Xiaomi reset to factory settings via Recovery: a complete guide with nuances

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings via Recovery mode is a radical but effective way to bring the device back to work when standard methods are not available through the settings menu. This reset (also known as hard reset) erases all user data, apps and settings, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state, most often when the system freezes, errors after updates, virus infections or before selling the device.

Unlike resetting via the Settings menu → The phone. → Resetting, the method through Recovery works even if the smartphone is not turned on, blocked by a pattern lock or gives an error MIUI But there are pitfalls: wrong actions can lead to a device being completely inoperable, especially on models with a bootloader locked. In this article, we will analyze the step-by-step instructions taking into account all the nuances, and also tell you how to avoid typical mistakes.

When to reset through Recovery and when to do without it

Before you start taking drastic measures, assess whether you really need a complete reset, and in some cases, the problem can be solved in less traumatic ways:

• 🔄 System freeze: try holding the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot. On some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro) the combination Power helps + Loudness up.
• 📱 Errors after the update: if the smartphone is turned on but is unstable, try resetting through the Settings menu → Additionally. → Resetting settings (saves files in memory).
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock: on devices with MIUI 12+ You can try unlocking through your Mi Account (Internet required).
• 🦠 Viruses or malware: sometimes it helps to install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and scan in safe mode (click Power, then hold Power off until Safe Mode option appears).

Recovery reset is justified in the following cases:

• 🚨 The phone doesn’t turn on or gets stuck on the logo. MI/Redmi (bootloop).
• 🔐 The device is locked and the Mi Account is untied or forgotten.
• 🛠️ You need a “clean” firmware before selling or transferring your phone.
• 📲 The system is damaged after a failed update or manual intervention (for example, after installing custom customized devices). TWRP).

⚠️ Note: On bootloader devices, a reset via Stock Recovery may result in a re-lock, which is true for Xiaomi models that are officially purchased (e.g. in Russia or Europe).

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Recovery is an irreversible process, and if you don't prepare, you risk losing important data or running into additional problems.

Make a backup copy of the data (photos, contacts, messages)

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Find the cable. USB (bug-in)

Check if the bootloader is unlocked (for advanced users)

Disable your Mi Account (if the phone is turned on)-->

Pay special attention to backup. Even if the phone doesn't turn on, some data can be saved:

• 📷 Photo and video: if the smartphone is defined by the computer as a drive, copy files from folders DCIM and Pictures.
• 📞 Contacts and Messages: sync with your Google or Mi Cloud account (if your phone is switched on occasionally).
• 🎮 Save Games: Use cloud services (like Google Play Games) or manual folder copying Android/obb.

If the phone is not fully responsive, but is determined by the computer in Fastboot mode (when connected) USB and retention of food + Volume down, you can try extracting data using tools like Mi. PC suite ADB. However, it requires technical skills.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm chip (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to re-authorize to Mi Account, even if the phone has been unlocked".

Step-by-step: how to log into Recovery and make a reset

Recovery reset process on all Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and Recovery) POCO) It is almost identical, but there are nuances for different versions. MIUI. Below is a universal instruction that works on 90% of devices.

Step 1: Entering Recovery Mode

If the phone is off:

1. Press and hold the Power and Volume button up at the same time.
2. Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

If the phone is on but hovers:

1. Press the power for 10 seconds to force shutdown.
2. After vibration, immediately press the power. + Loudness up.

In some models (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) The combination may be different: Nutrition + Loudness up + Volume down. If the standard method doesn't work, try holding all three buttons.

Step 2: Navigate the Recovery Menu

In Stock Recovery (standard recovery), Xiaomi controls the volume and power buttons:

• 🔽 Loudness down – moving down the menu.
• 🔼 Volume upwards – moving upwards.
• ⚡ Food - point selection.

The menu can be in Chinese or English. If the language is unfamiliar, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 Wipe Data (or ) is a reset.
• 📱 Reboot (or ) - Reboot.
• 🔧 Connect with MIAssistant – Mode for firmware via Mi Flash Tool.

Step 3: Performing the discharge

From the Recovery menu, select:

1. Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Wipe All Data ).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (usually you need to enter Yes or ).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take 5-15 minutes).
4. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 10 minutes after reset, try re-entering Recovery and selecting Wipe Cache (does not erase data, only cache).

💡

If the phone requires a Mi Account password after reset and you don’t remember it, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. On some models (e.g. Redmi 9), the account reset is possible via Fastboot using the Mi Account Unlock Tool, but this requires an unlocked bootloader.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the right thing, users often run into problems, and let's look at some of the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Error 1: Phone is not included in Recovery

If the button combination does not work:

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (less than 5% can block the entrance).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and try again.
• 🔧 In some models (POCO X3 NFC, Redmi Note 10S) Retain the buttons until double vibration.
• 🖥️ If your phone is detected by your computer in Fastboot mode, try logging in to Recovery via the command: fastboot reboot recovery.

Error 2: After reset, the phone asks for a password from the Mi Account

This problem is typical for devices with a tied Mi Account and a locked bootloader, and if you don't remember the login details, the phone will become useless without additional manipulation.

Decisions:

• 📧 Restoring access to your account through the official website (you will need an email or phone number).
• 🔓 If your account is not yours (the phone is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner for detachment.
• 🛠️ On unlocked devices, you can flash custom Recovery (TWRP) and delete the file /data/system/miui/device_id, But it requires technical knowledge.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 10A, POCO C31) Recovery reset could lead to loss IMEI. It can only be restored through the engineering menu (#3646633##) or specialized utilities like MTK Meta Utility.

Mistake 3: Reset interrupted or phone got stuck

If the reset process is interrupted (for example, due to battery drain or accidental pressing), repeat the procedure.

• 🔄 Forced reboot the device (hold power 15)+ seconds).
• 🔧 Re-enter Recovery and select Wipe Cache, then Wipe Data again.
• 📡 If the reset doesn't go through, the firmware may be damaged, and you'll need to reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

Reset on locked and unlocked devices: key differences

The bootloader’s state directly affects the reset process, and let’s look at how the procedure differs for locked and unlocked Xiaomi smartphones.

Blocked boot loader (official firmware)

Most Xiaomi smartphones purchased in official stores have a locked bootloader.

• ✅ Stock Recovery Reset is possible, but after it, you may need to log in to your Mi Account.
• ❌ Installation of custom firmware or TWRP Impossible without unlocking.
• ⚠️ The risk of a “brick” with an unsuccessful reset is higher, since there is no possibility to recover through the TWRP.

If you haven’t unlocked the bootloader, follow the standard procedure through Stock Recovery and make sure that:

• The Mi Account is tied and the login data is saved.
• The phone has an official firmware (not custom).
• Battery charge of at least 60%.

Unlocked loader

If you unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, you have more features, but also more risks:

• ✅ Can we install TWRP And backup before resetting.
• ✅ Ability to flash custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS).
• ❌ After being reset via Stock Recovery, the bootloader may lock again (on some models).
• ⚠️ Improper firmware can lead to hard brick (irreparable damage).

On unlocked devices, it is recommended:

1. Install TWRP Recovery and make a full backup of the data partition.
2. Use Format Data in the TWRP instead of standard discharge (deeper cleaning).
3. After reset, re-unblock the bootloader if you plan to install custom firmware.

💡

On devices with the bootloader unlocked, a reset via Stock Recovery can result in a re-block.To avoid this, use TWRP or flash the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with the option disabled clean_all.

Alternative Resetting Methods If Recovery Is Unavailable

If you can't log in to Recovery (e.g., the volume button is broken or the menu won't open), there are alternative ways to reset. Let's take a closer look.

Method 1: Reset via Fastboot

This will require a computer with installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot cable USB. Instructions:

1. Enter Fastboot mode (hold power) + Loudness down).
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Open the command line (Win) + R → Type in cmd) and execute: fastboot devices Make sure the device is identified (serial number should appear).
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

This method erases user data but does not affect system files. If you want a complete reset, use:

fastboot erase system


fastboot flash system system.img

(Requires an official firmware in.img format).

Method 2: Reset with Mi Flash Tool

It's a radical method that completely reflashes the phone, and it's good if you:

• 📱 The phone is not included in or included in Recovery.
• 🔧 Requires the return of official firmware after unsuccessful experiments.
• 🔐 Device blocked by Mi Account and data lost.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and ADB drivers.
4. Log in to Fastboot on your phone and connect it to your PC.
5. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder, press Refresh, then Flash.
6. Select a mode. clean_all (complete cleaning) or save_user_data (Data retention, but not always works).

⚠️ Note: Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool on devices with a locked bootloader requires authorization in Mi Account. anti_rollback or flash_locked.

Method 3: Reset via engineering menu (for power users)

On some Xiaomi models (especially MediaTek), you can reset through the engineering menu.

1. Enter the code ##3646633## in the dialer.
2. Go to the Connectivity section → CDMA NV → Restore.
3. Select Restore All and confirm.

This method resets network settings and can help with communication issues, but does not replace a full hard reset.

What to do after a reset: initial setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on in the initial setup mode, as after purchase.

Step 1: Initial settings

Follow the instructions on the screen:

1. Choose a language and region (Russia or Global is recommended to avoid problems with Google services).
2. Connect to the Wi-Fi network.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account (if required) or skip this step (not recommended as some features are not recommended). MIUI may not work).
4. Set up biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition).

At the setup stage, the system may suggest recovering data from the backup. If you have backups done through Mi Cloud or Google Drive, select the appropriate option.

Step 2: Data recovery

If the backup was not made in advance, some of the data can be restored using specialized programs:

• 📸 Photo and video: Use DiskDigger or Recuva (if the phone is defined as a drive).
• 📞 Contacts: Restore from your Google or Mi Cloud account.
• 💬 Messages: Programs like Dr.Fone can extract SMS from internal memory (requires root).

To restore applications:

1. Open Google Play → Library → Previously established.
2. Select the desired applications and install them.
3. For cloud-based games (such as Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile) Sign in to your account to get back the progress.

Step 3: Optimize the system after resetting

To keep the phone running smoothly:

• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Kaspersky or Bitdefender) and scan the system.
• 🚫 Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Permits (do not delete them completely so as not to disrupt the work) MIUI).
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.

💡

After the reset, it is recommended to disable automatic updates of system applications in Google Play, as they may conflict with the system. MIUI To do this, go to the Play Market Settings. → Auto-update of applications → Not update automatically.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions