How to Reset Xiaomi Smartphone to Factory Settings: A Complete 2026 Guide

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems. Whether you sell a phone, run into freezes after a MIUI update, or the device is infected with viruses, hard reset will return the gadget to its original state. However, the procedure has nuances, from data loss to possible locking through Mi Account, if you forgot the password.

In this article, we have 3 proven reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot) that are relevant for all modern models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. We will discuss how to get around typical errors (for example, This device is locked), what to do when “brick” after a failed reset, and how to save important data before cleaning if the phone is still responding to commands.

When you need to reset to factory settings

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is the only solution:

• 📱 Selling or transferring a phone – deletes personal data, accounts and files.
• 🐢 Strong lags and hangs after the update MIUI installing applications.
• 🦠 Viruses and malware that cannot be removed by antiviruses.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (unlocked by Mi Account).
• 📲 System errors: constant reboots, app crashes, camera crashes.

But before reset, check the alternatives:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes helps with temporary glitch.
• 🗑️ Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cleanup.
• 📦 Remove unused applications through Settings → Annexes.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is locked through Find Device (remote lock Xiaomi), reset will not help – you will need to enter your Mi Account data after restarting.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is working)

The easiest method is through the MIUI interface. This is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone → General Settings → Resetting (on some models, the path: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock for confirmation.
5. Click Remove everything and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reset, the phone will turn on as new – you will need to set up the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your Mi Account (if it was tied).

Make a backup copy of photos and contacts|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Connect the phone to charge (minimum 50%)|Make sure you know. PIN-code-->

💡

If the menu does not contain the item “Reset settings”, try to enter the “recovery” request in the search box of settings – the system will tell you the right way.

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

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery Mode.The method works on all models, including the POCO F5, Redmi A2 and Mi 11 Lite.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older smartphones (until 2019): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selecting the item.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, and you do not remember them - see the section "How to bypass the lock after reset".

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) Recovery may not have Russian. Focus on English inscriptions or icons (reset icon - basket or factory).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even load in Recovery.
• 🔒 This device is locked or anti-rollback check.
• 📱 You need to flash a clean firmware after a failed update.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot, as well as the original USB-cable.

Instructions:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for firmware).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

For a complete flashing (if the reset didn’t help), download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website and use the command:

fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

⚠️ Warning: Wrong commands in Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

💡

Fastboot resets all data without recovery, but does not remove the Mi Account lock. If you forget your password, first unlock your account on account.xiaomi.com

How to save data before resetting

Factory settings delete everything: photos, messages, contacts, apps and their data. Here's how to minimize losses:

• 📁 Photos and videos: copy to PC via USB-Cable or upload to Google Photos/Mi Cloud.
• 📞 Contacts: sync with Google Account or export to file VCF.
• 💬 Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🎮 Game saves: link your game accounts to Google Play or social media.

For automated backup:

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup and enable data saving.
2. B Settings → The phone. → Backup copy MIUI Create a local copy (save in the folder) MIUI/backup/AllBackup).

The only way to save data when a locked phone is to connect it to a PC in EDL (emergency firmware) mode, but this requires special equipment and skills.

Frequent errors in resetting and their solution

Even with the right actions, there can be problems.

• 🚫 This device is locked – appears when you try to reset via Fastboot on phones with a locked bootloader.Solution: unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a tied Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).
• 🔄 The phone is fixated on the Mi logo - it may have damaged the firmware. Solution: run the phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.
• ⚡ Reset interrupted due to battery discharge – connect your phone to the original charger and repeat the procedure.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset (black screen, vibration without image), try:

1. Charge the battery for 1-2 hours.
2. Sign in to Fastboot and execute command: fastboot erase boot fastboot reboot
3. Contact the service center - the motherboard may be damaged.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions