How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Why might you need to reset Xiaomi?

Resetting Xiaomi’s phone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution, most often when the device starts to “glut”: slow, spontaneously restarts, or emits errors when installing applications, for example, after updating MIUI, some users experience com.android.phone errors that are not eliminated by rebooting.

Another common reason is to prepare for the sale, and even if you delete all files manually, personal data (logins, passwords, message history) can remain in the system folders, and a full reset is guaranteed to clear internal memory, including hidden partitions. It also helps when you lock the screen if you forget the pattern lock or PIN-code (but there are nuances here - more on that below).

Owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi often face problems after failed firmware or rooting, and in such cases, resetting via Recovery Mode or Fastboot may be the only way to bring the phone back to life, but it is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe, and some require prior training.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, make sure you don't lose important data. Even if the phone is unstable, try to save at least contacts, photos and documents.

• 📱 Sync your Mi Account account. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Sync and backup contacts, notes and calls. It's free and takes a few minutes.
• ☁️ Use cloud services. Google Photos automatically saves pictures, and Mi Cloud (5 GB free) - reserves SMS call logs.

If the phone doesn’t respond to touch or doesn’t turn on, skip this step — but be prepared for all data to be lost irretrievably. In some cases (such as when reset via Fastboot), it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader, which also erases internal memory.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is enabled Find Device, after reset, you will need to enter the data of the Mi Account, which was previously tied!

💡

If you plan to sell the phone, untie it from the Mi Account before the reset. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete the account. Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest one)

This is a standard method that works on all Xiaomi phones running MIUI (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.) and is suitable if the device is turned on, touch responsive and you have access to menus.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (on MIUI 14, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Reset).
4. Select Resetting (sometimes called Resetting to Factory).
5. Confirm the action by entering PIN-code or pattern lock (if requested).
6. Wait until the process is complete (usually takes 5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Once reset, you will be asked to configure the device as new, and if the Mi Account was previously tied, the system can request its data to confirm ownership (protection against theft).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to the power button, or is locked with a password, Recovery Mode, a recovery mode, is built into the firmware and runs even when the system files are damaged.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – you will see the menu in English or Chinese (depending on the firmware version).

Next:

• Use the up/down Volume buttons for navigation and the Power button for selection.
• Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
• Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
• Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe successful).
• Select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Recovery may need to enter a Mi Account password even if you don't remember it, in which case you'll need to use Fastboot (method 3).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔒 Phone locked and Recovery requires Mi Account password.
• 🛠️ You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).
• 📱 Recovery Mode is damaged or not running.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool utility (the official program from the manufacturer).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install Xiaomi drivers (you can use Mi PC Suite).
3. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh (the device must be determined).
6. Press Clean All and Flash, and it takes 5-15 minutes.

Once you have Fastboot, the phone is completely clean, even system applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) can only be restored through manual APK installation.

Method 4: Reset via Find Device (remote)

If your phone is lost or stolen, but you have access to Mi Account, you can reset remotely via Find Device, which only works if you:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Battery charge sufficient to execute command.
• 🔒 Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the list of devices, select the desired phone.
3. Click Delete Data (or Erase Data in English).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.

The process can take anywhere from minutes to an hour (depending on the speed of the Internet on your phone), and once reset, the device will unplug your account and you will not be able to track it.

⚠️ Note: Factory Reset Protection is enabled on your phone (FRP), After the remote reset, you need to enter your Mi Account data when you first set up, which protects against the use of the device by unauthorized people.

Method 5: Reset via ADB (for developers)

The method is for advanced users who have USB debugging enabled. It is useful if you need to reset settings without losing data in the /sdcard folder (photos, videos, documents).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK Platform-Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Discharge commands:

adb shell


recovery --wipe_data

Or alternatively (without rebooting in Recovery):

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

This method does not delete files in user folders (DCIM, Downloads), but resets all settings and applications, suitable if you want to "clean" the system without completely losing data.

💡

Resetting via ADB is the only method that can save personal files while cleaning the system, but it requires pre-setting the debugging over USB.

What if the reset didn't help?

In rare cases, even after a complete reset, problems remain, and here are the possible causes and solutions:

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the hardware: the motherboard, memory, or battery is faulty, in which case you should contact Xiaomi’s service center (the addresses can be found on the official website).

For models older than 3-4 years (for example, Redmi 5 or Mi A1) sometimes helps to replace the battery – over time, lithium-ion batteries degrade and cause unstable system operation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset