How to Force Xiaomi to Reset to Factory Settings: All Ways 2026

Xiaomi resetting to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only way to bring your smartphone back to life. Whether you forgot your password, the device got stuck on the MIUI logo, or the phone started to brake after the update, hard reset solves 90% of software problems. However, the wrong actions can turn a gadget into a brick. In this article, 5 proven ways to reset (including hidden ones), a table of compatibility with models and answers to questions that are not covered even in the official documentation.

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO have dual protection: Recovery hardware resets often require you to enter your Mi Account data, even after full formatting. We’ll figure out how to get around that lock (legally!), which models support Fastboot reset, and why IMEI disappears on some devices after reset. You’ll also learn how to recover data after a reset if you don’t back up — this method works in 60% of cases.

1.When you need a forced reset Xiaomi

Not every failure requires a hard reboot, here are 5 signs that it's time to reset.

  • 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo. MIUI or reboots cyclically after the update.
  • 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock, PIN-password or code, and unlocking through Find Device does not work.
  • 🐢 The device unbearably slows down: lags when opening applications, heating for no reason, battery discharge in 2 hours.
  • 🚫 System errors: “Com.android.phone process stopped”, camera or communication module failures.
  • 📱 Before selling or transferring the phone – to delete all data without the possibility of recovery.

Warning: Resetting won't help if the problem is hardware, such as a broken screen, a faulty battery, or a damaged motherboard, and in such cases, repairs are needed, not flashing.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13 series and Redmi Note 11/12 Recovery reset can lead to blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you do not remember your Mi Account details, use the method №4 (via Fastboot).

📊 How often do you reset your smartphone to factory settings?
Once a year to clean the system
Just before the sale.
Never dropped it.
Only if the phone is buggy
I don't know what that is.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

The safest method is when the device turns on and reacts to touch. Suitable for Xiaomi Mi 10/11, Redmi Note 9/10/11, POCO X3/F3 and other models on MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
  2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode.
  3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → For developers.
  4. Activate the option debugging over USB (useful for other reset methods).
  5. Go to Settings → System → Resetting settings.
  6. Choose Delete all data and confirm the action.

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after the restart, you'll be asked to set the phone up as new.

Save photos and videos on PC|Exporting Contacts to Google Account|Write down Mi Account data (logins/passwords)|Get out. SIM-Memory card and card (if you don’t want to format them)|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)

-->

Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

If your phone is not switched on or locked, use Restore Mode. This method works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, except for some models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 9A/9C – they need a Fastboot).

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
  2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F1/F2: Volume down + Power. For Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 (Android One): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Reboot → Reboot to System

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the Mi Account data, and you do not remember them – go to the method. №4 (reset via Fastboot).

What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
If the button combination doesn’t work: 1. Check that the phone is completely off (wait 30 seconds after shutting down). 2. Try pressing the buttons for 20-30 seconds – sometimes it takes longer. 3. For models with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/2 (such as Xiaomi 12 Pro), first press the Volume up, then connect the USB cable to the PC, and only then press Power. 4. If the screen remains black, the power button may malfunction – you will need to disassemble the device.

4. Method 3: Fastboot reset (if Mi Account is blocked)

This method bypasses FRP locking and is suitable for devices where a standard reset requires you to enter your Mi Account data. You will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (original!).

Instructions:

  1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
  2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Volume down + Power Hold until the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
  4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue.
  5. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Step-by-step:

  1. Install the Mi Flash Tool.
  2. Unpack the downloaded firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
  3. Turn off the phone and switch to Fastboot mode (see method) №3).
  4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
  5. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
  6. Select Clean All (not clean all and lock!) and press Flash.
  7. Wait for the end (5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is 0x80070002 or 0x8007001f, check:

  • If you have installed the drivers correctly (use Mi Phone Manager for automatic installation).
  • Is the phone connected to the rear USB 2.0 port (front ports on PCs are often unstable)
  • Disable the antivirus (it can block access to the firmware).

6. Method 5: Reset via EDL Mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) - Emergency Download Mode, which allows you to flash your phone even with a damaged system.

  • 🔧 Phone is not defined in Fastboot.
  • 🔄 The Mi Flash Tool is running in error.
  • 📱 The device does not turn on after a failed update.

⚠️ Warning: Regime EDL It requires an authorized Xiaomi account (for new models) or a special box (for example, a UFi Box), which can permanently lock the device.

Short instructions (for unlocked devices):

  1. Download firmware in.mbn format (for example, for Xiaomi 11T Pro – Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
  2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (for Snapdragon chips).
  3. Connect the phone to the PC by clamping Volume up + Volume down (on some models you need to close the test points on the board).
  4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and clean all mode.
  5. Press Flash and wait until completion (up to 30 minutes).
How to log into EDL Mode without Testpoints?
On some models (Redmi Note) 8 Pro, POCO X3 NFC) can enter EDL through ADB: 1. Turn on Debugging. USB developer-setting. 2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb reboot edl 3. If the device does not respond, try: adb shell su echo 1 > /sys/bus/msm_subsys/devices/subsys0/force_shutdown echo 1 > /sys/bus/msm_subsys/devices/subsys0/stop (Root rights are required).

Table of compatibility of discharge methods by model

Not all methods work on all devices, and here are some validated data for popular models (2020-2026):

ModelReset via menuRecovery ModeFastbootMi Flash ToolEDL ModeNotes
Xiaomi 13/13 Pro✅✅ (Mi Account requires)✅✅⚠️ (You need an authorized account)After reset, re-activation may be required.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+✅✅✅✅✅Supports unlocking the loader without waiting.
POCO F5 Pro✅✅✅✅❌ (lockdown EDL new-fixed)Use Fastboot to bypass FRP.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite✅✅✅✅✅IMEI may be lost when reset via Fastboot.
Redmi 9A/9C✅❌ (No standard Recovery)✅✅✅Use the Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool to reset.

If your model is not in the table, check it on GSM Arena – the specifications indicate the type of processor (Snapdragon or MediaTek), on which the reset method depends.

8.What to do after resetting: setting up and restoring data

After successful discharge:

  1. Set up your phone as new – skip the step with the recovery from the backup (if it was created on a problem firmware).
  2. Update MIUI to the latest version: Settings → About Phone → System Update.
  3. Recover the data: 📸 Photo/Video: Use DiskDigger (Scans internal memory for deleted files). 📞 Contacts: sync with Google Account or restore from Google Account VCF-file. 💬 Software like Dr.Fone can be restored SMS, unless there was a re-recording of the data.

Check the IMEI.

*#06#

Engineering Mode

4PDA

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone asks to enter the old password (even after Fastboot), then the Reset Protection function in Mi Account has been activated. The only way out is to enter the original account data or contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box with a device). IMEI).

💡

After the reset, be sure to turn off sync with Mi Account in your account settings if you plan to sell the phone.This will prevent locking for the new owner.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset

Can you reset Xiaomi without losing data?
No. Any factory reset deletes all user data (photos, messages, apps). The only way to save the information is to back up before resetting via Settings → System → Backup or manually copy files to your PC.
The phone after the reset asks you to enter the old account Mi. What to do?
It's a lockdown. FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Solutions: Enter the original Mi Account that was linked to the phone. If you don't remember the password, restore it via account.xiaomi.com. FRP Use the Fastboot (the method) №3) or run the phone through the Mi Flash Tool (method) №Attention: Services that offer “5-minute Mi Account deletion” are often scams. Officially, you can only bypass the lock through Xiaomi support (you need documents on your phone).
IMEI's gone after the dump.
IMEI It can be erased when reset via Fastboot or incorrect firmware. IMEI (Look at the box or check. Type in the engineering menu: ##4636## → Phone information or use the command: adb shell su setprop sys.usb.config rndis,diag,adb Use programs like Maui META (for MediaTek or QCN Rebuilder (for Snapdragon) for recovery IMEI. Warning: Modification IMEI Use this method only to restore the original IMEI.
How to Reset Xiaomi if the Screen is Not Working?
If the screen is broken or does not respond to touch, but the phone turns on: Connect the device to the PC and use ADB Resetting: Adb shell recovery --wipe_data If ADB not working, transfer the phone to Fastboot (clip Volume down) + Blind power and run through the Mi Flash Tool. For models with Snapdragon you can use it EDL Mode (see method) №5). If the screen is completely black (no backlighting), most likely the problem is hardware - you need to replace the display.
Will reset remove viruses from your phone?
Yes, a full factory reset removes all viruses, as it formats the /data partition where user files and installed applications are stored. However: If the virus is embedded in system files (for example, through modified firmware), it can stay. In this case, you need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool. After the reset, install an antivirus (for example, Avast) and do not download applications from unverified sources.