Reset Xiaomi to factory settings through the buttons: full instruction with photos and nuances

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings through physical buttons is the only way to get the device back on track when the screen is unresponsive, the phone is locked, or the system is completely “flying off” after a failed update. Unlike software reset via menus, this method works even on “bricks” – devices that are not turned on or hanging on the MIUI logo.

The procedure takes 5-15 minutes, but requires precise follow-up: an error at any stage can result in loss of all data without the possibility of recovery or even software damage to the device.This article provides current methods for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models (including devices with MediaTek and Snapdragon), as well as a review of typical errors and their solutions.

⚠️ Important: If your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account and Find Device is enabled, you will need to enter your username and password from that account after the reset. Without them, the phone will turn into a brick, which is protection against theft, and it is legally impossible to bypass it.

When to reset through the buttons and when to do without it

Hard pushes through hardware buttons, a last resort, and 80 percent of the time, you can solve the problem with softer methods that don't erase data.

• 📵 Phone does not turn on (black screen, flashes indicator, vibrates and turns off).
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock, PIN Password or unlocking through Mi Account is not available.
• 🤖 The device hung on the logo. MIUI, It is stuck on the download or shows a No Command error.
• 🦠 Viruses or malware block access to settings.
• 📦 Before selling/transferring your phone (but it is better to use a software reset).

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use a standard reset via the menu: Settings → About phone → Resetting. This method retains the ability to back up data and is less risky.

⚠️ Note: On bootloader devices, a hard reset may result in a loss of the ability to flash your phone through Fastboot. If you have previously changed firmware or obtained root rights, make sure you have a partition backup. EFS (contain IMEI and serial numbers).

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Even if the phone doesn’t turn on, preparation will reduce risks and simplify the process.

1. Charge the battery to at least 30%. If the phone runs out during reset, it can damage the firmware. On some models (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro), when the charge is low, the recovery menu will not even start.
2. Extract. SIM-The reset does not affect external drives, but it is better to be safe - especially if you are on the road. SD-The card contains important data.
3. Prepare the data to log in to Mi Account. After the reset, the phone will require a login and password if the Find Device function was previously activated.

🔍 How do you know a phone model when it doesn't turn on? Look at the sticker under the lid (for removable battery devices) or on the box. Also, the model is listed on the check or warranty card. For Xiaomi, it's important to know the exact name, for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro. 5G Redmi Note 11 Pro – different devices with different firmware!

Step-by-step: how to log into Recovery Mode on Xiaomi

The process of launching the Recovery Mode menu varies depending on the model and firmware version, and below is a universal method that works on 95% of Xiaomi devices (including POCO and Black Shark):

1. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🎮 For Black Shark: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition. 🔄 For older models (2016–2018): Volume down + Nutrition.

Hold the buttons for 10-20 seconds.

Mi

Recovery

Release the buttons.

MIUI

📌 What to do if you can’t get into Recovery?

• 🔋 Check the battery power – at a discharge below 5%, the menu will not start.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge for 5-10 minutes, then try again.
• 🔄 Try another button combination (see table below).
• 🛠️ If the phone vibrates but the screen remains black, it may be damaged by a display or plume.

💡

If you click on the buttons and load your phone into a Fastboot, you've used the wrong combination. Try replacing Volume Up with Volume Down or vice versa.

Navigation in Recovery Mode: How to Choose the Right Point

Recovery menu on Xiaomi is controlled by the volume and power buttons:

• 🔊 Volume up/down – moving around menu items.
• 🔄 Power button - selecting the item (analogue of pressing).

Depending on the firmware version, the menu may look different, but the items we need are always called the same:

1. Wipe Data (or Clear Data) → Wipe All Data – Complete Reset.
2. Reboot → Reboot to System – Reboot after reset.

📌 Step-by-step actions on the menu:

1. Select the Wipe Data item (volume buttons) and confirm the choice with the power button.
2. In the following menu, select Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset).
3. Confirm the action – usually you need to choose Confirm or Yes.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (the progress bar will appear on the screen).
5. After the data wipe complete message, select Reboot to System.

⏳ How long does it take to reset? 2 to 10 minutes depending on the model and the amount of memory. UFS 3.1 (e.g. Mi 11) the process takes ~3 minutes, on budget models with eMMC (e.g. Redmi) 9A) — 10 minutes.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

⚠️ Note: If the phone shows an error MIUI version cannot be installed on this device, which means that the firmware is damaged or not suitable for your model. In this case, you need to flash the device through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool program (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).

💡

If the reset didn't solve the problem (the phone is still buggy or not turning on), the cause could be a hardware malfunction: damaged memory, power controller or motherboard, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

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

1. Sign in to Mi Account. If the phone was linked to the account, this step is mandatory.
2. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI.

🔧 Post-dumping recommendations:

• 🔒 Turn off Find Device if you plan to sell your phone, which will save the new owner from having to enter your data.
• 🛡️ Set a strong password (not a pattern lock) and enable encryption in Settings → Security.
• 📱 Configure backups to Google Drive or Mi Cloud to avoid losing data in the future.

⚠️ Note: If you dropped your phone before selling, don’t forget:

1. Untie the device from Mi Account at account.xiaomi.com (Device Management section).
2. Extract SIM-memory-card.
3. Reset your settings for Google Pay and other payment services.

Alternative Reset Methods If the Buttons Don't Work

If physical buttons are damaged or unresponsive, try these methods:

1. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear user data, but will not affect system files.

2. Reset via Mi PC Suite (official software)

Connect your phone to your computer, launch Mi PC Suite, and select System Restore, and the program automatically downloads and installs clean firmware.

3. Google Find My Device reset (if the phone is on and connected to the internet)

Go to Google Find My Device, select your Xiaomi and click Clean Device. This method only works if the phone has been enabled Find My Device and it is connected to the network.

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

This will work even if the screen does not respond to touch.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions