Xiaomi reset to factory settings: 3 proven ways + what to do if the phone does not turn on

Why you need a reset to factory settings and when to apply it

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only solution to restore the smartphone to health, a procedure that completely removes all user data, applications and settings, returning the device to a “out of the box” state, most often resorted to in four cases:

First, if the smartphone started to slow down or spontaneously reboot after the MIUI update. This is a typical problem for devices with 4-6 GB of RAM, which over time “clog” with cache and background processes. Second, the reset helps to eliminate system errors, for example, when applications constantly fly out or do not open settings. The third case is preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another user. Finally, the reset can be part of the procedure of unlocking the bootloader or installing custom firmware.

It is important to understand that reset is not a panacea; it will not fix hardware malfunctions (such as a broken screen or a broken camera) or remove viruses if they penetrate MIUI system files.

Preparing for resetting: what to save and how not to lose data

Before you start resetting, make sure you have backups of all the important data. Xiaomi offers some built-in tools for this, but they are not always reliable.

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos or transfer files to your PC via Google Photos MTP-Please note that the Mi Cloud only stores originals for 30 days for free accounts.
• 📱 Contact and SMS: sync with Google Account or export to.vcf file via Contacts app.
• 🔑 Passwords and logins: If you use Mi Account to autocomplete, export your data manually – it won’t be saved after a reset.
• 🎮 Save Games: For cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact), link your account to Google Play or Mi Account.

If your Xiaomi is used as a remote for Mi Home or a key for Mi Band, all connections will be broken after reset.

1. Open the Mi Home app and untie your smartphone from smart devices.
2. In the Mi Band settings (Profile → Devices) delete the watch.
3. If you use Mi Pay, deactivate the cards in the banking application.

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Create a text file with your device’s IMEI (you can find it in Settings → About Phone → General Information) to help restore access to Mi Account if you have activation problems after reset.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account to unlock after reset!

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the pattern lock or password. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-15 on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (in some versions Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data (may be called Delete all data).
5. Enter the device password or pattern lock for confirmation.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset (or OK).

It takes 3-10 minutes depending on the model, and when it's done, the phone will automatically restart and suggest that you set it up as new, and at this point you can either restore the data from the backup or skip this step.

Backup copies checked|Battery charge > 50%|All off. SIM-memory-cards|I remember the password from the Mi Account (if tied)|Important accounts (banks, social networks) deleted)-->

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter the Mi Account password, but you do not remember it, use the instructions from the FAQ at the end of the article.

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

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches, or is locked with a pattern lock you forgot, resetting via Recovery Mode will help.This method works even without access to the main system, but requires physical access to the device's buttons.

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/F3, Mi 11/12/13):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (until 2019): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm your choice by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) When reset via Recovery, you may see a "This device is locked" error, which means that the bootloader is locked.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and is used in extreme cases where:

• 🔄 The phone is locked on a reboot (bootloop).
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and the device is locked.
• 🛠️ You need to install custom firmware after unlocking the bootloader.

To reset via Fastboot you will need:

• Computer with Windows 10/11 or macOS.
• USB-cable (preferably original).
• The Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website)
• Firmware for your model (file with.tgz or.zip extension).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the "Loudness down + Power" button for 10 seconds. A hare in a hat-out hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
3. Run the Mi Flash Tool and press Select to select the downloaded firmware.
4. At the bottom of the window, select Clean All mode.
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot reset deletes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory. If the phone has been enabled with File-Based Encryption, you may need to enter an old password after the procedure to decrypt the data.

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Resetting via Fastboot is the only way to bypass Mi Account locking on a locked device, but requires an unlocked bootloader.If the bootloader is locked, use the Mi Unlock Tool first (the process takes up to 720 hours to wait!).

What to do if the phone does not turn on after reset

In 5-10% of cases, Xiaomi may not start or hang on the logo after a reset.

If the phone vibrates when connected to a charger but doesn’t turn on, try:

1. Hold the power button for 30–60 seconds (sometimes helps with a “deep” discharge).
2. Connect to another power supply (preferably 18W+).
3. Press Volume up + Power for 15 seconds for forced reboot.

If none of the methods worked, it is likely a hardware problem (for example, a memory chip dump), in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center or check the warranty through the Mi Verify website.

How to avoid problems after resetting: tips for setting up

After a successful reset, the phone will prompt you to go through the initial setup, and to avoid future problems, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from backup MIUI, If the reset was due to system errors, it could bring back old problems.

To optimize the operation of the system:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management and disable autorun for unnecessary programs.
2. In the Battery → Performance Mode, select Balanced (not Energy Saving).
3. Remove pre-installed apps (Mi Video, Mi Music) via Settings → Apps (the Remove button will appear after clicking on three dots).

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If the phone is running out faster after reset, check battery consumption in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Often the background processes of Google Play Services or MiuiDaemon are to blame.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset