How to reset Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro to factory settings: all ways + errors

Resetting the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step. You get the device as it was when you bought it: no personal data, apps or settings. The reasons for resetting can vary from preparing for sale to fixing critical MIUI failures. However, the procedure has nuances, especially for models with a locked bootloader or custom firmware.

Many users are afraid of breaking their phone or losing important files. Indeed, an incorrect reset via Fastboot or an interrupted recovery in Recovery can lead to a "brick" (unworkable state). But if you follow the proven instructions and take into account the features of the Poco X3 Pro (for example, the presence of two SIM slots or the specifics of working with Mi Account), the risks are minimized. In this article, all the current ways of reset, including hidden features and solutions to typical errors.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before the start

First rule: a reset without a backup is like a surgery without anesthesia. Even if you plan to reset your phone because of viruses or a sale, save critical data. On the Poco X3 Pro, you can do this in a number of ways:

• 📱 Local copy through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup. The system will keep the contacts, SMS, Notes and some app settings. Minus: The copy takes up space in the internal memory.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: In the same backup menu, select Cloud Storage. 5GB is free, but sync can take hours with slow internet.
• 💻 Manual transfer to the PC: connect the phone to the USB (in file transfer mode) and copy folders DCIM (Downloads, WhatsApp (if any) for multimedia convenient to use Xiaomi File Manager.

Pay special attention to linked accounts. After the reset, you will need:

• 🔑 Login and password from Mi Account (if Find Device or Mi Cloud was enabled) without them, the phone can be locked!
• 📧 Data from Google Account (to restore applications from Play Market).
• 🔐 Two-factor authentication codes (if used).

The Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 13+ firmware may require proof of ownership via SMS or email after a reset, even if the Mi Account was not previously tied.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and don’t know the previous owner’s details, a reset via Recovery will result in a lock due to Mi Account Lock.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (most secure)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the pattern lock./PIN-The main advantage is the minimum risk of error, because the process is controlled by the system:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. The system will prompt you to enter a password (if installed), and the process will begin after confirmation.
5. The phone will reset and start resetting. It'll take 5 to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt the process!

After the reboot, you will see a screen of the initial setup, like after the purchase, where you can restore data from the backup (if you made it in advance).

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%|Create a backup copy|Payment cards (Google Pay, SberPay)|Remember the data from Mi Account and Google|Turn off Find Device in Mi Cloud (if you don’t need a lock)-->

⚠️ Note: If your phone has custom firmware installed (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), resetting through settings can result in a logo getting stuck.In this case, use method 3 (via Fastboot).

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

If the Poco X3 Pro is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn't respond to touch, hardware reset via the recovery menu will help.This method is also relevant if you forgot the pattern lock.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the POCO logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. In a few seconds, you'll see the Recovery Mode menu.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed. Then select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The Recovery menu on the Poco X3 Pro can look different depending on the firmware version. On some MIUI builds, the Wipe Data item is called Factory Reset. If the menu is in Chinese, look for characters (clean up the data).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer and minimal knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 📦 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
• 🔒 You need to unlock the bootloader (but it is a separate procedure!).

To reset via Fastboot, follow the following steps:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (the official tool from Google).
2. Get Poco on. X3 Pro to PC through USB-cable (original!).
3. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter Fastboot mode (a screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot Mode).
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type:

fastboot devices

(If the device doesn’t show up, install Xiaomi USB Drivers.)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear user data and cache. the phone will reboot to its original state.

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot erase system or fastboot flash without firmware will cause your phone to fail! Use them only if you know exactly what you're doing.

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If after reset via Fastboot phone is stuck on the logo, try to flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. download it on the official website of Xiaomi in the MIUI Downloads section (choose the version for Poco X3 Pro codenamed vayu).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users face problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

• 🔄 "The phone is stuck on the logo after the reset: usually associated with damage to the system partition.The solution is to flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
• 🔒 "Requires a Mi Account after reset, meaning that the Find Device was enabled or the phone is linked to the previous owner’s account, the solution is to enter data or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• 📵 "Sensor fails after reset: the touchscreen driver may have been damaged, so the solution is to update the firmware via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 🔋 "Phone discharges at 0% immediately after reset: reset can reset battery calibration. Solution - completely discharge and charge phone 2-3 times.

If the IMEI is missing after the reset, don't panic. On the Poco X3 Pro, this is often solved by recovering nvram and nvdata files through the engineering menu.

1. Please dial the phone application ##4636##.
2. Select Phone Information → Select the network configuration.
3. If IMEI is displayed as Null, you will need to flash it through the SP Flash Tool (power users only!).

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If the phone requires a password that you didn't set after reset, it's 100% a sign of the previous owner's Mi Account being tied, and the only legal way to unlock it is to ask Xiaomi for a check to buy.

Reset before sale: how to delete all data irrevocably

If you sell a Poco X3 Pro, a simple reset through settings may not be enough, and data (photos, messages, passwords) can be recovered using special software to ensure that the information is erased:

1. Reset through Settings (mode 1).
2. Once you reboot, go back to Recovery Mode (method 2) and select Wipe Data → Format Data, which will format your internal memory at a low level.
3. For complete certainty, encrypt your phone before reset: Settings → Security → Phone encryption. Once reset, it will be impossible to decrypt the data.

Also remember:

• 📲 Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if installed).
• 🔄 Disconnect all devices from Google account (link).
• 🛡️ Delete fingerprints and facial data in Settings → Passwords and security.

On the Poco X3 Pro with MIUI 14+, after formatting data via Recovery, the system automatically creates a new encryption key, making file recovery almost impossible.

Alternatives to a complete reset: when you can do with low blood

If the goal is to eliminate lags or make room, try more gentle methods:

• 🧹 Cleaning the cache: in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.This will delete temporary application files without losing data.
• 🔄 Resetting network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset network settings. Helps with problems with mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.
• 📦 Removing Unnecessary Applications: Many System Applications MIUI You can turn off through the settings → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔋 Battery calibration: If the phone is running out quickly, reset battery statistics via the engineering menu (#4636## → Battery information).

If the virus is the problem, try resetting instead:

1. Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light from the Play Market.
2. Run the scan to Security (application from Xiaomi).
3. Remove suspicious applications manually.

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If your phone starts to brake after the MIUI update, try rolling back to the previous firmware version via Recovery. To do this, download the desired version from Xiaomi Firmware Updater and select Install update.zip from the recovery menu.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions