Factory Reset on Xiaomi: 3 ways to reset to factory settings

Factory reset on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a radical but sometimes necessary solution to fix software failures, prepare a device for sale or delete personal data. The procedure erases all user files, apps and settings, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. However, many users are afraid to perform the reset because of the risk of losing important data or locking the device.

In this article, we’ll break down three official ways to perform hard reset on Xiaomi (including models with MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS), explain how to prepare for the procedure to minimize losses, and reveal nuances that are not written in the standard instructions, such as why IMEI can disappear after a reset via Fastboot or how to restore access to your Mi Account if you forgot your password.

What is a factory reset and when is it needed?

Factory reset is the complete removal of all user data from the internal memory of the smartphone, including:

• 📁 Photos, videos and music in folders DCIM, Downloads, Pictures
• 📱 Installed applications and their cache (including game data)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Google accounts and social media settings
• 📝 SMS, Call log and contacts (if not synced to the cloud)
• 🔧 System settings (wallpaper, sound circuits, gestures)

The procedure does not affect only the firmware and the core of the system, so after resetting the phone will remain on the same version. MIUI/HyperOS, The main reasons for performing hard reset:

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is blocked through Mi Account (Xiaomi account), reset to factory settings will not remove this lock. Unlock will require you to enter the username and password from the associated account. MIUI.

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

Before you perform a factory reset, you need to save all critical data, and even if you plan to reset due to a failure, backup will help you avoid losing contacts, photos or documents.

Sync contacts with Google Account | Copy photos and videos on PC/cloud |Save SMS via the application (e.g. SMS Backup & Restore) |Record your associated accounts (Mi Account, Google, social media) |Check backup in Mi Cloud (if enabled)

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Methods of backup:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Built-in cloud from Xiaomi (available in Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud: 5GB is free, but not all data is synchronized (e.g., Mi Cloud, SMS persist).
• 🖥️ Local copy on PC: Connect the phone to USB file transfer (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads, Documents.
• 🤖 Google Account: Syncs contacts, calendar, some app settings. Check Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization.
• 📱 Third-party applications: For example, Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup to create a full copy of applications and their data.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, you may need to re-unblock after resetting via Fastboot or Recovery.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy, which resets bootloader status when completely reset.

What can't be saved:

• 🎮 Game data (progress, purchases) – if not linked to a Google Play account or social media.
• 📱 Application settings (for example, saved passwords in the browser, chat history in messengers).
• 🔑 Encryption keys (if device encryption was used).

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If you forgot your Mi Account password but remember your email, try to restore access through the official account.xiaomi.com. After resetting your phone, you will need to enter your account details to unlock.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a method that works if you have the phone on and you can go into the settings, and it's the simplest and doesn't require any additional tools, and it's relevant for MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in HyperOS).
3. Select Resetting (in some versions Additional → Resetting).
4. Click Delete all data (or Delete all data).
5. Enter. PIN-code/pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the reset process, which will take 5-10 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO F3) After a reset via the menu, you may need to re-activate Mi Account, even if you haven't locked the device.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy to protect against theft.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Xiaomi’s smartphone doesn’t load (hang on the logo, reboots cyclically or locks), you can reset through Recovery Mode, which works on all models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO X3, Xiaomi 12T and others.

How to get in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Food (hold 10-15 seconds). 🔄 For older devices (until 2018): Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
4. Select Reboot to reboot.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot original USB-Attention: This method can lead to loss of IMEI or lock the loader if it is done incorrectly!

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC (includes fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you want to enter your Mi Account password after a reboot, but you don’t remember it, you can try resetting your account through Xiaomi’s official website, but on new models (released after 2021), this may not work due to increased security.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful factory reset, Xiaomi’s phone will launch in initial setup mode.

1. Language and Region Choice: Specify the right region (e.g., Russia) to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the Internet, you can not log in to Mi Account or download updates.
3. Log in to accounts: 🔑 Mi Account – required if the phone has been tied before. 📧 Google Account – to sync contacts and access the Play Market.

Data recovery:

Mi Cloud

Security setting:

⚠️ Warning: If the phone gives an error "This device is locked" after the reset and asks you to enter the Mi Account password but you don't remember it, don't try random combinations. After 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours. Get support from Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Useful tips after resetting:

• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Dr.Web or Kaspersky) before restoring data from backups.
• 📱 Check the operation of sensors (camera, gyroscope, GPS) — Sometimes calibration is required after resetting.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you do the reset properly, you can have problems.

If none of these methods helped, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a damaged flash memory), in which case it is recommended to contact the Xiaomi service center.

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On newer models (such as the Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12) after a Fastboot reset, it may be necessary to re-unlock the bootloader.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions