How to reset your Xiaomi smartphone or TV to factory settings: all ways

Resetting Xiaomi's device to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations: Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, or you're preparing to sell the gadget and want to delete all personal data. Or maybe the Mi TV stopped working correctly after the firmware failure. Either way, a full reset will return the device to its original state - but only if you do it right.

Many users are afraid to reset because of the risk of losing important files or even “bricking” the device. Indeed, errors here are fraught: the wrong method can lead to locking the bootloader, losing access to the Mi Account account, or even physical failure (for example, if you interrupt the process of updating the firmware). However, with our step-by-step instructions, you can avoid these problems. We will analyze all the current methods of resetting – from the standard menu to the Fastboot mode and recovery via EDL, and also tell you how to prepare for the procedure and what to do if something goes wrong.

It's important to understand that factory resets are not always a universal solution. For example, if your Redmi Note 12 doesn't turn on because of a damaged battery, then no soft reset will help. But if the problem is a software failure after a failed HyperOS update, returning to factory settings often becomes the only working option. Next, we'll go through each method, its pros, cons and nuances for different Xiaomi devices.

1. When do I need a factory reset?

Before you start the procedure, make sure it is really necessary.Reset erases all user data, including:

• 📱 Contacts, SMS Call history (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 📷 Photos, videos and music in internal memory
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications
• 🔐 Passwords from Wi-Fi, accounts in social networks and instant messengers
• 📱 Settings of screen, sound, gestures and user profiles

The main reasons for discharge are:

• 🐢 Strong braking of the system after the update MIUI or hyperos.
• 🔄 Preparing the device for sale or transfer to another user.
• 🚨 Elimination of critical errors: constant reboots, logo getting stuck, sensor malfunctions.
• 🔒 Removing viruses or suspicious applications that are not removed by standard methods.
• 📱 Recovery after a failed firmware (if the device is still turned on).

Resetting will not help if:

• 🔋 Problem with hardware (such as a broken screen or a faulty battery).
• 🔒 Device blocked by Mi Account after reset (unlock required).
• 📱 The phone is not turned on at all (needed). EDL-repair).

⚠️ Note: If you reset your device before selling, be sure to log out of your Mi Account in the settings. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the smartphone - he will need your login and password to unlock.

Preparation for resetting: how to save data?

Before resetting, make sure to back up your important data, and even if you plan to reset only your settings, not your entire memory, you still have the risk of losing your files.

Methods of backup:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Sync contacts, notes, photos and call records. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and enable backup for the data you need.
• 🖥️ Computer: Connect the device to USB (in file transfer mode) and copy folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads), WhatsApp (chats) on PC.

What can not be saved by standard methods?

• 🎮 Save games (if the game does not support the cloud).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (you will have to re-enter them).
• ⚙️ System settings (brightness, sound, gestures).
• 📱 Data from certain applications (e.g. banking).

Make backup photos and videos |

Sync your contacts with Google or Mi Cloud|

Record passwords from Wi-Fi and accounts |

Exit from Mi Account (if reset before sale)|

Charge the device to at least 50%-->

Features for Mi TVs:

On Xiaomi TVs, the reset erases:

Backup is limited here: you can only write down the current screen settings (contrast, color temperature) on paper or take a picture of the menu.

⚠️ Note: If you are on TV Mi TV If you have custom firmware installed (unofficial), a reset through the menu can lead to a "brick." USB.

3. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is the easiest and most recommended method if the device is switched on and running steadily, and is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Mi TVs.

Instructions for smartphones:

1. Open the settings (cog icon).
2. Go to the phone (or device) about.
3. Select Reset (on some models – Reset and Reset).
4. Tap Reset settings (or Erase all data).
5. If necessary, enter PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

For Mi TVs:

1. On the remote, press Settings (Settings).
2. Select Device → Reset and Update.
3. Click Settings Reset.
4. Enter the password (by default - 1234, if not changed).
5. Confirm the reset.

What happens after confirmation?

• The Xiaomi logo and progress bar will appear on the screen.

💡

If the smartphone is stuck in the reset phase (more than 30 minutes), do not turn it off by force. Try to wait another 10-15 minutes or connect to charging. If it does not work, use the button method (section 4).

Nuances for different versions of MIUI:

Method 2: Reset via buttons (if the device is not switched on)

If a Xiaomi smartphone or TV doesn’t respond to the on, hovers on the logo, or reboots cyclically, you can reset using hardware buttons, also called Hard Reset.

For smartphones:

1. Turn off the device (if it doesn’t respond, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 Power button + Loudness up (for most models) Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO). 📱 Power button + Loudness down (for older models, such as Redmi) 4X).

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Yes

Reboot

Reboot System

For Mi TVs:

1. On the remote, hold it at the same time: 📺 "Menu" button" + "Volume Down (Loudness Down) – for most models. 📺 "Power" (Fooding) + "Volume Up (Loudness Up) – for Mi TV 4S/4A.

Hold for 10-15 seconds until the recovery menu appears.

Wipe Data/Factory Reset

Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after resetting via Recovery, you may need to re-activate the bootloader. If the device does not load beyond the logo, connect it to your PC and use the Mi Unlock Tool.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 📱 The device is turned on, but the Recovery menu is not available.
• 🔧 You need to reset the settings without losing the unlocked bootloader.
• 📦 You need to flash a clean firmware after a failed update.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (download from the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or fastboot from Android SDK.
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect the device to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and 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
6. If you need to flash clean firmware, use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even if the recovery is damaged.
• ✅ Allows you to sew the original firmware.
• ✅ Save unlocked bootloader (if it was unlocked earlier).

Risks:

• ❌ A team error can lead to a brick.
• ❌ Requires technical skills.
• ❌ On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) can lock the loader.

💡

Fastboot reset only erases user data, but it doesn't affect system files. If the problem is the firmware, it will remain after the reset, in which case you need to flash the device completely through the Mi Flash Tool.

6. Method 4: Discharge via EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring your device back to life if it:

• 📱 Not turned on at all (black screen, no reaction to buttons).
• 🔄 It hung on the Xiaomi logo or in the bootloop.
• 📦 Not defined in Fastboot or Recovery.

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up + Volume down (on some models you need to first clam the volume, then power).
3. Connect to a PC – the device should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Firmware via EDL:

• Download the firmware for your model (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
• Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware.
• Select Clean All and Lock (locks the bootloader) or Clean All (saves unlock).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL On modern Xiaomi devices (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 and later) requires an authorized developer account. SLA. In this case, contact the service center.

7. What to do after the discharge?

After a successful reset, the device will return to the factory settings.

For smartphones:

• 📱 Go through the initial setup (choose language, connect to Wi-Fi).
• ☁️ Sign in to Mi Account and Google Account to recover data from the cloud.
• 📲 Install the required applications (you can restore from a backup of Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
• ⚙️ Customize the screen, sound and notifications for yourself.
• 🔒 If you sell a device, do not log into accounts, but immediately pass it to the buyer.

For Mi TVs:

Post-reset problems and their solutions:

If the device is locked or "Mi Account locked" appears on the screen after the reset, it means that the device is tied to the previous owner's account, and you can only unlock it through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset