How to reset your settings on Xiaomi to factory: the full guide 2026

Resetting on Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark lines) can be required in a variety of situations, from the banal glitch of the interface to preparing the device for sale. However, not all users know that there are three fundamentally different methods of reset, each of which has its own nuances: one allows you to save some data, others completely clear internal memory, and still others can even unlock the device after a forgotten pattern lock.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to reset settings on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden MIUI functions, working through Recovery Mode, as well as little-known tricks using Mi Account. Particular attention will be paid to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra model and Redmi Note 13 Pro+, where the reset process has specific features due to the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.

1. When you need to reset settings on Xiaomi

Before you start taking drastic measures, it’s important to understand whether your situation really needs a full reset. Here are 5 of the most common reasons Xiaomi users turn to this procedure:

• 🔄 Slowing down — the device starts to slow down after a year of use, applications take a long time to open, animations twitch, often due to memory fragmentation and cache accumulation.
• 🔓 Forgotten password/pattern lock – if you can’t unlock the screen, resetting via Recovery may be the only way out.
• 📱 Preparation for sale – before transferring the phone to the new owner, you need to delete all personal data, including Google accounts and Mi Account.
• 🐞 Critical errors MIUI — For example, constant restarts, inability to update the system or failures in the camera.
• 🔄 Retracement to the previous version MIUI — If there are bugs after the update, resetting sometimes helps to restore stability.

However, resetting is not always a panacea, for example, if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (a broken screen, a broken speaker, an overheating of the processor), then returning to factory settings is unlikely to help.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may result in data loss in the section /data, Always back up your device via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

2.Resetting preparation: what to do necessarily

Before resetting your settings to Xiaomi, follow 4 critical steps to avoid data loss and activation issues after the procedure:

1. Save backup via Settings → About Phone → Backup. MIUI 14/15 offers cloud copying to Mi Cloud (up to 5GB free) or local to the memory card.
2. Delete your Mi Account link (if you plan to sell your phone). Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out.
3. Remember the Google account details – after the reset, you will need confirmation (FRP-If you forget your password, restore it in advance.
4. Charge your phone at least 50% – interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can cause software damage.

Pay special attention to the data of the applications. For example, on WhatsApp and Telegram, chats are not saved to the Mi Cloud cloud, they need to be exported manually, the same applies to SMS, calls and notes.

Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud

Delete your Xiaomi account (if necessary)

Check the Google account details

Charge your phone >50%

Keep important chat rooms and SMS manually-->

On devices with MIUI 13 and older, Quick Reset has been introduced, which saves some user data (photos, videos, documents) but removes settings and applications. However, this mode does not always work stable - it is better not to rely on it.

3. Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (soft reset)

This is the easiest and safest method to use, and is suitable if the phone is stable and you have access to the settings menu.The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro, POCO F5 and Xiaomi 13T.

How to perform the reset:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. If required, enter PIN-code.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the model, and after you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like you did after you bought the phone.

⚠️ Note: Some devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite) may require re-activation of Mi Account via reset SMS Make sure you have access to the linked phone number.

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If after reset, the phone asks you to enter the old password from your Xiaomi account, and you do not remember it, use the recovery function on account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, you may need to contact in support with proof of purchase.

This method does not delete data from the memory card (if installed), but cleans the phone’s internal memory, including:

• Installed applications and their data
• System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound)
• Accounts (except the main Google account, unless manually deleted)
• Multimedia files (photos, videos, music) in the phone’s memory

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If you forget the pattern lock or the phone doesn’t turn on (hangs on the MI logo), the only way out is to reset via Recovery Mode.This method works on all Xiaomi devices, but has important nuances for different versions of MIUI.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power For POCO F4/F5 and Redmi K50: Volume down + Power For Xiaomi 12/13/14 series: Volume up + Volume down + Power (hold 10 seconds)

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

Reboot to System

On new devices (such as Xiaomi 14), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese, in which case look for characters (clear data) and (confirm).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a Recovery reset may require you to enter Mi Account data that was tied to the phone. If you do not remember the username / password, restore them to the PROBLIST, otherwise the phone will turn into a brick".

5. Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remote reset)

A little-known method that works if your phone has internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) on and your Xiaomi account is tied, which is useful if your phone is lost or stolen (but you want to erase it remotely).

How to reset settings remotely:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the Devices section, select your phone.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

After a remote reset, the phone will reboot and require you to enter Mi Account data when you first turn on, a security measure to prevent attackers from using your device.

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Remote reset via Mi Account is the only official way to erase data from a lost Xiaomi phone, but it only works when an active internet connection is on the device.

6. Frequent errors in resetting and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes have trouble resetting Xiaomi. TOP-5 errors and ways of solving them:

1. "Mi Account blocked after reset" Reason: The phone had a Xiaomi account tied up, but you don't remember the login details. Solution: Restore the password on account.xiaomi.com. If you don't, contact support with a purchase check.
2. "Phone doesn't turn on after reset" Reason: Data cleanup process interrupted (e.g. battery dead) Solution: Connect your phone to charge for 1 hour, then try logging back into Recovery and resetting again.
3. "Sensor fails after reset" Reason: Firmware failure (often found on the POCO X3 Pro after upgrading to MIUI 14). Solution: Reset again or run your phone through Fastboot.
4. "FRP-Google locking" Reason: After a reset, the phone requires you to enter the Google account that was on it before. Solution: Enter the correct data. If you forgot your password, restore it through Google Account Recovery.
5. "No sound after reset" Reason: Resetting sometimes resets the sound settings (especially on Black Shark).Solution: Check the volume settings in Settings → Sound and restart the phone.

If none of these methods worked, it may be the hardware (for example, the flash memory is damaged), in which case we recommend contacting the Xiaomi service center.

7. Reset on specific Xiaomi models: features

Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when resetting. Consider the most popular models:

For devices with MIUI Global (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Lite), the reset is usually smooth, but on the Chinese versions (MIUI China) it may be difficult to use the interface language after the reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions