How to completely reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings: all ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical solution that helps return the device to its original performance, eliminate software failures or prepare the gadget for sale. However, the wrong actions can lead to data loss, locking the Mi Account account or even “bricking” the phone. In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark models, including emergency methods for broken devices.

It’s important to understand that the procedure varies depending on the condition of the phone: whether it’s turned on or not, whether you remember the password from your Xiaomi account, whether you have access to Recovery Mode. We’ll also reveal the hidden nuances of reset on devices with a locked bootloader and explain why you may need to re-authorize on Google and Mi Cloud services after a reset.

When you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings

Hard reset is not a universal medicine, it's a last resort, and here are the situations where it's really justified:

• 🐢 Phone is severely slowing down despite clearing cache and optimizing through Settings → The phone. → Memory.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches appeared: spontaneous reboots, application errors.
• 📱 The device is infected with a virus that is not removed by antivirus software (such as Malwarebytes or Dr.Web).
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, and Find Device does not help unlock.
• 💰 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another user.

But there are cases where resetting won't help or even hurt:

• ⚡ Battery problems (blown, quick discharge) - you need repairs, not software reset.
• 📡 There is no network or no module is running Wi-Fi/Bluetooth — It's a hardware malfunction.
• 🔧 The phone is not turned on due to physical damage (fall, moisture infestation).

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader unlocked, a Fastboot reset can result in Mi Account being blocked if you don’t link your account in advance, POCO F3 newer.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you click Reset, follow these steps to avoid losing important data and account issues:

1. Save the data: 📁 Photos and videos: copy to PC via MTP Or upload it to Google Photos. 📞 Contacts: Export to.vcf via Contacts → Management → Exports. 💬 Messages: Use Mi Mover or SMS Backup & Restore. 🎮 Save Games: sync with Google Play Games or Mi Cloud.

Mi Account

:

• Charge the battery: The charge level must be at least 50% to avoid being turned off during the process.

If you are selling a phone, be sure to log out of all accounts:

• 💳 Payment services: Google Pay, Mi Pay, banking applications.

Save photos and videos.|Export contacts|Synchronized messages|I remember the Mi Account data.|Charged the phone. >50%|Get out of all accounts-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after the reset may require confirmation through SMS Or email, even if you logged out of your Mi Account in advance, which is a theft protection measure.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in reset function in MIUI. Suitable for all models, including the Redmi 12, POCO X5 Pro, Mi 11 Lite and others.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. Click Erase all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.
6. Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will suggest you set it up as new. If you forgot the Mi Account data, but the phone was tied to the account, you will need to enter a username and password to unlock.

💡

If after resetting the phone asks you to enter a password from your old Mi Account but you don’t remember it, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. In some cases, linking another device to the same account helps to confirm ownership.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is turned on but locked)

If you forget your password or your phone is buggy but turns on, you can use Recovery Mode, which works on all Xiaomi devices, including older models like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1.

How to get in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + 🔺 Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 Power button + 🔻 Loudness down (for some) POCO).

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If you don't have Wipe Data on the Recovery menu, you have customized recavers (like TWRP).

1. Pick Wipe.
2. Tick the boxes Dalvik, Cache, Data.
3. Swipe to Wipe (Swipe to Wipe)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. Press the power button + volume down until the Fastboot screensaver appears.
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the unpacked firmware.
4. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool does not define the device:

• 🔧 Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers (download at xiaomiflashtool.com).
• 🔄 Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🛠️ In Device Manager, check that the phone is defined as Android Bootloader Interface.

For advanced users, there is an alternative - resetting through ADB/Fastboot-team:

fastboot oem edl # transition to EDL mode (for firmware via Mi Flash)


fastboot erase userdata #deletion of user data




fastboot erase cache #cache cleanup




fastboot reboot #Reboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ and a blocked bootloader, fastboot erase commands can lead to the blocking of Mi Account. In this case, you will need official unlock via unlock.miui.com.

💡

Fastboot reset is the most reliable way for brick-and-brick phones, but it requires firmware. If you don't have a backup of data, it's going to be lost forever.

Method 4: Reset by Find Device (if the phone is lost or stolen)

If you lose your phone or it has been stolen, you can remotely erase all data via Xiaomi’s Find Device service, which only works if you meet the following conditions:

• 📱 The phone is on and connected to the internet.
• 🔒 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 📧 You remember the data from the Mi Account tied to the device.

How to reset remotely:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click on Erase Data (or Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the phone will be reset to factory settings on the next Internet connection.

• ❌ If the phone is turned off, the command will be executed only after it is turned on.
• ❌ If SIM-The card is deleted, no reset will occur.
• ❌ An attacker can disable Find Device via Recovery if he knows how.

💡

If you are selling a phone but are afraid that the customer will not reset, use the Find Device Delete feature after handing over the device, which ensures that your data is cleaned up even if the buyer forgets to reset.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After a successful reset, the phone will start as new.

• 📱 Initial setting: Select language, region, connect to Wi-Fi. Sign in to Mi Account (if the phone was tied). Set up a Google account to access Play Market.
• 🔄 Data recovery: Import contacts from a.vcf file. Restore photos from Google Photos or local copy. Install apps from the Play Market (lists of saved apps can be found at library.google.com).
• 🔒 Security: Enable Find Device: Settings → Mi Account → Find Device. Set up a lock screen (PIN, pattern lock or print. Update MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

If there are problems after the discharge:

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make critical reset errors that lead to data loss or phone lockdown, and the most common are:

• 🚫 Backup-free reset: Even if you synced data with Mi Cloud, some files (such as game saves or app settings) may not recover.
• 🚫 Use of unofficial firmware: firmware custom ROM (For example, LineageOS) without unlocking the bootloader will lead to blocking.
• 🚫 Interrupting process: If you take out the battery or turn off the cable during a Fastboot reset, the phone can turn into a brick".
• 🚫 Ignoring Mi Account binding: On devices with MIUI 12+ Resetting without detachment of the account leads to a requirement for data entry when enabled.

How to minimize the risks:

• ✅ Before reset, check the bootloader status: fastboot oem device-info (if Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is blocked).
• ✅ Use only official firmware from the Xiaomi website.
• ✅ If the phone is warranty, contact the service center - a self-dump via Fastboot can cancel the warranty.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions