How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi 6: 3 working ways to reset to factory settings

The Xiaomi Redmi 6, released in 2018, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and ability to upgrade to MIUI 12. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or require transfer to a new owner, in which case a complete reset to factory settings helps - a procedure that returns the phone to its original state, removing all user data, applications and settings.

In this article, you will find three proven reset methods for the Redmi 6 (including the Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 Pro models), as well as answers to key questions: what to do if you forget the pattern lock, how to save important files before reset, and why the phone may not respond to commands. Instructions are adapted to current versions of MIUI and take into account the features of the Redmi 6 iron (Mediek Helio P22 processor, 3/32 GB of memory).

Warning: Reset is an irreversible operation, which will remove all photos, messages, contacts and installed apps (except those preinstalled by Xiaomi) if you sell a phone, remember to log out of your Mi Account before you start, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device!

1.Reset preparation: what to do before zeroing

Before you drop Redmi 6, follow a few critical steps that can lead to data loss or phone lockdown.

First, back up, even if you're planning a reset because of a phone sale, save copies of important files to your computer or the cloud.

• 📁 Local Copy: Connect your phone to your PC via USB And manually copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp/Media (messenger).
• ☁️ Cloud services: upload files to Google Drive, Mi Cloud (if you have a Xiaomi account attached) or Yandex.Disk. Please note that free space in Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB.
• 🔄 Contact Sync: Export them to your Google account through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.

Second, check your battery power. Make sure it's at least 50 percent charge level, which will prevent your phone from suddenly shutting down during reset. If the battery is dead, plug Redmi 6 into charging for 20 to 30 minutes.

Third, delete your Mi Account if the phone is being sold or transferred to another person.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile and select Delete Account.
3. Confirm the action with a password from the Xiaomi account.

⚠️ Attention! If you do not delete your Mi Account before resetting, the new owner will not be able to activate the phone without your data. This is due to the Mi Cloud Lock feature.

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

This is a good method if the phone is turned on, you remember the pattern lock or password, and the system is stable. The procedure takes no more than 5 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Slip on Settings Reset.
4. Choose Delete All Data (not to be confused with Network Settings Reset!).
5. Enter a password or pattern lock if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

The phone will reboot and start the cleanup process, and the Redmi logo and the progress bar will appear on the screen. Don't interrupt the process, it can damage system files. It usually takes 3-7 minutes to reset.

Once completed, Redmi 6 will boot into a “out of the box” state, all you have to do is select a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and reconfigure your phone.

💡

If after resetting the phone hangs on the Xiaomi logo for a long time (more than 10 minutes), try forcibly rebooting it by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds. If this does not help, go to method 3 (reset via Fastboot).

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

If Redmi 6 doesn’t respond to touch, is locked with a pattern lock, or is stuck on the logo, use Recovery mode.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

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

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the selection.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset in some versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in English and you don’t know the language, focus on the location of the items:

• 🔹 The first item is Reboot (reboot).
• 🔹 Second/Third: Wipe Data (Reset).
• 🔹 The latest - Connect with MIAssistant (for firmware via PC).

⚠️ Attention! Some Redmi 6 firmware in Recovery may require you to enter your Mi Account password after you reset. If you forget your account details, restore them in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer and an unlocked bootloader.

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 📱 phone is stuck on startup logo after failed update.
• 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original......>
• 📦 Archive with Mi Flash Tool and drivers (you can download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📱 Firmware for Redmi 6 (Fastboot version) ROM).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi6_Fastboot).
3. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: press the Power Button + Volume Down button for 10 seconds. A hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the process to be completed (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is running an Anti Rollback error, you are trying to flash an older version of MIUI than the one you have installed now, in which case download the current firmware for your model (check the version in the settings or by the sticker under the battery).

5.What to do after reset: initial setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, Redmi 6 will boot in initial setup mode.

1. Choose the language (Russian or English).
2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network (it is recommended to use the same network as before the reset if you restore from a backup).
3. Log in to your Google account (if it was linked before the reset, the data from it will be restored automatically).
4. Set up a pattern lock or PIN-code.
5. Restore data from the backup (if you created it through Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

If you are selling a phone, don’t restore your data – just do the basic setup and hand over the device to the new owner.

To recover files:

• 📂 Local Copies: Connect your phone to your PC and transfer previously saved folders (DCIM, Downloads, etc.) back to device memory.
• ☁️ Cloud Data: Open the Mi Cloud or Google Drive app and upload files back to your phone.
• 📱 Contact and SMS: If they were synced with Google, they will automatically recover when you log in to your account.

If your phone is running slower than before, try:

• 🔄 Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Clean the cache manually: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

💡

Don’t install all the apps at once after reset — let the phone run for 1-2 days in a clean state to assess performance. Often the brakes are caused by background activity of old apps.

6.Frequent post-discharge problems and their solutions

Even after a successful reset with Redmi 6, there may be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Problem 1: The phone doesn't turn on after the reset

If the screen is black after reset or only the Redmi logo is on fire, try:

• 🔋 Charge your phone for 30 to 60 minutes (the battery may have run out during the process).
• 🔄 Forced reboot: Press the power button + Volume up button for 20 seconds.
• 📱 Repeat the reset via Recovery (method 2).

Problem 2: Requires a password from your Mi Account after a reset

This means that the phone was tied to a Xiaomi account and it wasn't untied before being reset.

• 🔑 Enter your Mi Account information (if your phone is yours).
• 📧 Restore your account through Xiaomi (if you forget your password).
• 🛠️ Contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase (if the phone is purchased and the previous owner did not untie the account).

Problem 3: No network after reset

If the mobile phone or the Internet is missing:

• 📶 Reboot the phone.
• 🔄 Manually select the operator: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Choice of network.
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → Recovery and discharge → Resetting network settings.
• 📱 Check if it's inserted. SIM-card (sometimes after resetting the tray may slightly move out).

Problem 4: The battery is rapidly draining

Once reset, the system can index files and update applications, which temporarily increases battery consumption. Give the phone 2-3 days to adapt.

• 🔋 Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📊 Check battery consumption in Settings → Battery – maybe an app consumes too much power.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI last-minute.

7.How to avoid data loss in the future: backup tips

To avoid losing important files on your next reset, set up automatic backup on Redmi 6. Here are some proven ways to do this:

1.Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud)

• ☁️ Free 5 GB (you can buy a seat).
• 📱 Automatically maintains contacts, SMS, notes, photos and call records.
• 🔧 Settings: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud → Backup.

2. Google Photos and Google Drive

• 📸 Google Photos: Automatically uploads all photos and videos in original quality (if there is enough space) or in compressed form (free of charge).
• 📁 Google Drive: Reserve contacts, calendar and some app settings.
• 🔧 Setup: Install apps from Google Play and enable autosynchronization.

3. Local copying on PC

Regularly (once every 1-2 months) connect Redmi 6 to your computer and copy important folders:

• 📂 DCIM — photo and video.
• 📂 Downloads – Downloaded files.
• 📂 WhatsApp/Media — messenger.
• 📂 Android/data — Preserve the game if necessary).

4. Backup applications

If standard tools are not enough, use third-party utilities:

• 🔄 Swift Backup (requires root rights for full backup).
• 📱 Titanium Backup (root rights are also required).
• ☁️ Resilio Sync – Syncs files between devices without cloud.

💡

Set up automatic upload of photos to Google Photos: open the app → Settings → Backup and Sync → turn on the option. Now all new photos will be immediately saved to the cloud.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Redmi 6 Reset