How to Reset Xiaomi to Factory Settings via Fastboot: The Complete Guide

Why You Need to Reset via Fastboot and When to Use It

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings via Fastboot mode is a radical but effective way to bring the device back to work when standard methods are not available through the settings menu, an approach that is relevant in several critical scenarios: if the phone is getting stuck on the MIUI logo, does not respond to touches after a failed update, or when you forget the pattern lock and your Mi Account is not tied.

Unlike Recovery resets, Fastboot works at a lower level, which interacts directly with the bootloader of the device, which means that you can restore functionality even if the operating system is damaged or missing. However, there is a caveat: some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5) require pre-unlocking the bootloader, otherwise the reset command simply will not be executed.

It is important to understand that Fastboot reset is not a magic pill; it deletes all data (including files on internal memory), but does not solve hardware problems (for example, a malfunction of flash memory or damage to the eMMC connector). If the phone does not even turn on in Fastboot mode, the problem is likely in hardware and needs repair.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the start

Before you go into action, make sure all the preliminary steps are followed.Neglecting preparation can lead to a device blink (completely inoperable) or loss of important data.

Here is the minimum set of tools and conditions:

• 🔌 Battery charge at least 50%. If the phone runs out during the process, there is a high risk of damage to the firmware. Connect the original Xiaomi charger - cheap cables may not provide stable power supply.
• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 Or macOS. Linux may have driver problems. ADB/Fastboot, If you are not an experienced user.
• 🔗 USB-Charging-only cables are not suitable. Optimal use of the original cable from the kit.
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB You can download them from the official website of Android Developers or use the Mi Flash Tool (for Windows).
• 📱 Backup data. Reset will delete everything, including photos, contacts and messages. If the phone still turns on, copy the files to your PC or to the cloud.

Pay special attention to drivers. Windows often has trouble identifying a device in Fastboot mode. If an unknown device with an exclamation mark is displayed in Device Manager after you connect, install the Mi USB Driver driver manually.

1. Download the archive with drivers from the official Xiaomi website.
2. Open Device Manager, find an unknown device.
3. Select “Update driver” → “Research drivers on this computer” → specify the path to the unpacked folder.

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (the domestic version), a Fastboot reset may result in a lock due to Xiaomi's region-specific policy.

Make a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone to at least 50%|Download ADB and Fastboot|Install drivers for Xiaomi|Prepare original USB-cable-->

How to enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi

Putting your smartphone into Fastboot mode is the first and most critical step. If the device is not recognized by the computer at this stage, then there are no further steps. There are three ways to log into Fastboot, depending on the condition of the phone:

Method 1: Through a button combination (if the phone is switched off or got stuck)

This is a universal method for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press and hold the Volume Down button.
3. Without letting go, connect the phone to the computer through USB-cable.
4. Hold the button until the Fastboot logo (the open-body Android robot) appears on the screen.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the phone is switched on)

If the smartphone is working, but you want to reset it via Fastboot for the “purity” of the process:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap it 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb reboot bootloader

Method 3: Through the Mi Flash Tool (for locked bootloaders)

If the bootloader is locked (for example, on the new Xiaomi 13 or POCO X5 Pro models), a standard reset may not work.

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Install the program and run it on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (via a button combination).
4. In the program, press Refresh - if the device is determined, you can start resetting.

If none of these methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB (Try another cable or port on your PC).
• 🖥️ Drivers (there should be no unknown devices in Device Manager).
• 🔋 Charge level (if the battery is discharged below 20%, Fastboot mode may not start).

Step-by-step: reset Xiaomi via Fastboot

Once the phone is successfully converted to Fastboot mode and recognized by the computer, you can start resetting. The whole process takes no more than 5-10 minutes, but requires accurate execution of commands.

Step 1: Checking the device connection

Open the command line (cmd) or terminal (on macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is identified, you'll see its serial number. If it's not, check the drivers and the cable.

Step 2: Unlock the bootloader (if necessary)

For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), you first need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.
4. After successful unlocking (it can take up to 72 hours!) move on to reset.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the device, including IMEI settings of the module NFC (On some models, for example, POCO F4 GT) After unlocking, you may need to re-activate Widevine L1 viewable HD-content.

