How to Reset Your Settings on Xiaomi Smartphones: A Complete 2026 Guide

Why you need to reset your settings on Xiaomi and when to do it

Hard reset on Xiaomi smartphones is a radical but sometimes necessary way to get the device back on track, removing all user data, apps and settings, returning the phone to a "out of the box" state, most commonly used in three cases:

First, if the device started to slow down for no apparent reason: lags when opening applications, spontaneous reboots or freezes; second, resetting helps in preparation for the sale - so that the new owner does not gain access to your accounts and files; third, it is the only way to eliminate a critical system error when the phone does not turn on or constantly issues error messages.

It is important to understand the difference between soft reset (through settings) and hard reset (through Recovery Mode), the former saves some system files and only works on the device on, the latter completely reinstalls the firmware and can save the brick. But both options require preparation — more on that.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

Before you reset Xiaomi to factory settings, follow the mandatory steps to avoid losing important data and avoid locking the device. Even if the phone is no longer on, some of the actions can be done in advance on the working device.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud. This will save contacts, SMS, Wi-Fi settings and some applications.
• 🔒 Make sure to remember the data from your Mi Account. After the reset, the phone will require the username and password associated with the device (Mi Account protection).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the process due to discharge can lead to software failure.
• 📡 Unplug your device if you plan to sell: delete your Google, Mi Account, and disable Find My Device.

If the smartphone does not respond to touch or does not turn on, skip backup, but be sure to prepare the data from Mi Account. Without them, it will be impossible to unlock the device after reset - this is a measure of protection against theft.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

The easiest method is to reset the settings directly in the MIUI interface. This is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to commands. The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others on MIUI 14/15.

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Press Reset Settings, then confirm the action.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and the phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and if you reset it, you have an error that says, "This device is linked to an existing Mi Account," you forgot to log out of your Mi Account before the procedure.

Make a backup copy|Remember the Mi Account data|Charge the battery. >50%|Disable Find My Device|Sign out of Google and Mi accounts-->

Method 2: Hard Resetting with Recovery Mode

If your smartphone is not turning on, getting stuck on the MI logo or locked, use Recovery Mode. This method completely reinstalls the firmware, so it is suitable even for bricks. The instructions are universal for most models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 12T.

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds if it doesn't respond).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to select Wipe Data (or Wipe All Data).
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. If the process stalls during the Erasing stage... don’t interrupt it – it can take up to 30 minutes. On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi for the European market), after the reset, you will need authorization through the Mi Account associated with the device.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remote)

If the phone is stolen or lost and Find My Device has been activated, you can reset remotely via the Mi Cloud web interface, which only works when the device is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

The remote reset will start the next time you connect your phone to the network, and note that after this procedure, you can't track your device through the Mi Cloud, and it won't work if the phone is disabled or discharged.

💡

If you sell a phone, be sure to remove it from the device list in Mi Cloud after resetting. Go to Device Management and click Delete.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked and the phone still doesn’t work, a hardware malfunction (such as a damaged eMMC memory) could be the cause.

💡

Resetting through Recovery Mode does not delete data from the memory card (if installed).To completely clean the device, format SD-map separately in settings.

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

After a successful reset, the phone will offer to go through the initial setup, and here are the key steps to avoid problems in the future:

• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account if you plan to use Xiaomi services (cloud, themes, sync).

If you're selling a phone, skip the Mi Account login and hand over the device to the new owner in a "post-reset" state, which will save them from having to enter your credentials.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (with China firmware) ROM) After the reset, you may need to link to a new Mi Account within 24 hours, otherwise the device will be blocked.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions