The Xiaomi Mi 6A (codenamed sagit) is one of the most popular smartphones of 2017, but even after a few years of use, it can start to “brake”, emit errors or require a complete reinstallation of the system. Resetting to factory settings helps solve 80% of software problems, from endless reboots to viruses and “hangs” of the interface. However, an incorrect hard reset can turn a phone into a “brick” if you do not take into account the nuances of firmware and locking the bootloader.
In this article, you will find 3 official reset methods (including hidden MIUI features), a table of compatibility with firmware versions, and solutions to common errors like This device is locked or Can't mount /data. We will discuss how to save important data before reset, which settings are restored automatically and which will have to be reset. A separate section is devoted to resetting if the phone does not turn on, does not respond to buttons or is locked with a graphical key.
1.Reset preparation: what to do before cleaning
Even if your Xiaomi Mi 6A is malfunctioning, it is critical to take several steps before resetting, and neglecting them can result in loss of photos, contacts, or even locking your Mi Account.
First, check the status of your Xiaomi account. If you forgot your password or didn’t link your phone to your account, you may need to enter your login/password to unlock after the reset. Make sure you remember the data or untie the device in advance to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Devices.
Backup via Mi Cloud or locally|Sign up for a username/password from Mi Account|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Delete your Google account if you plan to sell your phone|Download the latest firmware version (in case of recovery)-->
Second, backup is not a luxury, it's a necessity. Use the built-in Settings feature → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local backup or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup. Note: MIUI backups don't save:
- 📸 Photos and videos (you need to copy them manually to your PC or cloud)
- 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (only saved if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled)
- 🎮 Game data (most games store progress on servers, but some are locally stored)
- 📱 Lock screen settings (fingerprint, pattern lock)
The third thing is battery power. If the phone runs out during a Recovery reset, there's a high risk of damage to system files. Charge the device to at least 50%, preferably 80%. Also check if the Mi 6A is connected to charging through a non-original cable, which can cause crashes when you reboot.
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If the phone is slow and does not allow you to make a backup, connect it to your PC in MTP mode (file transfer) and manually copy the DCIM, Downloads and Pictures folders to your computer.
2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (soft reset)
The safest and most recommended method is if the phone turns on and reacts to touch, which requires no additional tools and keeps the possibility of rollbacks if something goes wrong.
Instructions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the section Additional → Backup and Reset.
- Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI – Reset all settings).
- The system will ask you to choose what to drop: 📱 All data – complete cleaning (recommended for sale) 🔄 Settings – reset only system parameters (applications and files will remain)
graph-key
Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-7 minutes).
Once reset, the phone will start from the original setup wizard, like after you bought it, and if you've chosen the All Data option, you'll have to reset.
- 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi
- 🔑 Sign in to Xiaomi account (if you were tied in)
- 📱 Restore data from backup (if you did)
Once a year for prevention|Just before the sale.|When it starts to brake|Never dropped it.|Another option-->
An important nuance: if after resetting the phone requires entering the username / password Mi Account, and you do not remember them, you can restore access only through the official website account.xiaomi.com. The use of “bypass” methods (such as firmware via EDL) can lead to blocking IMEI.
3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
This method is needed if:
- 📵 The phone is not turned on or stuck on the logo MI
- 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or password
- 🐢 The system is so slow that it does not respond to touch.
To enter Recovery on Xiaomi Mi 6A:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
- Hold on for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
In the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
- Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete cleanup).
- Confirm the action (Confirm).
- Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.
If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:
- 🧹 — data-cleaning
- 🔄 — restart
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Account blocking warning:
⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled Find Device or linked to a Mi Account with a confirmed phone number, after resetting via Recovery, you will need to enter account data. If you don’t remember the password, restore it to Xiaomi.
Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)
This method is used if:
- 🔧 You need to reflash your phone after a failed update
- 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked (Bootloader)
- 📱 Recovery is damaged or missing
To reset via Fastboot you will need:
- 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable (a faulty cable may interrupt the process!)
- 📄 Firmware for Xiaomi Mi 6A (download from the official website)
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
- Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), continue.
- Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
For full flashing (if the phone doesn’t boot even after resetting), use the command:
fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]Critical warning:
⚠️ Note: If the bootloader is on your Mi 6A It is blocked, the commands fastboot erase or fastboot flash will not work - the phone will give an error device is locked:
- Apply for unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.
- Wait 72-168 hours (wait time depends on Xiaomi policy).
- Connect the phone to Fastboot and unlock.
5.Table: Comparison of reset methods for Xiaomi Mi 6A
| Method | Conditions | Time. | Data retention | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the settings menu | The phone is turned on, reacts to touch. | 3-5 minutes | You can choose a partial reset. | Minimum (only if you forget your Mi Account password) |
| Through Recovery. | The phone is not switched on or locked | 5-10 minutes | Complete cleaning | Blocking your account if you don’t remember the data |
| Through Fastboot. | bootloader unlocked, PC available | 10-20 minutes | Complete cleaning | Possible "brief" when interrupting the process |
| Through the Mi Flash Tool | Critical system errors, need to reflash | 20-30 minutes | Full cleaning + new firmware | High (risk of damage to the EFS section) |
If you're not sure which method to choose, start by resetting through the settings menu. If the phone doesn't respond, go to Recovery. Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool leave it for an emergency or if you plan to reflash the device.
6.Typical errors in resetting and how to correct them
Even when following the instructions, Xiaomi Mi 6A users often face problems, and the most common solutions are:
Error 1: "This device is locked" in Fastboot
- 🔓 Reason: bootloader is blocked.
- 🛠️ Solution: Unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (see section 4).
Mistake 2: phone is stuck on startup MI logo after reset
- 🔄 Cause: System partition or incompatible firmware is damaged.
- 🛠️ Solution: Try to go to Recovery and make Wipe Cache. If it doesn't work, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All option).
Error 3: After reset, requires a password from Mi Account, but it is not
- 🔒 Reason: The phone was linked to an account with a confirmed number.
- 🛠️ Solution: Try to restore your password on account.xiaomi.com. If the recovery does not work, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).Do not use “circumvention” methods - this violates the warranty conditions and can lead to blocking IMEI.
Error 4: Screen touching in Recovery does not work
- 🖱️ Reason: Sensor driver is damaged or the plume is faulty.
- 🛠️ Solution: Use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection. If it doesn't work, connect your phone to your PC and use adb commands to control it.
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If the phone doesn't turn on after reset for more than 15 minutes, DO NOT try to repeat the procedure many times. This can damage the flash memory.
7.What to do after resetting: setup and optimization
After a successful reset, the Xiaomi Mi 6A will launch from the original setup wizard.
Step 1: Skip the unnecessary steps
- 📶 At the Wi-Fi connection stage, you can click Pass if the network is not nearby (but then you will not be able to recover data from the cloud).
- 👤 You can also skip setting up Mi Account, but then contacts and notes will not be synchronized.
Step 2: Recover the data
- 📱 If you have backed up through Mi Cloud, select Restore from the Cloud.
- 💾 For local copy, connect your phone to your PC and copy files manually.
Step 3: Optimize the system
- 🚀 Turn off animation to speed up the interface: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Press 7 times to open Developer Mode, then Settings → Additionally. → For developers → The scale of window animation (off.).
- 🔋 Activate the energy saving mode: Settings → Battery → Energy saving regime.
- 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system for viruses.
Step 4: Update the firmware
- 🔄 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest security patches.
- ⚠️ If the phone offers an update before MIUI 12/13, Note that on the Mi 6A These versions may be slower because of a weak processor. MIUI 10/11.