Step 3: Performing the discharge

To reset to factory settings, use the command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Explanation to the teams:

• erase userdata – deletes all user data (photos, apps, settings).
• erase cache – clears the cache of the system (optional, but recommended).
• Reboot – Reboots the device.

If the phone is stuck on the logo again after the reboot, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to reflash it through the Mi Flash Tool (more about this in the next section).

💡

If after a reset, the phone asks you to enter your Mi Account details, which you do not remember, try bypassing the lock via fastboot erase frp. This command does not work on all models, but can help on devices until 2021 release.

What to do if the reset did not help: flashing through Fastboot

If the phone still doesn’t turn on or is unstable after reset, the cause may be in the damaged firmware, in which case a complete firmware reflash through Fastboot using official Xiaomi software will help.

Step 1: Downloading the firmware

Official firmware for Xiaomi is available on the following websites:

• 🌐 Official website MIUI (Choose the Fastboot version for your model).
• 🔗 Xiaomi Firmware Updater (alternative source with archive of old versions).

It is important to download the firmware for your model! For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito).

fastboot getvar product

Step 2: Firmware with the Mi Flash Tool

Instructions for Windows:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Open the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
5. At the bottom of the program, select firmware mode: Clean all — complete cleaning (recommended for serious failures); Clean all and lock — cleaning + lock bootloader (only if you sell a phone); Save user data — firmware without data loss (does not always work).

Flash

If the process ends with an error, check:

• 📁 Integrity of firmware (re-download the archive).
• 🔌 Stability USB-connections (poor cables may interrupt data transmission).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (new models require the latest version).

💡

If the phone does not turn on after flashing more than 10 minutes, do not panic - the first turn on after full firmware can take up to 20 minutes.

Data recovery after resetting

Fastboot resets all data without the standard means of recovery, but if you backed up in advance, you can get some backup. Here's what you can recover and how:

Contacts and communications

If you have synced with your Google or Mi Account account:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts and add your Google account.
• 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts, calendar and mail.
• 💬 For messages, use applications like SMS Backup & Restore (if backup was made in advance).

2.Photo and video

If the files are stored on internal memory and not copied:

• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and check the folder DCIM Pictures (sometimes files are left behind after resetting).
• 🔍 Use data recovery software such as DiskDigger or Recuva (effectiveness depends on whether the data has been overwritten).
• ☁️ Check out cloud storage: Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex Drive.

3. Applications and settings

To restore applications:

• 📥 Go to Google Play. → Library → Installed – here will be a list of previously installed programs.
• ⚙️ Settings MIUI (Wallpaper, sounds, gestures can not be restored - they will have to be adjusted again.

⚠️ Please note: if you have used TWRP If you want to create a backup, you can only restore it if the bootloader is unlocked, otherwise you'll have to stitch the stock firmware back up again.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common problems and how to fix them.

1.The phone is not identified in Fastboot

If the fastboot device command does not show your device:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🖥️ Disable the antivirus – it can block drivers ADB.
• 🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 📱 Check if the charging indicator is on when connected - if not, the problem is in the phone's cable or port.

2. "Waiting for any device" error

This error means that Fastboot can't see the connected device.

• 🔄 Restart your computer and phone.
• 🛠️ Update the Mi Flash Tool to the latest version.
• 📋 Check that there are no unknown devices with an exclamation mark in Device Manager.

3.After reset, the phone asks for an old Mi Account

This is FRP-blocking (Factory Reset Protection) to get around it:

• 🔑 If you remember the username/password from Mi Account, enter them.
• 📧 If you don’t remember, try to restore access via email or a linked phone number.
• 🛠️ For older models (until 2020) can work team: fastboot erase frp On new devices this method does not work – will require official unlocking through the service center.

4.The phone is stuck on the MI logo after firmware

Possible causes and solutions:

• 📦 Wrong firmware – download the version specifically for your model (check the code name through fastboot getvar product).
• 🔄 Damaged sections – Sweep through the full firmware with the Clean all tick.
• 🔋 Battery is dead – plug the charger and wait 10-15 minutes, then repeat the firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions