How to reset Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings: 5 working ways

Why do I need to reset settings on Xiaomi Redmi?

Factory reset is a radical but effective way to return the Xiaomi Redmi to its original performance, most often when the device starts to brake, spontaneously reboot or “hang” on the MIUI logo. But there are other reasons: preparing the phone for sale, deleting personal data before transferring to another user, or eliminating the consequences of a failed firmware update.

It's important to understand that resetting is not a panacea. If the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (such as damage to the motherboard or battery), even a complete reset will not help. However, in 80% of cases, software failures are eliminated by this method, the main thing is to choose the right way to reset and follow the instructions so that you do not turn the phone into a brick.

In this article, we will look at all the current reset methods for Redmi (including Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/13C and others), and also understand how to recover data after the procedure and avoid errors.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps to avoid losing important data and make it easier to set up your phone after the procedure.

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive, especially saving contacts, photos and messages.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Resetting at a low charge level can cause the process to interrupt and the system to fail.
• 📡 Disable your Xiaomi account if you plan to sell your phone, and it will save the new owner from activation problems. → Xiaomi account → Get out.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the password for your Mi Account. After a reset, the phone may require you to enter your account information to unlock (Mi Account Lock feature).

If you’re resetting your phone because of a logo hover or cyclical reboot, and you can’t access the settings menu, skip the backup step – you’ll have to recover the data later with your PC.

⚠️ Note: If the Find Device feature is enabled on the phone, confirmation via the device may be required after the reset. SMS Make sure you have access to a linked number or mail.

Method 1: Soft reset via settings (without data loss)

This method is suitable if the phone is stable, but you want to return the settings to factory without deleting user files (photos, videos, music).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (usually at the bottom of the list).
3. Select Reset Settings → Reset all settings.
4. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock if required.
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

Once you reboot, the phone will turn on with factory settings, but all your files will remain in place, which is ideal for eliminating minor interface glitches or network problems.

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If there are problems after a soft reset, try clearing the app cache manually: Settings → Apps → Select the app → Storage → Clear the cache.

Method 2: Completely reset via the settings menu (Hard Reset)

Full reset (or Hard Reset) removes all data from your phone, including apps, photos, messages, and accounts, which is used when you need to reset your device before selling it, or when a soft reset doesn't work. Importantly, after the procedure, the phone will become like new, you will need to reconfigure it from scratch.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Delete all data (reset to factory).
3. The system will prompt you to choose whether you want to erase data from internal memory (including: SD-We recommend that you tick only on the internal memory, so as not to lose files on the map.
4. Enter a password or pattern lock to confirm.
5. Click Erase Everything and wait until it is completed (may take up to 10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will prompt you to select a language and go through the initial setting, as when you first turned on. If you forgot the data from your Mi Account, use the password recovery function on account.xiaomi.com.

Created a backup copy of important data

The phone is charged at least 50%

Mi Account binding disabled (if phone is sold)

Password from Xiaomi account at hand-->

Method 3: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi doesn’t load beyond the MIUI logo, freezes on the boot screen, or reboots cyclically, the only way out is to reset through Recovery Mode, which works even in severe software failures, but requires care: wrong actions can lead to complete data loss without the possibility of recovery.

How to log into Recovery Mode and reset:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button and Volume up simultaneously (in some models, Volume down). Hold them until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (black screen with yellow text in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Data on older versions).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the location of the items: Wipe Data is usually the third or fourth item on top. On Redmi Note 10/11 and newer models, the menu can be in English.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware after reset via Recovery, the phone may require you to enter the Mi Account data associated with the device previously. If you do not remember the password, use the official unlock service en.miui.com/unlock (Proof of ownership will be required).

Method 4: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot reset is the deepest level of cleaning that is used when other methods don’t work.It involves connecting the phone to a computer and using the Mi Flash Tool utility or fastboot commands.This method is recommended only for advanced users, as the wrong commands can lead to loss of IMEI or other critical errors.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📱 The Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot Tools.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if the phone is new, it must be unlocked through the official Xiaomi service).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down until the screen with a hare in a hat-eared.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined, you will see its serial number.
4. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the phone is rebooted, it will be completely cleaned. If you want to reflash the device, download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website and use the Mi Flash Tool for installation.

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Fastboot resets all data without recovery, and only use this method if other methods have failed or you are confident in your actions.

Method 5: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote)

If you lose your phone or it's been stolen, you can reset remotely through Mi Cloud.

• 🔗 Connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 Linked to your Xiaomi account.
• 📍 Find Device (Device Search) enabled).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Find Device section, select your Redmi from the list of devices.
3. Press Erase Device (Erase Device).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the speed of the Internet on the phone, and when the device is reset, it will reboot and all the data will be deleted, and the important thing is that if the phone is off or offline, the command will be executed the next time it is turned on.

This method is also useful if you have forgotten your pattern lock or screen lock password, but remember the data from your Mi Account.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, the problem may be hardware (e.g., damaged memory eMMC or power controller).In this case, self-repair is not recommended – contact an authorized service center Xiaomi.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions