How to completely reset all data on a Xiaomi smartphone: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. Whether you’re selling a device, experiencing critical MIUI failures, or just want to start over, a proper hard reset ensures that all user data, apps, and settings are deleted. However, a poorly executed procedure can lead to irreversible loss of photos, contacts, and documents if you don’t back up in advance.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods: through the settings menu (the safest), using Recovery Mode (for locked devices), and through Fastboot (for power users), paying special attention to the nuances that are characteristic of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones – from differences in the interface of MIUI 14 to the peculiarities of working with the Mi Account.

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Deleting Data

Before you start resetting, follow the mandatory steps that will save you nerves and time. The main mistake users make is ignoring backup. Even if you plan to reset your device due to a malfunction, it is impossible to return deleted data after hard reset without specialized tools (and then not always).

Let's start with the most important thing:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) will save contacts, photos and some settings, but not all apps.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to discharge can lead to a knock (inoperability) of the device.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from your Mi Account. After resetting, Xiaomi may require authorization to unlock (Mi Account Lock).
• 📡 Turn off factory protection (if enabled) in Settings → Password and security → Device protection, it'll save you from having to ask for your password after you reboot.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring a smartphone to another person, be sure to log out of your Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use the device without your login data.

Also check if a Google account with Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is linked to your device. After reset, the system can request the last synchronized account to avoid being blocked:

1. Go to Settings. → Google accounts.
2. Delete all accounts or remember your login/password.

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest method)

This method is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, reacts to touch, and you have access to the settings menu. The main advantage is the minimum risk of errors, since the process is controlled by the MIUI system. The instructions are relevant for all modern models: Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/11, POCO F5/X5 and others.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (in some firmware - Additional).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Delete All Data (or Reset Settings in older versions of MIUI).
5. Enter. PIN-code/password/pattern lock if the system requests confirmation.
6. Confirm the action by pressing OK or Reset.

The device will automatically restart and start the cleaning process, which will take 5 to 15 minutes, and when you complete it, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as you did after you bought it.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2, POCO F1 With pure Android One, the path to reset may be different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset settings. Also, after reset, these devices will require the last Google account to be entered.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, you're stuck on the Mi logo, or you've forgotten the pattern lock, resetting through Recovery will help, which works even when the firmware is damaged, but requires care - wrong actions can lead to a device blink.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 🔄 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔄 For POCO F3/GT, Redmi K40/K50: Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to confirm your choice.

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

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

• 🧹 — dataset.
• 🔄 — restart.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

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

• 🔧 The smartphone does not respond to other ways of resetting.
• 📱 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
• 🔒 You need to unlock the bootloader before the custom firmware.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from Xiaomi or Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original to avoid connection issues).
• 📄 Firmware file in.tgz or.zip format (download only from official sources!).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons Volume down + Power before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Fastboot.
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands will completely delete data from the userdata partition (including internal memory).If the goal is simply to reset settings, use fastboot -w (saves system files).

For full flashing through Fastboot, use the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download and unpack the firmware for your model (for example, fastboot_ingres_global_images_V14.0.1.0.TMAMIXM_20230615.0000.00_12.0_global).
2. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and the connected device.
3. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

💡

If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after resetting via Fastboot, try re-switching the device with the Clean All option to the Mi Flash Tool. This will delete all data, but restore the system to work.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

Once the reset is successful, the device will start in initial setup mode. Here's what you need to do first:

1. Choose a language and region. Xiaomi is advised to specify Russia or Global to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. Without the Internet, you can't download updates and restore backup.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account (if required). If you sell a phone, skip this step!
4. Recover the data: 📱 From Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled). 🖥️ From computer to computer MIUI Backup (files with.mbk extension). ☁️ From Google Drive (contacts, photos, some settings).

If there are problems after the discharge:

• 🔄 The phone asks for an old password: this is FRP-Enter the last Google account linked to the device.
• 📵 Sensor or buttons are not working: the firmware may be damaged. Try flashing the device over the Fastboot.
• 🔋 The battery drains quickly: after resetting, the system needs 1-2 days to optimize. If the problem persists, check the energy saving settings.

💡

After reset, be sure to update your firmware to the latest version via Settings → System Update. This will fix any bugs and improve performance.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ways to solve them:

Pay special attention to blocking Mi Account. If you forget your password, you can only restore access through the official Xiaomi website. In some cases (for example, when buying a used phone with a linked account), you may need to contact in support with proof of purchase.

Another common mistake is losing IMEI after being reset via Fastboot, which happens when you accidentally erase the modem partition to restore the IMEI:

1. Find out the original values (on the box or under the battery).
2. Use the engineering menu (#4636##) or utilities like the SN Write Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions