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

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems. Regardless of the model — whether it is a Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5 — the procedure has general principles, but differs in nuances depending on the version of MIUI and the state of the device. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of reset, including cases when the phone is not turned on or locked.

It's important to understand that a factory reset deletes all user data -- photos, contacts, messages, and installed applications -- but system files (like firmware) remain intact. If you sell a phone or put it in repair, resetting will help protect personal information, and if the device slows down, overheats, or makes errors, it will return it to a "clean" state.

Before you start, check if your model fits the described methods. Most of the instructions are universal for Redmi based on MIUI 12-14, but for older versions (for example, MIUI 10) you may need to adjust. Also note that after the reset you will need to re-authorize in your Xiaomi account - remember your username and password!

When you need to reset to factory settings

Factory discharge is not a panacea, but an effective solution in some cases:

• 📱 System failures: the phone is constantly restarting, gives out errors "Application stopped" or stuck on the logo MI.
• 🐢 Slowdown: Even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary files, the device slows down.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN: If you can’t unlock the screen and your Xiaomi account is not tied.
• 📦 Preparing for sale: to prevent the new owner from gaining access to your data.
• 🔄 Failed Update: After installing a new version MIUI bugs appeared.

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

• 🔋 Hardware malfunctions (broken screen, broken camera, battery problems).
• 📡 Network problems, if caused by a communications operator or SIM-card.
• 🔌 Damage to the charging connector or other physical components.

⚠️ Note: If you are resetting your phone due to viruses, check it with an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky).Some malware can persist even after being reset if it is embedded in system files.

Before you start, evaluate how critical your problem is, for example, if your phone is just slowing down, try it first:

1. Clean the cache manually through Settings → Memory → Cleanup.
2. Remove unused applications.
3. Turn off animation in Settings → Special Options → Delete animation.

Preparing for resetting: how to save data

The most common mistake users make is to reset without backup. It's almost impossible to recover data after the procedure, so devote 10 to 15 minutes to creating a backup.

For convenience, use the built-in tools of Xiaomi:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select the data to save (contacts, messages, notes) and click Create a backup.
3. The file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder on internal memory.

⚠️ Warning: If you use Mi Cloud, make sure you have enough cloud space.The free fare only provides 5GB, and a backup can weigh 1-3GB depending on the amount of data.

For owners of Redmi with unlocked bootloader (Bootloader) there is an alternative way - to create a full backup through TWRP. This will save even system settings, but requires root rights and experience with custom firmware.

Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username and password from the Mi Account|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Make sure that SIM-card and memory card removed (if desired)|Deactivated from the factory (Find My Device)-->

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

This is the easiest and most secure method available on all Redmi models, from the Redmi 4X to the Redmi Note 13 Pro+.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (in some versions – Additional).
3. Select Backup and Reset.
4. Tap Reset settings (or Reset to factory settings).
5. The system will tell you what to delete. We recommend that you mark all the data.
6. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
7. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 3-10 minutes).

On MIUI 11 and older, the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting settings

Once reset, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

• 🔄 Restore data from a backup (if it was created).
• 📱 Skip recovery and configure the device from scratch.
• 🔐 Sign in to Xiaomi account if it was previously linked.

⚠️ Note: If you reset a phone with a tied Mi Account, you will need to enter your username and password after the procedure).

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If the phone takes longer to load after reset (more than 15 minutes), don't panic. The first download after reset can take up to 20 minutes - that's fine.

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

If Redmi doesn’t respond to taps, hovers on the logo or reboots cyclically, a reset via Recovery Mode will help.This mode is available on all Xiaomi smartphones and does not require a PC connection.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For Redmi Note 8/9/10: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to confirm the selection.

1. Choose a language (usually English or English).
2. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
3. Select Wipe All Data (remove all data).
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
5. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
6. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot to reboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Download and install ADB/Fastboot Tools.
5. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with fastboot.
6. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined, you will see its serial number.
7. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

For a complete reset (including system partitions), use:

fastboot erase system


fastboot erase data




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot erase system commands will remove the firmware and the phone won't turn on without re-installing it. Use this method only if you're confident in your actions or plan to reflash the device.

If the phone doesn't turn on after reset, try flashing it over the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for your model, and you can download it at en.miui.com.

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Fastboot reset is the most radical method, and it's suitable for power users and when other methods don't work, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you better go to a service center.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems, and let's look at the typical situations and the ways you can solve them.

If the phone gets worse after reset (e.g., it discharges faster or overheats), it may have been the hardware problem.

1. Check the state of the battery in Settings → Battery → Battery condition.
2. Install the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Contact the service center for diagnosis.

For owners of Redmi root rights: if the root access is lost after the reset, it will have to be re-acquired through Magisk or SuperSU.

Reset vs. Firming: What to Choose

Many users confuse factory reset and firmware reflash, and we'll figure out when each of these methods is needed:

• 🔄 Reset: Removes user data, but leaves firmware intact. Helps with software failures, viruses, slowdowns. No PC (except the Fastboot method). Takes 5-15 minutes.
• 📱 Firmware: Completely replaces system files with new ones, needs for serious firmware errors, bricks on the phone, requires a PC and special tools (Mi Flash Tool, SP Flash Tool. It takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Flashing can be of two types:

1. The official one is via Xiaomi's Mi Flash Tool, which keeps the warranty.
2. Custom - via TWRP with firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

When to choose a flashing instead of a reset:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t turn on even after being reset via Fastboot.
• 🐞 Critical bugs appeared after the update MIUI.
• 🔓 You need to unlock the bootloader to install custom firmware.
• 📵 The network is missing or IMEI after-dump.

If you decide to reflash your phone, follow Xiaomi’s official instructions or the verified forum guides (4PDA, XDA Developers). Wrong firmware can turn your smartphone into a “brick.”

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Reset is a cure for the current firmware, and reflashing is a replacement for it. If the problem is in the system files, reset may not help, and reflashing will solve it 100%.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions