Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via buttons: full instruction for all models

Why do you need to reset through buttons and when it is the only way out

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings through hardware buttons is an extreme measure to be resorted to when standard methods are through the Settings menu. → The phone. → This is called hard reset, and it works even on fully locked devices, phones with damaged screens, or those that are stuck on the Mi logo.

The main scenarios when you need to reset through the buttons:

• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock, PIN-unlock-code
• 📵 The phone does not respond to touch, the screen does not work.
• 🔄 The device is constantly restarted (bootloop")
• 🦠 Virus or malware blocked access to the system
• 📱 Plan to sell/give your phone and want to delete your data completely

It's important to understand that this method deletes all the data -- photos, contacts, messages, installed apps -- if the phone still responds to commands, try backing up your Settings first. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud, but if the screen doesn't work or the device is completely locked, resetting through the buttons is the only solution.

What Xiaomi models support resetting through buttons

Hard reset method through hardware buttons works on all Xiaomi models released after 2015, including:

• 📱 Redmi Note series (Note) 4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12, Pro versions)
• 📱 Lineages POCO (F1/F2/F3/F4/F5, X3/X4/X5, M-series)
• 📱 Flagship Mi (Mi) 8/9/10/11/12, Mix series)
• 📱 Budget Redmi (Redmi) 5A/6A/7A/8A/9A/10A etc.)
• 📱 Folding and experimental models (Mi Mix Fold, Mi Flip)

The only exception is Windows devices. 10 Mobile (e.g. Mi) 4i with alternative firmware) and some early models 2013–2014 years 2/2S/3). They may need special software, such as MiFlash.

Critical nuance for new models (2022–2026 d.: on devices with Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi K50 Ultra) after reset may require data entry from Mi Account, tied to the phone. If you do not remember the username / password - unlocking will be impossible without contacting the service center.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start a hard reset, follow a few critical steps:

1. Check the battery. The level should be at least 30%. If the phone runs out during the process, it can lead to a breakage of the bootloader (repair will cost 3-5 thousand rubles).
2. Extract. SIM-The reset does not affect external drives, but it is better to be safe - sometimes the file system is corrupted.
3. Prepare the data to unlock. If the phone has Mi Account enabled, you'll need to enter your username and password after the reset, and without it, the device will remain locked!
4. Find the original cable USB. It may be needed if the reset goes wrong and the phone stops turning on.

Battery level of charge ≥30%|Extracted. SIM microSD|Access to Mi Account (if you have been linked)|Original at hand USB-cable|Photos of important data (if the screen is working)-->

If you drop your phone before selling, make sure that:

• 🔄 Mi Account binding disabled (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Delete the account)
• 🔒 Exited from all Google accounts (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete)
• 📱 Find My Device is disabled (otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the phone)

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If the phone doesn't respond to the power button but is charging (the indicator is on), plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes before resetting. Sometimes that's enough to "revive" the device to enter the recovery.

Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi through the buttons

The procedure for resetting through hardware buttons is the same for most Xiaomi models, but may vary slightly depending on the recovery menu version.

Step 1. Turn off the phone.

If the device is on, hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. If the phone is already off or not responding, move on to the next step.

Step 2 Entering Recovery Mode

At the same time, hold and hold:

• 🔄 Power button (Power)
• 🔊 The Volume Up button (Volume Up)

Hold both buttons for at least 10 seconds until the Mi logo or recovery menu appears on the screen, POCO F3) It may take up to 20 seconds.

Step 3: Navigate the Recovery Menu

In the recovery menu, the volume buttons are controlled:

• 🔊 Volume Up – Moving Upwards
• 🔈 Volume Down – Moving Down
• 🔄 Power - Selecting a Point

The menu can be in Chinese, English or Russian, and we're looking for Wipe Data (or Chinese). Some firmwares have Wipe & Reset. → Wipe All Data.

Step 4: Confirmation of discharge

Once you select Wipe Data, the system will request confirmation, and you can select Confirm or Yes, which takes 30 seconds to 5 minutes depending on the model.

Step 5: Reboot

Once the reset is complete, select Reboot or Reboot to System. The phone will reboot and start the initial setup, as after the purchase.

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If after reset, the phone requires data input from Mi Account, and you do not remember them - do not try to guess! After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

⚠️ If the phone says "This device is locked" after reset and requires an old password, it means that Factory Reset Protection was enabled (FRP) To unlock, you need to enter data from the last Google account tied.

Another common mistake is to use a non-original cable when connecting to a PC during a reset, which can cause the process to interrupt and "brick" the phone, and if you doubt the quality of the cable, reset only on a charged battery, without connecting to the computer.

In the models with AMOLED-screens (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi) K60 Pro) after reset, there may be a flickering screen — that's normal. The system calibrates the display, and after 5-10 minutes, the work stabilizes.

What to do if the reset did not help: alternative methods

If a hard button reset hasn’t solved the problem (the phone still doesn’t turn on, freezes, or requires a non-existent password), there are a few alternative ways to do this:

1. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

You will need a computer with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot and the original cable USB. Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Down until the image of a rabbit in a fastboot mode appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

2.Use of MiFlash (for "bricked" phones)

If the phone doesn't boot even in recovery, the official MiFlash utility will help.

• 🖥️ Download MiFlash from the official Xiaomi website
• 📁 Download firmware for your model (for example, from the Xiaomi website)
• 🔌 Connect the phone in mode EDL Mode (on the phone turned off, clamp Volume Up) + Volume Down and connect the cable)

3. Contact the service center

If none of these methods work, you just have to bring your phone to the service, and the average cost of unlocking it after a failed reset is:

• 💰 Reset FRP (Google Account: 1000–1500 ₽
• 💰 Recovery from "bricking": 2000–4000 ₽
• 💰 Replacement of damaged loader: 3000-6000 ₽

In authorized service centers Xiaomi (the list is on the official website) unlocking will cost less, but you will need a check or box to confirm ownership.

How to recover data after resetting

If you didn't back up before the reset, the chances of getting it back up are minimal, but there are.

1. Recovery through Google Account

When you first set up after resetting, the phone will prompt you to restore data from Google Drive.

• 📱 Contacts
• 📅 Calendar
• 📌 Notes (if you use Google Keep)
• 🎮 Data of certain games (if there was a synchronization)

Photos and videos cannot be recovered, as they had to be uploaded to Google Photos or Mi Cloud in advance.

2. Use of recovery programs

If the phone turns on but the data is erased, you can try programs like Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver, or DiskDigger, which scan internal memory and look for deleted files.

• ⚠️ Do not write new data to your phone before recovery – this reduces the chances of recovery.
• ⚠️ Programs paid (from 1500) ₽ license).
• ⚠️ Recovered files may be damaged.

3. Calling for specialists

Data recovery labs (e.g., HddBypass, Data Recovery) can extract information from damaged memory.

• 💰 Photo/video recovery: 5000–15000 ₽
• 💰 Message/login extraction: 3000–8000 ₽

But there is no guarantee – if the data was overwritten with a new firmware, they will not be returned.

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust "magic" programs that promise to recover data after a reset in 5 minutes, most of them are fraud or viruses.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions