Why Reset Xiaomi to Factory Settings and When It’s Really Needed
Resetting Xiaomi’s device to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only way to get it back on track, and users resort to it in a variety of situations, from banal interface brakes to critical failures after a failed upgrade. However, it is not always a “hard reset” that is justified — often the problem can be solved with more gentle methods.
The main reasons for resetting: the device is stuck on the logo after the firmware, infected with viruses (despite the built-in MIUI protection), or you plan to sell / give a smartphone and want to delete all personal data. Another common case is errors after manual updates, when the system begins to behave unpredictable: spontaneously reboot, lose communication with the network or “eat” the battery in a few hours.
But there is a downside: a factory reset on Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader can lead to a device lock (the “brick” state) if you do not follow the sequence of actions. This is true for models with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), where an improper reset via Fastboot without first binding the Mi Account can turn into expensive repairs.
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (the safest method)
If your Xiaomi is turning on and reacting to touch, start with this option: it does not require a computer, saves the unlocked bootloader (if it was unlocked earlier) and minimizes the risks. The main condition is to know the password from the Mi Account account, if it is tied to the device.
Step instructions:
- 📱 Open the Settings app (cog icon on the desktop).
- 🔍 Scroll down and select About Phone (on some models – About Device).
- 🔄 Slip on Resetting (or Restore and Reset on older versions) MIUI).
- 🗑️ Select Erase All Data (not to be confused with Network Resettings!).
- 🔐 Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested) and confirm the action.
It takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the model, and it will reboot several times, which is normal. Don't turn off the power at this stage, even if the screen goes out for a long time. AMOLED-displays of the type Xiaomi 12T It can last up to 3 minutes).
Backup of important data
Charge your phone at least 50%
Payment cards (Google Pay, Mi Pay)
Remember the username/password from Mi Account
Ensure the stability of the Internet connection (to verify the account)
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⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ After the reset, you may need to re-activate the OEM unlock in the developer settings if you previously unlocked the bootloader, ADB Or install custom firmware) will be unavailable.
Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)
When Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t respond to the power button, freezes on the logo or reboots cyclically, only hardware resets via Recovery will help. This method works even on “bricks” (devices with damaged firmware), but requires accuracy – an error in the selection stage of the menu item can exacerbate the problem.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the device (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it does not respond).
- Press the button combination to enter Recovery: 🔘 Nutrition + Loudness up for most models (Redmi Note) 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4). 🔘 Nutrition + Loudness up + Volume down - for flagships (Xiaomi) 13/14, Mix 4).
Mi
In 5-10 seconds, the Recovery menu will open (English or Chinese).
Wipe Data
Clear Data
Confirm the reset
Wipe All Data
Confirm
Reset the device
Reboot
Reboot to System
If you have Recovery in Chinese, you should look for icons: Recycle Bin for data reset, arrow for a circle for reboot. Some devices (like Redmi K40) may need to enter a Mi Account password even in Recovery, which is anti-theft protection.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
| Xiaomi model | Combination for Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10 | Food + Volume up | Menu in English, supports reset without password |
| POCO F3/GT | Food + Volume up | Requires confirmation via Mi Account after reset |
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | Chinese menu, use touch buttons to navigate |
| Black Shark 4/5 | Food + Volume up (2 times) | Additional menu for gaming functions |
Method 3: Complete reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)
This method is suitable for devices that do not respond to any combination of buttons or have damaged firmware. It requires a computer, a USB Type-C cable (preferably original), and the Mi Flash Tool. Attention: wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a brick if you choose the wrong firmware or interrupt the process.
Algorithm of action:
- Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. Choose the version of Fastboot (file with the extension.tgz).
- Install the drivers: 🖥️ Download Mi Phone Manager from the official website – it will automatically install the desired drivers. 🔌 Connect the phone off to the PC by clamping Volume down + Power (Fastboot mode).
Launch the Mi Flash Tool
- 📂 Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
- 🖱️ In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with firmware.
- 🔄 Select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset) mode + loader-lock).
- 🚀 Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).
On devices with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31), you need to log in to your Xiaomi developer account to run through the Mi Flash Tool, and without it, the program will give you a “Flash is not allowed” error.
1. Use another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
2. disable driver signatures in Windows (via Run → bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on).
3. Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).-->
What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data
After a successful reset, Xiaomi will launch as a new device, you will have to go through the initial setup, at which point many users face typical problems, from the lack of a network to Mi Account errors.
- 📶 Set up a mobile network: go to Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and check the settings APN (This is especially true for operators like Tele2 or Iota, where settings are reset).
- 🔄 Restore data from backup: If you used Mi Cloud, log in to your account and select Restore from the Cloud. For local copy, connect your device to your PC and copy files manually (folders) DCIM, Downloads, etc.).
- 🔒 Unlock the bootloader (if necessary): go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then turn on the Developer Settings OEM-unlock.
- 🛡️ Update the system: Go to Settings → Update the software and install the latest version MIUI (This will correct possible bugs after resetting).
If you need to enter a Mi Account password after reset, but you don't remember it, use the recovery service. On models with MIUI 13+, the ADB bypass can work, but you need an unlocked bootloader to do this.
- The operation of sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer) through the test # # #6484##.
- Battery state in Settings → Battery → State (if the capacity has fallen sharply, battery wear is possible).
- Presence IMEI (Type *#06# - if the firmware is incorrect, it can reset.-->
Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that turn a routine reset into a headache, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
- Reset without backup: MIUI He suggests you create a backup before you dump, but many people ignore this warning: 📸 Photos and videos (even if they were in Google Photos, without syncing, they will disappear). 📱 Contacts (unless linked to a Google or Mi Account). 🎮 Save games (e.g. in Genshin Impact or in the game) PUBG Mobile).
Solution: Use Mi Mover (built-in app) or Titanium Backup (requires root).
Interruption of the discharge process
If you remove the battery or force the device to turn off during a reset (especially through the Mi Flash Tool), there is a high risk of damage to the system partition.
Solution: Connect the device to the power source and do not touch it until it is fully restarted.
Incompatible firmware in the Mi Flash Tool
Installing firmware from another model (for example, the firmware Redmi Note 10 on the Redmi Note 10 Pro) leads to an error Invalid image or Anti-rollback. at best, the device will not turn on, at worst, the bootloader is damaged.
Solution: Check the firmware name (should match the code name of the device, for example, sweet for Redmi Note 10 Pro).
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after reset via Fastboot, anti-Rollback protection may work, which means that if you have flashed the device to an older version, MIUI, And then you try to get back to the factory, and the system blocks the download, and the only way out is to flash the same or newer version of the software.