Resetting Xiaomi’s phone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step. You can lose all data, but you can give the device a second life: eliminate freezes, viruses or the consequences of a failed update. In this article, three proven reset methods for all models, from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, including devices on the new HyperOS.
We'll figure out how to reset through Settings, Recovery Mode, and Fastboot for cases where the phone isn't turning on. Separately, we'll highlight the key differences that many users miss about MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, and if you're afraid of losing data, there's a section at the end of this article on how to recover it after reset.
When do I need to reset to factory settings?
Reset is not a panacea, but it solves most of the problems associated with the software part of the smartphone.-5 Reasons for When to Respond to It:
- 🐢 The phone brakes or overheats for no apparent reason (even after cleaning the cache).
- 🦠 Suspicion of viruses or malware that is not removed by antivirus.
- 🔄 After updating MIUI/HyperOS Glitches (for example, gestures or camera do not work).
- 🔒 Forgot your graphical key or password, and Find My Device doesn’t help.
- 📦 Prepare your phone for sale and want to delete all personal data.
However, resetting won’t help if the problem is a hardware problem: a broken screen, a faulty battery or a damaged motherboard.
⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery can result in a brick. Before the procedure, check the bootloader status in Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times on the line "Core»).
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)
This method is suitable if the phone turns on and you remember the password. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS (on the new Xiaomi 13T/14) models.
Steps:
- Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
- Go to About Phone (in HyperOS – About Device).
- Slip on Backup and Reset (or Reset in HyperOS).
- Select Resetting → Erase all data.
- Enter a password (if requested) and confirm the action.
The phone will reboot and start cleaning up, and it will take 5 to 15 minutes -- don't interrupt it, even if the screen goes out for a long time.
Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username and password from the Mi Account|Connect the phone to charge (minimum 50%)|Make sure that SIM-The card is removed (if you plan to sell it)
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Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If your smartphone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo, does not respond to touches, or you have forgotten your password, use Recovery mode, which works on all models, including the POCO F5, Redmi A2 and Mi 11 Lite.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
- Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (until 2019): Volume up + Volume down + Power.
Mi
Recovery
Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
Wipe Data
Wipe All Data
Confirm
Reboot
Reboot to System
If the menu is in Chinese, look for the location of items (usually Wipe Data is the third on top). On new HyperOS devices, the Recovery interface may be different — look for Factory Reset.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)
This method requires a computer and an unlocked bootloader. It is suitable if:
- 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
- 📱 The phone does not respond to buttons (for example, after a failed firmware).
- 🔓 Reset the device with the screen locked, but Find My Device is disabled.
You'll need:
- A computer with Windows or Linux.
- USB Type C C Cable (original, undamaged)
- Mi Flash Tool (download from the official Xiaomi website)
- Firmware for your model (for example, fastboot-rom for Redmi Note 11).
Step-by-step:
1. Turn off the phone.
2.Put Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware.
5. Press Refresh → Flash (select Clean All for a full reset).
6 Wait until 10-20 minutes ). The phone will reboot automatically.⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware via Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick. Make sure the firmware version matches the device model (check on the sticker under the lid or in the documents). For example, firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito).
Xiaomi HyperOS Reset: What Has Changed?
The new HyperOS shell, which debuted on Xiaomi 14 and Redmi K70, made changes to the reset process.
| Parameter | MIUI 14 | HyperOS |
|---|---|---|
| The path to reset in settings | Settings → About the phone → Backup and reset | Settings → About the device → Resetting settings |
| Time to reset | 5-10 minutes | 3-7 minutes (process optimized) |
| Requirements for Mi Account | Required binding to unlock after reset | You can skip the tether if the phone has not been locked. |
| Recovery Mode | Classic menu in English/Chinese | New interface with gesture support (on some models) |
HyperOS also has Light Reset, which only deletes user data while saving system settings, which is convenient if you need to quickly clean your phone before transferring it to another person.
💡
On HyperOS devices, you may need to reset Google Services after the reset. If apps from the Play Market don't work, go to Settings → Apps → Google Play Services and update them manually.
How to recover data after resetting?
If you have not made a backup, the chances of returning the data depend on how the reset was performed:
- 🔄 Settings: Data is deleted software – it can be restored using DiskDigger, EaseUS MobiSaver or Dr.Fone (if no memory overwrite was made).
- 🛠️ Through Recovery/Fastboot: Data erased at low level - recovery is unlikely (exception: if the reset is interrupted at half-time).
For recovery:
- Install one of the listed programs on your PC.
- Connect the phone in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
- Select the type of files to scan (photos, messages, contacts).
- Wait until the process is completed (may take a few hours).
If you used a Mi Cloud account, check the backups in the web version (i.mi.com).
- 📇 Contacts and notes.
- 📸 Photo (if synchronization was enabled).
- 📅 Calendar and records.
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Even if the reset is done via Fastboot, the files on the SD-The card (if inserted) remains intact. Check the memory card on another device before attempting to recover.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Error 1: “I can’t reset” on the menu.
Solution: Check if there is enough memory (needs at least 500MB).If the error persists, try resetting through Recovery.
Error 2: The phone is stuck on the logo after the reset.
Solution: This could mean firmware damage.
- 🔌 Connect to charging for 1 hour (sometimes helps with battery discharge).
- 🔄 Repeat reset via Recovery.
- 📥 Fastboot phone search (Those 3).
Error 3: Requires a password from your Mi Account after resetting.
Solution: If you forget your account details, restore them to account.xiaomi.com. If the account is not yours (phone purchased with hands), contact the previous owner to unbundle.
⚠️ Warning: HyperOS devices may experience a "This device is locked" error after a reset, even if the Mi Account was not previously linked.