How to properly reset Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s factory reset could be a rescue (or a problem)

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is like pressing the undo button for all the changes that have accumulated in the phone over months or years of use. The procedure removes all user data, apps, settings and returns the device to the "out of the box" state. But why would it even be necessary?

The reasons range from the banal to the critical: the phone started to slow down after the MIUI update, viruses got into the system, you forgot the pattern lock, or you just want to sell the gadget. But resetting through the standard menu and resetting through the reclaimers are two big differences: the first method saves some system files, and the second one deletes them completely, which is important in preparation for sale. The wrong approach can lead to a “brick” (inoperable device) or loss of important data.

Let’s warn you right away: if your Redmi, POCO or Xiaomi is blocked through Mi Account, a simple reset won’t help – you will need to unlock your account. This is a separate story, and we also touch on it at the end of this article.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure begins

The first rule of any reset is to save data. Even if you're sure there's nothing important on your phone, check again. Photos, contacts, instant messengers, notes, Wi-Fi passwords, all of these will disappear forever. Here's a checklist to prepare:

Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Copy photos and videos to your PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud)

Export contacts to the VCF file

Save SMS via SMS Backup & Restore

Write down Wi-Fi passwords (use Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved Networks)

Remove the memory card (if any) - resetting it will not affect, but it is better to be safe.

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Pay special attention to the Mi Account binding. If the phone is linked to a Xiaomi account, you may need to enter your login and password after reset, remember or reset your password in advance, or you risk getting a brick with authorization, which is true for models with MIUI 12 and later, where protection against theft is strengthened.

Also check the battery. The reset process takes 5 to 20 minutes, and if the phone turns off in the middle of the operation, the consequences can be dire, from damaging system files to completely failing. Optimally, if the charge is at least 50%.

Once a year for the cleanliness of the system

Just before the sale.

Never dropped it.

Only when the phone starts to slow down.

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Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

If the phone is turned on, you remember the pattern lock or PIN-And the code, and you have access to the menu, which is the way for you to do it, and it's the easiest and the least risky, because it's through the standard tools. MIUI.

Instructions for all modern models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5, etc.):

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (older versions of MIUI may call it About Device).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (or Reset in MIUI 14).
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password/pattern lock (if it is installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Data.

The phone will reboot and start cleaning. An animation will appear on the screen that says Erasing... or Reset... Don't interrupt the process, it can damage the firmware. On average, the operation takes 10-15 minutes.

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If after resetting the phone hangs on the Xiaomi logo for a long time (more than 30 minutes), try forcibly rebooting it by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds. If this does not help, read the section on recovery through Fastboot.

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

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, hangs on the screensaver, or you forget your password, you’ll have to use Recovery, a method that’s more complicated, but it works even on dead devices (assuming they somehow give signs of life).

Entry into Recovery on Xiaomi is different from other brands. Here is a universal guide for most models:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: For most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Volume up + Power. For older models (until 2018): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation) and the power button (Select). The interface can be in Chinese or English - don't be afraid. Search for Wipe Data (or Chinese) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: In some firmware, Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account, even if you don't remember it. If the phone was tied to an account and you can't log in, a Recovery reset will lock the device, in which case only official unlocking through the service center will help.

Once you have selected Wipe Data, the phone will start the cleanup process. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot. The first run after reset can take up to 10 minutes — that's OK.

Method 3: Hard reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the last frontier where neither the settings menu nor Recovery helps. It requires connecting your phone to your PC and using the fastboot utility. It's dangerous for beginners, because the wrong commands can turn your phone into a brick.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Utility. ADB & Fastboot Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for firmware).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode. A hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), you can continue.
5. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

The phone will restart and start cleaning, and if it doesn't turn on or it gives an error, it may be damaged and you'll need to reinstall it through the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands delete data irrevocably. If you accidentally type in a fastboot erase system, the phone will stop loading and you will need to completely flash it!

What to do if your phone requires an old Mi Account

One of the most common problems after Xiaomi resets is requesting a tied Mi Account, which is anti-theft protection, but it often annoys legitimate owners who have forgotten their account details, and if you see a screen asking for username and password and they don't, here are your options:

If your phone is locked on Mi Account and you can't restore access, don't waste time on the "magic" software on the Internet. Most of them either don't work or contain viruses. The only legal way is to officially unlock through Xiaomi's service center (address list on mi.com).

Recovery of the phone after reset: the first steps

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on as new, and you will have to go through the initial setup, where the system will say:

• 🌍 Choose a language and region.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone was tied).
• 📱 Restore data from a backup (if it was created).

Take your time to restore everything at once. First check how the phone works "in its pure form":

• 📱 Make sure there are no lags and hangings.
• 🔋 Check the battery charge (sometimes after resetting the calibration is lost).
• 📶 Test the network and Wi-Fi.

If everything is stable, you can start to recover data.

• 🖥️ Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled).
• 📁 Local backup (through Settings) → The phone. → Backup).
• 📲 Google account (contacts, calendar, some settings).

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If the phone is faster after reset, it may have been a problem with the memory or conflicting apps, so to avoid slowing down again, clean the cache regularly and delete unnecessary programs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting to factory settings