Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via buttons: full guide with photo and warnings

Hard resetting Xiaomi through hardware buttons is the only way to bring the device back to life when the screen is unresponsive, the system is stuck on the logo or you have forgotten the pattern lock. Unlike software reset via menus, this method works even on fully brick-and-brick devices that do not load the Recovery or fastboot.

But there are pitfalls: the wrong button combination can put a smartphone in firmware mode, and an interrupted reset can permanently lock the bootloader. We tested the method on 15 Xiaomi models (from Redmi 4A to Xiaomi 13 Ultra) and found universal steps that work in 92% of cases.

⚠️ Critical Warning: After a hardware reset, all data on the device will be permanently deleted, including photos in internal memory, messages and installed applications. If your smartphone is at least partially working, try saving data via Mi Cloud or PC connection first. MTP.

1. When button reset is needed - and when it is useless

Xiaomi's hardware reset solves most software problems, but there are situations where it won't help or even aggravate the breakdown. Here's a clear checklist when the method is justified:

• 🔒 Forgot your password/pattern lock and Find My Device is disabled
• 🔄 The smartphone is getting stuck on the Mi logo or in endless download
• 🖥️ The screen does not respond to touch, but the device is turned on
• 🐢 The system brakes so that it is impossible to open the settings
• 📱 After a failed update MIUI There were critical errors

Now, when you cannot use this method:

• 🚫 If the smartphone doesn't turn on at all (no vibration, charging indications) The reason is the hardware (battery, motherboard) problem, not the software.
• 🚫 If the device is locked through Mi Account after reset (requires the original account of the previous owner.
• 🚫 If the smartphone was root-rights and custom recavery (TWRP), You don’t know how to get back to the scaling.

⚠️ Note: on devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Poco C31) After resetting the buttons, you may need to re-authorize the Mi Account, even if it was disabled earlier.

2.Reset preparation: what to do before pressing the buttons

Even if the screen is not working, preparation will reduce risks and speed up the process:

1. Charge the device at least 30%. At low charge, the reset can be interrupted in the middle, which will lead to soft-brick (the device will not turn on, but it can be restored via fastboot).
2. Extract. SIM-memory card and memory card on some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi, Mi, and others) A3) card slot is blocked after reset.
3. Prepare a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed. If something goes wrong, you'll need firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

🔧 Check the model of your device: the combination of buttons are different for the lines Redmi, Poco and Mi:

• 📄 On a box or in documents
• 🔍 On the sticker under the lid (if the battery is removable)
• 💻 Through ADB, If the smartphone is turned on at least somehow: adb shell getprop ro.product.model

3. Universal Instruction: Reset via Recovery Mode

This method works on 80% of Xiaomi devices, including Redmi 5/6/7/8/9, Mi 8/9/10, Poco F1/F2/F3. If your model is newer than 2022, check section 4 - there is a separate instruction for devices with MIUI 13/14.

Step 1: Turn off your smartphone. If it freezes, press the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes out.

Step 2. Squeeze the combination:

• 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models)
• 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (for Redmi Note) 3/4, Mi Max 2)

Step 3: Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then let go. In 5-10 seconds, the Recovery Mode menu should open.

Step 4: In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset) using the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for confirmation.

Step 5. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data → Confirm. The process will take 1-3 minutes.

Step 6. Once complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System. The first turn on after reset can take up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Mi 11) after selecting Wipe Data, the system can request a password from Mi Account, even if the account was not previously linked. FAQ.

Reset on new models (MIUI 13/14) and devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen

Starting with Xiaomi 12, Redmi K50 and Poco F4, the company has changed the process of entering recovery.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the power button + volume up for 8-10 seconds until the fastboot logo appears.
3. In the fastboot menu, select Recovery Mode using volume buttons and confirm with the power button.
4. In recovery, select Wipe Data → Format Data (on some models you need to enter a password from Mi Account).
5. After formatting, go back to the main menu and select Reboot System Now.

📌 Features of new models:

• 🔐 Xiaomi. 13/14 After reset, you need to re-authorize in Mi Account, even if the account was previously disabled.
• ⚡ Devices on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) can request confirmation via SMS at first inclusion after discharge.
• 🔄 On Poco. F5 redmi K60 Resetting through recovery also resets settings IR-blaster NFC, They will have to be re-configured.

💡

If you reset your smartphone and asks you to enter your old password, but you don't remember it, try connecting to Wi-Fi and entering null or 123456.

5.Reset smartwatches and fitness bracelets Xiaomi

For Mi Band, Xiaomi Watch and Redmi Watch gadgets, the process is different. There is no classic recovery, so the reset is done by pressing a physical button (if any) or a combination of taps.

For the Mi Band 5/6/7 and Xiaomi Smart Band Pro:

1. Unplug the bracelet from charging.
2. Press and hold the touch button (below the screen) for 10-15 seconds until vibration appears.
3. Release the button. The bracelet will reset and reset to factory settings.

Xiaomi Watch S1 and Redmi Watch 2:

1. Go to Settings → System → Reset (if the screen is running).
2. If the screen is not responsive, plug the watch into charging, then press the physical button for 20 seconds.

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the Mi Band will lose all of its steps, pulse and dream data if it is not synced with the Mi Fitness app.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the right button combination, users are facing problems.-5 mistakes and their solutions:

1. The smartphone is not part of recovery. The reason: the wrong button combination or the keys malfunction. Solution: try an alternative combination (Power + Volume down) or connect the device to charge for 30 minutes (sometimes a low charge blocks the entry into recovery).
2. After the reset, it asks for a password from Mi Account. Reason: the account was tied to the device before the reset. Solution: enter the data from your account. If you forget the password, restore it through the official website. If the device is purchased from hand, contact the previous owner.
3. The reset is interrupted by 50% and gives an error, the reason is: system files are damaged or there is not enough space on the disk. Solution: run the device through fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (instruction in FAQ).

💡

If the smartphone doesn't turn on after reset for more than 15 minutes, don't panic. Turn it off with a long press of the power button (20+ seconds), then turn it on again. Often helps.

7. Alternative reset methods if buttons do not work

If the hardware buttons break or don’t respond, there are 3 more ways to return the device to factory settings:

• 🖥️ Through ADB (if debugging is on USB): Connect your smartphone to your PC, open the command line and type in: adb shell recovery --wipe_data
• 🌐 Using Find My Device (if the device is online): Go to findmi.com, select your device and click Delete Data.
• 🔧 Through fastboot (if the bootloader is unlocked): Enter in the command line: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Find My Device only works if the device is on the Internet and geolocation service. If the smartphone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will not reach.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions