How to completely reset all data on your Xiaomi phone: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that every user will face sooner or later, which may be required before selling the device, to fix software failures or after infection with viruses, but an incorrect reset can lead to loss of important data or even locking the Mi Account, unless you take into account key nuances.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of complete reset for Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark devices, from the standard method through the settings menu to forced reset via Recovery Mode. Particular attention will be paid to bypassing the Mi Account lock after a reset, as this is the most common problem of users. All instructions are tested on MIUI 14/15 firmware and are relevant for 2026.

When you need a complete data reset on Xiaomi

Before you start the procedure, assess whether it is really necessary. Reset removes all user information: contacts, messages, photos, installed apps and even lock screen settings. Here are typical situations where it is justified:

  • 📱 Preparing for sale – the new owner should not have access to your data.
  • 🔄 System failures: the phone brakes, spontaneously reboots or does not respond to touch.
  • 🦠 Viral infection if the antivirus does not cope with the threat.
  • 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (in this case, only reset via Recovery will help).
  • 📦 Errors after the update MIUI, When the system is unstable.

If your goal is to just free up space, try first clearing the app cache in Settings → Apps → App management. Resetting is an extreme measure that should only be resorted to in case of serious problems.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12 or later after the reset, you may need to enter the Mi Account data associated with the phone. If you forget your username / password, see the section FAQ.

📊 Why you are dropping your Xiaomi phone?
Preparation for sale
Remediation of failures
Forgot my password.
Viral contamination
Other

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

This method works if the phone is on and you remember the unlock password. It retains the ability to recover data through the Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled).

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

  1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
  2. Go to About Phone → Memory → Resetting (on some models, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
  3. Choose to erase all data.
  4. Enter. PIN-lock-screen code.
  5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Backup of important data

Remember the username/password from Mi Account

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Disable Google Account (if you plan to sell your phone)-->

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, hovers on the logo, or you forget the unlock password, forced reset via Recovery Mode will help.This method works on all models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Black Shark 5.

Importantly, after such a reset, you may need to enter Mi Account data if you previously had an account linked, and without this information, the phone will turn into a brick.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
  2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (until 2019): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Clear Data

Confirm

Once the process is complete, the phone will restart. If you request Mi Account, use the data that was tied to the device.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a bootloader blocked after reset via Recovery, Anti-Rollback protection may work, this will make it impossible to turn on the phone. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times on the line).

What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
If the button combination doesn’t work, try: 1. Connect the phone to charge for 30 minutes (a discharged battery can block the entrance to Recovery). 2. Use an OTG cable with a keyboard to navigate the menu. 3. For models with Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as POCO F4), you can try the Volume Down + Power combination and hold 20 seconds.

Method 3: Remote reset via Mi Cloud (if phone is lost)

If you lose your phone or it's stolen, but it's enabled by Mi Cloud and your account is linked, you can delete it remotely, and it's also useful if the device is locked, but you have access to your computer.

Instructions:

  1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
  2. In the Devices section, select your phone.
  3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
  4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or hangs on the Mi logo, try:

  1. Repeat the reset via Recovery Mode.
  2. Connect the device to the PC and flash the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
  3. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (if warranty is valid).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I reset Xiaomi without a password if I forget the pattern lock?
Yes, but only through Recovery Mode (method 2 in this article), but after the reset, you will need to enter the Mi Account information if it was linked. If you do not remember the username / password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com or contact for support.
Will the phone work after the reset if it was root-righted?
If the phone has received root access, after resetting via Recovery or settings, it may stop loading, in which case you will need to reflash the device via Fastboot using the official firmware, the root rights after reset will disappear.
How to bypass the Mi Account lock after a reset?
You can't get around the official Mi Account lock without your account data, which is a theft protection measure. If you bought a used phone with a linked account, contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the device from the Mi Cloud list, and the alternative is to contact the service center with proof of purchase.
Will the MIUI version reset to factory after resetting?
No, the reset doesn't roll back the firmware version. The phone will have the same version of MIUI as it was before the reset. If you want an older firmware, you'll have to manually install it via Fastboot or Recovery, but that's risky because of the Anti-Rollback protection.
Can data be recovered after resetting?
If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Account before reset, some of the data (contacts, photos, notes) can be restored. To do this, select Restore from backup when you first set up. If there is no backup, use data recovery software (such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver), but the chances are slim.