How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: 3 Working Ways (2026)

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems. Whether you’re faced with constant freezes, viruses, a forgotten pattern lock, or just want to “reset” the device before selling it, a hard reset procedure will return the phone to its original state. However, an incorrect reset can lead to data loss, blocking the Mi Account or even “brick” the device.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T And we'll also tell you how to avoid common mistakes. MI-Post-Reset account: a problem faced by one in five users after a hard reset.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before hard reset

Before you click the Reset button, follow the critical steps: without a backup, you will lose: contacts, SMS, photos in the gallery (if not synced with Google Photos), notes, application data (for example, save in games).

Syncing with Mi Cloud won't save local files -- it only saves contacts, calendars and some settings.

• 📱 Copy files to the PC through USB-cable (enable file transfer mode in notification curtain).
• ☁️ Upload photos to Google Photos or Mi Cloud (check the space available!).
• 🔐 Export. SMS through apps SMS Backup & Restore.
• 📋 Save the list of installed applications (in Settings) → Annexes → Application management take screenshots).

If you are resetting your phone before selling, be sure to log out of all accounts:

1. Untie your Google account in Settings → Google Accounts.
2. Delete your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account (password required).
3. Deactivate Find My Device (otherwise, the new owner will not be able to log in).

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If your phone is locked with a pattern lock, but you remember the Mi Account password, try unlocking your device via [i.mi.com](https://i.mi.com/) → Find the device → Unlock. This will only work if your phone has mobile internet or Wi-Fi on.

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

This method works if the phone turns on and reacts to touch. Suitable for all models on MIUI 12/13/14, including Redmi 10C, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12 Lite.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset Settings → Erase all data.
5. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if required) and confirm the action.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-15 minutes). Don't interrupt it! If the MI logo hangs on the screen for a long time, wait another 10-20 minutes - on weak models (Redmi 9A), the reset can last longer.

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Disable two-factor authentication in your Mi Account (if you forget the backup code)|Remember the username / password from the Mi-account (required after resetting)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

3. Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the smartphone is getting stuck on the boot, does not respond to touches or is locked with a password, resetting through recovery mode will help.This method works on all Xiaomi, including older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1).

Instructions for phones with physical buttons (until 2020 release):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power + Volume increase for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selecting the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the action.

For new models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5 Pro, Xiaomi 13) touch Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Increase, wait for vibration and let go.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English/Chinese), then Wipe Data → Format Data.
4. Enter the yes code (if required) and confirm.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9T, POCO M3) After resetting through Recovery, you may need to enter a password from your Mi Account, even if you did not link it, and this is due to the Mi Cloud Protection function. [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com/).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is applicable if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and other methods don’t work.
• 📦 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot original USB-Attention: Wrong commands can turn a phone into a brick".

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Check the connection: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the device.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If after the reboot the phone requires a password from the Mi Account, and you do not remember it, you will have to use the official Mi Unlock Tool (it takes 7-15 days to unlock the bootloader).

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Fastboot reset only erases user data, but does not delete the firmware. If the phone does not turn on due to corrupted software, you will need a complete flash flash flash flash flash flash flash flash flash flash flash flash.

5. Features of reset for different Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi smartphones have unique nuances when hard reset, and the table below shows the key differences for popular lines:

For models with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K60), a reset via Fastboot can lead to an error critical partition flashing is not allowed.

6.What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After hard reset, the phone will start as new.

1. Go through the initial setting (choose language, connect to Wi-Fi).
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if you don’t, some features will be blocked).
3. Restore data from the backup (if any).
4. Update MIUI to the latest version (via Settings → System Update).

If there are problems after the discharge:

• 🔄 The phone is constantly rebooting. → Try resetting via Fastboot or scrolling through the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔒 Requires a password from a Mi Account that is not available → Use the account recovery or contact the service center.
• 📵 Not catching the net. → check if it's inserted SIM-map, and update operator settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

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If you lose your photos after reset, try to restore them with programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, the main thing is not to write new files to your phone until you recover them!

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Error 1: "This device is locked" in Fastboot

🔹 Reason: bootloader is blocked (standard situation for new Xiaomi models).

🔹 Solution: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires account-to-device binding and wait 7-15 days).

Error 2: The phone will not turn on after resetting.

🔹 Reason: Data cleanup process interrupted or firmware damaged.

🔹 Solution: Try booting into Fastboot and flashing the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

Error 3: "Invalid IMEI" after resetting.

🔹 Reason: The section with damaged IMEI (This is often done through unofficial instruments).

🔹 Solution: Restore IMEI Use the engineering menu (#4636##) or contact the service.

⚠️ Note: If you reset a custom firmware phone (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), after a hard reset, the device may stop booting. TWRP or Fastboot.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions