How to reboot Xiaomi to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems.Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with malware, or you just want to sell the device by deleting all personal data. In any case, it is important to understand that an incorrect reset can lead to loss of access to your Mi Account if you forget the password from it.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods: phone settings, Recovery mode and Fastboot, each suitable for different situations, from simply returning to factory settings to "resuscitating" a fully locked device, and learn how to prepare the phone for reset so that you do not lose important files, and what to do if after the procedure there are errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Before you reset Xiaomi to factory settings, follow a few critical steps that will save you from data loss and activation issues after the procedure.

1. Create a backup. Even if you plan to reset because of the sale of your phone, keep a copy of your contacts, photos, and documents.

• 📱 Mi Cloud – Cloud Storage from Xiaomi (available in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud! 5GB free of charge.
• 💾 Local copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup: Stores settings, messages and installed applications.
• 🖥️ Computer - connect the phone to USB and copy files manually (folders) DCIM, Downloads, Documents).

2. Make sure you know the data from your Mi Account. After the reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was tied to the device. If you forget the password, restore it in advance on account.xiaomi.com. Without this data, it will be impossible to unlock the phone after the reset - this is a measure of protection against theft.

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If you bought the phone with your hands, ask the previous owner to remove the link to his Mi Account through the Xiaomi site before the reset. Otherwise, the device will remain locked.

3. Check battery power. The reset process can take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the model. Make sure the charge level is at least 50% to avoid a sudden shutdown. For models with a weak battery (such as the Redmi Note 4X or Mi A1), it is better to connect the charger.

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

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you can log in. It's the most secure and doesn't require any additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in some versions of MIUI – Additional → About the device).
3. Select Backup and Reset.
4. Tap Reset settings (or Reset to factory settings).
5. The system will tell you what to reset: 🔄 All data (includes apps, settings, accounts). 📱 Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile data).

Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.

Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged |

Backup of important data |

Remember the username and password from Mi Account|

Disable your Google account (if you plan to sell your phone)-->

Once you reboot, you'll need to reconfigure your phone, like you did after you bought it, and if you're selling a device, don't log in your accounts, leave it clean.

Once a year, optimise|

Just before the sale |

Never dropped |

In case of serious failures |-->

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

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touches, or is locked with a pattern lock you forgot, a reset via Recovery Mode will help.This mode is available on all models including Poco, Redmi and Mi.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the keyboard: 🔘 Power button + Volume up for most models (Redmi Note 10, Mi 11, Poco) X3). 🔘 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down for older devices (Mi 5, Redmi) 4A).

Mi

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection. The interface can be in Chinese or English - focus on the icons:

To reset completely, select Wipe Data, confirm the action (usually you need to type Yes) and wait until it is completed. The process can take up to 15 minutes - don't interrupt it!

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If after reset via Recovery, the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, restore access to the Xiaomi website before rebooting the device. After 3 unsuccessful attempts, the phone will lock for 24 hours.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires you to connect your phone to your computer, and it's useful if you:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is not available (damaged or blocked).
• 📱 The phone is fully "brick" (does not respond to buttons, does not turn on).
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (find it in the Fastboot section) ROM same site).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down until the screen with the hare in the eardress cap appears (Fastboot logo).
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 of the program, 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).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot reset deletes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory, and this method can block the bootloader if you choose the appropriate option. After the procedure, the phone will become “like new”, but you will need to re-unlock the bootloader (if it was performed earlier).

If the phone doesn’t turn on or freezes on the logo after firmware, repeat the process by selecting a different mode in the Mi Flash Tool (for example, Save User Data, if it’s available for your model).

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

The error "This device is locked" means that the bootloader is locked.

1. Go to en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Download the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone and may cancel the warranty, and after unlocking some features (such as Mi Pay or Find Device) may become unavailable.

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

After a successful reset, the phone will start in initial settings. Follow these guidelines to avoid problems:

• 🌍 Choose the right region. For Russia, it is optimal to specify Russia - this will ensure the correct operation of Xiaomi services and a localized interface.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi during the setup phase to download the latest updates MIUI.
• 🔑 Don't miss the Mi Account binding if you have the phone, which will protect your data in case of theft.
• 🔄 Update the firmware through Settings → The phone. → System update, which will fix any bugs after reset.

If you sell a phone, don't enter your accounts at the setup stage, but hand it over to the customer as it turns on after the reset (with language selection).

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After reset, check the main features: camera, speakers, sensors and NFC module (if any) to help identify hardware faults before sale or further use.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions