How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: 3 Proven Ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the device for sale to fixing software failures. However, improper actions during a reset often lead to the loss of important data, locking the Mi Account account or even “bricking” the phone. In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (through settings, Recovery and Fastboot), nuances for different versions of MIUI, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

Xiaomi phones are closely integrated with the Mi Account ecosystem and MIUI, which means that even after a complete reset, the device may require a username and password from the previous owner (Factory Reset Protection, FRP). We will explain in detail how to avoid this and what to do if the phone is already locked, and you will learn what data can be restored after a reset and which are irretrievably lost.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Resetting is not a universal solution to all problems, but in some cases it is really necessary.

• 📱 Preparing for sale or transfer: Delete all personal information (photos, messages, passwords) and bindings to your Mi Account.
• 🔄 System failures: If the phone is constantly rebooting, "laying down," or not responding to touch, the reset can return to service.
• 🔒 Virus removal: Some malware is deeply integrated into the system and cannot be removed by standard methods.
• 📦 Errors after the upgrade. MIUI Bugs appear (for example, sensors or camera are not working), reset helps to restore stability.
• 🔓 Reset password if you forget the pattern lock or PIN-code, and other unlocking methods do not help.

However, there are situations where resetting will not help or even exacerbate the problem:

• 🚫 Hardware malfunctions (broken screen, broken camera, battery problems) need repairs, not software resets.
• 🚫 Blocking Mi Account after buying a used phone, resetting without detachment of the previous owner's account will lead to a request for a login / password.

⚠️ Warning: If you drop your phone before selling, be sure to untie it from Mi Account in the Settings menu → Xiaomi account → Delete your account, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device!

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

This is a good method if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and you remember the unlock password, and the main advantage is the ability to choose which data to save (for example, photos or contacts) and which to delete.

The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14/15 (including HyperOS on new models), and the path to the reset menu may vary slightly depending on the shell version.

1. Go to About Phone (or About Device in HyperOS).

It takes 5 to 15 minutes, and when it's done, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

If you see the option Save Media or Leave Photos in the reset menu, be careful:

• 📸 Photos and videos can be saved, but folder structure will be broken (all files will be in the same directory).
• 📞 Contact and SMS will not be saved even if the option to save data is selected".
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and apps will be deleted irrevocably.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4) After resetting through the settings, you may be asked to enter the Mi Account password, even if the phone was not tied to the account. MIUI. The solution is to reset your phone via Recovery (the method). 2).

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Before reset, check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled (Settings) → Xiaomi account → If so, you can quickly recover contacts, notes and photos after resetting.

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

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or you forgot the unlock password, resetting through Recovery Mode will help. This mode starts before the system boots and allows you to perform a “hard” reset.

Important: Recovery doesn’t have a choice of data to save—everything will be deleted, including photos, apps, and settings—and it doesn’t bypass the Mi Account lock (if it’s been activated).

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F3/F4/F5: Volume down + Power. For Xiaomi 12/13/14: Volume up + Volume down + Power (hold 10 seconds).

When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons. In a few seconds, you'll see the Recovery menu.

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset)

Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

Some models (Redmi 9/10, POCO M3/M4) may have a "No OS installed" error after resetting via Recovery, which means the firmware is damaged, and the solution is to flash the phone through Fastboot (mode 3).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t turn on at all (even in Recovery).
• 🔄 You need to flash a clean firmware after a failed update.
• 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (preferably original) that will delete all data, including the firmware (which will have to be installed again).

1. Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder on your computer (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Turn off your phone and put it into Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds. Connect the phone to your computer.

Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the firmware folder:

cd C:\MIUI\

Run a command to check the connection:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install ADB drivers.

Run the firmware with the command:

fastboot -w

(this will reset the data) or

flash_all.bat

(This will sew a clean system through).

On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the fastboot-w command will not work – you will need official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: If you see a "remote: device is locked" error, it means that the bootloader is locked, and trying to flash the phone in this state can lead to a complete loss of functionality (hard brick). The solution is to unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock (requires binding to Mi Account and waiting 7-15 days).

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Fastboot reset is the most radical method, and only use it if the first two methods don't work and you're confident in what you're doing.

What do I do after the dump?

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

1. Setting up the language and region: Choose Russian and Russia (or your country).
2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the Internet, you can’t log into Mi Account or recover data from the cloud.
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone was tied) Enter the username and password from the account that was used before the reset.
4. Data recovery: 📱 From Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled). 💾 From local backup (if backup was done through Settings) → Backup). 🖥️ Through Xiaomi. PC Suite (if a copy is saved on your computer).

If after reset, the phone asks for a password from Mi Account you don't know:

• 🛠️ If nothing helps, contact the Xiaomi service center with purchase documents.

Newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) may require activation after reset. SIM-map (function) SIM Lock in. SIM the operator used before the reset, or wait 72 hours for automatic unlocking.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after being reset via Fastboot, which happens if the firmware has been damaged or is incompatible with the phone model.

1. Check the IMEI by typing *#06#.
2. If IMEI is missing (Null/Null), run the phone with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
3. If this doesn’t work, restore the IMEI through Engineer Mode (requires root rights).

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Before reset, check if the bootloader is unlocked (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → Tap 7 times on the “Kerole”). If Locked status, don’t use Fastboot to reset!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset