Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via buttons: full instruction

Why do you need a hardware reset and when it saves your smartphone?

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings via a keyboard is an emergency procedure that helps bring the smartphone back to life when standard methods are not available, such as if the device is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touching the screen, or is locked after a failed update, unlike a software reset via a menu, this method works even with a damaged firmware or forgotten pattern lock.

But it's important to understand that a hardware reset is not a magic wand; it completely erases all data (photos, contacts, messages, apps) and returns the smartphone to the "out of the box" state. If the problem is a hardware malfunction (such as a broken screen or a damaged motherboard), the reset will not help, and it is useless if the device does not turn on at all (no reaction to the charging or power button).

This article provides detailed instructions for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including features for Qualcomm and Mediatek devices, as well as answers to frequent questions: what to do if the reset does not work, how to avoid errors and whether it is possible to recover data after the procedure.

What Xiaomi models support resetting through buttons

Almost all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark sub-brands) support hardware reset via a keyboard combination.

• 🔹 Devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon: Xiaomi 11/12/13 series, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Black Shark 4/5. Use the standard Fastboot mode.
• 🔹 Devices on Mediatek Helio/Dimensity: Redmi 9/10A, POCO M3/M4, Budget models may require additional steps to log in to Recovery.
• 🔹 Old models (2018 Year and year before: Xiaomi Mi A1/A2, Redmi 5/6. Sometimes they use unique button combinations.
• 🔹 Devices with locked bootloader: Xiaomi for the Chinese market (e.g. models with the prefix C in the title) may require unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool.

If you’re not sure which processor is in your smartphone, check the model in settings (Settings → About Phone → Model) or on the box. You can use the CPU-Z app (available on Google Play) to accurately identify you.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models for the Chinese market (e.g. Mi 10 Ultra or Redmi) K30 Pro Zoom) hardware reset may lead to a requirement to link to the Mi Account. If you do not remember the account data, the smartphone will become a “brick".

Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi through the buttons

The reset procedure consists of three steps: entering Recovery mode, selecting the reset point and confirming. It is important to follow the instructions precisely to avoid errors. Below is a universal algorithm for most models.

Step 1: Turn off your smartphone

If the device is frozen and does not respond to the power button:

• 🔋 Connect the charger and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds (forced reboot).
• 🔄 If the screen does not go out, wait until the battery is discharged (may take several hours).

If the smartphone is on and responds to commands:

• 📴 Hold the power button until the off menu appears.
• 🔘 Select Turn Off (or Power Off).

Step 2: Entering Recovery Mode

After the device is completely switched off:

1. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
2. Hold them for 8-12 seconds until the Xiaomi or Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (usually in English or Chinese).

Some models (such as the POCO X3 or Redmi Note 9 Pro) may require:

• 🔄 First, clamp down the volume. + power, then release the power, continuing to hold the volume.
• 🔧 If nothing happens, try the volume increase combination. + volume-reducing + Food (for Black Shark).

I turned off my smartphone from charging.|Removed the case (if any)|I remember the button combination for my model.|Prepared 10-15 minutes of free time|Backup of important data (if possible)-->

Step 3: Selecting a dumping point

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

• 📱 English version: Select Wipe Data → Wipe all data → Confirm.
• 📱 Chinese version: look for characters (clean data) or (restore factory settings).
• 📱 Picture menu: Choose an icon with a trash can or a recovery sign.

Once you select the reset point, you'll see a warning, and you'll confirm the action by choosing Yes or Confirm, and it'll take 30 seconds to 5 minutes, and the smartphone will reboot automatically.

Table: Button combinations for popular Xiaomi models

If your model isn't in the table, try the universal combination: power + volume increase. 90% of the time it works. If not, check if the bootloader is locked (this is indicated by the word This device is locked when you turn on).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even if you do the right thing, the reset can fail, and here are the most common problems and solutions.

• ❌ The smartphone is not included in Recovery 🔹 Possible cause: Faulty buttons or a dead battery. 🔹 Solution: charge the device to at least 30% and try again. If the buttons don't work, try connecting the PC and using it. ADB.
• ❌ After resetting, a Mi Account password is required 🔹 Possible reason: the device is tied to a Xiaomi account, and the Find Device feature is active. 🔹 Solution: enter your account details. If you don't remember, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
• ❌ The discharge is interrupted in the middle. 🔹 Possible cause: damaged firmware or unstable power supply. 🔹 Solution: Repeat the procedure, make sure the battery is charged. If it doesn't work, run the device through the Fastboot.
• ❌ There is an error "No command" 🔹 Possible cause: Incompatibility of Recovery version with firmware. 🔹 Solution: Hold power. + Volume increase of 10 seconds to restart Recovery.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on or gets stuck on the logo after reset, don't try to repeat the procedure repeatedly.This may indicate damage to the boot partition.

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If the reset doesn’t help fix the problem (for example, the smartphone still slows down), try immediately after the procedure to update the firmware to the latest version via Settings → System Update.

Alternative Resetting Methods If the Buttons Don’t Work

If hardware reset is not possible (such as broken buttons or the device does not respond), there are several alternative methods:

1. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and utility ADB/Fastboot. Instructions:

1. Connect the switched off smartphone to the PC, holding the volume down (to log into the Fastboot).
2. Open the command line and type: fastboot devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

2. Reset via Mi PC Suite (official method)

Mi PC Suite allows you to reset your smartphone without button combinations, but requires:

• 🔌 Working USB-cable-driver.
• 🔓 Unlocked screen (if the smartphone is turned on).
• 📥 Installed software (you can download on the official website).

3.Reset via Find Device (remote)

If the Find Device function is enabled on the smartphone and it is connected to the Internet, you can reset it via the web interface:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your device in the list.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

This method works only if the smartphone is turned on and has access to the network (via Wi-Fi or mobile Internet).

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If the smartphone does not respond to any reset methods, the problem is likely hardware (damaged motherboard, power controller or memory), in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

Can data be recovered after resetting?

Once completely reset via Recovery or Fastboot, data recovery is almost impossible. Unlike software resets via settings, the hardware method overwrites the userdata partition where all user files are stored.

• 📁 Photos and videos: If they are stored on SD-Map or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) can be restored.
• 📞 Contacts: If you have synced with Google or Mi Account, they will recover after you log in to your account.
• 📱 Messages and calls: You can only recover through backups (e.g, SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🎮 Application Data: Most games and programs (such as WhatsApp, Viber) store backups in the cloud.

If you don’t have backups, you can try professional tools like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but their effectiveness on modern Xiaomi smartphones with data encryption (FBE) is close to zero.

• 🔄 Settings → System system → Backup (built-in Xiaomi feature).
• ☁️ Google Drive or Mi Cloud (Automatic Synchronization).
• 💾 Local copying on PC through MTP or ADB.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions