How to completely reset your Xiaomi phone with buttons: instructions for all models

Resetting Xiaomi’s phone through hardware buttons is the only way to bring the device back to life when the screen is unresponsive, the system is stuck on the logo or you have forgotten the pattern lock. Unlike software reset via menus, this method works even on a completely broken device, as it is activated at the recovery level.

The procedure is different for different smartphone lines — Redmi, POCO, Mi — because of the features of the MIUI firmware and hardware platform. In this article, we will discuss universal button combinations, nuances for popular models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), and explain how to avoid the typical errors that can turn a smartphone into a “brick.” Importantly, after a hard reset, all data on internal memory will be irrevocably deleted — photos, contacts, messages. If the phone still reacts, first try to save information through the Mi Cloud or ADB.

When you need to reset buttons, and when you can do without it

Hard resetting through hardware buttons is a last resort, and in 80 percent of cases, you can solve the problem with more gentle methods, and that's when you have to use physical buttons.

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI Redmi and does not load beyond 10+ minute.
• 🔒 You have forgotten your password, pattern lock, or PIN-code and Mi Account is not tied.
• 🤖 The system is running an error "Unfortunately, System" UI has stopped or other critical failures.
• 📱 The screen does not respond to touch (sensor does not work), but the device is turned on.
• 🔧 After a failed update MIUI phone stopped loading.

If the smartphone turns on and responds to commands, try first a software reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset all settings (not to be confused with Network Reset!).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After resetting the buttons, you may need to enter data from your Mi Account if you have previously activated the “Device Protection” function!

Universal button combination for resetting Xiaomi

Most Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) support entry to Recovery mode via the standard combination.

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press simultaneously: Power button (Volume Up)

10-15 seconds

Mi

Recovery

Let go of the buttons. If you have a menu in English or Chinese, you did the right thing.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume buttons (Volume Up/Down, Power, Select). Find Wipe Data, confirm the action and wait until the process is complete. After the reset, select Reboot to restart.

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure that the battery charge is > 30%

Prepare your Mi Account details (if you had an attachment)

Take it down. SD-card (if any) to avoid data loss-->

If the universal combination didn’t work, check the specific instructions for your model in the next section.

Features of reset for popular Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique button combinations or Recovery login nuances. Below is a table with current data for popular lines (2020-2026).

On smartphones with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 processor (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60) after a reset, you may need to re-activate the bootloader through the fastboot oem edl command if you previously unlocked it.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the right button combination, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔋 The phone doesn't respond to the buttons. → Check the battery charge (should be) ≥30%) or connect the charger for 10 minutes before resetting.
• 🔄 After the reset, the phone again stuck on the logo → Maybe the firmware is damaged. Try to reflash the device via Fastboot (instructions in the next section).
• 🔒 Requires a Mi Account after a reset → If you do not remember the data, use the official unlock service account.xiaomi.com or contact the service center.
• 📱 Recovery menu doesn't appear → On some models (e.g. Redmi) 8A) You need to hold the buttons to double vibration.
• 🔧 Mistake "No command" → Press Power. + Volume Up again or wait 30 seconds – the menu should appear.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone with the Bootloader Unlocked, the device may stop booting after the procedure, in which case you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool and flash it over.

If none of these combinations worked, you may be using an alternative Recovery mode (e.g., EDL or Fastboot) on your model.

💡

Remove before resetting SIM-This will speed up the process and eliminate the risk of data corruption on external media.

Alternative Reset Methods If the Buttons Don't Work

If the hardware buttons are damaged or the combinations don’t work, try one of these ways:

1. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the ADB/Fastboot utility.

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot erase userdata # Clearing up user data




fastboot erase cache #Cache cleaning




fastboot reboot #Reboot

2.Reset via EDL (Emergency Download Mode) modes

This is the last resort used in service centers, to activate EDL on a phone that's turned off.

1. You can also use the Power + Volume Up + Volume Down at the same time.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. The device manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Use the Mi Flash Tool to flash it.

Note: EDL mode can result in a complete loss of IMEI or conversion of the phone to a brick if you use informal firmware.

3. Reset via Mi Account (if phone is enabled)

If the phone is on but locked:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your device in the list.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.

This method works only with an active Internet connection on the phone.

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to any combination of buttons, it's likely a hardware problem (a broken button plume or motherboard) that requires a diagnosis at a service center.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Xiaomi will launch as new.

1. Choose a language → Russian is usually available on the list.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi → Without the Internet, you will not be able to download updates and restore backup.
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if it was tied before reset) → This is a must to unlock.
4. Recover data → If you previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud, select Restore from the Cloud.
5. Update MIUI → Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update.

If the phone is slow or warm after reset, follow these steps:

• 🧹 Clean the cache manually: Settings → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 🔄 Turn off automatic synchronization of unnecessary data: Settings → Accounts. → Synchronization.
• 📱 Install only the necessary apps – avoid downloading “junk” in the first hours after resetting.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may lose access to the network after reset 4G. In this case, go to the settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network type and select 4G (recommended manually.

How to avoid resetting in the future: prevention of failures

To avoid having to reset your phone with buttons, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI → Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system once a month.
• 📱 Do not install unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader - this leads to "bricking».
• 🔒 Remember the Mi Account details → Without them, unlocking the phone after reset will be impossible.
• ☁️ Turn on backup. → Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 🛡️ Use an antivirus. → For example, built-in security from Xiaomi.

If the phone starts to brake, don't rush to reset.

1. Clear the cache through Settings → Memory.
2. Turn off animation in Settings → Special features → Remove animation.
3. Remove unused applications through Settings → Apps.

Important: If you often experience resetting, this may indicate hardware problems (memory wear, motherboard damage), in which case, contact a service center for diagnosis.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions