How to reset your Xiaomi phone settings: 5 proven ways

Resetting on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that can be necessary in a variety of situations, from preparing the device for sale to fixing software failures. However, not all users know that there are several ways to perform hard reset, and each of them has its own nuances. Wrong actions can lead to the loss of important data, blocking the Mi Account or even “bricking” the phone.

In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for modern models of Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi (including devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS).You will learn how to save contacts and photos before the procedure, what errors users most often make, and what to do if the phone does not respond to standard commands.

When you need to reset settings on Xiaomi

Before we start taking radical measures, it's important to understand whether they're really necessary. Factory resets are not a universal cure for all problems, but a last resort that makes sense in the following cases:

• 📱 Phone slows down, apps constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help
• 🔄 After updating MIUI HyperOS or critical errors (e.g., infinite download)
• 📦 You are preparing the device for sale or transfer to another person
• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-screen-lock
• 🦠 Suspected virus infection (despite antivirus installed)

However, there are situations where resetting not only won’t help, but it will make the problem worse, such as if the phone is not turned on due to a hardware malfunction (a damaged battery or motherboard), or if the device is locked through Find My Device after being stolen, in which case you need to contact a service center.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery can automatically lock Mi Account. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will become a brick".

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

The reset procedure completely removes all user data from the phone’s internal memory, meaning you will lose:

• 📁 Photos and videos in the gallery (including screenshots)
• 📞 Call log and SMS-message
• 🎵 Music and uploaded files (if not on the SD-map)
• 📱 Application settings and game progress
• 🔑 Saved passwords in the browser and applications

To avoid losses, follow the following steps:

1. Sync your contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud: Settings → Accounts → Sync
2. Copy media files to your computer or cloud: Connect your phone over USB in File Transfer (MTP) mode or use Mi Share for wireless transfer.
3. Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup (note: this method does not save some system settings).
4. Export SMS using applications like SMS Backup & Restore.

Synchronized contacts and calendar|Photos/videos saved on PC or cloud|Backup done through MIUI|Memorized login / password from Mi Account|Remote. SD-card (if any)-->

Pay special attention to Mi Account. After a reset, the phone may require you to enter the account information that was associated with the device. If you forget the password, restore it in advance on the official website. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the account binding is maintained even after a full reset via Fastboot.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

This is the easiest and most secure method that works if the phone is turned on and you remember the unlock password.The instruction is relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices, including the POCO X5 Pro, Redmi 13C and Xiaomi 14.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in HyperOS, the path may be called Device Information).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click to erase all data (entry may be required) PIN-code-key).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Reset settings.

It takes 3-10 minutes depending on the model, and after the reboot, you'll be asked to set the phone up as new, and if you're requesting Mi Account data at this point, enter the previously associated account.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.4) may lose the ability to connect to the mobile network after reset. IMEI. It can be restored only through an engineering menu or service center.

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If the phone hangs on the MI logo for a long time after reset, try pressing the power button for 15-20 seconds to force a reboot. If this does not help, you will need firmware through Fastboot.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

This method is used when the phone is not booted into the system, but responds to the power button. Suitable for devices with a locked screen (unless you need a password to log in to Recovery).

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button and the Volume up simultaneously.
3. Hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, the volume (move) and power (select) buttons are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on newer versions).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

If the phone requires Mi Account data to be entered after the reset, but you don't remember it, try to restore access through the official recovery page. On HyperOS devices, Fastboot bypass may work, but it requires technical skills.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remote)

If you lose your phone or it's locked, but you have access to your Mi Account, you can reset remotely, and this only works under the following conditions:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Find My Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔒 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your device in the list (if it is displayed).
3. Click Delete Data (or Erase Device in English).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Remote reset has limitations:

• ❌ It does not work if the phone is off or without the internet.
• ❌ Does not reset the screen lock (if installed) PIN/graphical).
• ❌ It can take up to 24 hours (depending on the speed of the device’s connection).

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Remote reset via Mi Account does not delete data from the memory card (if installed).

Method 4: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

This method is used when other methods fail, such as when the firmware is damaged or if the phone does not respond to buttons. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (original, since cheap cables may not transmit data).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools on your computer.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume down for 5-10 seconds.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined, reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

This method deletes all data without recovery, but does not affect system partitions. If the goal is to reflash the phone, after reset, you can install a new firmware through the command fastboot flash.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader, a reset via Fastboot may result in a Mi Account lock. Before the procedure, check the lock status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: false is in response, the risk of blocking is minimal.

Method 5: Reset via engineering menu (for specific cases)

This method is rarely mentioned in standard instructions, but can help in situations where other methods are not available, such as if the phone hangs on the MI logo but responds to presses, and the Engineering Mode allows you to reset without logging in.

How to open the engineering menu:

1. On the phone turned off, enter the combination: ##3646633## (for the first time). MTK-processors) or #4636## (for Qualcomm Snapdragon).
2. Select Factory Reset or Restore Default.
3. Confirm the reset (it may be necessary to enter the code 123456 or 000000).

This method does not work on all models and firmware versions. On new devices (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Turbo), the engineering menu may be blocked by the manufacturer.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, which lead to additional problems.

• 🔋 Resetting when battery is low (less than 30%) can interrupt the process and lead to a boot cycle. Always charge your phone to 50% or more.
• 🔒 Ignoring Mi Account binding. If you reset a phone with a tied account and don’t remember the data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock it (you will need to contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership).
• 📱 Using an unoriginal cable when dumped via Fastboot.This can cause the connection to break and damage to the firmware.
• 🔄 Interrupting the reset process (e.g. forced shutdown) in some models, this leads to loss of life. IMEI.
• 📲 Reset via Recovery on devices with TWRP. If you have custom recaps installed, a standard reset may not work, in which case you need to use the Format Data option in the TWRP.

If you have problems after resetting, try the following solutions:

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If you reset your phone and ask for the old Wi-Fi password, that's OK, because the network data is stored in a separate memory partition. Just reconnect or reset the router.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions