How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi 3 to Factory Settings: The Complete 2026 Guide

Xiaomi Redmi 3, released in 2016, is still a popular budget smartphone due to its reliability and ability to upgrade the firmware. However, over time, any gadget begins to slow down, emit errors or require a complete reinstallation of the system, resetting to factory settings is a radical but effective way to return the device to its former performance, eliminate viruses or prepare the phone for sale.

In this article, you will find three proven ways to reset Redmi 3 (including the Redmi 3 Pro and Redmi 3S models), as well as step-by-step photo instructions, tips for saving data and solving typical errors.

Before you start, make sure your Redmi 3 is at least 50% charged, which will prevent a sudden shutdown during the process, and back up important files: contacts, photos and messages will be permanently deleted.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Resetting to factory settings is an irreversible process that deletes all user data, including:

• 📱 Installed applications and their settings
• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account)
• 📷 Photos, videos and music in internal memory
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, social media accounts
• 📊 Screen, sound and notification settings

To avoid losing important data, follow the following steps:

1. Sync your contacts with your Google Account or export them to a VCF file through the Contacts → Settings → Import/Export application.
2. Copy media files to your computer or cloud. Connect Redmi 3 to your PC via USB-cable and move the folders DCIM, Downloads and Pictures.
3. Save SMS with apps like SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).
4. Write down the phone’s IMEI (type *#06# in the dialer) – it will be needed to restore the network after reset.

Important for owners of the used Redmi 3: if the phone was tied to the previous Mi Account, after reset, you will need to enter the username / password of the original owner. Without this data, the device will become a “brick”!

Synchronized contacts|Photos and videos copied|Save. SMS|Battery charge >50%|Recorded. IMEI-->

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

This method is suitable if:

• 🔓 You have access to your phone’s desktop.
• 📱 The screen is not locked with a pattern lock./PIN-code
• 🔄 You need to quickly return the phone to the factory settings

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Scroll down and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
3. Slip on Reset settings (on some firmware - Reset all settings).
4. The system will suggest you choose what to reset, tick the tick Clear internal memory for complete deletion of data.
5. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code or password (if set).
6. Press Reset and wait for the reboot (it will take 3-5 minutes).

After the reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it, and if the phone requires you to enter Mi Account, but you don't remember the data, go to the unlock section.

💡

If the menu does not have an option for “Advanced”, try to find “Reset” through the search in the settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen).

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

This method will be useful if:

• 🔐 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code
• 💀 The phone is stuck on startup the Mi logo or cyclically reboots
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update)

To enter Recovery Mode on Redmi 3:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
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 see the Mi Recovery menu (English or Chinese).

Further action:

It takes 5-10 minutes. If you need a Mi Account after you restart, but you don't know the previous owner's details, read the unlock section.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if the password is forgotten)

If you forgot the password from Mi Account, but the phone is tied to your account, you can reset the lock through the official Xiaomi website:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from your computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your account (use the same email/phone as Redmi 3).
3. Go to the Devices. → Find your Redmi 3.
4. Select the option to Unlock the device (if available).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If you bought your phone from hand and tied it to someone else's account, you can't officially unlock it, and then you can only:

• 🔧 Contact the previous owner for data from the Mi Account
• 🛠 Fastboot Flashing (requires an unlocked bootloader)
• 💰 Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for purchase

💡

Since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy: unlocking through Mi Account is only possible for the account owner.

5. Typical discharge errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems.

⚠️ Error: After a reset, the phone requires a Mi Account, but you don't know the data. Solution: If the phone is bought with hands, contact the seller. If this is your account but you forgot your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, flashing through Fastboot will help (but this will delete all data and require unlocking the bootloader).

⚠️ Error: The phone is stuck on the Mi logo after reset. Solution: Pull out the battery for 30 seconds (if it's removable), then reset it through Recovery. If the battery is not removable, hold the power. + Volume down 20 seconds for forced reboot.

Other possible problems:

6.What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, Redmi 3 will launch in initial setup mode.

1. Choose a language and region (e.g., Russia).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi – this is necessary to download updates and restore backup.
3. Sign in to Mi Account or Google Account (if your phone is not blocked).
4. Restore data from a backup (if it was created via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).

To avoid repeated brakes:

• 🚫 Do not install applications from unknown sources
• 🧹 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Memory. → Cleanup
• 🔄 Turn off autoloading of unnecessary applications in Settings → Battery → Autostart control

If the phone is still slowing down after reset, it may be a problem with the worn memory or battery, in which case only replacing the components will help.

7. Alternative methods: flashing through Fastboot

If Recovery resets don’t work (e.g., the phone still requires Mi Account or doesn’t turn on), the radical method is to flash it over Fastboot, which will completely reinstall the system, but require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi 3 (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi)
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked, it will take 72-360 hours to wait)

Instructions:

1. Download and unpack the firmware in a folder on your computer.
2. Turn off Redmi 3 and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the file flash_all.bat firmware.
4. Wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot Flashing deletes all data, including Mi Account, but requires technical skills.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Redmi 3