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

Xiaomi Redmi 6, released in 2018, is still a popular budget smartphone due to reliable “stuffing” and support for MIUI. However, over time, any gadget begins to brake, give out errors or require complete cleaning before selling. Resetting to factory settings is a universal solution for such cases, but it is important to do it correctly so as not to lose important data or turn the phone into a “brick”.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Flash Tool), how to prepare for the procedure, what to do if Redmi 6 is not turned on or blocked, and answer frequent questions. The instructions are valid for all firmware versions, including the latest stable version. MIUI 12.5 for this model.

When you need to reset to factory settings

Resetting is not always a panacea, but in some cases it is really necessary:

• 🐢 Phone slows down, apps constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help.
• 🔒 You have forgotten your graphical key or password and other unlock methods (via Mi Account) do not work.
• 📱 Before selling or transferring a smartphone to another person – to delete all personal information.
• 🛠️ After a failed firmware update, when Redmi 6 hovers on the logo or cyclically reboots.
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by antiviruses.

However, resetting will not help if the problem is related to:

• 🔋 Physical breakdown of the battery or motherboard (the phone does not turn on at all).
• 📡 Hardware malfunctions of Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth or camera.
• 💾 Damage to the charging connector or display.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 6 was bought hand-held and tied to someone else's Mi Account, resetting through settings or Recovery won't remove locking.Official unlock through Xiaomi Service Center will be required.

Preparing for resetting: how not to lose important data

The factory reset completely removes all data from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and recorded videos).
• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log (unless synced with Google or Mi Cloud).
• 🎵 Music, uploaded files and documents.
• 🎮 Save in games and settings of applications.

To avoid losses, follow the following steps:

1. Sync your data with the cloud: Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and enable backup for contacts, notes, SMS. For Google Account: Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization.
2. Copy files to your computer or flash drive: Connect Redmi 6 to your PC via USB-cable (select File Transfer Mode). Move folders DCIM (Downloads, Music and more to a safe place.

Save the IMEI:

If your phone is locked and you can't access files, try connecting it to your PC in Fastboot mode (clutch Volume Down + Power When your phone is off) and using programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey to extract data.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it is only available if:

• 🔓 You know the password/pattern lock.
• 📱 The phone is turned on and not hung on the logo.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30% (recommended 50%).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or Additional → Recovery and Reset in older versions of MIUI).
3. Select Reset (may be called Factory Reset).
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action by entering a password (if required).
5. Wait for the process to be completed (usually takes 2-5 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

After reset, Redmi 6 will launch as new, suggesting you choose a language and perform the initial setup. If errors occur at this stage (such as hanging on the MI logo), move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may require you to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was previously linked to your phone, after resetting through the menu. If you forget your account information, restore them in advance on account.xiaomi.com.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (if the phone is locked or not turned on)

Recovery Mode is a service mode that allows you to reset your settings even if Redmi 6 is locked, got stuck or unresponsive to touch.

• ✅ It works without knowing the password.
• ❌ Does not delete data from the memory card (if installed).
• ⚠️ Some firmware requires confirmation via Mi Account after reset.

Step instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: Volume up + Power Hold them until the MI logo appears and vibrations (usually 5-10 seconds).
3. Select a language (if a menu appears). Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.
4. Go to the Wipe Data menu (which can be called Clear Data or Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
6. Wait until it is completed (the process will take 3-7 minutes).

If Redmi 6 requires you to enter your Mi Account data after resetting and you don’t remember it, try:

• 🔄 Fastboot phone search (Those 3).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Service Center with Proof of Purchase.

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If the Recovery Mode doesn't have a sensor, use the volume buttons to move around the menu and the power button to select a point. On some firmware, the sensor may not respond even when the screen is running.

Method 3: Hard reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

This method is used in extreme cases where:

• 🔄 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo.
• 🔒 Recovery Mode is not available or requires a password.
• 📱 You need to replay Redmi 6 on a clean version. MIUI.

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 📥 Firmware for Redmi 6 (download from the official website) MIUI Downloads).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from xiaomiflashtool.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Install drivers: Download and install Mi Phone Manager from Xiaomi’s official website (it will automatically install the drivers you want). or download drivers manually through Device Manager (if Redmi 6 is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB).
2. Prepare the firmware: Download the firmware archive for Redmi 6 (select Fastboot, not Recovery). Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\redmi6).
3. Launch Mi Flash Tool: Open the utility on behalf of the administrator. Press Select and point the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off Redmi 6 → Press Volume Down + Power → Connect to your PC Make sure the device is on the Mi Flash Tool (COM is green).

Once you have firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, all data will be deleted without recovery, and the phone will return to the “out of the box” state, which also removes the Mi Account lock, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Note: If you see an Anti Rollback error when you are firmware, you are trying to install an older version. MIUI, In this case, download the firmware of the same or newer version.

What to do if the reset does not help

In rare cases, even after a reset, problems with Redmi 6 may persist.

• 🔄 Phone reboots cyclically: Try flashing your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (method 3). If it doesn't work, there's a hardware problem (e.g., damaged memory).
• 🔋 Not turned on after reset: Connect to charge for 30 minutes - maybe the battery is completely drained.Try to pin the Volume up + Power for 20 seconds (forced reboot).
• 📵 No network after reset: Why does the network disappear? IMEI or the firmware of the communications module is damaged. IMEI: Download the app MTK Engineering Mode (for MediaTek processors) Go to Engineer Mode → Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information, enter a command. AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" and AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2" (substitute IMEI_1 and IMEI_2 on your original IMEI). Reboot your phone if you want. IMEI Cannot be restored, contact the service center.
• 🔒 Requires Mi Account after reset: If this is your account, restore access to account.xiaomi.com. If the account of the previous owner, contact Xiaomi with a check about the purchase.

If none of the methods worked, the problem is likely to be in the hardware (damaged motherboard, memory or battery), in which case we recommend contacting an authorized service center Xiaomi.

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Before visiting the service center, be sure to back up your data (if the phone is still turning on) and record the IMEI, which will speed up the diagnosis and help avoid fraud.

How to avoid problems after resetting

To ensure that Redmi 6 is stable after reset, follow these guidelines:

• 🔄 Do not restore data from a backup of old firmware – this can carry errors and viruses.
• 📱 Set your phone up as new: Update all apps via Google Play. Install the latest version MIUI In Settings → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Bitdefender) and scan the system.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: Discharge the phone to 0% → Charge to 100% without interruptions → Repeat 2-3 times.
• 🗑️ Clean the cache regularly: Go to Settings → Warehouse → Clean. Use the built-in security utility. → Cleanup.

If you dropped your phone before selling, remember:

• 📱 Unplug all accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
• 💳 Remove Linked Bank Cards from Google Pay and Other Payment Systems.
• 📍 Disable the Find Device function in Mi Cloud.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)