How to Reset Xiaomi to Factory Data Saving Settings: The Complete Guide

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a standard procedure that users follow when selling a device, fixing software failures or preparing for a software update. However, the classic hard reset completely erases all data: photos, contacts, messages and applications. What to do if you want to return the phone to its original state, but save personal information? In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of resetting Xiaomi with data preservation, including hidden MIUI functions, backup and alternative methods.

It's important to understand that the term "save reset" is often misleading. In reality, MIUI doesn't support direct resets without deleting user files - it's a limitation of the Android architecture. But there are workarounds, from backing up to selectively resetting individual parameters. We tested all methods on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and POCO F5 models with the latest versions of MIUI (14-15) to provide the latest instructions.

If your goal is simply to clean up the system of garbage or fix the lags, perhaps a partial reset (for example, only network settings or applications) is enough to sell the device, it is better to use a full reset with a pre-backup. Next, we will discuss each scenario in detail.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

Before you start resetting, make sure that critical steps are followed. Even if you plan to save data, unforeseen failures can lead to its loss.

Sync Xiaomi account with the cloud|Check the free space on the device (minimum 2 GB)|Record the username and password from Mi Account|Disable two-factor authentication (if used)|Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%-->

Pay special attention to sync with Mi Cloud. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud and check if backup is enabled for:

• 📱 Contacts (synchronized with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 📷 Photo and video (autoboot in Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos)
• 📝 Notes and records (Notes or Google Keep app)
• 🎵 Music and documents (manual upload to the cloud)

If you use Google services, check your settings in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync. Contacts, Calendar and Application Data should be active here. On devices with MIUI 14+, when reset via Recovery, Google synchronized data is automatically restored after re-entering the account.

⚠️ Note: If the device protection function is enabled on the phone (in Settings) → Passwords and security, after reset, you will need to enter the password from the last Xiaomi account!

Method 1: Partially reset settings (without deleting files)

If your goal is to fix software errors or return default system settings without losing personal data, use selective reset, which does not affect user files, but returns to factory parameters:

• 📶 Network settings (Wi-Fi, mobile Internet, Bluetooth)
• 🔊 Sound profiles and notifications
• 🎨 Theme and wallpaper
• ⚙️ Application settings (except their data)

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and go to Additional → For developers.
4. Find the Reset option (or Reset default settings) and select it.
5. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (takes 2-5 minutes).

This method works on all devices with MIUI 12-15, including Redmi, POCO and Xiaomi.

• 🚫 You need to remove viruses or malware (total reset is required).
• 🚫 The system is severely inhibited due to a crowded cache (you need to clean manually).
• 🚫 Planning to sell the phone (total wipe).

💡

If after a partial reset the sound is lost or the mobile network does not work, check the settings in Settings. → SIM-Maps and mobile networks – may have reset parameters APN.

Method 2: Complete reset with pre-backup in Mi Cloud

This is the most reliable way to save data when you reset, and the bottom line is that you back up in the Xiaomi cloud, do a full reset, and then restore the information to a clean system.

• 📲 Preparing the phone for sale (with subsequent restoration on a new device).
• 🔄 Removing critical errors MIUI.
• 🆕 Updates to the firmware with clean installation.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
2. Click Backup manually and select the data to save: 📱 System settings and applications 📞 Call log and SMS 📷 Photo and video (unless synced separately)

Wait for the backup to complete (time depends on the amount of data).

Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings

Erase all data

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Recovery

⚠️ Warning: Free Mi Cloud account only provides 5GB of space. If the amount of data exceeds this limit, purchase additional space or use Google Drive for backup.

Mi Cloud|Google Drive|Yandex.Disk|Other |Not using cloud-->

Method 3: Local backup on PC

If you don't trust cloud services or you have slow Internet, you can create a backup directly on your computer.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (In Settings → For developers)

Instructions for MIUI 14+:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and select File Transfer mode.
2. Download and install Mi PC Suite (the official utility from Xiaomi).
3. Start the program and wait for the device to connect.
4. Go to the Backup tab and select data to save: Contact Messages Application Call Log (APK only) Multimedia (photo, video, music)
5. Click Backup Now and specify a path to save the file (recommended to C: or D:).
6. After completing the backup, reset through Settings → Reset settings.
7. Connect your phone to your PC again and recover data via the Mi PC Suite.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔒 Data is stored locally (no risk of leakage).
• 🚀 Faster cloud backup (especially for larger volumes).
• 🛠️ Only the necessary files can be selectively restored.

Disadvantages:

• 🖥️ Computer required.
• 🔌 Need a developer rights for a full backup.
• 📁 Not all system settings are restored (for example, network settings).

Method 4: Recovery Reset with Memory Card Data

This is a good way to use microSD slots (e.g., Redmi Note 11 Pro or POCO X4 Pro) and basically, you transfer critical data to a memory card, reset it through Recovery Mode, and then return the files back. Importantly, this method doesn't save application settings and system settings, only user files (photos, videos, documents).

Step-by-step:

1. Insert the memory card into your phone and format it into Settings → Storage → Memory Card → Format as internal (if not already done).
2. Transfer important files to the map: 📷 Photos and Videos: Use the Gallery → Highlight everything → Move it to SD-map. 📄 Documents: through Files → Categories → Documents. 🎵 Music: similarly through the Files app".

Turn off the phone.

Power button + Volume up

Mi

Recovery Mode

Wipe Data

Factory Reset

Once reset, the phone will restart. Return the files from the memory card to internal memory through the Files app.

⚠️ Note: If the memory card was formatted as “portable” rather than “internal”, it will have to be reset in the storage settings after reset. Also note that applications and their data (for example, save in games) will not be saved.

What to do if resetting doesn't help: alternative solutions

Sometimes even after reset, problems remain, and let's look at typical scenarios and their solutions.

If none of these methods worked, the problem may be the hardware (e.g., damaged memory or controller).

1. Check your phone through the Equipment Test (enter ##4636## in the dialer).
2. Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check about the purchase (if the warranty is valid).
3. For self-diagnosis, use PC Mark or AIDA64.

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If the phone after the reset requires a password from a Xiaomi account that you don’t remember, the only official way to unlock is to appeal in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting with data retention