How to completely reset your Xiaomi phone settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s phone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, prepare the device for sale or eliminate the consequences of failed firmware experiments. Unlike a normal reboot, hard reset removes all user data, apps and personal settings, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. However, many users face difficulties: where to find the right item on the menu, how to bypass the Mi Account lock, or what to do if the phone does not turn on.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Fastboot), explain how to prepare the device to avoid losing important data, and warn against typical errors. The instructions are relevant for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including the Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5). If your phone is stuck on startup the logo, does not respond to touches or requires a password after reset, here you will find solutions.

When do I need to reset Xiaomi settings?

Factory resets are not a panacea, but in some cases, they are the only way out. Here are 5 of the most common reasons why users resort to this procedure:

• 🔄 System glitches: the phone is constantly restarting, apps are crashing, or the interface MIUI It's a delaying process, often due to conflicts after custom firmware upgrades or installations.
• 📱 Preparing for sale/transfer: to prevent the new owner from accessing your accounts, photos or messages.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-Code: If you can't unlock the screen and Find My Device doesn't help.
• 🛠️ Removing viruses or malware: Some Trojans are embedded so deeply that they cannot be removed by standard methods.
• 📦 Firmware errors: For example, if the phone is stuck in Bootloop (infinite reboot) or does not recognize SIM-map.

However, resetting is not always justified. For example, if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (a broken screen, a broken speaker or a charging connector), it will not help, and you should not reset the settings due to small glitches - first try to restart the device or clean the cache of applications manually.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account and you have forgotten your password, a Recovery or Fastboot reset may lock your phone.

Preparing for resetting: how not to lose important data

The most common mistake users make is to reset without a backup. Even if your phone is unstable, save critical data first.

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos, Mi Cloud or connect your phone to your PC via cable.
• 📞 Contacts: sync with Google Account or export to.vcf file.
• 💬 Messages: applications like SMS Backup & Restore Helps to Keep History SMS.
• 🎮 Game saves: many games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile accounts are linked to – check that they are synced.
• 📝 Notes and documents: export from Mi Notes or WPS Office.

To back up the entire system, you can use the built-in Local Backup in Settings → About Phone → Backup. However, remember that you can only restore such a backup after resetting on the same device.

Make backup photos and videos |

Sync your contacts with Google|

Record your phone's IMEI (dial *#06##|)

Unplug Google and Mi Accounts (if you sell) |

Charge your phone to at least 50%-->

What is NOT saved when discharged:

• 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords (they will have to be re-entered).
• 🎵 Settings of sound, vibration and gestures.
• 📱 Application data without cloud sync (e.g., progress in offline gaming).
• 📡 Save Bluetooth networks (earphones, smartwatches, etc.).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Band or other Xiaomi phone-based devices, untie them in the Mi app before resetting. Fit/Zepp. Otherwise, they might stop working!

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the safest)

If your Xiaomi is switched on and reacts to touch, the easiest way is to reset via the settings menu, which does not require a computer and is suitable for most situations, except when the phone is locked.

Instructions for MIUI 14/13/12:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in older versions).
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. If required, enter the screen unlock password or PIN-code.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Remove All (or Reset Settings).
6. Wait for the process to be completed (usually 5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

On some models (e.g. POCO F4 or Redmi K50) the path may be slightly different:

Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset → Resetting settings

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter a password from your previous Google account (FRP-locking, you'll need a login and password that was tied to the device before the reset, and without them, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult.

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If resetting through settings doesn’t help (e.g., the phone is still buggy), try first clearing the system cache: Settings → About phone → Memory → Clear cache. This won’t delete your data, but it can fix the problem.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t load beyond the logo, freeze or lock, resetting through Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode, works even without the screen unlock password, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X): Power button + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

Reboot to System

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 🔘 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🔘 Second or Third: Data Reset (Wipe Data).
• 🔘 The last one is power off (Power Off).

On some firmware (e.g. Global ROM), the menu may look different:

- Reboot




Wipe Data (Erase Data)




Wipe All Data (Erase Everything)




- Wipe Cache (Clear Cache)




Connect with MiAssistant (Connect with MiAssistant)

⚠️ Note: If you see Mount or Mount in the Recovery menu ADB Sideload, don’t choose it randomly – these are modes for power users, and they won’t result in a reset!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot reset is the most radical method used when:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged.
• 📱 Phone locked off Mi Account after failed reset.
• 🛠️ You need to refashion the device from scratch.

This method requires a computer with drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot commands. Wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick” (inoperable device), so follow the instructions carefully.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (choose Fastboot) ROM, Not Recovery. ROM).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and select the folder with the unpacked firmware.
5. At the bottom of the program, select Clean All mode (full reset) or Save User Data (save data, but this doesn’t always work).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).
7. After successful firmware, the phone will restart automatically.

If you prefer to use ADB and Fastboot via the command line, do:

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot oem edl # Translation to EDL mode (for some models)




fastboot erase userdata # Clearing up user data




fastboot erase cache #Cache cleanup




fastboot reboot #Reboot

⚠️ Note: On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) You may need to unlock the bootloader through the official website!

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Fastboot reset is a last resort. If you're not sure what you're doing, you better go to the service center. The wrong firmware can cause you to lose your IMEI or your camera to go down!

What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, your Xiaomi will launch as new.

1. Setting up your language and region: Choose your language and country (this will determine the availability of certain features, such as Google Services).
2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the internet, you can’t restore backup or download updates.
3. Log in to accounts: 🔑 Mi Account (if previously tied). 🔑 Google Account (required otherwise you will not have access to the Play Market).
4. Data recovery: 📱 If you have made a backup copy through MIUI, Select Restore from the backup in the Welcome Menu. ☁️ If you’ve used Google Drive or Mi Cloud, sync your data after you sign in.

Updating the system

Settings → About the phone → System update

If there are problems after the discharge:

• 🔋 Fast battery discharge: this is normal in the first 2-3 days (the system indexes files).
• 📶 No network: check if it is inserted SIM-map, and update operator settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
• 🔊 No sound: Make sure the "Do Not Disturb" mode is not activated (Settings) → Sound).

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If after resetting the phone began to work slower than before, try to disable the animation interface: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to activate the developer mode), then Settings → Additional → For developers → Scale of animation (select "Without animation").

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. TOP-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

If your problem is not on the list, check:

• 🔌 Charging the phone: a discharged battery can interrupt the process.
• 🔧 Version MIUI: On some firmware (for example, Chinese) reset works differently.
• 🛠️ Integrity of firmware files: if you downloaded firmware from third-party sites, it can be damaged.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset