How to roll Xiaomi back to factory: a step-by-step guide

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all known for their functionality, but over time, even the most powerful devices can experience software failures, slowdowns, or accumulation of system debris. In such situations, the only effective solution is often a complete system reset, which returns the gadget to a “out of the box” state. This action removes all user data, applications and settings, eliminating software conflicts that may have arisen during operation.

The need to roll back firmware to factory settings can occur not only when performance problems, but also before selling a device to protect personal data from prying eyes. This procedure is also mandatory when switching to custom firmware or after unsuccessful experiments with root rights. Understanding all the nuances of the process will help avoid losing important information and potential errors that can turn a smartphone into a “brick”.

In this article, we will take a look at all the reset methods available, from the standard settings menu to the use of Recovery engineering mode and specialized software for the PC. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what steps you need to take to safely return to the original state and how to solve typical problems that arise in the process. It is important to approach the case responsibly, since irreversible deletion of data is the final stage, after which it will be impossible to restore files without a preliminary copy.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before taking drastic measures, a number of critical data safety actions must be taken: Hard Reset permanently destroys photos, contacts, messages and installed applications; make sure all important files are copied to cloud services such as Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud, or transferred to a computer or external drive; ignoring this step can lead to the loss of valuable information that can not be recovered later.

The second important aspect is battery power: the process of formatting the system partition and reinstalling components requires stable power. If the smartphone turns off at the time of writing system files, it can disrupt the structure of the memory partitions. Charge the device to at least 60-70%, or rather leave it connected to the original charger during the entire procedure.

It's also worth untethering accounts if you're planning to transfer your device to another owner. Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have anti-theft protection. If you just drop your phone through the Recovery menu without logging out of your Google and Mi Account, the new owner will face activation lock, a security mechanism that requires the previous owner to enter the password.

⚠️ Note: Deleting your Google and Mi Account must be done before you start resetting through the settings menu. If your phone is already locked and you don't remember your passwords, resetting through Recovery will not remove protection, but will only make it harder to unlock.

Method 1: Reset via the Android settings menu

The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the built-in functionality of the system, which is suitable for cases where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have full access to the interface, it ensures that all system processes are completed correctly before cleaning.

To start, go to Settings. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, the path may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. Find About Phone or Advanced Settings. Most current models have a reset menu located along the way: Settings → About Phone → Reset. In some versions of the interface, this can be Additional → Recovery and Reset.

A warning will appear on the screen that all data will be deleted, the system will prompt you to select the option to erase all data. Before confirming, carefully read the list of what will be deleted: photos, music, videos, files, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. After pressing the confirmation button, the device may request input PIN-Unlock code or pattern lock for security.

💡

If you’re not planning to sell the phone, but are simply fixing errors, you can choose the Clean all option when resetting, but don’t choose the Clear all data (including files in internal storage) option if you want to save media files, although a full reset usually means deleting everything.

Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart and the cleaning process will begin. The screen may go out, the Xiaomi logo or animation will appear. Do not interrupt the device, even if it hangs on the logo for a few minutes - partition formatting is underway. Upon completion, the phone will turn on as a new one, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If the system doesn't boot, the screen doesn't respond to touch, or the smartphone goes into an endless restart (bootloop), you will need to use Recovery mode. This is a low-level environment built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main Android interface.

To enter Recovery on the device turned off, press both the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while keeping the volume down. In a few seconds, a menu with black background and color text will appear, the volume buttons (up/down) control the volume button and the power button select the item.

In the Recovery menu, find Wipe Data. You select the submenu where you select Wipe All Data. You ask for confirmation, select Confirm. You start the cleanup process, which shows you a percentage of your progress. When you complete it, you will see Data wiped successfully.

After a successful reset, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first launch after Hard Reset may take longer than usual, 5 to 10 minutes. This is normal, as the system recreates the cache and configuration files.

Using the Mi Flash Tool for full flashing

For advanced users who want not only to reset the settings, but also guaranteed to replace all system files with original, there is a method of flashing through the PC using the Mi Flash Tool utility, USB-cable and pre-downloaded stock firmware in.zip (Fastboot) format for your specific model.

First, you need to turn your smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off your phone and press the Volume Down button along with the power button. The screen will show an image of a hare in a hat-eared android repairer, labeled FASTBOOT. Connect the device to the computer.

In the Mi Flash Tool, press the refresh button to let your PC discover the device. Choose the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware. At the bottom of the window, you need to choose clean all or clean all and lock. The latter option will return the phone to the closed bootloader state that is necessary for banking applications and NFC.

⚠️ Warning: When selecting the "clean all and lock" mode, make sure the firmware matches the region of the device.Firmware of the global version on a Chinese device with a locked boot loader will lead to an error and the inability to boot the system.

Press the flash button to start the process. The progress bar will show you the steps of the installation. Once completed, the phone will automatically reboot. This method is the most reliable way to roll back any software changes, including removing root rights and custom recoveries.

Possible problems and solutions

Users may encounter various difficulties in resetting, and one of the common problems is the requirement to enter an account after reset, which was mentioned earlier, and if you forgot your Mi Account password, you can only restore access through the official recovery procedure on id.mi.com by providing a check to purchase the device.

Another common situation is hanging on the logo after a reset, which may indicate damage to system files or hardware memory failure, which helps re-enter Recovery and perform the reset again, if this does not help, you need to flash through Fastboot.

• 🔋 Phone died during reset: Connect the charger and leave for 30 minutes. Then try to turn it on. If it doesn't work out, log in to Recovery.
• 📱 Sensor not working in Recovery: This is normal. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔒 Requires password after reset: This is protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Enter the Google account that was previously synced.

💡

If standard reset methods do not help and the phone continues to work incorrectly, the problem may be of a hardware nature, requiring diagnosis in the service center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)