How to roll back Xiaomi phone to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to fix system problems, prepare the device for sale or eliminate the consequences of a failed upgrade.The procedure removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. However, an improper reset can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account account, loss of important files or even “bricking” the device if the process is interrupted.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods: through the settings menu, using Recovery Mode and using the Mi Flash Tool (for advanced users). Particular attention will be paid to unlocking Mi Account after a hard reset - the problem faced by owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO when buying used devices.

1. When do you need a factory reset?

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it becomes the only working solution. Here are 5 signals that your Xiaomi needs a “clean reboot”:

• 📱 Phone slows down, apps spontaneously close, and free memory less than 10% – even after cleaning the cache.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches: sensors do not work, sound is lost or the touch screen reacts with a delay.
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-Unlocking the code through Mi Account does not work.
• 📦 Prepare your device for sale or transfer to another user – a reset will delete personal data without the possibility of recovery.
• 🦠 Suspecting a virus infection (for example, ads in the status bar or unknown apps in the startup).

However, resetting will not help if the problem is related to:

• 🔋 Physical breakdown of the battery (blown, rapid discharge).
• 📡 Hardware malfunctions of the communication module (network does not catch, Wi-Fi does not work).
• 💧 Getting liquid under the screen or on the motherboard.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is locked through Find My Device (remote lock by the previous owner), reset to factory settings will not remove the lock.

Preparation for resetting: how to save data?

Resets remove everything: photos, contacts, messages, call histories, app settings, even files on internal memory.

2.1 Backup through MIUI

The built-in backup function in MIUI saves:

• 📞 Contacts, SMS/MMS, call-book.
• 📁 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, sound profiles).
• 📱 Data from some applications (e.g. Notes or Calendar).

How to make a backup:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Click Create a backup and select the data to save.
3. Specify the storage location: Mi Cloud (cloud) or locally on the device (the file will be in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup).

Manual saving of important files

The built-in backup does not save:

• 📸 Photos and videos (except those synced with Google Photos).
• 🎵 Music, uploaded files and documents.
• 🎮 Game saving (unless linked to a Google Play or Mi Account).

Copy this data to a PC or external drive:

• Connect your phone to your computer via USB (select File Transfer mode).
• Move the DCIM (photo/video), Download (download), Music and other important directories.

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

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly from a working system.

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You remember the screen unlock password.
• 📶 No critical mistakes that interfere with the work MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
3. The system will be asked to PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

After the reset, you will need:

• 🌍 Choose a language and region.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account (if it was tied before reset).

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the data from the Mi Account tied to the phone, after reset, the device may lock with a request to enter a login / password. In this case, you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).

💡

If the phone asks for the old Mi Account password after reset, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. Use the linked email or phone number.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

This method will be useful if:

• 📱 The phone does not turn on or hangs on the logo MI.
• 🔓 Forgot the screen unlock password.
• 🛠️ You need to avoid system errors that interfere with the loading MIUI.

To log into Recovery Mode on Xiaomi, use a button combination. It depends on the model:

After entering Recovery Mode:

1. Use the up/down Volume buttons for navigation and Power for selection.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some firmwares – Factory Reset).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
4. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you need to enter a password in Recovery Mode and you don’t remember it, try:

• 🔑 Introduce the last used PIN-code.
• 📧 Use data from Mi Account if the phone was linked to the account.

5. Method 3: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for advanced)

This method is used in extreme cases where:

• 📱 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
• 🔄 Firmware is damaged ("brick" after a failed update).
• 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).

Note: The firmware via the Mi Flash Tool removes everything, including data in the internal storage section, and requires:

• 💻 Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable. USB Type-C (original or high-quality).
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (you can download it at new.c.mi.com).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (for most models except Android One).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Unpack the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Hold the Power + Volume buttons down until the hare appears in the eardress cap (Fastboot logo).
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, the device needs to be determined.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Flash. Wait for completion (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Firmware of unofficial (custom) builds or firmware for another model will cause the phone to fail. Use only official files from the Xiaomi site that correspond to your model and region (Global, EEA, China).

💡

Firmware through the Mi Flash Tool is a last resort. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center. Incorrect firmware can damage communication modules (IMEI) or lead to permanent lockdown of the bootloader.

6. What to do after the discharge?

After a successful reset, the phone will start as new.

Initial settings

• 🌐 Select language and region (Russia or Global is recommended for stable operation of Google services).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (it is better to use a home network, not mobile Internet).
• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone was tied before the reset) If the account is not yours, do not enter your details, otherwise the device may be blocked!

6.2. Data recovery

To return the stored data:

• 📱 If you were backing up through MIUI, Select Restore from the backup in the initial settings menu.
• 🖥️ Transfer files (photos, music) from your PC back to your phone via USB.
• ☁️ Restore contacts and apps from Google Account (if sync was enabled).

Checking the performance of the

Make sure that after the reset:

• 📞 Mobile phone calls and internet (check out) IMEI In Settings → The phone. → General information).
• 🔊 There is sound in speakers and microphone (record voice note).
• 📡 Connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices.

If something doesn't work, it's possible the reset didn't solve the hardware problem, in which case it's recommended to contact a service center.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even if you do the reset properly, you can have problems.

If none of the methods worked, perhaps the problem lies in the hardware (for example, damaged motherboard or memory module).In this case, self-repair is not recommended - contact the specialists.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions