How to reset Xiaomi Mi 6A to factory settings: a complete guide with photos

Why Xiaomi 6A may be needed and what you need to know in advance

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi 6A to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. This 2018 budget smartphone (codenamed cactus) is still used by many due to its reliability, but over time can start to brake, issue errors or require cleaning before selling. Unlike flagship models, the Mi 6A has its own reset nuances related to the MIUI version and memory type (eMMC 5.1).

The main reasons for resetting: 1) The smartphone is severely slowed after MIUI 12/14 updates (relevant for devices with 2 GB of RAM). 2 Forgot the pattern lock or password (the Mi 6A does not unlock through Mi Account without confirmation); 3) Preparing to sell or transfer to another user. 4) Resolve system errors, such as constant reboots or application crashes.

It is important to understand that on the Xiaomi Mi 6A, resetting via Recovery can take up to 15 minutes due to slow eMMC memory – this is normal, do not interrupt the process. Also note: if a custom firmware (such as LineageOS) was installed on the device, a standard reset may not return the original MIUI.

Ready to Reset: What to Save and How to Avoid Data Loss

Before resetting the Xiaomi Mi 6A, make sure to back up. This smartphone only has 16/32GB of memory, and even if you use a microSD, system data (contacts, SMS, application settings) is stored in internal memory.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data (including saves in games).
• 📞 Contacts, SMS/MMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 📷 Photos and videos in the gallery (even if they are on the SD-Map, thumbnails and metadata are stored in the phone’s memory).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings and other system settings.
• 🎵 Downloaded music and playlists (if not saved to a memory card).

Backup methods: 1. Xiaomi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi Account → Cloud. → Backup. You can save contacts here, SMS, Notes, call logs and even some app settings. minus - only 5GB is available for free. 2. Google Account: In Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync enable backup of contacts, calendar and application data. 3. Local copy: Use the Mi Mover app (pre-installed on Mi) 6A) to create a backup to a memory card or another Xiaomi smartphone.

⚠️ Note: If you are using the Mi 6A with the unlocked bootloader, after reset, you may need to re-unblock through the Mi Unlock Tool, OTA-updates) will not work.

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

This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, you remember the password and want to maintain maximum control over the process. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 10-14 (the latest official version for the Mi 6A is MIUI 12.5 based on Android 9).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Backup and Reset (in some versions of MIUI, this item may be called Additional → Reset).
4. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
5. The system will suggest choosing which to reset, and we recommend that you mark all items (including App Settings and Media Files, if they are stored in the phone’s memory).
6. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if linked) or a pattern lock.
7. Confirm the action by clicking Reset.

It takes 5-10 minutes. The smartphone will reboot and start setting up as it did after the purchase. If the Mi 6A hangs on the Xiaomi logo for a long time after the reset (more than 20 minutes), this may indicate damage to the system partition - you will need firmware through Fastboot.

I have made a backup of my contacts and SMS|Deleted Google Account (if I sell my phone)|Charged the phone at least 50%|Out. SIM-microSD card and microSD (optional)|I remember the data from Mi Account.-->

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

If the Xiaomi Mi 6A doesn’t respond to the on, hovers on the logo or requires a password you forgot, resetting via Recovery will help.This smartphone uses stock Recovery from Xiaomi, so the interface will be in Chinese (even if the system was in Russian).

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume Up button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 8-10 seconds until the Mi logo and menu appear in Chinese.

Follow the instructions below (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection):

• 🔧 Select the first item (usually highlighted in orange) – this is Reboot (reboot), but we need a reset.
• 🗑️ The second item is Wipe Data. Click on it.
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (may be called Yes or ticked).
• 🔄 Wait until the end (the screen will appear the words Data wipe complete).
• 🔙 Return to the main menu and select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI for Mi 6A If you reset your Recovery account, you may need to link to your Mi Account, even if you didn't have one before, and if you don't remember your account information, it becomes a brick, and then you can only use Fastboot to delete it. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is necessary in extreme cases:

If the smartphone does not turn on and does not go into Recovery.

If after resetting via menu or Recovery, the phone requires a link to a Mi Account, the data of which you do not remember.

If you need to completely reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

Windows 7/10/11 computer (macOS or Linux may have driver problems)

USB Type-C cable (original or high-quality analogue).

— Used by Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot tools, firmware for Mi 6A (version cactus_global_images).

- The charge of the phone is at least 30%.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for the Mi 6A from en.miui.com (select the Stable version for your region). Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Mi6A\).
2. Install Qualcomm and Mi Flash Tool drivers (instructions are available on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forum).
3. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter the Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (if you want to lock the bootloader after firmware).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-15 minutes).

💡

If the Mi 6A does not turn on after the firmware is flashed through the Fastboot, try pinching Power + Volume up for 30 seconds - sometimes helping to "wake up" the device after a deep reset.

Frequent Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi Mi 6A and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔌 "Phone doesn't turn on after reset": Reason: Battery runs out during the process or system partition is damaged. Solution: Connect to charging for 30 minutes, then try logging into Fastboot and flashing again.
• 🔒 "Requires a Mi Account after reset: Reason: Protection activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection Solution: Enter your linked account. If you don't remember, run your phone through Fastboot with Clean All and Lock selection.
• ⚡ "Reset interrupted by 99%": Cause: Unstable PC connection or damaged firmware Solution: Repeat the process with another version MIUI cable.
• 📱 "After reset, there is no network": Reason: Flowed settings IMEI Or Baseband. Solution: Restore. IMEI Use Engineer Mode (#4636###) or run the modem module separately.

The Mi 6A feature: Due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and the older version of MIUI, some features may be lost after a reset (for example, Google Pay due to lack of certification), in which case manual installation of Google Apps (GApps) via TWRP will help.

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If after the Mi reset 6A stopped SIM-map, check if it's gone. IMEI. It can be restored through Maui. META or SN Write Tool, but it takes skill and risks blocking the modem.

What to do after resetting: initial setup and optimization

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi 6A will require an initial setup.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (don’t use mobile internet – there may be activation issues).
2. Skip Mi Account binding if you sell your phone. If you keep it, link your account to access the cloud and updates.
3. Disable unnecessary services: 🚫 Settings → Annexes → Autorun – disable autorun for social networks and instant messengers. 🚫 Settings → Battery → Energy Saving Mode – Choose Balanced. 🚫 Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Showing over other windows – turn off for unnecessary apps.

Update the firmware

Settings → About the phone → System update

Mi 6A

MIUI 12.5.4

Recover the data.

Mi Cloud

Google

So that the smartphone does not slow down after resetting:

Do not install heavy launchers (for example, Nova Launcher can lag on 2 GB of RAM).

Limit the number of widgets on the main screen.

Use Lite versions of apps (e.g. Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).

– Clean the cache regularly in Settings → Storage → Clean.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Mi 6A Reset