How to completely reset Xiaomi Redmi 12: factory settings and unlock

Why would you want to reset the Xiaomi Redmi 12?

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi 12 to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, or you're preparing to sell it and want to delete all personal data. Or maybe the device is locked because of a forgotten password or pattern lock. In each of these cases, a hard reset will help return the phone to its original state.

But it's important to understand that the procedure deletes all data -- photos, contacts, messages, and apps installed. If you haven't backed up, it's going to be extremely difficult to recover. In this article, we'll break down three official reset methods (via settings, buttons, and Mi Account) and explain how to avoid common errors and what to do if the phone doesn't respond to commands.

Redmi 12 features a MediaTek Helio G88 chip that can affect the recovery process, such as a Fastboot reset that requires drivers and in some cases even unlocking the bootloader, but don't worry, we'll detail each step so you can do the reset yourself without going to the service center.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is unlocked)

It's the easiest and most secure method, but it only works if you remember the lock screen password and you can log in, and it's good for preparing your phone for sale or fixing software failures.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
4. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested) and confirm the action.
5. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, the phone may lock after reset! in this case, you will need to unlock through the official Xiaomi website (more in the section about Mi Account).

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Disable two-factor authentication (if enabled)-->

After the reset, the phone will turn on in its initial setup mode, as after the purchase, you will need to reconfigure the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into your Google account (if it was previously linked).

Method 2: Hard reset through buttons (if the phone is locked)

If you forget your password or Redmi 12 doesn’t respond to touch, hardware resets through a button combination will help, which works even on a device that is turned off, but requires strict adherence to the instructions.

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu (black screen with English inscriptions).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The cleaning process will begin.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter data from Mi Account, which was previously linked to the phone.If you do not remember this data, the phone will remain locked).

A critical feature of Redmi 12 is that after a hard reset through the buttons on this device, Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is automatically activated.This means that re-entry will require you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was tied before the reset. If you do not remember this data, the phone will turn into a “brick” – it can only be unlocked through the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if the phone is locked after reset)

If you have performed a hard reset but the phone requires data from a Mi Account you don't remember, don't panic.com provides the official way to unlock, but it requires proof of ownership.

What to do:

1. On the locked screen, select Unlock with Mi Account (or similar option).
2. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account, and if you don't remember, try to re-access through account.xiaomi.com.
3. If recovery doesn’t work, go to the unlock page: i.mi.com/unlock.
4. Fill out the form by specifying the IMEI of the phone (you can find it on the box or through the engineering menu by typing *#06# on another phone).
5. Wait for support (usually 1-3 days) and if the documents are confirmed, you will be sent an unlock code.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi may refuse to unlock if:

• 📄 You don’t have a check or warranty card (even if you bought your phone with your hands).
• 🔄 The phone is listed in the database of stolen devices.
• 🔒 Mi Account has been deleted or blocked for violations.

If official unlocking is not possible, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone (passport and check are required).
2. Use informal methods (such as firmware via Fastboot with FRP disabled), but this requires technical skills and can result in a loss of warranty.

Yes, I had to restore |Yes, but I unlocked it through support |No, I always remember passwords |I don't know what Mi Account-->

What to do if the reset did not help: diagnosis of problems

In rare cases, even after a reset, Redmi 12 may not work properly. Here are the typical problems and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, it may be the hardware that's the problem, for example, a flash memory failure (eMMC) can cause cyclical failures, and you can't repair yourself, so you can call the service center.

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Before reset, check to see if the developer mode is on and if the OEM Unlocking option is activated in the settings. If it is on, unlocking after reset may be easier.

How to save data before resetting: backup

If the phone is still responding to commands, make sure to back up.

• 📱 Contacts and Messages: sync with Google Account or export to file via Settings → Google → Backup.
• 📷 Photos and videos: copy to your computer USB-Cable or upload to Google Photos/Mi Cloud.
• 🎵 Music and documents: Use a file manager (e.g. Mi File Manager) to copy to your file manager. SD-map.
• 🎮 Application data: some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile allows you to link progress to your Google Play or Facebook account.

For automatic backup:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Enable the Local Backup option and select the data to save.
3. Click Backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in internal memory).

⚠️ Attention: Backup copy MIUI It's encrypted and may not be restored to another version of the firmware. If you plan to update after the reset, you'd better copy the files manually.

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Even if you backed up through MIUI, you can only restore it on the same firmware version after a reset, using Google Drive, Mi Cloud, or manual copying on your PC for reliability.

Frequent Redmi 12 Reset Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users have problems with not knowing the nuances, and here are the most common mistakes:

1. Reset with a discharged battery. If the charge is less than 30%, the phone may turn off during the process, causing firmware damage. Always charge the device before resetting!
2. Using unofficial firmware: Installing custom ROMs (like LineageOS) without unlocking the bootloader can turn the phone into a brick.
3. Ignoring the Mi Account binding. Many people forget that Xiaomi accounts are tied to a phone and can’t unlock them after a reset.
4. Interrupting the process: If you take out the battery or force the phone to turn off during a reset, it can damage the system files.

How to avoid problems:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% before resetting.
• 📋 Write down the username and password from Mi Account (even if you do not actively use it).
• 🔍 Check if the bootloader is unlocked (OEM Unlocking in the developer settings, if you plan to firmware.
• ⏳ Do not interrupt the process, even if it takes more than 10 minutes.

If you make a mistake, don't panic. In most cases, you can restore your phone through a Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool. However, this requires technical knowledge — if you're not sure, you better consult a specialist.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Redmi 12 Reset