Xiaomi Reboot: 3 Ways to Make Hard Resets on Any Device

When a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO smartphone starts to slow down, fail, or refuse to boot, users often resort to a radical method of hard reset, which brings the device back to factory settings by removing all user data, apps, and settings. But how to properly reset to avoid turning the phone into a brick? In this article, we will examine all the current ways, including hidden MIUI functions, which are not known to everyone.

It's important to understand that a hard reset is not just a power button reboot, it's a full formatting of the smartphone's internal memory, after which you have to configure it from scratch, we'll tell you how to prepare for the procedure, what data you can save, and what to do if the phone doesn't respond to commands, and you'll also learn why Settings sometimes don't work properly and how to get around this problem.

This article will suit owners of any Xiaomi devices, from the budget Redmi 9A to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. All instructions are tested on the latest versions of MIUI 14/15 and are relevant for firmware based on Android 12/13/14. If your model is released before 2018, check the compatibility of methods at the end of the article - there we have a table with features for older devices.

1.What is a full reboot and when is it needed

The term “full reboot” is often confused with a regular reboot (reboot of the system).In fact, we are talking about hard reset, a procedure that erases all user data and returns the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. This is not the same as resetting through Settings → Reset, which sometimes leaves garbage files.

Here are the typical situations where hard reset is not enough:

• 📱 Xiaomi smartphone constantly overheats, lags or spontaneously reboots.
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code and unlocking through Mi Account is not available.
• 🦠 The device is infected with a virus that is not removed by antivirus (for example, advertising software in system folders).
• 🔄 After a failed update MIUI The phone is stuck on the logo or bootloop (cyclic reboot).
• 📦 You sell or transfer your smartphone to another person and want to securely delete your personal data.

However, there are cases where hard reset won’t help or even make the problem worse:

• 🚫 Hardware malfunctions (e.g., broken screen, broken power button, battery problems).
• 🚫 Bootloader damage – in this case, you need to EDL-regime and special equipment.
• 🚫 Blocking through Mi Cloud after reset (unless your Xiaomi account is untied).

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi is locked through Find Device, resetting to factory settings won’t unlock it.

2.Reset preparation: what to save and how not to lose data

Before you do a hard reset, make sure you have backups of important data. Even if the smartphone doesn't turn on, some files can be saved.

Here is what you need to copy:

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos, Mi Cloud or connect your phone to your PC via cable.
• 📱 Contact: Export them to your Google Account or to your account SIM-map (in the Contact menu) → Management → Imports/Exports).
• 💬 Messages: Applications like SMS Backup & Restore will keep the story alive. SMS cloudy.
• 🎵 Music and documents: Transfer them to a computer or flash drive through Explorer MIUI.
• 🔑 Passwords and Notes: If you use Mi Notes or Mi Browser, sync your data with Mi Account.

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, but is determined by your computer, try these methods:

• 🖥️ Connect Xiaomi to your PC and use Mi PC Suite for backup.
• 🔌 Put the debugging on. USB (If you have previously activated it, use Adb pull. /sdcard/ file-up.
• 🔄 If the screen is working but the sensor is not, plug in. USB-mouse-wise OTG-adapter.

⚠️ Warning: After hard reset, all data, including files on internal memory, will be permanently deleted, and even specialized programs like Dr.Fone or Recuva will not be able to restore them if new files are written to the phone after reset.

3. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is turned on)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it only works if:

• 📱 The smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You know. PIN-code.
• 📶 The device is not stuck on the logo MI.

Step instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (or Device on new MIUI versions).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (on some models, path: Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).
4. Select Reset (or Erase All Data).
5. If required, enter PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Remove All (or Reset Settings).

The process will take 5-15 minutes, and when completed, the smartphone will restart and suggest that it be configured as new.

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Keep backup copies of important data

Disable your Google Account (if you plan to sell your phone)

Remember Mi Account data (login and password)-->

On some models (such as the POCO F5 or Redmi Note 12), the path to reset may be different. If you do not find the right item, search the settings (the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen) and enter the "reset" request.

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If the phone is resetting, you need to enter the old PIN-If you've forgotten the code, try connecting to Wi-Fi and logging in through Mi Account. Sometimes it helps bypass the lockdown.

4. Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (volume buttons + power)

If the smartphone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or doesn’t respond to the sensor, you’ll need to use Recovery Mode, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, including older models like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1.

Here's how to get into Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them for 5-10 seconds until the MI logo and menu appear in English/Chinese.

In Recovery Mode, volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection) are used.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data)
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or Confirm).
3. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

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

• 📛 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🧹 Second or Third: Data Reset (Wipe Data).
• 🔧 The last one is additional settings (Advanced).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or POCO X3 Pro) after resetting via Recovery, error No. OS This means that the firmware is damaged and you will need to refashion the phone via Fastboot.

5. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔄 Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged.
• 📱 The phone is stuck in bootloop (infinite reboot).
• 🔧 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot from Android SDK.
• 📄 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Nutrition to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), run the command to reset:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

For full flashing, use the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip format).
2. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.
3. Wait until the end (10-20 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect use of fastboot can permanently damage the bootloader. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center, especially for models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi for the European market).

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Resetting via Fastboot is the only way to bring back a phone that doesn't even boot in Recovery, but it requires unlocking the bootloader and can lead to a loss of warranty.

6.What to do after resetting: setting up and restoring data

After a successful hard reset, Xiaomi will launch as a new smartphone.

1. Choose a language and region.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required, otherwise you will not be able to log in to your account).
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if it was tied before reset).
4. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).
5. Set up a fingerprint/face (if supported).

Here is what you can’t do immediately after the reset:

• 🚫 Install applications from unknown sources (risk of re-infection with viruses).
• 🚫 Update MIUI through OTA, If there were problems with the firmware before the reset.
• 🚫 Log in to social media accounts on public Wi-Fi (risk of data interception).

If the phone brakes again after setting up, check:

• 🔋 Battery condition (wear and tear) > 80% frequently causes lags).
• 📱 Processor Temperature (use the app) CPU Monitor).
• 🛠️ Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).

- Animation of windows → No animation

- Transition animations → Without animation

- Scale of animation → No animation.-->

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

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

If your problem isn’t on the list, try:

• 🔍 Finding a solution in forums 4PDA XDA-Developers (exact model).
• 📞 Contact the official Xiaomi service (guarantee cases repaired for free).
• 🛠️ Use it. EDL-mode (only for experienced users, requires an authorized account).

8. Features of reset for older Xiaomi models (until 2018)

Devices released before 2018 (e.g. Redmi 4/4A, Mi 5/6, Mi Note 3) have their own nuances:

For these models, we recommend:

• 🔧 Use custom recovery (TWRP), If it is available for your model.
• 📥 Download firmware only from official sources (avoid "modified" versions).
• 🔋 Before reset, charge the battery to 100% - old models are sensitive to voltage.

If your model is older than 2016 (such as the Redmi 2 or Mi 4), consider that:

• 🔄 MIUI They are no longer updated, so after the reset will not be able to install fresh firmware.
• 🛡️ No support for modern apps (for example, new versions of WhatsApp or Google Pay do not work).
• 🔌 Fast charging on non-original power supplies may not work.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions