How to reset Xiaomi smartphone on MIUI 12 to factory settings: 3 working ways

Why would you need to reset to factory settings?

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution to restore the device to work. On versions of MIUI 12 (and later), the procedure has its nuances, especially if it is a model with a locked bootloader or activated Find Device. Most users resort to hard reset in three cases:

First, when a smartphone starts to slow down after prolonged use or improper updates. MIUI 12 is known for its gluttony to resources, and even flagships like the Mi 10 Pro or POCO F2 Pro can eventually experience lags. Second, a reset is required before selling a device to delete all personal data, including Mi Account and Google accounts. And finally, it is the only way to bring the phone back to life if it hangs on the logo or goes to bootloop after a failed firmware.

It is important to understand that resetting to MIUI 12 is different from the same procedure on newer versions (e.g. MIUI 14). There are still old encryption mechanisms in place, and in some cases, you may need the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader. Before you start, make sure that your model supports the chosen method - more about this in the next section.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Regardless of the reset method you choose, without a backup, you risk losing photos, contacts and messages. MIUI 12 offers built-in backup tools, but they're not always reliable.

• 📱 Sync your data with Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable backup for contacts, notes and calls.Please note: a free account only provides 5GB, so for media files it is better to use Google Photos.
• 🔐 Remove the attached devices. If your Xiaomi is connected to a smartwatch (Mi Band), speakers or other gadgets, untie them in the applications, otherwise after reset, you may have problems with re-synchronization.
• 🔌 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to a device breeze (complete failure), especially if it is a method through the Fastboot.
• 📡 Check your Wi-Fi connection. Once reset, your phone will require authorization to your Mi Account, and without the internet, you won’t be able to activate the device (on models with account-based attachments).

Pay special attention to applications with two-factor authentication (e.g., bank clients or instant messengers). Once reset, you will need backup codes or access to email/SMS to restore access. If you use Xiaomi as a key for Mi Home or other smart devices, reconfigure them to another phone in advance.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro) POCO X3 NFC) After resetting through Recovery, Anti-Rollback protection may work, which means you won't be able to flash the older version. MIUI, Check the current version in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

Backup to Mi Cloud and Google Account

Untie smart devices (Mi Band, speakers, lamps)

Charge your phone to 50% or more

Remember the username/password from Mi Account

Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection-->

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it only works if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or the key. PIN-The instructions are suitable for all devices on MIUI 12, including Redmi, POCO And the Mi series. Here's the step-by-step algorithm:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (on some models, the item may be called Additional → Resetting).
4. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
5. The system will tell you what to drop: 📱 Delete all data (including apps and settings) 💾 Clean internal memory (if you want to delete photos, music, etc.)

Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.

Wait for the process to be completed (usually 5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot and prompt you to set it up as new.

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter the data of the Mi Account, which was previously tied, but you do not remember it, do not try to guess the password. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours. FAQ end-of-article.

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If the phone hangs on the MI logo for a long time after reset, don't panic. Give it 10 to 20 minutes - the first download after a hard reset can take a long time due to cache reassembly.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

This method comes in handy if the phone is not turning on, stuck on the logo or not responding to touch. Recovery Mode is a service mode built into Xiaomi firmware that allows you to perform critical operations without fully loading the system. On MIUI 12, the Recovery interface may differ depending on the model, but the overall logic is the same.

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 🔧 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔧 For POCO F1 And some Redmi: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

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

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe successful).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
2. Connect your phone to your computer. Install drivers if the system requests them (you can download from this site).
3. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI12).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All mode (complete cleaning).
6. Press Refresh – Your phone should appear on the device list (e.g., COM3).
7. Click Flash and wait for the process to be completed (green tick in status).

If the Mi Flash Tool is an error that can't find fastboot or device not found, check:

• 🔌 Connecting the cable (try another port) USB).
• 🖥 Drivers installed (Device Manager should display Android Bootloader Interface).
• 🔒 Is the bootloader unlocked (if not, follow the official instructions).

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Fastboot resets everything, including firmware, and installs a clean MIUI 12.This method also resets the Anti-Rollback counter, so you can flash the older version of the OS after it (if required).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the exact instructions, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common errors when resetting Xiaomi on MIUI 12 and how to fix them:

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or stays on the logo for more than 30 minutes, try:

1. Take it out and put it back in. SIM-card (sometimes helps with communication module errors).
2. Press Volume up + Power for 20 seconds for forced reboot.
3. Repeat the reset via Fastboot with another firmware version (e.g. global instead of Chinese).

⚠️ Note: On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO C3) Resetting via Fastboot can lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save a backup copy of the section NVRAM tool-wise MTK Droid Tools.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions