How to Reset Your Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Work (Including Locked Devices)

Why you might need to reset your settings on Xiaomi

Hard reset is the last resort when a phone crashes. At Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark sub-brands), the procedure can solve a range of problems, from bugs after a MIUI update to fully unlocking the device if you forget the pattern lock. But it’s important to understand that reset removes all data from internal memory — photos, contacts, messages, and installed apps.

The most common reasons for resetting:

• 🔄 The phone is severely braked or overheated after updating the firmware
• 🔒 Forgot the password, PIN-lock-code
• 📱 The device hung on the logo. MI or cyclically reboot
• 🛠️ You need to prepare the phone for sale or transfer to another user.
• 📦 Application errors (e.g. com.android.phone is constantly stopped)

Before you start, make sure you have a backup of important data. Even if the phone is locked, some files can be retrieved via ADB or a PC connection in Fastboot mode. Also check the battery power - it should be at least 50% to avoid interrupting the process.

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

This is the easiest and safest method available on all Xiaomi models, including the latest flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the budget Redmi Note 13.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings app (cog icon).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on new MIUI versions).
3. Tap a few times on the MIUI version until you become a developer! (this will unlock hidden options).
4. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
5. Click Erase all data and confirm the action by entering a password (if required).

It takes 5-15 minutes. After you restart, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you bought it. If this method doesn't work (for example, because of the "failed to reset" error), move on to alternative methods.

Make a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Make sure you remember your Mi Account (if tied)

Disable Google Account (if you plan to sell your phone)-->

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If you forget your password or your phone is stuck on the screensaver, resetting through Recovery Mode will help. This method works on all Xiaomi devices, but requires care - incorrect actions can lead to locking the bootloader (on models with a locked bootloader).

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models) 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (for old Redmis) 4/5)

Mi

Further action:

• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection.
• 🔧 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Data on older versions).
• ✅ Confirm the action (Confirmation).
• 🔄 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Xiaomi 13T) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter the Mi Account data associated with the device, and if you do not remember the username / password, the phone will turn into a brick, in which case only official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool will help.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 The phone does not turn on or hangs on the logo
• 🔧 You need to bypass the lock Mi Account (only on the unlocked bootloader)
• 📦 Refuse the device after a failed update

You will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot commands utility.

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
2. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down for 10 seconds
3. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
4. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the phone.
5. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On models with a blocked bootloader, the fastboot erase userdata may not work, in which case you will need to officially unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting on new accounts).

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.

2. Use another USB-cable (better from the set).

3. Connect the phone to the port USB 2.0 (on the back of the PC).-->

Method 4: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote)

If your phone is lost or stolen, but you have access to your Mi Account, you can try resetting it remotely.

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi)
• 🔄 Synchronization with Mi Cloud enabled
• 📱 The device is not switched off or discharged.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your phone.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Cons of the method:

• ❌ It does not work on all models (for example, on the POCO X3 Pro can be turned off)
• ❌ Requires an active internet connection on your phone
• ❌ After the reset, the device may require the entry of Mi Account data on the first turn on.

Method 5: Hardware reset through test points (for service centers)

This is an extreme method used in service centers for phones with damaged firmware or locked bootloader, which involves physically closing contacts on the board (test points) to force the transition to EDL (Emergency Download Mode).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrectly closing contacts can cause a phone to fail, a method recommended only for experienced craftsmen with soldering equipment:

Once successfully closed, the phone connects to the PC in EDL mode, and you can flash clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

• 📱 Recovery of phones after a failed update
• 🔓 Bypassing the Mi Account lock (only on older models)
• 🛠️ Resuscitation of devices with damaged bootloader

💡

Hardware resetting through test points is the last chance to bring the phone back to life if the software methods didn't work. But without experience and tools, the risk of damage to the board is ~30%

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the phone requires the entry of Mi Account data, but you do not remember them, do not try to find a password - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours).

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after resetting via Fastboot or EDL. This is due to damage to the modem partition. You can restore IMEI through the engineering menu (#4636##) or the firmware of the original NVRAM.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions