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

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems. Your smartphone may have started to slow down after the upgrade, contracted a virus, or you just want to sell it and delete all personal data. In this article, we will discuss three official ways to reset (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), and also explain how to prepare for the procedure so as not to lose important files.

It's important to understand that resets delete all user data -- photos, contacts, messages, installed applications. However, system files (firmware, kernel) remain intact. If the phone doesn't turn on or hangs on the logo, you'll need alternative methods, which we'll talk about too. Some models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or the POCO X3 Pro) may have nuances, which we'll highlight separately.

Before you start, check if a more gentle solution, such as clearing the cache, removing unnecessary apps, or rolling back an update, will help. Resetting is a last resort, but if you are determined to do so, follow our instructions carefully.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Even if your Xiaomi is stable, there are a few critical steps to take before resetting, and ignoring this step can lead to loss of important data or problems with your Mi Account.

First, back up. Use the built-in Mi Cloud (if configured) or third-party services like Google Drive.

• 📸 Photos and videos – they can be copied to the PC via cable or uploaded to Google Photos.
• 📞 Contacts – sync them to your Google account or export them to a.vcf file.
• 📝 Messages -- applications like SMS Backup & Restore will help you save your emails.
• 🎮 Many games (such as Genshin Impact or Game Save) PUBG Mobile) linked to accounts.

Second, make sure you know the username and password from Mi Account. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter your account details, especially if the Find Device feature has been activated. If you forget your password, restore it in advance.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3 Resetting via Fastboot without unlocking can result in the device being locked (state "brick"). → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times on the line "Kornel Version").

Finally, charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can cause serious errors in the system. If the battery is worn out (capacity below 70%), connect the device to charge for the duration of the procedure.

Backup photos and contacts|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Check the battery level (minimum 50%)|Disable your Google account (if you plan to sell your phone)|Ensure the stability of the Internet connection (for cloud backup)-->

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

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, this method is the best choice.It requires no additional tools and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO and Mi.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in some versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. The system will suggest choosing the type of discharge: 🔄 Resetting – only removes settings (Wi-Fi, sound, wallpaper), but saves files. 🧹 Delete all data – complete reset to factory state.

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 automatically.

Once you reboot, you will be asked to configure the device as new, and if you have previously synced data with Mi Cloud, you can restore it at this point.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 12, Redmi) K50) After the reset, the fingerprint or face may need to be re-attached. If the biometric sensor was unstable before the reset, the problem may persist.

If the menu does not have Resets, try an alternative path:

Settings → System → Additional → Reset options → Delete all data (reset to factory settings)

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Resetting through settings is the safest method, but requires a workable screen and no system failures.

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

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, cyclically rebooting or not responding to touch, a reset via Recovery Mode will help.This mode is available on all devices, but the interface may differ depending on the version of MIUI.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up for most models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro). 🔘 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down for older devices (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the control is done by the volume (move) and power (select) buttons. On new devices (MIUI 13+), the interface can be touch-sensitive.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Once completed, select Reboot (or Reboot to System).

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 — data-cleaning.
• 🔄 — restart.

⚠️ Note: Some of the firmware (Global) ROM for POCO F3) The Wipe Data item may be called Factory Reset. Don't confuse it with Wipe Cache -- it's cache clearing, not a complete reset.

If the phone freezes on the logo again after reset, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to flash it through Fastboot (see next section).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most radical method, and it requires a computer connection, and it's suitable if:

• 🔧 The phone is not included in or included in Recovery.
• 📱 You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).
• 🔒 Requires to unlock the bootloader (to install custom firmware).

Warning: Mistakes in the Fastboot can turn the phone into a brick, especially on models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10, Mi 11 Lite).

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📦 Official firmware for your model (file with.tgz or.zip extension).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Volume Down + Power buttons before the screensaver with a rabbit in the hat appears (Fastboot Mode).
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full clean) or Clean All and Lock (clean + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-20 minutes).

After successful firmware, the phone will restart in a factory state. If the Mi Flash Tool shows an error (e.g., 0x80070002), check:

• 🔌 Connecting the cable (try another port) USB).
• 🔄 The firmware version (it must correspond to the model and the region).
• 🔒 bootloader status (on locked devices, unlocking is required).

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Before you use Fastboot, disable the antivirus – it can block Mi Flash Tool files.

5. Features of reset on different Xiaomi models

Despite the general logic, some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when reset, and in the table below we have collected key differences for popular models:

For Android One models (such as the Mi A2 Lite), the reset process is identical to pure Android.There is no need to link to the Mi Account, but after the reset, you may need to re-authorize with Google services.

If your model is not in the table, check the official documentation on the Xiaomi Support website. For rare devices (such as Black Shark), the process may be different.

Redmi Note 10/11|POCO X3/X4|Xiaomi 12/13|Redmi 9/9A| Another model |I don't know-->

6.What to do after resetting: setting up and restoring data

After a successful reset, the phone will return to a "out of the box" state, and you will have to go through the initial setup, but there are a few points to pay attention to:

Data recovery:

• 📱 If you have been backing up through Mi Cloud, link your account and select Restore from the Cloud.
• 🖥️ For local backup, connect your phone to your PC and copy files manually.
• 🤖 If you used a Google account, your contacts, calendar and some apps will be automatically restored.

Reauthorization:

• 🔑 Enter your Mi Account information if your phone requests it (otherwise some features will be blocked).
• 📧 Set up a Google account to access the Play Market and sync.

Checking the working capacity:

• 📶 Make sure your mobile network and Wi-Fi are working (sometimes after a reset, your settings will fly off). APN).
• 🔊 Check the sound, camera and sensors (such as a gyroscope in games).
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery: discharge the phone to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions.

If new problems arise after reset (for example, the phone does not see) SIM-map or not Wi-Fi enabled, try:

1. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → System Update.
2. Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings.
3. Contact the service center if the problem is hardware.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro) may lose access to internal memory after reset, which is due to data encryption. Solution: Reset again by disabling encryption in the security settings before resetting.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with strict adherence to the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common ways to eliminate them:

1.The phone is not included in Recovery/Fastboot:

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 30%).
• 🔌 Try another cable or port. USB.
• 🛠️ In some models (POCO M2 Pro) need to first hold the Volume up + Food, and after vibration to release food.

2. "This device is locked" error in Fastboot:

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader through the official tool (can take up to 720 hours of waiting).
• 📱 Make sure your Mi Account is linked to your phone.

3. After reset, the phone asks for the old password:

• 🔑 It's protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Enter the Google account that was on the phone before the reset.
• 📧 If you don’t remember your password, restore it through Google.

4. the discharge is interrupted by 50% or 99%:

• 🔄 Don’t turn off your phone – wait 10-15 minutes.
• 📡 If the process is stalled, remove the battery (if it is removable) or press the power button for 20 seconds.

5. There is no net after discharge:

• 📶 Manually add settings APN for your operator (instructions are on the sites of MTS, Beeline, MegaFon).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version.

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), which requires a diagnosis at a service center.

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90% of reset errors are due to a discharged battery, unoriginal cables or a locked boot loader.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions