Reset to factory settings: Samsung vs Xiaomi – key differences and instructions

Why do users confuse brands when resetting settings?

The query “how to reset a Samsung phone to Xiaomi factory settings” sounds paradoxical, but in practice it is more common than it seems. The reason lies in the similarity of interfaces of modern Android devices and the unification of terminology. Users, moving from one brand to another, intuitively search for familiar menu items — for example, Settings → General → Reset from Samsung or Settings → Phone → Reset from Xiaomi. However, the reset algorithms, especially through Recovery mode, these manufacturers differ fundamentally.

The second common mistake is to try to apply instructions to Samsung (with its proprietary Odinh Mode) to Xiaomi devices that use Fastboot and other devices. EDL-This can lead to locking the bootloader or even “bricking” the device, and in this article we’ll look at both options for resetting — separately for each brand — with a focus on key differences in procedures that 90% of users overlook.

Important: If you’re looking for a way to reset the TV (rather than a smartphone) of one of these brands, head to the section. FAQ — There's a separate answer to TV-device.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before the start

Regardless of the brand, factory reset wipes all data from the device's internal memory.

• 📱 Backup: Use Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi) or Samsung Cloud/Smart Switch (for Samsung) Pay special attention to: Contacts (export to) VCF) Photo/video (copy to PC or cloud) SMS and call log (applications like SMS Backup & Restore)
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. interruption of the reset process due to discharge can damage system files.
• 📋 Record your account details: after reset, you will need to re-enter your login / password from Google, Samsung Account or Mi Account.
• 🔐 Make sure it's not there. FRP-lock (for Samsung with Android 5.1)+). If you forget your Google account, the reset will block the device!

Backup Contacts and Media|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Delete SD-card (if any)|Remember the data Mi/Samsung Account|Disable Find My Device (for Samsung)-->

For Xiaomi devices, an additional nuance: if Mi Account was previously activated and device binding is enabled, after reset, you will need to enter the data of this account. Without it, the phone will turn into a “brick.” Check the binding status in Settings → Mi Account → Devices.

⚠️ Note: On the Samsung Galaxy with Knox (business models or Secure Folder), the reset can also reset security settings, including certificates and encryption keys.

Reset Samsung via the settings menu (the safest way)

This method works on all modern Samsung smartphones (Galaxy S, Note, A, M, F and Z) with a One UI shell. The instruction is relevant for firmware based on Android 10 and later.

1. Open Settings (cog in the app menu or swipe down the notification panel).
2. Go to General → Reset (on older versions of One UI, the path may be Device Service → Reset).
3. Select Data Reset (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
4. Scroll down and click Reset (blue button).
5. Enter. PIN-code/password/pattern lock if requested by the system.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and the device restarts and starts with the original setup wizard, like after you buy it, and you can recover the data from the backup.

💡

If after the reset, Samsung asks to enter the data of the old Google account (FRP-blocking), and you don't remember them, use the official Google account recovery tool. FRP Often leads to the locking of the device IMEI.

Reset Xiaomi through the menu: hidden nuances of MIUI

Xiaomi devices (Redmi, POCO, Mi series) run on the proprietary shell MIUI, where the path to reset depends on the firmware version, the main difference from Samsung is the availability of additional protection through the Mi Account, even if the FRP is disabled.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate Developer Mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main Settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Press Erase All Data.
5. Enter the unlock password (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Reset settings.

Nana POCO-The path may be different: settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset.After reset, Xiaomi will require you to enter Mi Account data if it was previously tied.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi with a locked bootloader (most devices purchased officially), a reset via Recovery without prior unlocking will result in permanent locking (authorization is required via the Mi Unlock Tool).

Recovery Mode Reset: When the menu is not available

If the phone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or doesn't respond to touch, you'll have to use recovery mode, and the procedures for Samsung and Xiaomi are very different.

For Samsung:

1. Turn off the device (press the Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Up + Bixby (for models with Bixby button) or Power + Volume Up (for others).
3. When the Samsung logo appears, release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use Volume Up/Down for navigation, select Wipe data/factory reset.
5. Confirm the choice with the Power button.
6. Once completed, select Reboot system now.

For Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the phone (press the Power + Volume Up for 15 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume Up before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (Chinese/English).
4. Tap it on Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by swipe or press Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, click Back to Main Menu → Reboot.

The critical difference is that Xiaomi may need to enter a password from Mi Account before you start resetting. If you don’t remember it, the only way out is to unlock through Fastboot (see next section).

Fastboot and EDL Reset: For Advanced Users

If standard methods don’t work (for example, because of a damaged firmware), then resets through boot modes. For Samsung, it’s Download Mode (firmware via Odin), for Xiaomi, it’s Fastboot or EDL.

For Samsung (via Odin):

It will require:

• PC with Samsung USB Drivers installed.
• Odin3 (version 3.14.4 and higher)
• Stock firmware for your model (download from samfw.com or sammobile.com).

Algorithm:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Download Mode.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
3. In Odin, upload firmware files to the appropriate fields (BL, AP, CP, CSC).
4. Press Start and wait until it is completed (don’t turn off USB!).

For Xiaomi (via Fastboot):

It will require:

• Unlocked bootloader (instructions on the official website).
• Mi Flash Tool or Quickboot commands.
• Fastboot ROM firmware for your model (download from miuidownload.com).

Commands for complete reset (executed in CMD on PC):

fastboot oem edl # transition to EDL- mode (for some models)


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi with MediaTek processors (Redmi series) 9/10, POCO M3/M4) Resetting via Fastboot can lead to loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save it with the command adb shell su -c 'cat /data/nvram/md/NVRAM/NVD_IMEI/IMEI'.

💡

Fastboot/EDL resets are a last resort, and if you're not sure what you're doing, go to a service center, and the wrong commands can turn your phone into a brick with a damaged bootloader.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones:

If Samsung issues a “Custom binary blocked by FRP lock” error after the reset, it means that the custom firmware was installed before, and now the device is locked, the solution is to flash the official firmware through Odin with the Nand Erase All flag.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions