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

Xiaomi Redmi 6 is a popular budget smartphone released in 2018, but still in active use. Over time, any gadget begins to slow down, glitch or simply requires a “clean start” before selling. Hard reset solves these problems, but it is important to do everything right so that you do not lose important data or turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article, you’ll find three proven ways to reset Redmi 6 – through your phone settings, Recovery mode, and Mi Account. We’ll go through each method in detail, warn you of possible errors (such as why your phone might request a password from an old account after a reset), and give tips on saving photos, contacts, and apps. If your Redmi 6 freezes, doesn’t turn on, or just works slowly – this guide will help to return it to a “second life.”

Before you start, make sure you have access to the charger: the reset process can take up to 10-15 minutes, and interruption due to a discharged battery is fraught with serious consequences. SIM-A card or other phone for two-factor authentication if it is enabled in your Mi Account.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Factory reset removes all the data from the phone's internal memory: photos, videos, messages, contacts, installed apps, and even Wi-Fi settings. If you don't save the information in advance, it will be impossible (or very difficult) to recover it.

• 📱 Sync your contacts with your Google or Mi Account account. Go to Settings for this. → Accounts. → Google/Mi and enable contact synchronization.
• 📷 Copy photos and videos to a computer, cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or external drive. Use a wired connection or wireless services like Xender.
• 🔐 Write down passwords from Wi-Fi, social media and banking apps, and you'll have to re-enter them once you reset them.
• 📥 Save it. SMS and a call log using apps like SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).
• 🎮 Export game saves if you play cloud-save projects (e.g., through Google Play Games).

Pay special attention to the associated Mi Account. If you forget the password from it, after resetting the phone may lock and require you to enter the data of the old account.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 6 handheld and did not untie the previous owner’s old Mi Account, the phone may be blocked after the reset, in which case you will need to contact the seller or contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Also check if a bank account (such as Sberbank Online or Tinkoff) is linked to the phone, and after the reset, you may need to reactivate via SMS or call in support of the bank.

Disable Find My Device in your Mi Account|Copy photos on PC/cloud|Write down passwords from Wi-Fi and social networks|Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Get out. SIM and a memory card if not needed)-->

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

This is the safest and most recommended method if the phone is turned on and you remember the password to unlock.Instructions are suitable for Redmi 6 based on MIUI of any version (9 to 14).

Steps for discharge:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select Additional (or About Phone in newer versions of MIUI).
3. Go to Restore and Reset (or Reset settings).
4. Slip on Resetting (may be called Delete All Data).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password/pattern lock for confirmation.
6. Select Reset your phone settings and confirm the action.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which takes 5-10 minutes. When you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you've bought it. If at this point the phone has been stuck on the Redmi logo for longer than 15 minutes, try resetting through Recovery.

Advantages of this method:

• ✅ Does not require computer or special knowledge.
• ✅ Minimum risk of error (if you do not interrupt the process).
• ✅ Stores data on a memory card (if it is not encrypted).

⚠️ Note: If you used the Encrypt Phone feature in your security settings, resetting the menu may not work.

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

If Redmi 6 doesn't respond to taps, hangs on the screensaver, or you forgot your unlock password, Recovery Mode reset will help. This method is also useful if the first method didn't work.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (a black screen with blue inscriptions in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) and then Wipe All Data.
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or gives a No command error, try repeating the process by selecting Wipe Cache Partition first and then Wipe Data again.

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If the volume buttons don’t work in the Recovery menu, plug your phone into charging — sometimes it helps to wake up the sensors.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 6 firmware may have a password request from Mi Account after being reset via Recovery, even if you haven't tied it. OEM Lock. In this case, try to log in to your account or use a third way.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if the pattern lock is forgotten)

If you have forgotten your password or pattern lock, but remember your Mi Account information, you can reset your phone remotely via i.mi.com.

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Find Device is activated in the settings.
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account.
3. In the Find Device section, select your Redmi 6 (if it appears).
4. Press Erase Device (Erase Data).
5. Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.

It can take up to 30 minutes. Once it's done, the phone will restart and be ready to set up. If the device doesn't show up on the site, check:

• 🔌 Is the phone connected to the Internet (you can turn on mobile data via Recovery, if you know how to use the Internet).
• 🔄 Is synchronization enabled in the settings → Mi Account → Find Device.
• 📡 Does the firewall block or VPN Access to Xiaomi servers.

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Resetting via Mi Account is the only way to unlock Redmi 6 if you forget the pattern lock, but remember the data from Mi Account.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware failure (for example, memory damage).

• 🔧 Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 💻 Try flashing your phone through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (requires a computer and cable) USB Type-C).
• 🔄 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) if official methods don't work.

⚠️ Note: Firmware via Fastboot or custom Recovery installation (e.g, TWRP) It can cancel the warranty and cause the phone to blink if you make an error, and only do so if you are confident in your actions or under the guidance of an experienced user.

How to recover data after resetting

If you didn't have time to back up, the chances of getting your data back depend on whether the memory was overwritten after the reset. If the phone wasn't actively used, you can try recovery software:

• 🖥️ Dr. Fone (for) Windows/Mac) — Recover photos, messages and contacts.
• 📱 DiskDigger (for Android) – works without root rights, but with restrictions.
• 🔍 Recuva – a free utility for recovering files from a memory card.

To increase the odds:

1. Do not install new apps or copy files to your phone after a reset.
2. Use the original cable to connect to your PC.
3. Scan internal memory, not a microSD card (data is not usually deleted when reset).

If the data was encrypted (the security settings included Encrypt Phone), it is almost impossible to recover it without a password, in which case you can only rely on backups in the cloud.

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If you regularly lose data, set up automatic sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts → Automatic Sync and turn on the option for the desired data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions