How to return Xiaomi phone to factory settings: all ways + problem solving

Xiaomi’s factory reset is a radical, but sometimes the only way to get your smartphone back on track. Have you noticed that the phone is slowing down, spontaneously rebooting, or getting crammed with unnecessary files? Or are you planning to sell the device and want to erase all your personal data? Either way, a full reset will help solve the problem — but only if you do it right.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reset for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (including the models of 2023-2026), and also explain how to avoid typical errors, for example, why a phone may require an old password from a Mi Account account after a reset via Recovery, or what to do if the smartphone does not turn on at all.

Warning: Reset deletes all data — photos, messages, apps, even files on internal memory (unless you use special methods) so make sure you keep everything important before starting the procedure.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Even if your Xiaomi is stable, but you decide to return it to a “clean” state, it will take no more than 10 minutes to prepare, and neglecting these steps can lead to data loss or locking the device after a reset.

Here's what you should check out:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%, and if the phone runs out during reset, it can damage system files.
• 📱 Backup. Use the settings. → Google → Backup or third-party utilities like Mi Mover (for Xiaomi) or Titanium Backup (requires root).
• 🔐 Mi Account Information. Make sure to remember the username and password from Mi Account – after resetting, the phone may require them to unlock (especially if the Find Device feature was enabled).
• 📡 Wi-Fi network. If you reset via Recovery, connect to a stable network - some models require firmware download.

Pay special attention to related services:

• 💳 Untie your bank cards in Google Pay, Mi Pay or other payment systems.
• 🔑 Remove the device from the trusted list in two-factor authentication (if you use it).
• 🎮 Disable account binding in games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile to avoid losing progress.

⚠️ Warning: If you are selling a phone, be sure to log out of your Mi Account before reset (Settings) → Mi Account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device without your data!

Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Untie bank cards and accounts|Sign out of your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)-->

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and responsive to touch. It is the safest, since it does not require a switch to an engineering menu or a connection to a PC. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

How to reset:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (or Reset settings).
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 5-15 minutes, the phone will reboot and start setting up as new, and if a window appears after the reset asking you to enter your Mi Account, you have previously activated the Find Device feature, and enter your account login and password to unlock the device.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) may require an internet connection to check your account after a reset. If your phone is not connected to Wi-Fi, use your mobile data.

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If the phone hangs on the MIUI logo for a long time after reset, don’t panic — wait 20 to 30 minutes. If nothing has changed during this time, try the reset method through Recovery.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the power button, hovers on the logo or reboots cyclically, resetting through Recovery will also help.This method is also suitable if you forget the pattern lock or PIN-code.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the control is carried out by the volume (move) and power (select) buttons.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset on some versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).
4. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If after these commands the phone does not load or gives an error, you will need a complete flashing through the command:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

Please note:

information

internal storage

Yes, via the settings menu | Yes, via Recovery | Yes, via Fastboot | No, never | I don't know what it is-->

5. Post-discharge problems and their solutions

Even if you did everything according to the instructions, after the reset, there may be problems. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If you lose photos or other files after reset, try to restore them with programs like DiskDigger or Recuva. Importantly, do not write new data to your phone until you recover, otherwise the chances of returning deleted files will decrease dramatically.

⚠️ Note: If after reset via Fastboot, the phone gives an error Invalid IMEI, Do not enter random numbers, this can lead to permanent loss of the network. IMEI.

6. reset on a locked phone (if you forgot the password)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock, PIN-code or password from the lock screen, you can reset Xiaomi, but there are nuances:

• 🔓 On the phones with MIUI 12 and a new reset via Recovery will not remove the lock screen password – you will need to enter it after the reboot.
• 🔐 If you were tied to Mi Account, after resetting the phone will require you to enter account details.
• 📱 On older models, before MIUI 11) reset via Recovery normally removes the screen lock.

Algorithm of action:

1. Enter Recovery (as described in Method 2).
2. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. After rebooting: If your phone asks for a password from the lock screen, try entering the old one (sometimes it works). If you ask for Mi Account data, enter it. If you forgot your password, restore it through the Xiaomi website.

If you don’t remember the Mi Account and your phone is locked, you can only officially unlock it through Xiaomi’s service center with a receipt of purchase. Unofficial methods (like bypassing through EDL) require special equipment and can cause the device to break.

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If your phone is locked and you don’t remember your Mi Account password, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the official Xiaomi service with purchase documents.

7. Features of reset for different Xiaomi models

While the general principle of resetting is the same for all Xiaomi devices, some models have nuances.

For devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing TWRP or custom firmware), the reset may result in a loss of the ability to update by air (OTA).

• 🔄 Install the official firmware through Fastboot.
• 🔒 Re-Block the bootloader (Fastboot Oem Lock command).

If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact the service center - improper manipulations with the bootloader can turn the phone into a "brick".

8. Alternative methods of resetting (without loss of data)

If your goal is not to clean the phone completely, but to fix specific problems (such as brakes or app errors), you can do with a partial reset, which does not delete user data, but requires root rights or special knowledge.

Soft-dumping options:

• 🧹 Resetting the app cache: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management. Select a problem application → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

Resetting network settings

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

Removal of system updates

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Show all applications.
2. Find the software update. → Remove updates.

⚠️ Attention: Teams ADB And manipulation of system files can cause the phone to function in an unstable way, and use them only if you understand the risks!

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If the phone started to brake after the MIUI update, try to roll back to the previous version through the official Xiaomi website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset