Resetting through Recovery is the last chance to bring Xiaomi’s smartphone back to life when it doesn’t turn on, slow down or get infected with viruses. Unlike the standard menu reset, this method works even on locked devices, but requires caution: the wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick.” In this article, we will discuss when you need a hard reset through the recavereators, how to do it on different models of Redmi, POCO and Mi, and what to do if the process is frozen.
The problems that Recovery Mode solves range from basic (forgotten pattern lock) to critical (cyclical reboot after a failed update). However, this method is not a panacea: it will not help if the motherboard is damaged or the firmware is blown off. Before you start, make sure that the battery is charged at least 50% - a sudden power outage during the reset can lead to a brick (complete failure) of the device.
When to reset through Recovery, and when to do the standard method
Most Xiaomi users resort to resetting via Recovery in three cases:
- 🔒 Screen blocked: forgotten PIN-code, pattern lock or fingerprint. Standard reset via Settings → Resetting in this case is not available.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot: phone turns on, shows logo Mi/Redmi, It turns off and repeats the cycle, often after a failed update. MIUI.
- 🦠 Viruses or system errors: if the smartphone began to uncontrollably open ads, overheat or issue errors such as com.android.phone stopped.
However, Recovery is not always required. If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use a standard reset:
- Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
This method is safer, as it does not affect system partitions and retains the ability to roll back through the Mi Cloud.
⚠️ Warning: Recovery Resets Everything, Including Internal Memory Files, Accounts Google/Xiaomi and settings SIM-If the phone is synced to Mi Cloud, contacts and notes can be restored, but photos, messages and installed apps can't.
Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance
Before you move to Recovery Mode, follow a few critical steps:
- 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%. If the battery runs out during reset, the phone can turn into a brick".
- 📱 Backup: If the phone is still on, copy important data (photos, contacts, documents) to your computer or cloud.
- 🔌 Disable all accounts: if you remember the passwords from Google and Mi Account, delete them in the settings. FRP-locking (dump protection) after rebooting.
- 🔧 Check out Recovery: new Xiaomi (released after 2021) may have Mi Recovery 4.0+ With limited options, you'll need a Fastboot.
If the phone doesn’t turn on but is responding to charging (the indicator is on fire), keep it charging for 30 to 60 minutes before resetting. For non-removable battery devices (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the POCO X3 Pro), this is a must.
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Copy important data (if possible)|Make sure you know the username/password from your Mi Account|Prepare. USB-cable (in case of errors)|Check out the Recovery model (old or new version)-->
How to log in to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi: a universal way
Recovery mode is entered on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) through hardware buttons, and is suitable for 90% of models released after 2016:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
- Press simultaneously: Power button (Volume Up)
Mi
Recovery
On some models (such as the Redmi 9A or POCO M3), you may need to first clamp Volume Up + Power, and after the logo appears, release Power, continuing to hold Volume Up.
What if you can’t get into Recovery?
If the screen is black or Mi Bunny appears, you're in Fastboot Mode, not Recovery.
- Release all the buttons.
- Select Recovery Mode with the volume buttons.
- Confirm the choice of the power button.
Step-by-step: how to reset settings through Recovery
When you are successfully logged in to Recovery Mode, you will see a menu in English or Chinese (depending on the firmware version).
- Language selection (if available): Use Volume Up/Down to navigate; select English (or, if you know Chinese); Confirm with a Power button.
- Go to reset: Find Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset (older versions of Clear Data).
- Selecting Reset Type: Most of the time, you need a Wipe All Data item. Some firmware may need to select Wipe Cache first and then Wipe Data.
- Confirmation of Action: The system will ask you to confirm the reset - choose Yes or Confirm. The process will take 1-5 minutes (depending on the model).
- Reboot: Once complete, select Reboot or Reboot to System. The first on-set after reset can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!
On new devices (such as Xiaomi 12 or Redmi K50), the Recovery menu may look different — touch-controlled.
1 Sign in to your Mi Account on another device.
2. Go to Settings → Devices and remove the binding to the dropped phone.
3. If you do not remember the password - restore it via email or phone number.-->
The difference between the old and new Recovery on Xiaomi
Xiaomi updates the Recovery Mode interface approximately every 2-3 years, depending on the version of which options are available to the user:
| Characteristics | Old version (until 2020) | The new version (Mi Recovery 4.0+) |
|---|---|---|
| Interface. | Text, volume button control | Graphic, sensory or hybrid |
| Languages | English, Chinese, sometimes Russian | Automatic definition of the system language |
| "Wipe All Data" option | Always available. | It may be hidden behind additional confirmation. |
| The ability to flash ZIP | Yes (Apply update from ADB/sideload) | Limited (official firmware only) |
| Support for FRP | You can bypass the discharge. | Requires entry of Mi Account data after reset |
On devices with Mi Recovery 4.0+ (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) after selecting Wipe Data, a warning may appear about blocking the account. This is normal - confirm the action, but be prepared to enter data from Mi Account after the reboot.
⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F4 or Redmi K40) The new Recovery does not have Wipe Cache, but instead, use Wipe Data, which will not hurt, but will clear the cache automatically.
What to do if resetting through Recovery doesn't help
If the phone doesn't turn on after the reset, or it's stuck on the logo, or it makes a mistake, the problem could be more serious.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot after reset: Reason: system partition damaged. Solution: Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com. Rename the file to update.zip and put it at the root of internal memory (if the phone is defined as a drive). Log in Recovery, select Apply update from SD card ADB sideload).
Requires a password from Mi Account after reset
Reason: Xiaomi account is tied to the device.
- Enter the data from the account that was on the phone before the reset.
- If you don’t remember your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.
- If the phone is purchased from hand, contact the previous owner to unbundle.
The phone does not respond to buttons in Recovery
The reason: damaged volume buttons or sensor (in the new Recovery) Solution:
- Connect your phone to your PC and use it. ADB-Adb shell recovery: Adb shell recovery --wipe_data
- If ADB is not working, then use the Fastboot to search the phone.
If none of these methods worked, there may be a problem with the hardware (damaged memory, power controller) in which case, contact the service center.
💡
Resetting through Recovery does not fix hardware breakdowns. If the phone does not turn on even after flashing, the cause is most likely iron (for example, a short circuit on the motherboard).
How to avoid problems after resetting: expert advice
Even if the reset is successful, the first hours of the phone may be glitches, and follow these guidelines to minimize the risks:
- 📥 Don't restore data right away: after the first turn on, let the phone work for 10-15 minutes in clean condition.
- 🔄 Update the firmware: go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest security patches.
- 🔒 Set the lock again: Use it PIN-Activate Find Device in Mi Account settings, which will help unlock your phone remotely if you forget your password.
- 📦 Remove unnecessary apps: After resetting, Xiaomi installs a lot of pre-installed software (e.g. Mi Browser, Mi Music). → Annexes.