reset, you may need to re-unblock through the official Xiaomi tool.

4. Redmi A1/A2 (Android Go series)

• 🤖 These models are equipped with a lightweight version of Android without MIUI. Reset is done via the standard Recovery menu, but the interface may differ (e.g. no Wipe All Data, only Factory Reset).
• 📱 After the reset, you may need to reconfigure Google Services, as they are optimized for low-power devices.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions