Xiaomi reset to factory settings: 3 proven ways (2026)

Why you need a reset to factory settings and when to apply it

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to restore the smartphone to work, which removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to the “out of the box” state, most often it is resorted to in three cases:

First, if the smartphone began to slow down or spontaneously restart after the update MIUI. This behavior may be due to conflicts in system files that are not always resolved by standard methods. Second, a reset is mandatory before you sell or transfer the device to another user, ensuring that your personal data (photos, passwords, messages) does not fall into the wrong hands. PIN-code and other unlocking methods did not work.

It is important to understand that resetting is not a panacea for hardware problems (e.g., battery failure or damaged screen), but it effectively solves 80% of software failures, including com.android.phone errors, endless booting or inability to connect to the network. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of resetting for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, including hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

Despite its apparent simplicity, factory resets require preparation, and more than 30 percent of users lose important data because of missing this stage, especially for owners of devices with unlocked bootloaders or custom firmware.

Backup via Mi Cloud or locally |

Check the battery level (minimum 50%) |

Delete your Mi Account if you plan to sell your phone |

Remember the data from your Google account (required after reset)|

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if not required in the process)-->

Pay special attention to backup. MIUI has built-in archiving feature: Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup. The alternative is to use Mi Cloud, but remember that the free cloud provides only 5GB. For a full copy, it is better to connect the phone to your PC and manually copy the DCIM folders (photos), Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp/Databases (messs).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has an unofficial firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), a reset via a standard menu can result in a device being "bricked" (inoperable). MIUI.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This method is suitable for working devices when you have access to the MIUI interface. It is as simple as possible and minimizes the risk of errors. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2018 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5).

Steps to perform the discharge:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 3-10 minutes).

Once you reboot, you'll be asked to set up your phone as new, at which point you can restore data from the backup or skip the step. Note: if you've used device encryption, you may need to re-enter your password after reset to decrypt the internal memory.

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If after resetting the phone asks to enter the old Mi Account, and you do not remember it – use the official recovery form on account.xiaomi.com.

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

When a Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or does not respond to touch, a Recovery Mode reset will help, which works even with a damaged operating system, but requires care – improper actions can lead to loss of access to internal memory.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English by default).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action with a swipe or a choice of Confirm.

It takes up to 15 minutes. Once you're done, select Reboot to reboot. If you need a password after you reset your phone, it means that encryption has been activated before, and then only flashing through Fastboot (see Method 3) will help.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2, POCO F1) Recovery menu may differ due to the use of stock Android One.In this case, look for Factory Reset instead of Wipe Data.

Through the settings menu |

Through Recovery Mode|

Through the Mi Flash Tool|

Never dropped |-->

Method 3: Hard reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

This method is used in extreme cases: when the smartphone does not respond to other methods of reset, you need to flash to an older / newer version of MIUI, or you need to delete the Mi Account without a password.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on the C:\ disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic!).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
4. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
6. Press Refresh – the program must identify your device (it will appear). COM-port).
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

The process will take 5-20 minutes. Upon completion, the phone will automatically restart, a method guaranteed to delete all data, including the Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader on some models (e.g., the Xiaomi 12/13 series).

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo after the reset, usually associated with damaged firmware, the solution is to repeat the reset via Recovery or reflash the device via Fastboot.
• 🔒 Requires an old Google password (FRP): It is important for devices with Android 5.1+. The solution is to enter data from the last linked account or use specialized services to bypass FRP.
• ⚡ Fast battery discharge after reset: associated with background indexing of data. The solution is to let the phone run for 1-2 hours in standby mode, then complete a full charge cycle.
• 📱 Sensor fails after reset: most often it is a hardware problem, but sometimes a reset via Fastboot labeled Clean All and Lock helps.

If the IMEI is missing or the network is down, it's a sign of damage to the NVRAM (partition with the radio module), and you can only restore it through the engineering menu (#4636##) or specialized utilities like the SN Writer Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

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Before resetting via the Mi Flash Tool, always check the firmware compatibility with the device model. Installing the wrong version can lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the phone, especially on models with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi 9A or POCO C31).

What to do after resetting: setup and optimization

After a successful reset, your Xiaomi will be like new, but you’ll need to follow a few steps to work comfortably:

1. Data recovery: Use a backup from Mi Cloud or local archive. It is convenient to connect your phone to your PC in File Manager mode to transfer photos/video.
2. Software Update: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the current version of MIUI.
3. Disable unnecessary services: Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management and deactivate pre-installed services (Mi Video, Mi Music, etc.) that you do not use.
4. Battery setting: Activate Charge Saving mode and turn off background activity for social media in Settings → Battery.

To speed up the system, it is recommended that:

• 🚀 Disable animation: in Settings → Special facilities → Delete the animations.
• 🔄 Limit background processes: Settings → Annexes → Background Process Limitation (select Standard Limitation").
• 📵 Set up Auto Start: in Settings → Annexes → Auto Start Management Turn Off Autoboot for Unnecessary Programs.

If you notice that after the reset, the phone warms up or discharges quickly, check the system activity in Settings → Battery → Battery Use. Often the culprit is the mediaserver process, which indexes media files. Give the device 12-24 hours to stabilize.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Reset