Hard Resets on Xiaomi: 3 Ways to Reset to Factory Settings

Hard reset on Xiaomi smartphones is a radical solution to performance problems, viruses, or system bugs. But not everyone knows that there are several ways to do this: through the settings menu, Recovery mode, or even using Fastboot. Each method has its own nuances and suits different situations, from a hanging phone to preparing for sale.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current methods of hard reset on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including models with MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. You will learn how to save important data before reset, what to do if the phone does not turn on, and how to avoid common errors.

What is Hard Reset and When You Need It

Hard reset is a complete factory reset, removing all user data, apps and settings, and unlike soft reset, it touches system files and returns the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. At Xiaomi, this procedure can be done in three main ways:

• 📱 The settings menu is the easiest method if the phone is stable.
• 🔧 Through Recovery Mode - a universal method that works even when the system freezes.
• ⚡ Fastboot is an advanced method for power users when other methods are not available.

The main reasons for hard reset:

• 🐢 Strong slowing of the device after long-term use.
• 🦠 Virus infection or suspicious system behavior (spontaneous reboots, advertising).
• 🔄 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another user.
• 🔓 Delete the password/pattern lock (if you forgot the unlock data).
• 🛠️ Fixing errors after a failed firmware update.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi devices with Mi Account tied may require login and password from your account after a hard reset. If you forget the data, restore it before reset via the official account.xiaomi.com website.

Preparation for reset: what to do before hard reset

Before performing the reset, be sure to follow several steps to avoid losing important data:

1. Create a backup copy: 📁 Use the built-in Settings function → The phone. → Backup. ☁️ Sync contacts, photos and notes with Mi Cloud or Google Account. 💾 Copy files to your computer through USB-cable (enable File Transfer Mode).

Remember your account details.

Make sure to remember the username and password from Mi Account, Google and other associated services.

Check the battery charge

The charge level must be at least 50% to avoid turning off the device during the procedure.

If you are performing a reset to eliminate errors, check in advance:

• 📶 A stable Internet connection (to download updates after reset).
• 🔌 Cable and charger fault (if you plan to use Fastboot).
• 📋 Firmware version (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI) — This will help you choose the right method of resetting.

💡

If you reset your phone before selling, remember to log out of all accounts (Settings → Accounts) and turn off Find Your Device in Mi Cloud.

Method 1: Hard Resets via the settings menu (for a working phone)

This is the easiest and safest method if your Xiaomi is switched on and responsive to commands.Suitable for most models including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others with MIUI 12-15 or HyperOS.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI - Additional).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Reset settings (may be called Erase All Data).
5. If necessary, enter a password/pattern lock.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset (some models will need to enter) PIN-code SIM-map).

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2 With Android One, the path to reset is different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset settings. Also, after a reset, these devices may require data input from the last synchronized Google account (FRP-defence).

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to clicks or is locked with a password, use Recovery mode.This method works on all Xiaomi devices, including old models (Redmi 4X, Mi 5) and new ones (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6).

Instructions for entering Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 On some devices (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro) – Power + Loudness up + Loudness down.

Mi

Recovery

Further action in Recovery:

1. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to confirm your choice.
2. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or similar).
4. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe successful).
5. Select Reboot → Reboot to System to reboot.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

Method 3: Hard Resets via Fastboot (for power users)

This method requires a computer and command line knowledge, but it is the only one that works if:

• 🔄 Recovery is damaged or not opened.
• 🔒 Phone locked off Mi Account after reset.
• 📱 You need to flash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Fastboot utility (part of Android) SDK Or Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (new Xiaomi models may require official unlock via unlock.miui.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Power + Volume button down before the screensaver with a rabbit in the hat appears (Fastboot Mode).
2. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is identified, you will see its serial number.
4. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

For a complete reset (including system partitions), use:

fastboot erase system


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot erase system commands will remove firmware and the phone won't turn on without re-installation MIUI Use this method only if you are confident in your actions or plan to immediately flash the device.

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Reset via Fastboot does not bypass the lock Mi Account! if the phone was tied to the account, after the reboot will require login and password.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When performing a hard reset, users often face some common problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:

If after resetting the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo:

1. Wait 10-15 minutes – the first download after a reset can take a long time.
2. Try to go to Recovery and do Wipe Cache.
3. If nothing helps, run your device through Fastboot using the official firmware from MIUI Downloads.

How to recover data after a hard reset

If you didn't back up before the reset, the chances of recovering your data depend on whether you wrote new files after the reset.

• 📁 Recovery from memory card: If files were stored on SD-You can take the card out and plug it into your computer through a card reader, and use programs like Recuva or PhotoRec to scan it.
• ☁️ Cloud Storage Verification: Automatic synchronization may have saved some of the data to Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or Yandex.Disk.
• 💻 Specialized utilities: You can use Dr.Fone, EaseUS MobiSaver or to recover from internal memory (if there was no data overwriting) 7-Data Recovery. Keep in mind that the odds of success are low, about 20-30%.

Important: Do not write new files to your phone after a reset if you plan to recover data! Each new record reduces the chances of a successful recovery.

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If you’ve used the Find Device feature in Mi Cloud, check your location history – it may have the latest data about your phone stored there before the reset.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions