Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings through hardware buttons is the last chance to bring the smartphone back to life when the screen is unresponsive, the device is locked or the system is damaged. This method, known as hard reset, works even with completely “killed” software, as it is activated at the bootloader level. But there are nuances: wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick”, and without a backup, you lose everything from photos to passwords from applications.
In this article, we’ll look at all the scenarios you can think of: how to go into Recovery Mode on different Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark), what to do if your phone doesn’t respond to buttons, and how to avoid common bugs. And you’ll learn why sometimes resets don’t work, and what to do in such cases: If your Xiaomi is “hanging on the logo,” constantly rebooting, or requiring a password after firmware is for you.
When to reset through the buttons and when to do without it
Hardware reset is a last resort, and 80 percent of the time, you can solve the problem softwarely without risking data.
- 🔴 Phone not turned on (black screen, no reaction to charging).
- 🔴 The device is locked after a failed firmware or reset through settings.
- 🔴 Xiaomi is stuck on the logo (bootloop) and does not load any further.
- 🔴 The screen doesn't respond to touch, but the phone turns on.
- 🔴 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code and Mi Account is not tied.
If the phone is working but it is “glutching”, try it first:
- 📱 Reset via Settings: Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 🔄 Restart in Safe Mode (hold the power button) → «Reboot in Safe Mode»).
- 🔧 Cleaning the cache in Recovery Mode (without data loss).
It's important to understand that button resets remove all data from internal memory, including files in DCIM, Download and WhatsApp folders. If your phone has synced with Mi Cloud, contacts and some settings will be restored automatically, but photos, messages and installed apps will not.
Preparing for reset: what to do before pressing the buttons
Even if the phone doesn’t respond, preparation will reduce the risks and make recovery easier after a reset.
Make sure the battery is charged > 30%|Extract SIM-card and memory card (if any)|Find the original cable USB (Connecting to the PC in case of errors)|Remember your Mi Account details (if your phone was tied)|Prepare a backup copy (if the phone is turned on somehow)-->
1. Check the battery. If the phone is under 10%, the reset may break and the device will turn into a brick. Connect charging for 15-20 minutes, even if the screen is not on. On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) when you connect the charge, the indicator lights up - this is a sign that you can continue.
2. Remove memory cards. Recovery Mode reset does not affect SD-If it's damaged, it can cause errors. It's better to take it out beforehand. SIM-Cards – after resetting it may need to be reinstalled.
3. Check the link to the Mi Account. If the phone was linked to the Xiaomi account, after the reset, you will need to enter the username and password. Without them, the device will remain locked (Mi Account Lock).
- 📧 Letters to the mail when registering the device.
- 🔑 The words “This device is tied to Mi Account” in the settings (if the phone is turned on somehow).
⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, the reset will not help - the phone will remain locked.
How to go to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: universal instruction
The process of entering recovery mode depends on the Xiaomi model and firmware version, and we have collected the current combinations for most devices (2018-2026 release).
| Xiaomi model | Button combination | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10/11, POCO X3/X4 | Food + Volume up | Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears. |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13, Mix 4/5 | Food + Volume up | On some firmware, the Fastboot menu appears first - select Recovery Mode with the volume button. |
| Redmi 7A/8A/9A, POCO M2/M3 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | On older models, you may need to hold all three buttons. |
| Black Shark 3/4/5 | Food + Volume up (2 times) | First, briefly press Volume up, then hold both buttons. |
| Xiaomi Pad 5/6 | Food + Volume up (15 seconds) | On tablets, a charging connection may be required. |
If the combination does not work:
- Try to hold the buttons longer (up to 20-30 seconds).
- Connect your phone to charge and try again.
- If the screen doesn’t respond but the phone vibrates, the display plume may have been damaged (repair required).
What to do if your phone doesn’t respond to the buttons?
Step-by-step reset via Recovery Mode: from entry to completion
When you are successfully logged in to Recovery Mode, you will see a menu in English or Chinese (depending on the firmware). On new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), the interface can be in Russian.
- Select a language. If the menu is in Chinese, press Volume down to move to the flag item (usually the third one on top), and confirm Power button.
- Go to the Wipe Data menu. Use Volume Down for navigation. On some firmware, the item may be called Wipe & Reset or Clear Data.
- Select Wipe All Data. This is a complete reset. Be careful, once confirmed, the data will be deleted without recovery.
- Confirm action. The system will ask you to enter Yes or Confirm. Select this item and press Power.
- Wait until it's done. It takes 1 to 5 minutes. The phone can reboot multiple times, which is normal.
Once reset, the phone will load into a boxy state. If you see a request for Mi Account data on the screen, enter the tied account. If you don't have an account, don't try to enter random data: after 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.
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If the phone asks for a password after reset but you don’t remember it, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. If the account is not yours (the phone is bought by hand), contact the previous owner or provide a check to Xiaomi’s support to unlock.
What to do if the reset did not help: alternative methods
In 10 to 15 percent of cases, resetting through Recovery Mode doesn't solve the problem.
- 🔧 Swipe your phone through Fastboot. If the reset didn't help, it might be the firmware that's damaged. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com and run through the Mi Flash Tool.
If the phone doesn’t turn on even after firmware, the problem may be:
- 🔋 Battery – try replacing it or connecting it to another power source.
- 🛠️ Hardware malfunction (damaged motherboard, plumes).
- 🔌 Charging port – if the phone does not respond to charging, the contacts may have oxidized.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is getting stuck on the Mi screen after reset or shows a No command error, do not try to reset it through the buttons. EFS (stored IMEI In this case, the phone can only be restored at the service center.
Xiaomi models with reset features: POCO, Black Shark and others
Some Xiaomi devices have unique recovery or lock modes.
| Model | Feature | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| POCO F1/F2/F3 | The Recovery menu is in English, but the reset may require confirmation via Mi Account. | If your account is not tied, use Fastboot for firmware. |
| Black Shark 3/4 | After the reset, activation via the Shark Space app may be required. | Download the app in advance or run your phone without it. |
| Redmi Note 7/8 (Global) | On some firmware, reset is blocked if the Find Device option is enabled. | Turn off the feature in the Mi Cloud settings before resetting. |
| Xiaomi Mi A1/A2/A3 | Devices on pure Android One have a standard Recovery menu from Google. | Use the Power + Volume combination up, then select Wipe data/factory reset. |
For POCO and Black Shark devices, it is recommended to:
- Make sure that the phone is official firmware (custom firmware can block Recovery).
- Disable bootloader protection (OEM Unlock in the developer settings) if the phone is still turned on.
- Download stock firmware for your model in case the reset goes wrong.
How to avoid resetting errors: tips from service engineers
Xiaomi repairs have shown that 70% of the bricks after reset are due to typical errors.
- 🚫 If the reset is longer than 10 minutes, do not pull out the battery and press the buttons. 9T) process can take up to 20 minutes.
- 🔋 Don't use unoriginal cables. Cheap cables. USB-cables can cause voltage surges, which leads to failures during resetting.
- 🔄 Don't drop your phone immediately after you've run the firmware. Let the system stabilize for 10 to 15 minutes, or you might have a file conflict.
- 📱 Do not use Recovery from other models. TWRP OrangeFox may not support your model, which may cause errors.
If you doubt your actions, it is better to contact the service center, the average cost of resetting through the buttons in the workshop is 500-1500 rubles, which is cheaper than repairing after a failed self-intervention.
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The rule of thumb is, if the phone responds to a charger or buttons but doesn't turn on, try resetting via Recovery Mode first. If there's no reaction at all, the problem is likely hardware and resetting won't help.