Resetting Xiaomi to Factory Settings Without Losing Data: The Complete 2026 Guide

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that often puts users at risk of losing important data, but with the right approach, you can return the device to its original state without losing photos, contacts and apps. This article will help you understand how to safely perform a reset on any Xiaomi device (from Redmi Note). 12 Xiaomi 14 Ultra) operating on MIUI 14/15 or a new HyperOS.

The biggest mistake most users make is ignoring backup before resetting, and we're going to show you more than just the standard ways through Settings. → Additionally. → Recovery and reset, but also alternative methods using Mi Cloud, Google Account and even physical copying on a PC. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for devices with unlocked bootloader - here the algorithm of actions differs from the standard one.

In the article you will find:

• 🔄 Step-by-step instructions for resetting with data saving on different versions MIUI/HyperOS
• 📱 Backup methods comparison: which is better – Mi Cloud, Google or local storage
• ⚠️ Critical errors that lead to permanent data loss (and how to avoid them)
• 🔧 Recovery methods after reset: from contacts to Wi-Fi settings

Why Factory Resets Don’t Always Mean Data Loss

Many users mistakenly believe that Hard Reset is the verdict for all files on the device, and in fact, modern Xiaomi smartphones offer several data protection mechanisms:

1. Automatic backup in Mi Cloud – enabled by default by binding Mi Account and saves contacts, SMS, Notes, system settings, and even some application data.
2. Synchronizes with Google – duplicates contacts, calendars, mail and some settings on Google servers.
3. Local backups – created manually through Settings → The phone. → Backup and stored in internal memory or on SD-map.

Key point: Reset only erases user data in sections /data and /cache, but not:

• 📁 Files on the internal drive (photos, videos, music) if they are not stored in folders of applications such as Android/data
• 💾 Data on SD-card (unless it is formatted as internal memory)
• ☁️ Cloud Copies in Mi Cloud or Google Drive

There are exceptions, however: For example, on HyperOS devices (starting with Xiaomi 14), the reset algorithm has changed, so that the system can choose which data to save before being cleaned, which simplifies the process but requires careful choice of options.

💡

Before reset, check if sync is enabled in Mi Cloud: go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync and make sure all the necessary items are active.

Preparation for resetting: full backup instructions

To ensure that you don't lose data, you need to do a multi-level backup, and we recommend using a combination of three methods:

Pay special attention to the local backup, which, unlike cloud services, saves:

• 📲 Installed applications together with their data (for example, saves in games, settings messengers)
• 📡 Passwords from Wi-Fi networks
• 🎨 Desktop wallpaper and design themes

To create a local backup:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
2. Press Local Backup.
3. Select items to save (we recommend marking all ticks).
4. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.

Create a backup in Mi Cloud|Check sync with Google|Make local backups|Copy important files on the PC|Record passwords from accounts (if not saved in the manager)-->

For HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Selective backup is available, and it allows you to save only the right categories of data, saving time and space:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Selective Backup.
3. Check only the items you want to keep (for example, only Contacts and SMS).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi device was purchased in China (the domestic version), the backup function in Mi Cloud may be limited.In this case, use Google Account or manual copying on your PC.

Step-by-step reset to factory settings without data loss

Once all the backups are in place, you can start resetting, and we'll look at two main methods: through the settings menu and through Recovery mode, the first one is suitable for most situations, the second one is if the phone is getting stuck or not responding to commands.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (recommended)

This method is the most secure and suitable for devices on the MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings.
2. Go to About Phone (HyperOS – About Device)
3. Select Backup and Reset (or Reset on older versions) MIUI).
4. Press Resetting.
5. The system will tell you what data to save. HyperOS has options available: 📱 Save files in internal memory (photos, videos, documents) ☁️ Save Mi Cloud data (if synchronization is enabled) 🔄 Full reset (removes everything)

Choose the right option (we recommend the first or second).

Mi

Erase everything

It takes 5-15 minutes, and after the restart, you'll be asked to restore the data from the backup.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔄 The phone is not switched on or constantly restarted.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or password
• 📱 You need to reset the device without logging in.

Instructions for Xiaomi with MIUI/HyperOS:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Power and Volume up at the same time (on some models – Volume up). + Loudness down + Nutrition).
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in English).
6. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
7. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: Recovery Mode resets all data without option. If you haven't backed up in advance, it won't be possible to recover information.

Recovery of data after reset: a step-by-step guide

After a successful reset, you'll be asked to set your phone up as new or to restore data from a backup. Let's look at both.

Option 1: Recovery from Mi Cloud

The fastest way to get your contacts back, SMS and settings:

1. When you first turn on after reset, select the language and region.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. On the Data Recovery screen, select Restore from Mi Cloud.
4. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account.
5. Select the last backup from the list.
6. Check the data for recovery (contacts, SMS, notes, etc.).
7. Click Restore and wait until it is completed.

The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data and the speed of the internet.

Option 2: Recovery from local backup

If you have created a local backup, do the following:

1. After reset, go through the initial setting to the screen Ready.
2. Open Settings → About the phone → Backup.
3. Select Local Backup.
4. Click on the last backup on the list.
5. Select data for recovery (applications, SMS, settings, etc.).
6. Confirm recovery.

Important: Local backup restores applications with their data, but not system settings (for example, Wi-Fi passwords will have to be re-entered).

Option 3: Manual file recovery from PC

If you have copied files to your computer, simply:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB in File Transfer mode.
2. Copy the saved folders (DCIM, Downloads, Music, etc., back to internal memory.
3. For photos and videos, use the folder. DCIM/Camera — That's how they'll be displayed in the gallery.

To restore contacts from the.vcf file:

1. Copy the file onto your phone.
2. Open the Contacts app.
3. Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Imports/Exports → Import from the file.
4. Select the copied.vcf file.

💡

If some apps don’t work properly after recovery, remove and reinstall them from Google Play, because when you restore them from the backup, your application system libraries may not be updated.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with careful preparation, users often face problems, and we've collected the most common errors and ways to solve them.

Pay special attention to the error with FRP-It's a blockage. It happens when you have a blockage:

• 🔒 You reset your phone through Recovery Mode without deleting your Google account
• 📱 The device was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie his account.
• 🔄 You updated the firmware and then reset it.

To avoid FRP-lock-in:

• 📌 Before reset, delete all Google accounts in Settings → Accounts.
• 🔑 Remember the password from the last account you have linked.
• 🛠️ If you buy a used phone, demand a reset from the seller through the settings with the deletion of all accounts.

Reset on devices with unlocked bootloader: nuances

If you unlocked the bootloader on your Xiaomi (for example, to install custom firmware), the reset process has features. The main problem is that after resetting through a standard menu, the device can:

• 🔄 Block the bootloader again (on some models)
• 📱 Stop loading (if an unofficial firmware is installed)
• 🔒 Require re-unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool

To safely reset the device with the unlocked bootloader:

1. Create a full backup through TWRP Recovery (if installed):
2. If you use custom firmware, go back to the official one via Fastboot:
3. Perform the reset through TWRP (Not through standard recovery!):
4. After reset, recover data from the backup TWRP.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with HyperOS and unlocked bootloader, a reset via the standard menu can result in loss IMEI. This will make the phone unusable for calls. To avoid the problem, save the nvram and nvdata partition before resetting. TWRP or MTK Client (for MediaTek processors).

For owners. POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T and other models with HyperOS and unlocked bootloader recommended:

• 📥 Always have the official firmware for your model on hand (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Use OrangeFox Recovery instead of using it TWRP — It is better compatible with HyperOS.
• 📡 Before reset, check the integrity of the sections by the team:

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions