Full reboot of the Xiaomi smartphone: 3 ways to reset to factory settings

When you need a full reset Xiaomi and how it differs from a reboot

Many users confuse a normal smartphone reboot with a full factory reset. The first simply turns off and on the device without affecting the data, while the second erases all information - applications, photos, accounts and even system settings, returning Xiaomi to the "out of the box" state.

The main reasons for a full reboot are:

• 🔄 Smartphone brakes, often overheats or spontaneously turns off - a sign of a clogged system.
• 🔓 Forgot the pattern lock or password from MIUI (If the reset through Mi Account is not working).
• 📱 Preparation for sale – deletion of personal data without the possibility of recovery.
• 🐞 Critical errors after firmware updates (e.g., getting stuck on the Mi logo).

Important: Resetting does not delete files from SD-cards (if installed), but erases all internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the gallery (except synced with Google Photos).
• 📱 Contacts, SMS, Call log (if not synced to Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, social media account data.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ and HyperOS after reset, you may need to re-assign Mi Account to unlock. If you forget your username / password, restore access before reset!

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (most secure)

This method works if the smartphone is turned on and you have access to the menu.It works for most models, from the Redmi Note 10 to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (on some firmware - Delete all data).
3. The system will prompt you to enter a password from the Mi Account (if tied).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Does not require computer or special knowledge.
• ✅ Minimum risk of “bricking” the device.
• ✅ Restores the ability to recover via Mi Cloud (if backup was created).

Backup important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Connect the charger (battery) > 50%)|Delete SD-card (if any)

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What to do if the option "Reset" is missing? On some firmware (for example, HyperOS for the global version), the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Reset and Reset → Erase all data.

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

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, resetting through recovery mode will help.This method is universal for all models, including POCO and Black Shark.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone (if it doesn’t respond, press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 For most people. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Nutrition + Loudness up. 🎮 For Black Shark: Nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

⚠️ Note: Devices with a bootloader may experience a "This device is locked" error after resetting via Recovery. This will require unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool (see section below).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is damaged or missing.
• 🔓 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).
• 📦 You need to clean the firmware after resetting.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or Fastboot-commands.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the Command Prompt in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined – continue.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

💡

If after the command fastboot reboot smartphone stuck on the logo, try to flash clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Download the official ROM for your model on the Xiaomi Firmware website and select clean all mode (full cleaning).

On devices with a blocked bootloader, fastboot erase commands will not work – you will need to pre-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting on new accounts).

How to Unlock Mi Account After Resetting

If Xiaomi requires you to enter data from Mi Account after a full reboot, but you forgot them, there are several ways to solve it:

Official method:

• 🌐 Go to the Mi Account website and restore access via email or phone.
• 📧 If a backup email is attached, check the Spam folder – a recovery code email can get there.
• 📞 Recovery by phone number will be required SIM-map to which it is attached.

Unofficial methods (risk of blocking the account!):

• 🔧 Use of the EDL-mode (only for experienced users, requires an authorized Xiaomi account).
• 🛠 Fastboot firmware with persist partition removal (not working on all models).

⚠️ Note: Attempts to bypass the Mi Account lock through third-party services (for example, “unlock for 500 rubles”) often lead to the loss of warranty or complete locking of the device.

Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

Even after a complete reset, some of the data can be recovered – if backups have been made or files have not been overwritten with new information.

Recovery methods:

• ☁️ Cloud services: 📸 Google Photos – Restore photos if autosynchronization is enabled. 📱 Mi Cloud - Getting your contacts back, SMS, Notes (if backup was created manually). 🎵 Google Drive – Restore App Backups and Data.
• 💾 Local backups: If you created a backup through Settings before resetting → Backup, connect the device to your PC and copy the backup file back to memory. TWRP (If installed, use the Restore option.

What can't be restored:

• 🚫 Files deleted from internal memory after reset (they are overwritten with new firmware).
• 🚫 Application data that is not synced to the cloud (for example, saving games without linking to an account).
• 🚫 Wi-Fi passwords if you haven’t exported your settings through Mi Mover.

💡

The most reliable way to save data is to back up your data regularly in Mi Cloud or Google Drive, set up automatic sync for contacts, photos and documents!

Frequent Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi and How to Avoid Them

Even when you follow the instructions, users have problems.

How to avoid mistakes:

• 🔋 Charge your smartphone at least 70% before reset – interruption of the process due to battery discharge can “brick” the device.
• 🔌 Use the original cable USB — Cheap analogues can interrupt the connection in Fastboot.
• 📋 Check the device model before firmware - incompatible ROM Turn your smartphone into a brick".

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions