Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via buttons: the full guide

Why is resetting through buttons the only way out?

Xiaomi's smartphone is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touch, or requires a password you've forgotten? In these cases, hard reset through physical buttons becomes the only way to bring the device back to life.

The screen is completely black or does not respond to touch.

The system is cyclically restarted (bootloop).

— forgotten pattern lock, PIN-Mi Account Code or Password;

After a failed firmware update, the phone turned into a brick.

Unlike resetting via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset, the hardware method does not require access to the system interface. However, it has its own risks and nuances that are important to know in advance. For example, some Xiaomi and Redmi models may require data entry from Mi Account after a reset if the account binding was previously activated. It is also worth remembering that all data on the device will be irretrievably deleted, including photos, contacts and installed applications.

Before proceeding, make sure that:

• 🔋 The battery level is not lower than 30% (otherwise the device can turn off during the process).
• 📱 You have a charger on hand in case the reset is delayed.
• 🔐 You remember the username and password from Mi Account if it was tied to the phone.
• 💾 Important data is stored on another device (if the phone reacts in any way).

Which Xiaomi models support resetting via buttons?

Almost all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones allow you to reset through hardware buttons, but key combinations and the sequence of actions may differ depending on:

Processor generations (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon and MediaTek Helio devices use different recovery modes)

firmware versions (older versions of MIUI may not have a GUI in recovery);

- the presence of custom recovery (for example, TWRP instead of the standard Mi Recovery).

If your model is not listed in the table, don’t worry: most Xiaomi devices use the universal combination Power + Volume up.The exception is some budget models on MediaTek, where you may need to hold the Volume Down button additionally to log into Fastboot.

Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi through the buttons

Now, to the process itself, follow the instructions carefully to avoid errors, and take the most common example: resetting through a standard Mi Recovery on Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO devices with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

Step 1. Turn off the phone.

If the device is getting stuck and unresponsive, hold the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. If the phone is off but does not respond to on, plug it into charging for 5-10 minutes, then try again.

Step 2 Entering Recovery Mode

Hold and hold the button combination:

Power button + Volume button up

Hold them until the Mi logo or recovery menu appears (usually 5-15 seconds). On some models (such as the Redmi 4X), you may need to first pinch the Volume up, and then press Power without letting it go.

Step 3: Navigation in the Recovery menu

In standard Mi Recovery, the volume buttons are controlled:

Volume up – moving up the menu;

Loudness downwards – moving downwards;

- Meals are a choice of item.

If the screen displays Android Robot with a red exclamation point (like on Android One), press Power + Volume up for 1-2 seconds to open the menu.

Make sure your phone is 30%+ charged

Prepare a username / password from Mi Account (if tied)

Disconnect the phone from all cables (except charging if necessary)

Remember the button combination for your model-->

Step 4: Selection of a discharge point

In the recovery menu, look for Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset (in Chinese firmware can be called ). On some devices (for example, POCO X3), this item is hidden behind the additional Advanced menu.

Step 5: Confirmation of discharge

Once you have selected Wipe Data, the system will ask for confirmation. Choose Yes or Confirm (Chinese firmware — ) The process can take from 1 to 10 minutes depending on the model and the amount of memory.

Step 6: Reboot

Once the reset is complete, select Reboot or Reboot to System. The first download after the reset can take up to 5-7 minutes - that's fine.

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If after reset, the phone requires data entry from Mi Account, and you do not remember them, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, you may need to contact the service center to unlock through EDL (for an additional fee).

What if the reset didn't help?

V 10-15% In cases of hardware reset, it doesn't solve the problem:

• 🔧 Firmware damaged – if the reset was caused by a failed update, you may need to flash it over Fastboot or EDL.
• 🔒 Mi Account protection is activated – if the phone was tied to the account, after reset, you will need to enter a login and password.
• 📱 Installed custom Recovery - if the device is TWRP, Resetting through standard recovery may not work.

If after resetting the phone:

- hover on the Mi logo → try to re-enter recovery and choose Wipe Cache;

- requires a password from Mi Account → restore access to the account or contact the service;

- does not turn on at all → connect to charging for 30 minutes, then repeat the reset;

- Issues a No command error → try another button combination (e.g. Power + Volume down to log in to Fastboot).

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If the recovery reset didn't work, the next step is to run the firmware through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool, USB-cable and official firmware for your model.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make critical reset errors that can make the problem worse, and the most common are:

⚠️ Warning: Never remove the battery or turn off power during a reset. On non-removable battery devices (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) 9) This can cause damage to the section. EFS, stored IMEI And the serial numbers, the restoration will cost you 30-50% phone-price.

Mistake 1: The wrong combination of buttons

For example, on Redmi 5 Plus, holding Power + Volume down leads to Fastboot, not recovery. Always check the combination for your model (see table above).

Mistake 2: Interrupting the process

If the reset is longer than 5 minutes, don't panic. On devices with a large storage capacity (128/256 GB), it can take up to 10-15 minutes to clean up the data, and interruption will damage the file system.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Mi Account

If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account, you will need to enter your login and password after the reset. Without them, the device will remain locked. Check the binding in advance in the Settings menu → Xiaomi Account.

Error 4: Reset on an uncharged phone

If the charge level is below 10%, the device may shut down in the process, causing damage to the boot partition. Always charge the phone before resetting.

Alternative Reset Methods If the Buttons Don't Work

If the hardware buttons are damaged or unresponsive, there are several alternative ways to reset:

• 🔌 Through ADB (if debugging is on USB) — Connect your phone to your PC and do Adb shell recovery. --wipe_data

For PC-based methods, you will need:

Xiaomi USB Drivers;

Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot Tools

- the official firmware for your model (you can download it on the website en.miui.com).

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or tools to unlock the bootloader (e.g., XiaomiTool) can result in a 72-hour lock on your Mi Account or a permanent block. IMEI. Always use official software.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions