How to upgrade Xiaomi phone to factory settings: a complete guide with nuances

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that solves 90 percent of software problems, from interface brakes to bugs after a failed upgrade, but many users are afraid to do it for fear of losing data or turning the device into a brick. In fact, with the right hard reset preparation, it’s a safe and effective tool that will bring your Redmi, POCO or Mi back to its original speed.

In this article, we’ll look at not only the standard ways to reset via menus and Recovery, but also rare nuances: what to do if the phone doesn’t turn on, how to bypass the lock on your Mi Account after a reset, and why some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+) require additional steps, and how to save important data before the procedure and restore it after – without losing photos, contacts or messages.

Factory reset is not just deleting files, but it completely reinstalls the firmware, clears the cache, removes all installed applications, and returns settings to the "out of the box" state.

• 📱 The phone is overheating or slowing for no apparent reason.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches (for example, gestures or Wi-Fi do not work)
• 🔒 You forgot your pattern lock or password.
• 📦 Want to sell or transfer the device to another person?
• 🛠️ You need to eliminate errors after a failed rooting or installing custom firmware

There are pitfalls, however: On models with a locked bootloader (most modern Xiaomi), a Recovery reset can lead to a requirement to enter a username and password from Mi Account - even if you did not tie it!

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

First rule: resetting without backup is like a surgery without anesthesia. Even if you're sure there's nothing important on the phone, check again. After the procedure, it's going to be extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to recover the data.

So, to start with, the most important thing is backup. Xiaomi has a built-in backup feature, but it doesn't store all the data. Here's what you need to do:

• 📁 Contacts and Messages: sync with Google Account (Settings) → accounts → Google → synchronize or export to the file VCF.
• 📷 Photos and videos: copy to PC via USB-Cable or upload to Google Photos/Mi Cloud (if there is a place).
• 🎵 Music and Documents: Check Download, Documents and MIUI/Sound_recorder — There are often forgotten files.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: Take a Photograph or Record QR-Network codes (can be generated in each access point settings).
• 🎮 Game Save: If the game supports cloud-based saves (e.g., through Google Play Games), make sure they are enabled.

Pay special attention to Mi Account. If you have ever tied it to your phone, be sure to remember the username and password - after reset, the device may require authorization. On models with Anti-Rollback (for example, Redmi K50 or Xiaomi 13), without this data, it will be impossible to unlock the phone.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought your phone with your hands and don't know if the previous owner's Mi Account is tied to it, a reset could lock the device permanently. → Xiaomi account – if someone else’s email is displayed there, untie it first!

Also prepare:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (when reset via Recovery, better 70%+).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (if you plan to use Fastboot).
• 🖥️ Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed (for emergency cases).

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on your phone

Check the binding of Mi Account and remember the login / password

Charge the battery to at least 50%

Prepare a cable and computer (in case of problems)

Disable protection with a pattern lock (if it interferes)

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Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

This is a standard method that works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The main advantage is that you do not need to turn off the phone or go to Recovery.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on new MIUI versions).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (some firmware calls this item Additional → Recovery and Reset).
4. Select Reset (or Erase All Data).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password/pattern lock (if it is installed).
6. Confirm the action by pressing Erase All or OK.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which takes 5 to 15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F3 Or Redmi Note 10 Pro, after a reset, you may see a "This device is locked" error, which means that the device is tied to the Mi Account. Enter the account that was tied before the reset. If you don't remember, read the unlock section.

If the phone is long on the MI logo after reset (over 20 minutes), don't panic. App optimization is possible. Give the device up to 1 hour. If nothing changes after that period, go to method 2 (Recovery reset).

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If the phone is slower than before the procedure, try disabling the animation interface. To do this, activate Developer Mode (7 times tap the MIUI version in the settings) and in the For Developers section, set all animations to Off. or 0.5x.

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

This method will be useful if:

• 🔐 Your phone is locked with a password and you forgot it.
• 🔄 The device hung on the logo. MI and
• 📵 The screen does not respond to touch (but the phone is turned on)

There are two ways to enter Recovery on Xiaomi:

Option A: Through buttons (for most models)

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

Option B: Through the ADB command (if the buttons don't work)

You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and USB debugging enabled (if it was activated earlier).

adb reboot recovery

In the Recovery menu, the control is done with volume buttons (Up/Down - item selection, Power - confirmation). The interface can be in Chinese or English - don't be afraid, the icons are intuitive.

Next:

1. Select Wipe Data (or Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If the phone needs a password again after restarting or shows an error "This device is locked", then Mi Account protection is activated on the device.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is necessary in extreme cases:

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened
• 🔒 Phone is blocked by Mi Account and you know the username/password
• 📦 You need to reflash the device after a failed update

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi)
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official resource)

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds - the phone will go to Fastboot mode (on the screen a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Clean All and Lock mode will block the bootloader, making it impossible to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS) without unlocking through the official Xiaomi tool. Use it only if you are sure that you will not modify the system.

Once you flash it, the phone automatically restarts, and if you see an "Anti-Rollback" error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on the phone, in which case, download the newer firmware and repeat the process.

Through the settings menu

Through Recovery Mode

Through Fastboot.

Never dropped it.

Another way.-->

How to Unlock Xiaomi After Resetting If You Require Mi Account

This is the most common problem after a reset, and even if you don't remember you linked an account, Xiaomi could have created it automatically when you first turned on, and if you see a message on the screen saying "This device is locked" or "Mi Account verification," follow this instruction:

Option 1: You know the username and password

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
2. Enter the password.
3. If you receive a request for confirmation via SMS, enter the code from the message.
4. The phone will unlock and suggest you set it up as new.

Option 2: You forgot your password

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click Forgot Password? and follow the recovery instructions.
3. If you have a phone number attached, you will be sent an SMS with a code.
4. If only email is attached, check the Spam folder – the email may get there.

Option 3: Account of the previous owner (phone purchased with hands)

This is the most difficult situation. Xiaomi doesn't officially help in these cases -- that's how theft protection works.

• 📞 Ask the seller to untie the device via i.mi.com (Find Device section) → remove).
• 📄 If you have a check or a sales contract, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• 🛠️ On some models, you can bypass the lock via Fastboot, but this requires unlocking the bootloader (risky for beginners).

⚠️ Note: Do not use "gray" ways to bypass Mi Account (for example, through firmware) EDL This violates Xiaomi’s terms of use and may result in a complete loss of warranty or blocking. IMEI.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

Once you reset it successfully, it'll look like new, but to get it back to normal, do this:

1.Initial setting

• 🌍 Select the language and region (important for Google services to work properly).
• 🔌 Connect to Wi-Fi (do not use mobile data at this stage).
• 🔑 Skip Mi Account binding if you don’t plan on using Xiaomi cloud.
• 📱 Recover data from your Google Account (contacts, calendar, some app settings).

2. File recovery

If you have made a backup through Settings → Backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset.
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. Specify the backup file (usually it is in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).

To recover photos and videos:

• If the files were in Google Photos, they are synced automatically.
• If you copied it to a PC, connect your phone via USB and transfer the data back.

3. Post-reset optimization

To make the phone work faster:

• 🚫 Disable unnecessary system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music, if you are not using them).
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

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After reset, take your time to install all the old apps at once. Start with the essentials and watch the performance - often the brakes come back due to overloaded backgrounds of processes.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the reset properly, you can have problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If your problem isn’t on the list, try:

1. Search for a solution on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums (specify the exact phone model).
2. Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the phone is warranty).
3. Reflash the device manually via Fastboot (for power users).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset