How to completely reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings: a detailed guide

Why would you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings?

Resetting a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems. Most often, users resort to it on three occasions: when the device starts to brake for no apparent reason, after a failed firmware update or before selling the phone. Unlike a normal reboot, a hard reset removes all user data, returning the system to the “out of the box” state.

It’s important to understand that the procedure is not equivalent to flashing: it doesn’t change the MIUI version, it only clears the data partitions. This means that if your Xiaomi 12T runs on MIUI 14, it will remain on the same version after a reset, but without your apps, photos and settings. However, in some cases (for example, in critical crashes), a reset may be the only way to bring your phone back to life without going to the service center.

Statistics show that up to 40 percent of calls to Xiaomi service centers in Russia are due to software failures that could be solved by a self-reset, but here lies the main danger: an improperly performed reset through informal tools (such as the SP Flash Tool) can turn a phone into a “brick” with damaged firmware, so we will discuss only official and secure methods in detail.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before the start

Before you start resetting, follow three critical steps that may lead to permanent loss of data or Mi Account issues:

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings) → The phone. → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive, pay special attention to: Contacts (export to Google Drive) VCF) Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) Messages (use Mi Mover or SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🔒 Make sure to remember the Mi Account. Once reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from the account that was associated with the device (Mi Cloud Activation Lock function). If you forget the password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to a discharged battery can damage system files.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, the reset will not help bypass the lock.

For owners of models with unlocked bootloader (Xiaomi 11T Pro, POCO F4, etc.), add another item: check for custom recovery (TWRP). If installed, resetting through standard Recovery can lead to a looped turn on the phone. In this case, use only the method through Settings or Mi Flash Tool (discussed below).

Created a backup copy of important data|The phone is over 50 times charged%|I remember the username/password from Mi Account.|All accounts are disabled (Google, Mi)|Checked the absence of custom recavery (for advanced users)-->

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

This method is suitable for most situations when the phone turns on and reacts to touch, it is the simplest and least risky, since it is controlled by a working system. The instructions are relevant for all models on MIUI 12-14, including the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (some firmware may call it About the device).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Erase all data (in some versions of MIUI – Reset settings).
5. The system will ask you to enter a pattern lock or PIN-proof-code.
6. After confirmation, the phone will automatically restart and start the reset process (it will take 3-10 minutes).

The screen will show a progress bar that says, "Data reset... Don't interrupt the process or press any buttons. Upon completion, the phone will turn on with the screen of the initial setting, as after purchase."

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If you don't have Settings Reset, try the alternative path: Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset. Some models (like Redmi 9A) have a deeper section.

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

If your Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or does not turn on at all, you will have to use the Recovery Mode. This method works even with damaged firmware, but requires care: improper actions can lead to loss of IMEI or lock the bootloader.

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power For POCO M3/M4: Volume down + Power For Xiaomi 12S Ultra: Volume up + Loud down + Power

Mi

Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (black screen with blue text in English/Chinese).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection.

1. Select Wipe Data (in some versions – Wipe & Reset).
2. Confirm the choice of the Wipe All Data (can be called Factory Reset).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.
5. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
6. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware (file with the.tgz extension).
7. At the bottom of the window, select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended for critical failures); Clean all and lock – locking with locking the bootloader (use if you plan to sell your phone); Save user data – firmware without loss of data (not suitable for resetting!).

Refresh

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Flash

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Use the Mi Flash Tool ONLY if the first two methods didn’t work. Wrong firmware (for example, for the Redmi Note 10 instead of the Note 10 Pro) will turn the phone into a “brick”.

Once the firmware is successfully installed, the phone will automatically restart. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - do not interrupt the process. If the phone does not turn on after the firmware is installed or freezes on the logo, repeat the procedure with another firmware version (for example, an older stable build).

Frequent Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi and How to Avoid Them

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

Errors are especially common when working with models released for the Chinese market (China ROM), these devices have additional limitations, for example:

• 🚫 Reset blocking without a tied Chinese phone number.
• 🚫 Lack of Global Languages in Recovery.
• 🚫 Mandatory link to Mi Account with China region.

If you are faced with one of these problems, the only way out is to run the global version of MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool (with bootloader pre-unlocking).

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on with the greeting screen, as after purchase.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi. This will be necessary to activate your Mi Account and restore a backup.
2. Log in to Mi Account. Use the same account that was linked before the reset. If you forgot your password, restore it via email or phone.
3. Restore data from backup (if you created it): Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Restore. Select the last backup (make sure the date of creation is before the reset).

Update the firmware

Settings → About the phone → System update

Set up your fingerprint/face.

For models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F5 Pro) after reset, it is recommended to calibrate the display:

1. Go to Settings → Display → Color Calibration.
2. Choose a Standard or Saturated profile depending on your preferences.
3. Activate the Vision Protection function to reduce blue light.

⚠️ Note: If after reset mobile Internet disappeared, check the settings APN. To do this, go to the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access points (APN) Choose your operator profile (or create a new one manually).

For owners of Xiaomi with 5G support (Redmi Note 12 5G, POCO X5 5G) after the reset may require re-activation of the fifth generation network:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map → Type of network.
3. Set the switch to 5G (or 4G/5G) position.

If you need to free up space without completely resetting, try clearing the app cache in Settings → Apps → App Management.