How to Reset Your Xiaomi Phone: 3 Ways to Work and What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

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, an improperly performed reset often leads to data loss, blocking the Mi Account account or even “bricking” the phone. In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for 2020-2026 models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.), tell you how to avoid typical errors, and what to do if the phone requires a password or does not turn on after a reset.

We will pay special attention to hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions, for example, why a reset via Recovery can block the bootloader on new models with HyperOS, or how to bypass the requirement to enter the old password after resetting through Settings.

1.When Xiaomi needs a reset - and when it's dangerous

Factory reset solves a lot of problems, but in some cases it can create them.

• 📱 The phone is severely braking, overheating or spontaneously rebooting (especially after upgrading to HyperOS).
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-The code and unlocking through Mi Account is not working.
• 📦 Preparing the device for sale or transfer to another user.
• 🐞 After installing custom firmware, glitches appeared (for example, the camera or sensors do not work).

However, there are scenarios where resetting is contraindicated:

• ⚠️ The phone has enabled the function Find Device (search for the device), and you do not remember the data from the Mi Account – after reset, the phone will be locked.
• ⚠️ Device with unlocked bootloader and custom firmware installed – resetting through Recovery can lead to brick (complete inoperability).
• ⚠️ Phone connected to corporate account (for example, through Android Enterprise) – reset can block access to work data.

If your situation falls into the red zone, try alternative methods first: for example, rolling back an update via Fastboot or resetting only the cache (Wipe Cache Partition), which we will discuss at the end of this article.

2.Resetting preparation: what to do before

Most users lose data after a reset simply because they haven't followed the basic preparatory steps, and here's a checklist that will keep you from making typical mistakes:

Backup via Mi Cloud or locally|Untie all accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)|Write it down. IMEI phone (in case of lockdown after resetting)|Check the battery level (minimum 50%)|Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)-->

Pay special attention to backup. Xiaomi has two ways:

1. Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup. Select data to save (contacts, messages, photos) and click Backup. Minus – only 5GB is available for free.
2. Local copy: in the same settings, select Local backup. the file will be saved in the folder MIUI/backup/AllBackup internal memory or SD-The advantage is that the copy weighs less and is independent of the Internet.

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If the phone is not turning on but is responding to charging, try extracting data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

adb pull /sdcard/MIUI/backup/AllBackup C:\Xiaomi_Backup

Another critical issue is the accounts, and once reset, the phone may ask you to:

• 🔑 Password from the last Google account that was on the device (protection) FRP).
• 🔑 Data from Mi Account if Find Device was enabled.
• 🔑 PIN-code or pattern lock if the reset was performed via Recovery on new firmware.

If you don’t remember this data, don’t reset – first restore access to your accounts through official Xiaomi or Google services.

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

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and you know the password to unlock, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it doesn't affect the bootloader and the partitions of the system.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (in HyperOS – About Device).
3. Select Reset (or Reset and Reset in older versions).
4. Smash all the data.
5. When you request, enter PIN-code, pattern lock or password from the phone.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Important for owners of Xiaomi 12/13/14 series: if the phone is installed HyperOS, after resetting through the settings, you may receive a request to enter a password from Mi Account, even if Find Device was disabled.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Delete your Mi Account (Tap to your account → Delete your account).
3. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

This method is useful if the phone does not turn on, hovers on the logo or does not respond to touch, but it is more risky: improper actions in Recovery can lead to loss of IMEI or lock the bootloader.

Instructions for all Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 📱 For POCO F3/F4/F5: Loudness down + Nutrition. 📱 For Xiaomi. 12/13/14 With HyperOS: Volume up + Loudness down + Food (hold on) 10–15 sack).

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

If you don't have Wipe Data on the Recovery menu, you have custom firmware installed.

1. Select Advanced → Wipe Dalvik/Cache.
2. Then go back and select Factory Reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot screen appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom, select firmware mode: Clean All – full reset (deletes all data, including IMEI in some cases); Clean All and Lock – reset with lock bootloader (recommended for sale); Save User Data – firmware without data loss (does not always work).

Flash

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If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to flash an older firmware version than the one you have installed now, in which case download the latest stable version for your model.

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will automatically restart. If the screen stays black for more than 10 minutes, try:

1. Turn off the phone from the PC.
2. Press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds (forced reboot).
3. If it doesn’t work, repeat the firmware with a different mode (Clean All instead of Save User Data).

⚠️ Note: Do not use "bypass" resetting methods FRP through ADB On new firmware (HyperOS), this can lead to a complete lockdown of the bootloader, and the phone will have to be carried to the service center.

6.2. no network or not defined SIM-map

The cause is an IMEI reset or damage to the NVRAM section.

1. Check if it's inserted. SIM-The card is correct (on some models the tray has two sides).
2. Go to Settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and enable automatic network search.
3. If it doesn't help, restore it. IMEI: Install the app MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) or Qualcomm QPST (Enter the engineering code for Snapdragon: ##3646633##. Go to Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information. AT+ enter: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 Original numbers that are listed on the box or under the battery).

The phone is stuck on startup the logo or reboots cyclically

This is called bootloop, which is a common problem after an incorrect reset.

• 🔄 Try to go to Recovery and make Wipe Cache Partition.
• 🔄 Fastboot phone via Fastboot (section 5).
• 🔄 If your phone doesn’t respond to the buttons, try the mode. EDL (You need a special cable and Mi Flash Pro program).

⚠️ Note: If your phone doesn't turn on after you've been firmwareed through Fastboot, don't try to repeat the procedure many times, this could damage your flash memory. Contact the service center with the error code (e.g., email the error code, SLA Auth Error or Anti-Rollback).

7. Alternatives to a complete reset: when you can get by with little blood

Before you drop your phone to factory settings, try less radical methods:

• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Memory. → Clean up and select Clear cache of applications.This will delete temporary files without losing data.
• 🔄 Resetting network settings: in Settings → SIM-maps and networks → Reset network settings. Helps with problems with Wi-Fi or mobile Internet.
• 📱 Safe Mode: Press the Power button → Hold it down. → Select Safe Mode. This mode only runs system applications, which will help identify the culprit of the lags.
• 🔙 Update rollback: if problems started after the update, in Settings → The phone. → Update system click on three dots in the upper right corner and select Remove update.

If these methods didn't help, and resetting seems too risky, consider flashing without losing data.

1. Download the full firmware for your model (e.g. fastboot-rom).
2. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Save User Data mode.
3. Sweep through the phone. Most of the time, the data will be saved and the system files will be updated.

8.Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset