Why you need a reset to factory settings and when to apply it
Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note to factory settings is a radical but effective way to restore the smartphone to its original health, which removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to a โout of the boxโ state.
First, if the smartphone started to slow down or spontaneously reboot after the MIUI update. This is a typical problem for Redmi Note 8/9 models, where new firmware versions are not always optimized for the old hardware. Second, reset helps with infection with viruses that are not removed by antivirus (for example, advertising software embedded in system applications); Third, the procedure is mandatory before selling or transferring the phone to another user - to prevent personal data leakage.
However, donโt rush to reset at the slightest lag. Try alternative methods first:
- ๐ Cleaning the cache in the Settings section โ Memory. โ Cleanup (delete temporary files without data loss).
- ๐ฑ Reverse updates for problematic apps on Google Play.
- ๐ Battery calibration (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).
- ๐ ๏ธ Resetting network settings to Settings โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Resetting network settings.
If these measures do not help, start a full reset. But remember: on Redmi Note models with a MediaTek processor (for example, the Note 11T), a reset via Recovery can block the bootloader if you previously unlocked it for custom firmware, in which case you will need authorization in Mi Account.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (without loss of data on the memory card)
The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in reset function in MIUI, which is suitable if:
- ๐ฑ The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
- ๐ You remember the password from the lock screen.
- ๐ You want to save files on your memory card (they are not affected).
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the About Phone section. โ Backup and reset.
- Select Resetting โ Erase all data.
- The system will prompt you to enter a password from your Mi Account (if tied) or PIN-code-key.
- Confirm the action by clicking Erase All (on some models โ Next โ Ready).
It takes 5-15 minutes. The phone will reboot and start with the initial setup screen. Importantly, if you've used data encryption (includes in Settings โ Additional โ Encryption), it can take up to 30-40 minutes to reset โ don't interrupt the process!
Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Make a backup of contacts and photos|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Get out. SIM-map (optional)|Delete the memory card if it has important files
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โ ๏ธ Note: Redmi Note 10 Pro and later after reset may require re-association of the device to the Mi Account via the Reset. SMS-Make sure you have access to the phone number associated with the account.
Method 2: Hard Reset with 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 password, resetting through Recovery Mode will help.This method works on all Redmi Note models, but requires care - improper actions can lead to a blink (complete inoperability) of the device.
Instructions for phones with physical buttons (Note 7/8/9):
- Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
- Press the Power + Volume combination and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
- With volume buttons, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) and confirm Power button.
- Select Wipe All Data โ Confirm (you will need to enter the unlock code if it was installed).
- Once you have finished, select Reboot โ Reboot to System.
Redmi Note 10/11/12 with touch buttons
- ๐ Squeeze the power. + Increase the volume on the phone turned off.
- ๐ฑ Wait for vibrations and let go โ a menu with touch control will appear.
- ๐ Scroll down to Wipe data, tap it.
- ๐ Enter your password (if required) and confirm Format data.
If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:
- ๐งน โ dataset.
- ๐ โ restart.
- ๐ฑ โ reboot.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
| Redmi Note model | Combination for Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 7/8/9 | Power + Volume Increase | Menu in English, supports sensory control |
| Redmi Note 10/10 Pro | Power + Volume Increase | Requires confirmation via Mi Account when resetting |
| Redmi Note 11/12 | Power + Volume Increase | Icon menu, touch control |
| Redmi Note 8T/9T | Power + Volume reduction | Sometimes you need to connect to a PC to unlock. |
โ ๏ธ Warning: On the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Note 10 Pro with a Snapdragon processor after resetting via Recovery, Anti-Rollback protection may work. MIUI version cannot be downgraded, you will need to flash the original firmware through Fastboot.
Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)
This method is used if:
- ๐ง Recovery damaged or missing.
- ๐ต The phone doesn't respond to the buttons.
- ๐ You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).
The work will require:
- ๐ป Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
- ๐ Cable USB (preferably original).
- ๐ Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Power + Volume reduction for 10 seconds - the phone will go to Fastboot mode (a hare will appear in a hat-eared).
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz).
- Press Refresh โ the program must determine the device (it will appear). COM-port).
- Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
- Wait for the end (10-20 minutes) and the phone to restart.
Warnings:
- ๐ซ Do not turn off the cable during firmware - this will lead to a breeze.
- ๐ If the bootloader is blocked, you will need to log in to Mi Account via Mi Unlock Tool.
- ๐ก On the Redmi Note 12 S MIUI 14+ You may need to roll back to an older version of the firmware before unlocking.
1. Reinstall the driver via Mi Phone Manager.
2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
3. run the program on behalf of the administrator.
4. Enable debugging mode via USB in the developer settings (if the phone is turned on at least somehow).
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What to do after resetting: initial setup
After a successful reset, the phone will launch with a welcome screen.
- Language and region choice: Install Russian (Russia) or English (United States) if you plan to use global firmware.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Skip this step if you want to set up your phone later.
- Sign in to Mi Account: If your phone was linked to your account, enter your login and password. If you forget your data, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.
- Data recovery: ๐ฑ Backup copy. MIUI (If you have backup in the settings โ Additionally. โ Backup). โ๏ธ From Google Account (contacts, calendar, some settings). ๐ป Mi Mover (a data transfer application from another Xiaomi).
- Disabling unnecessary functions: ๐ Settings โ Annexes โ Application management โ Autostart (turn off to save battery). ๐ Settings โ Notifications โ Priority of notifications (remove unnecessary notifications). ๐ก Settings โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Mobile Internet (disable background traffic for applications).
On Redmi Note 11 and later, you may be prompted to activate Mi Cloud and Data Sync, and if you donโt plan to use these services, turn them off immediately, saving traffic and battery.
- Fingerprint sensor operation (configure again in Settings โ Password and security โ Fingerprints).
- Availability of MIUI updates in Settings โ About Phone โ System Update.
- The camera and speakers (sometimes after resetting the microphone settings are lost).
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How to avoid data loss before resetting
Factory reset deletes everything except files on the memory card (unless it's encrypted) to avoid losing important information:
- ๐ธ Photo and video: Copy to PC via cable USB (folder DCIM). Use Google Photos for automatic backup. on Redmi Note with MIUI 12+ set the settings on โ Google โ Backup โ Backup of photographs.
- ๐ Contacts: Export to the file VCF: Contacts โ Settings โ Exports/imports โ Export to your device. sync with Google Account: Settings โ Accounts. โ Google โ Synchronization of contacts.
- ๐ฌ Communications SMS: Use the app. SMS Backup & Restore from Google Play MIUI: Communications โ Settings โ Backup and restoration.
- ๐ฎ Game saves: For cloud-based games (e.g. Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) link your account to Google Play or social networks. For offline games, copy the folder Android/obb and Android/data PC-only.
If the phone is locked but turns on, you can try to extract data via USB debugging mode (if it was turned on earlier):
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Open the command line and type: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Redmi_Backup\ This will copy all files from internal memory to disk. C:\.
โ ๏ธ Attention: On the Redmi Note 10S Note 11 Pro+ s MIUI 13+ Application data (such as WhatsApp or Telegram) are encrypted by default, and without a lock screen password, it is impossible to restore them after resetting.
Frequent mistakes and their solutions
Even if the reset is done correctly, there can be problems, including the following:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| This device is locked in Fastboot | bootloader locked | Unlock with Mi Unlock Tool (requires binding to Mi Account and waiting 7-15 days) |
| phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after reset | System or boot partition damaged | Switch the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All and Lock mode |
| Can't verify update in Recovery | A firmware file or incompatible version is damaged | Download the firmware again from the official website, check the phone model |
| After reset, the sensor does not work | Calibration failure after MIUI update | Type in ##6484## โ Test Mode โ Touch Screen Test โ Calibrate |
| Requires a password from Mi Account after reset | Find Device Protection Activated | Sign in to your account or reset your password via account.xiaomi.com |
If the phone does not detect after the reset SIM-map, check it out:
- ๐ถ Correct installation SIM (Redmi Note 9 Pro card tray has asymmetrical slots).
- ๐ง Network settings: Settings โ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ Name of the access point (APN) (for MTS, Beeline and others. APN You can find the operator's website).
- ๐ก Flight mode: sometimes activated automatically after resetting.
On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with a Helio G90T processor, after reset, sound may disappear in the speaker.
- Go to Settings โ Sound and vibration โ Sound quality.
- Turn off Hi-Fi audio and sound effects.
- Reboot the phone.