How to reset Xiaomi Mi 6A to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting the Xiaomi Mi 6A to factory settings is a radical but effective way to restore the smartphone to its previous performance, eliminate software failures or prepare the device for sale. However, an improper reset can lead to data loss, locking the Mi Account account or even “bricking” the phone. In this article, the unique nuances of the reset for the Mi 6A, including bypassing typical errors and recovering from a failed process.

The 2017 Mi 6A is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor and has 32/64GB of memory without a memory card slot, which means that all data (photos, contacts, messages) is stored in internal memory — and will be permanently deleted if you don’t back up. Pay special attention to the Mi Account binding: once reset, your phone may require login/password input, even if you’ve turned off factory protection.

Unlike the new Xiaomi models, the Mi 6A There is no "Easy Reset" feature (which saves some of the data), and only two options are available here: through Settings (if the phone is turned on) or through Recovery Mode (if the device is locked or unresponsive). Next are detailed instructions for each case, as well as solutions to problems that arise exclusively on the Mi. 6A (For example, the error "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device").

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Unprepared resets are like skydiving without checking the slings. On the Mi 6A, this can lead to loss of access to your phone due to a link to your Mi Account or an inability to recover data.

• 🔄 Unplug Mi Account: go to Settings → Mi Account → If your phone is locked, skip this step, but be prepared to enter your account details after you reset.
• 📱 Remove the screen lock: PIN-The code, pattern lock or fingerprint must be disabled, otherwise, after reset, the phone will require an old password that you will not be able to remember.
• 🔌 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Recovery reset at low charge can be interrupted, leaving the phone inoperable.
• 💾 Make a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Alternatively, copy files to your PC over time. USB.

The Mi 6A feature is that if you used the "Second Space" function, the reset will delete both systems. You can't recover data from the second space after the reset. Also check if the "Find Device" option is activated in Settings → Mi Account → Find the device - after the reset, it can lock the phone if you don't know the Mi Account password.

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Mi 6A If you don’t know your previous Mi Account, the reset will lock your phone, and you will need to officially unlock it through Xiaomi’s service center (costs starting at 1,500). ₽).

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

This is the safest method, but it is only available if the Mi 6A is turned on and reacts to touch. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 9-12 firmware (on newer versions, the path may be different).

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to Additional → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data and confirm the action.
5. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
6. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-7 minutes).

Once you restart, the phone will suggest you set it up as new.

• 📱 Don’t connect to Wi-Fi right away – first check if your phone is locked because of Mi Account.
• 🔑 If a window appears asking you to enter your Mi Account details, use the same login/password as before the reset.
• ⚙️ When setting up, skip the recovery step from the backup if the copy was created on another version. MIUI (it could cause disruption).

Make sure your phone is 50%+ charged

Disable screen lock

Sign out of your Mi Account (if possible)

Backup of important data

Remember the Wi-Fi password (required after resetting)-->

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo for more than 10 minutes after reset, don't force it to turn it off. This may be due to app optimization after reset. Wait 20 to 30 minutes, and if nothing changes, go to method 3 (reset via Fastboot).

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

This method will come in handy if the Mi 6A is locked, hovers on the logo or does not respond to touch.

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or similar in Chinese: ).
6. Confirm the action (Confirm).
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The Recovery menu on the Mi 6A may not have the usual touch input, which is button control.

• (di yi hang) - reboot;
• (di er hang) - discharge;
• (Di san hang) - Connect to a PC.

If, after resetting via Recovery, the phone produces an error "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device" - it means that the firmware version is not compatible with your model.

1. Download the official firmware for Mi 6A (codename cactus) from en.miui.com.
2. Move the firmware file (.zip format) to the root folder of internal memory.
3. Log in to Recovery and select Install update.zip to System.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the most radical method that's used if the first two fails. It requires a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C: Warning: Wrong commands in Fastboot can turn a phone into a brick".

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the Mi 6A.
2. Press Volume Down + Nutrition until the image of a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

fastboot devices

(Your device serial number should be displayed. If not, install the driver.)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will completely clear user data and cache. If you also want to reset your system settings, add:

fastboot erase system

Once rebooted, the phone will be as new as it is, but without firmware (if you were washing the system), in which case you will need to flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool with the official ROM for cactus.

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If the error "FAILED (remote: unknown command)" appears after the commands in Fastboot, update the platform-tools version (download the latest from Google).

5.Typical post-reset errors and their solutions

Even after a successful reset, the Mi 6A can behave in an unstable manner, and here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

• 🔒 Phone requires Mi Account after reset: If you don't remember your account details, try to reset your password on account.xiaomi.com. If you bought your phone with your hands, contact the seller.
• 📵 No network after reset: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point settings (APN) tune in APN manually (options can be taken on the website of your operator).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge after reset: This is normal in the first 2-3 days: the system indexes files and optimizes applications. If the problem persists, calibrate the battery (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 📱 Apps are constantly dyed: Chances are you have recovered data from a backup made on another version MIUI. Solution: Reset your phone again and set it up as a new device.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting in Settings → The phone displays an incorrect model (e.g. Redmi). 4A instead of Mi 6A) — This is a sign that an informal firmware has been installed, in which case it is recommended to reflash the device with the official ROM via Mi Flash Tool.

6.How to recover data after reset

If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are.

• 📁 Photo and video recovery: Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (root access required). Connect your phone to your PC in mode MTP And you scan the internal memory, and success depends on whether the data was overwritten after the reset.
• 📞 Contact Recovery: If contacts have been synced with a Google Account, they will be restored automatically when you re-sign in. To sync with Mi Account, go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.
• 💬 Message Recovery: Return without backup SMS If you've previously been able to sync with Mi Cloud, check the message archive at i.mi.com.

There’s a caveat to the Mi 6A: if you’ve used Xiaomi’s Notepad or Records feature, this data may have been stored in the cloud. Check it out in the web version of Mi Cloud at i.mi.com (Notes section).

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The only reliable way to save data is to back up before the reset, and recovery programs only work if the new data hasn't overwritten the old data after the reset.

7. Alternatives to resetting: when can you do without it

Reset is a last resort, and in most cases, the Mi 6A's problems can be solved with less radical methods.

• 🐢 Phone brakes: Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Cache data. Turn off animation in Settings. → Additionally. → For developers → The scale of animation (off).
• 🔄 Apps are constantly updated: Turn off auto-update in Google Play: open the app, click on profile avatar → Settings → Auto-update of applications → Never.
• 📶 Poorly catching network: Reset network settings in Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings. Switch to mode Only 3G (sometimes 4G on Mi 6A floundering).
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly: Activate Power Saving Mode in Settings → Battery and productivity → Power saving mode: Turn off background activity for unnecessary applications.

If the virus is the problem, install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light and scan the device. The Mi 6A is vulnerable to MediaTek chips (although Snapdragon is here), but sometimes malware penetrates through third-party APKs.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi Mi 6A