Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via computer: the full guide 2026

Why do you need a PC reset and when it is the only way out?

Reset Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to factory settings through the computer is in the most critical situations: when the phone does not turn on, hovers on the Mi logo, is locked after a failed update or infected with a virus that deletes system files. Unlike the standard reset via the recovery menu (Recovery Mode), the method using the PC gives full control over the process – from choosing a firmware version to forced flashing of damaged partitions.

The main scenarios when resetting through a computer becomes a necessity:

📱 The phone does not respond to power and volume buttons (full "brick").
🔒 The device is locked after changing the region, incorrectly entering a password or activating Mi Account with reference to another account.
🖥️ After updating, OTA The system is cyclically restarted (bootloop).
🦠 Virus or root access damaged system files, making it impossible to log in to Recovery.

It's important to understand that PC resets are not just deleting user data, but completely reinstalling the firmware with the option of selecting a version (including downgrade). However, the method requires preparation: unlocked bootloader, the right firmware and drivers. If you've never worked with a Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool, you better learn the nuances for your model beforehand.

📊 What tool do you plan to use to reset?

Mi Flash Tool

ADB/Fastboot

Official Recovery

I don't know what to choose.

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Connecting Your Phone

Before you connect Xiaomi to your computer, follow the mandatory steps, and neglecting them can lead to the inability to restore the IMEI, loss of the serial number or lock the bootloader permanently.

List of training:

Download the firmware for your model (Fastboot) ROM)|Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers|Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Backup of important data (if the phone is still turned on)-->

Pay special attention to the choice of firmware. For reset via PC, only Fastboot ROM (file with the extension.tgz or.zip, weighing 1.5-3 GB) is suitable.

🌐 Official Xiaomi website (Download section) → Select device → Fastboot).
📁 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative firmware archive for older models).

For models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 9A, POCO C31), you will additionally need the SP Flash Tool, and for Qualcomm (Mi 11, Redmi Note 10 Pro) - Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is released after 2021, unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool may require a binding to your Mi Account and waiting 7-15 days.

Method 1: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for Qualcomm devices)

Mi Flash Tool is the official tool from Xiaomi for firmware devices on Qualcomm chips. It supports most models, including Mi 10/11/12, Redmi Note 9/10/11, POCO F3/X3 and others. The main advantage of the tool is the ability to choose the type of firmware (Clean All, Clean All and Lock or Save User Data).

Step-by-step:

Install drivers: Download and install Mi USB Driver or Qualcomm QDLoader package (for phone recognition in EDL mode).
Launch Mi Flash Tool: Unpack the archive with the utility and open the XiaoMiFlash.exe file on behalf of the administrator.
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down. + Power before the Fastboot logo appears. Connect your phone to your PC via the original USB-cable.
Select firmware: In the Mi Flash Tool, click Select and specify the path to the unpacked folder with Fastboot ROM.
Set up the reset type: At the bottom of the window, select: Clean All – full reset with all data deleted (recommended). Clean All and Lock – reset with bootloader lock (dangerous if not sure!). Save User Data – an attempt to save user files (does not work on all models).

Start the firmware

Flash

If the process is suspended during the Waiting for device step, check:

🔌 Cable and port USB (Try the port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
🛠️ Are drivers installed (Qualcomm should be displayed in Device Manager) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
📋 Is the firmware properly unpacked (the folder must contain files) flash_all.bat, images.).

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t find fastboot” error, download the latest version from the XDA Developers forum – the official version from Xiaomi is often outdated.

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot and ADB (Universal Method)

If the Mi Flash Tool doesn’t recognize your model or you prefer more control, use the Fastboot and ADB commands. This method works on all Xiaomi devices, regardless of the processor, but requires knowledge of basic commands.

Algorithm of action:

Install. ADB and Fastboot: Download Google's Platform Tools. Unpack the archive to the root of the drive. C:\platform-tools\.
Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in the previous method).
Open the command prompt in the folder with platform-tools: Press Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must display the serial number of the device.
Reset: For a complete reset (removes everything including internal memory): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot flash system.img fastboot reboot For a reset without deleting files (system settings only): fastboot flash system.img fastboot reboot recovery Then in Recovery select Wipe Data.

If you need to reflash all the sections (analogue Clean All in Mi Flash Tool), use the script from the firmware:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot flash vendor vendor.img




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands permanently delete data. If the phone has been encrypted (used) PIN/password, after reset, it may require you to enter the old password to decrypt the userdata, in which case only a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option will help.

Reset devices to MediaTek (via SP Flash Tool)

Xiaomi smartphones on MediaTek processors (Redmi 9A, POCO C31, Redmi 8A, etc.) are threaded through the SP Flash Tool. This tool is less friendly than Mi Flash, but copes with even "bricks" when the device is not identified in the Fastboot.

Instructions:

Download the firmware in format MTK (zip file with folder target_bin inside).
Install drivers: Download SP Flash Tool and MediaTek Preloader driver. Disable driver signature verification in Windows (via gpedit.msc or debugging mode).
Connect the phone: Turn off the device. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the cable to the PC (the screen will remain black).
Launch firmware: Open up SP Flash Tool and upload the file MTxxxx_Android_scatter.txt From the firmware folder. Select Download Only (for reset) or Firmware Upgrade (for full flashing). Press Download and wait for the green circle to appear (100%).

Features of firmware through SP Flash Tool:

Parameter	Description
Download Only	It only flashes selected partitions (e.g. system and boot) and can save data in the userdata.
Firmware Upgrade	Complete flashing with the removal of all data (analogue Clean All).
Format All + Download	Dangerous mode: erases everything, including IMEI and serial number, only use if the phone is not turning on.
Auth File	New models (2022+) require an authorization file from Xiaomi. Without it, the firmware will be locked.

What to do if the SP Flash Tool is a "SLA Auth Fail" or "BROM Error 2004" error

These errors mean that the firmware is protected by Xiaomi authorization. Solutions: 1. Find firmware marked "No Auth" on forums (e.g. 4PDA). 2. Use the official Mi Flash Tool with an authorized developer account. 3. Contact the service center - bypassing the authorization yourself can lead to locking the device.

Recovery after reset: the first steps

After a successful PC reset, your Xiaomi will turn on in a “out of the box” state, but there are nuances that many people forget:

What you need to do right away:

🔄 Do not connect to Wi-Fi at the initial setup stage if the phone was tied to Mi Account. First, check if it is not blocked (it may require entering the username / password of the previous owner).
📱 Skip recovery from backup if the reset was due to viruses or system errors – the copy may contain the same issues.
🔒 Put the debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times) → Additionally. → For developers, for future manipulations.
📡 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → Update the system if reset to the old version.

If there are problems after the discharge:

Problem.	Decision
Phone asks for old password after reset	This means that the userdata partition has been encrypted. You need to reset with the Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool.
No network (IMEI missing)	Restore the IMEI via the engineering menu (#4636##) or browse the nvram section separately.
The phone is cyclically rebooted	Try flashing a different firmware version (e.g., an older or global one instead of a Chinese one).
The sensor or display is not working.	It could be a hardware problem. Check the plumes or contact the service.

💡

If, after a PC reset, the phone requires a Mi Account you don't know, the only legal way to unlock is to contact the previous owner. bypassing security through exploits often results in the device being completely locked.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users face problems when resetting Xiaomi via PC, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Error 1: "Device Not Found" in Fastboot/ADB

🔌 Check the cable (use the original from Xiaomi).
🖥️ Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0).
🛠️ Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).

Mistake 2: Mi Flash Tool is getting stuck on "Flashing"

📁 Check the integrity of the firmware (unpack the archive again).
🔄 Re-start the utility on behalf of the administrator.
🕒 Increase timeout in the Mi Flash Tool settings (Advanced tab).

Error 3: After resetting, the phone will not turn on

🔋 Check the battery charge (plug in to charge for 30 minutes).
📥 Try flashing another firmware version (for example, instead of Global take it). EEA china).
🛠️ If the screen is black, but the PC defines the device as Qualcomm 9008, run through QFil in mode. EDL.

Error 4: SP Flash Tool gives you "PMT changed for ROM"

⚙️ Check the Format All Except Bootloader box.
📄 Use a scatter file from a firmware that matches your model.
🔄 Restart your PC and phone, then try again.

💡

If none of the methods worked, try flashing your phone through the phone. EDL-This will require a special cable or testpoint on the board.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I reset Xiaomi through a PC without unlocking the bootloader?

No. To run through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool, the bootloader must be unlocked, except for Recovery reset (if the phone is turned on) or Service Modes (EDL), but they require authorized tools.

How do I know if my Xiaomi bootloader is unlocked?

Turn off the phone, then press Volume Down + Power. If a robot shows up with Fastboot and Unlocked status at the bottom of the screen, the bootloader is unlocked. If there's no status or it says Locked, unlock is required.

Will the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool reset data on the memory card?

No, the Mi Flash Tool only works with the phone's internal memory. SD-However, if the card was used as an extension of internal memory (Adoptable Storage), the data on it will be lost.

Can I roll back the firmware to an older version via PC?

Yes, but with reservations: Downgrades require the old version of the Fastboot ROM. On some models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra), the downgrade is blocked by Anti-Rollback. After a downgrade, a reset via Recovery may be required for stable operation.

What if the phone asks for the account of the previous owner after the reset?

This is a hardware-based Mi Account security. There's no legal way around, you need to enter the previous owner's login/password. If you're hand-held, try: Contact the seller to unlink. Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase. Self-trafficking through exploits or service codes often results in a complete lockdown of the device.