How to completely reset Xiaomi phone: all ways to reset settings

Why you might need to reset your settings on Xiaomi

Resetting Xiaomi’s phone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution, most often used when selling a device to delete personal data, or when the smartphone starts to “glue”: slow down, spontaneously restart or emit errors in the operation of applications, for example, after a failed MIUI update or installing dubious software.

Redmi, POCO and Black Shark owners also face resets if they forget their pattern lock or unlock password. It is important to understand that a full Hard Reset deletes all information from internal memory, including photos, contacts and messages, if they are not synced to the cloud.

Another common reason is that the phone is being repaired, and service centers often require a clean device without customer data, or you buy a used Xiaomi and you want to get rid of the legacy of the previous owner, and knowing all the reset methods will help you act confidently.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you hit the Reset button, follow a few critical steps: First, back up. Even if you plan to reset due to bugs, the stored data will help quickly restore the phone to work after the procedure. MIUI There's a built-in tool for that:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup
• ☁️ Activate sync with Mi Cloud (if you haven’t done it before): → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and copy files manually (photos, videos, documents)
• 📝 Write down or take pictures of important data: Wi-Fi passwords, application settings, access codes

Second, check the battery. The reset process can take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on the model. If the phone runs out during the operation, it can damage the firmware and turn the device into a brick. The optimal charge level is at least 50%.

Make sure your important data is stored in the cloud or on PC|Charge your phone to at least 50%|Remember/write Xiaomi account details (logins, passwords)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if you do not need to format)|Turn off Google's protection (FRP), If you plan to sell your phone-->

The third point is Xiaomi account. After a reset, the phone may require you to enter the account information that was associated with the device (Mi Account Lock protection). If you forget your username or password, restore it in advance on account.xiaomi.com, otherwise you risk getting a locked device.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After reset, additional authorization may be required via the Mi Unlock Tool. make sure you have access to the linked phone number or email.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI (Soft Reset) settings

The easiest and safest method is to reset directly from the settings menu, which is good if the phone is turned on and you remember the unlock password, which is called Soft Reset because it doesn't affect system partitions, it only deletes user data.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14 (relevant to Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Xiaomi 11/12/13, etc.):

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Erase All Data (or Reset Settings).
5. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Next → Ready.

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleanup process. An animation labeled Erasing... or Data Reset will appear on the screen... Don’t interrupt the process, this can damage system files. On average, the operation takes 5-15 minutes.

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If you reset the phone for a long time hanging on the MI logo, don't panic. Give it 20 to 30 minutes -- sometimes the first load after cleaning takes a long time.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the phone doesn't turn on, is stuck on the MI logo, or you've forgotten your password, a Recovery reset is called Hard Reset, because it affects system partitions and can even be used on a locked device.

Recovery login on Xiaomi varies depending on the model and firmware version. Here is a universal guide:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears). 🎮 For Black Shark: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Clear Data

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

On the new models (Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi Note 12), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.

• 🧹 — Data Cleanup (analogue of Wipe Data).
• 🔄 — restart.

⚠️ Note: Some firmwares may require re-activation of the device via Mi Account after resetting via Recovery. If the phone was linked to an account and you don’t remember the data, it will be difficult to unlock it (you will need to contact Xiaomi support).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons, doesn’t go into Recovery, or you want to do a deep cleaning (like before firmware), you can use Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Platform Tools (from Google).
• 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (if you plan to firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power before the screen with the rabbit in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (or terminal) and type: fastboot devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
5. Run the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

This method deletes all user data, but does not affect system files. If you need to completely reflash your phone, use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for your model.

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Fastboot reset is the most radical way to help even if the firmware is damaged, but it requires technical skills and can lead to a loss of warranty if the bootloader has been unlocked.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After a successful reset, Xiaomi’s phone will launch as new.You’ll have to go through the initial setup, which includes:

• 🌍 Language and region choice.
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection (required to activate Mi Account).
• 🔑 Signing in to Xiaomi account (if the phone was tied).
• ☁️ Recovery of data from backup (if it was created).
• 📱 Fingerprint/Face setting (optional).

If you're selling a phone, you can stop at this point, but if you keep the phone, we recommend that you:

1. Update MIUI to the latest version: Settings → About Phone → System Update.
2. Recover data from Mi Cloud or local copy.
3. Install the required applications (use Settings → Applications → Installation from unknown sources if you need to side-add APK).
4. Disable unnecessary system applications (e.g. Mi Video, Mi Music) through Settings → Applications.

If your phone is running slower than before, try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 🔧 Disable animation in the developer settings (activated through 7 taps according to the version) MIUI phone).

Common Post-Dump Problems and Their Solutions

Sometimes the discharge doesn't go smoothly. Here are the typical problems and ways to solve them:

If the phone is resetting and this MIUI version cannot be installed on this device, it means that:

• Unofficial firmware installed.
• The bootloader is locked.
• The MIUI version is not compatible with the model.

In this case, only flashing through Fastboot with official software will help.

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If photos are missing after reset, check the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder on internal memory – sometimes backups are saved there automatically.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset