How to reset Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings without data loss: 3 working ways

Introduction: Why You Need a Soft Reset and When It Works

Resetting a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone to factory settings is usually associated with completely cleaning the device — removing photos, apps, and even your Mi Account. But what if you need to return a clean system while saving personal files? This is a scenario that is possible, and it is called a soft reset.

The main difference from the classic hard reset is to save user data in /data/media/0 (internal memory), while system settings, application cache and temporary files are reset. This method works on all Redmi models (including the Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 13C and older versions), but with important caveats: not all data will remain intact, for example, photos and videos will be saved, but deleted:

• 📱 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings (you will have to connect again)
• 🔑 Passwords from apps and websites (if not synced with Google Smart Lock)
• 🎮 Save in games (unless linked to an account)
• 📋 Data from some system applications (e.g. Mi Fit or Mi Home)

When is such a reset justified?

• 🐢 Smartphone slows down due to overcache, but you don’t want to lose files.
• 🔄 System errors should be fixed after a failed update MIUI.
• 📲 Apps are constantly crashing, but reinstallation does not help.
• 🔒 You sell your phone and want to leave the photos to the new owner (not recommended!).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use the built-in Settings Reset feature with the option to save data. It works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later (including MIUI 14 on the Redmi Note 13 Pro).

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Select Resetting (save media files).
5. Confirm the action with a password / pattern lock and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

What exactly is being preserved:

⚠️ Note: If the device protection function is activated on the phone (in Settings) → Google → Security, after reset, you will need to enter a password from the last Google account, even if you saved files. FAQ.

Make a backup of contacts in Google

Write down Wi-Fi passwords (they will erase)

Make sure the battery is charged >50%

Disable the protection of the pattern lock (if you do not remember it)

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Method 2: Recovery Mode (for advanced users)

If the phone is not turned on or the settings menu is not available, you can use the Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode), which works on all Redmis, but requires caution: improper actions can lead to complete data loss or a “brick” of the device.

Instructions for Redmi with stock Recovery (not TWRP!):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap on Wipe Data.
4. Select Wipe All Data (Keep Media Files) – this option is only available in the official MIUI Recovery!
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (the phone will restart automatically).

Important nuances:

• 🔧 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) Keep Media Files may not be available, but this method is not suitable.
• 🔋 If the battery is under 30%, the recovery can interrupt the process!
• 📱 After reset, the phone can take a long time to load (up to 20 minutes) - do not interrupt the process.

⚠️ If you see this in Recovery, you will see this MIUI version cannot be installed on this device, which means the firmware is corrupted, in which case you can't choose Wipe Data, which will result in complete data erasure.

Method 3: Use of ADB (for power users)

The method is Android Debug Bridge (ADB) This is good if the first two methods didn't work or you need more flexible process management. You'll need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and debugging enabled. USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 1) and enable USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute on the command line: Adb devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
3. Enter the command to reset with saving media files: adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.android.providers.settings adb shell pm clear --user 0 com.miui.home adb shell rm -rf /data/system/package_cache/*
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

What these teams do:

• 🔧 Clean the system settings and launcher MIUI.
• 🗑️ Remove the cache of application packages.
• 🔄 Save files to /sdcard/ (memory).

⚠️ Limitations of method:

• It does not work on MIUI older than version 11 (other commands are needed).
• It does not reset network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile data).
• Requires an unlocked bootloader on some models (e.g. Redmi K50).

adb shell su -c "rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*"

But it requires root access to do it!-->

What to do if the reset did not help: alternative solutions

If after the "soft" reset problems remain, perhaps they are not related to settings, but with:

• 🛠️ Damaged firmware – requires flashing through Fastboot.
• 🔋 Worn-out battery – lags with low charge (less than 15%) can simulate software failures.
• 📱 Hardware malfunctions, such as damage to flash memory.

Diagnosis:

1. Check battery status in Settings → Battery → Battery status. If capacity is below 80%, replace the battery.
2. Run the memory test via Mi Diagnostics (hidden menu: dial ##4636## and select Testing → Storage).
3. Install MIUI again via Fastboot (instructions here).

If none of the methods worked, contact Xiaomi Service Center. 80% of the time, the “incorrigible” lags are associated with wear and tear of eMMC memory (a typical problem for the Redmi 4X, Redmi 5 and other budget models of 2017-2019).

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Before visiting the service, make a full backup via Mi PC Suite or Google Drive – even if the phone seems dead, data can sometimes be recovered.

How to recover data after reset (if something is lost)

Even with a soft reset, some of the data can disappear.

Contacts and SMS:

• 📱 If sync with Google is enabled, contacts will be restored automatically after logging in to your account.
• 💬 SMS You can restore it via Google Drive (if you had a backup) or programs like SMS Backup & Restore.

Photo and video:

• 🖼️ Check the folder. MIUI/Backup/AllBackup — Sometimes media files are copied there.
• 🔍 Use DiskDigger or Recuva to scan internal memory (root required).

3.Save games and applications:

• 🎮 If the game is tied to Google Play Games or Mi Account, progress will recover after re-installation.
• 📱 For local saves (such as Genshin Impact), try programs like Titanium Backup).

Passwords from Wi-Fi:

• 🔑 If the phone was previously connected to a router, look up the password on the device sticker or in the router's web interface (192.168.1.1).
• 📱 On some Redmi models, passwords are stored in a file. /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml — It can be extracted through ADB (unless you've reset).

⚠️ Note: If you have used Wipe Data in TWRP Without the Keep Media tick, file recovery is extremely difficult, in which case only professional software like Dr.Fone or contacting the data recovery laboratory (costs from 5,000) will help. ₽).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when resetting Redmi, and here are the most common ones:

Tips for safe discharge:

• 🔄 Always backup your Mi Cloud or Google Drive, even if you’re planning a soft reset.
• 📡 Turn off before resetting. SIM-map SD-Card (if any) – this will eliminate damage.
• 🔧 If your phone is already locked (requests for a password after reset), try unlocking it through Xiaomi’s official service.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions