How to reboot Xiaomi phone to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, prepare the device for sale or eliminate the consequences of failed firmware experiments. The procedure removes all user data, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state, but if performed improperly, can lead to Mi Account locking, loss of IMEI or even “bricking” of the device. In this guide, we will analyze three official reset methods (through settings, Recovery Mode and Micovery Tool), as well as nuances that even service centers are silent about – from bypassing protection to data recovery after a reset.

It’s important to understand that factory reset on Xiaomi is different from the same procedure on other brands, and there are pitfalls like a Mi Account binding that can lock your phone after a reset if you don’t untie it in advance. In addition, on some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ or POCO F5) After reset, re-activation may be required DRM-We'll tell you how to avoid these problems and prepare for the procedure correctly.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you click the Reset button, follow the mandatory steps to avoid losing important data and facing a device lock. Even if your Xiaomi is unstable, take time to prepare - this will save you nerves and money on restoring the later.

First, untie your Mi Account from your device, which is critical if you're planning to sell or transfer your phone to another person, and without that, after the reset, the new owner won't be able to activate the device, and the system will require you to enter your username and password, and to untie the account:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Get out.
• 🔄 If the “Off” button is inactive, check your internet connection – Xiaomi servers must confirm the output.
• 📝 Write down the login and password from the account on paper – they may be needed to unlock after resetting.

Second, keep a backup. Even if the phone is buggy, try copying important files to your PC or the cloud.

• 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to your computer via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode in the Notification Curtain).
• ☁️ Use Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled) or third-party services like Google Drive.
• 📁 Make sure you copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and Miui (theme settings).

⚠️ Warning: If you are resetting your phone due to viruses or suspicious apps, do not connect it to your main PC without first checking with an antivirus. use a separate computer or a "sandbox" (such as a virtual machine).

Finally, check the battery power. The reset process can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the model. If the battery runs out during the procedure, it will lead to irreversible damage to system files and the need to firmware through the system. EDL-Optimal charge level - at least 50%.

Unlock Mi Account from the device|Save backup of photos and documents|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Sign up for a username/password from Mi Account|Make sure you have a stable internet connection (for resetting via settings)-->

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the pattern lock or password. The advantage of the method is minimal risk of errors, since the procedure is controlled by the MIUI system. However, on some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro) after reset, fingerprint and face re-association may be required.

Step instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Slip on Reset (on some versions of MIUI, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Reset and Reset).
4. Choose to Erase All Data (not to be confused with Reset Settings – these are different options!).
5. Enter a password or pattern lock to confirm.
6. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Once you reboot, you'll be asked to configure the device as new, and if you haven't untied the Mi Account, the system can request your account details to prove ownership.

• 🔑 Enter the login and password from the linked account.
• 📱 If you forget your data, use the password recovery function on account.xiaomi.com.
• ⚠️ If your account is not yours (for example, a phone is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner to unbundle.

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If the phone asks you to enter the old password after reset, but you don't remember it, try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network the device previously connected to, sometimes bypassing the lock at the initial setup stage.

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

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, does not respond to buttons or is blocked by a password that you forgot, resetting via Recovery Mode will help.This mode is available on all Xiaomi devices, but the interface may differ depending on the version of MIUI and the type of firmware (global, Chinese, custom).

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🎮 For POCO And some Redmi: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot to reboot.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

This method is used if the first two methods did not work or you want to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update or install custom firmware). Mi Flash Tool allows you to install official firmware through Fastboot mode, which is actually equivalent to a factory reset, but with a guarantee of cleanliness of the system.

Warning: the method requires an unlocked bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty if the device is still on it, there is also a risk of losing the IMEI or serial number if you do not act correctly.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. Download stock firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!). 10 Pro is going to be a file with a type name. sweet_global_images_V12.5.3.0.RKFMIXM_20210728.0000.00_11.0_global.zip.
3. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\rom).
4. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons "Loudness down + Power" before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
5. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
6. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
7. Press Refresh – the program must identify your device (it will appear). COM-port).
8. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean all is a complete reset with all data deleted (recommended). Clean all and lock is the same, but with bootloader lock (only if you plan to sell the phone); Save user data is firmware without deleting user data (not suitable for resetting!).

Flash

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will automatically restart. It can take up to 10 minutes to turn on the first thing -- don't interrupt the process! If the device doesn't turn on after the firmware is done or it's stuck on the logo, try:

• 🔌 Repeat the firmware with another version MIUI (You may have chosen an incompatible assembly).
• 🔧 Check integrity USB-cable and port (sometimes interrupted due to poor contact).
• 📡 Reflash the device in mode EDL (You need an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through the Mi Flash Tool | Never reset |Other way-->

5.Typical post-reset errors and how to fix them

Even if the reset was successful, you might encounter unexpected problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Particular attention should be paid to the problem of loss. IMEI. This can happen if you've been flashing your phone with unofficial tools or interrupting the reset process. IMEI, dial *#06# in the phone application. If zeros or an error are displayed instead of the number, you can restore it using Engineer Mode:

1. Please dial the phone application ##4636##.
2. Select Information (or Phone Information).
3. Scroll down to the IMEI block.
4. If the fields are empty, use tools like Maui META or SN Write Tool (root rights required).

⚠️ Attention: Recovery IMEI Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 or Redmi) K50) You may need to log in through a Xiaomi account with developer rights!

6.How to recover data after reset

If you don't back up, the chances of getting your deleted data back up depend on whether the /data partition was overwritten after the reset. If you started using your phone right away (installing apps, taking photos), the probability of recovery tends to zero. If the reset was done recently and you didn't write new data, try the following methods:

Method 1: Recovery through Mi Cloud

If synchronization with Mi Cloud was enabled before reset, some of the data (contacts, notes, photos) can be returned to:

1. Sign in to i.mi.com under the same account.
2. Go to the Devices section → [Your phone] → Backup copies.
3. Select the latest backup and click Restore.

Method 2: Using Recovery Programs

To recover files from the phone's memory, tools like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver or DiskDigger are suitable.

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot (not Recovery) mode!).
• 🔍 Programs scan raw data, so recovered files can be corrupted.
• 💾 Save recovered files to your PC, not back to your phone!

Method 3: Contacting a Service Center

If your phone had critical data (like photos or documents) and self-recovery didn't work, go to a specialist lab, and they use professional tools like Chip-Off or JTAG that read data directly from the memory chip, which starts at 5,000 rubles, but the chances of success are higher.

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The faster you start recovering from a reset, the better the chances of getting your data back, and each new record on your phone (photos, apps, updates) reduces the likelihood of a successful recovery.

7. Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset