Xiaomi Resets to Factory Settings: 3 Working Ways

Xiaomi’s factory reset is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems ranging from constant freezes to virus attacks, which removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state, but many users are afraid to perform the reset because of the risk of losing important files or finally “bricking” the device.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to completely reset on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from simple through the settings menu to forced through Fastboot. You will learn how to properly prepare for the procedure, what data can be recovered after a reset, and what to do if the phone does not respond to commands.

When do you need a full Xiaomi reset?

Factory reset is not a panacea, but in some cases it is the only way to bring your smartphone back to life. Here are 5 signals that it is time to consider this procedure:

• 📱 The phone is constantly rebooted or turned off for no reason (even after the battery is replaced).
• 🐢 The system brakes so that it is impossible to open even standard applications (for example, Settings or Phone).
• 🔒 You have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-The code and unlocking through Mi Account is not working.
• 🦠 Suspicion of virus infection (pop-ups, unknown applications, traffic consumption in the background).
• 🔄 Before selling or transferring a phone to another user (mandatory for the protection of personal data!).

However, resetting won’t help if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions, such as a broken screen, a broken speaker, or a damaged motherboard, in which cases repairs are required at a service center.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with a bootloader blocked, a reset via Recovery or Fastboot may result in a request for authorization to Mi Account. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will turn into a "brick." Check the bootloader's lock status in advance!

Preparation for resetting: what to save and how

A complete reset removes everything: photos, contacts, messages, installed apps, even files on internal memory.

1. Sync data with Mi Cloud: 📱 Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud. 🔄 Enable synchronization for Contacts, Notes, Bookmarks and Photos. ☁️ Make sure you have enough space in the cloud (free 5GB available).
2. Keep a list of installed applications: 📋 Use apps like App List Backup (available on Google Play) or take screenshots of apps.

Pay special attention to account passwords (social networks, banking apps, emails) and you'll have to log in again after reset, and without two-factor authentication, it can be a problem. Write your logins and passwords down on paper or in a secure file.

Synchronize data with Mi Cloud|Copy photos and videos on PC|Keep in touch with the VCF-file|Record passwords from accounts|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

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

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, use this method. It requires no additional tools and is minimally risky.

1. Open Settings: Click on the gear icon in the app menu or swipe down the notification bar and tap the icon ⚙️ Settings.
2. Go to About Phone: Scroll Down and Select About Phone → General Settings → Settings Reset (on some models, the path may be different: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select the type of reset: Slip on Reset (or Delete all data: 🔄 Resetting – only deletes settings, apps and accounts, but leaves media files. 🧹 Delete all data – complete reset, including internal memory.

For a complete reset, select the second option.

Confirm the action:

Enter. PIN-A code or pattern lock, then press Erase Everything. The phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Once you reboot, you'll be asked to set up your phone as new, and if you've synced your data to Mi Cloud, you can restore it at the initial setup stage.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after reset, you may need to re-link to Mi Account. If you forget your account details, your phone will be locked.

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

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or does not load beyond the lock screen, use Recovery Mode. This mode allows you to reset settings without access to the main system.

The manual is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2018. On older devices (such as the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), there may be differences in control.

1. Turn off your phone: Press the Power button for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out. If the phone doesn't respond, wait until the battery is completely discharged.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: At the same time hold: Power button + Volume button (on most models). On some devices (for example, POCO F1) - Power + Volume decrease.

Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

Choose the language:

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation. Select English or Russian.

Wipe Data

From the menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Erase Data → Erase Everything). Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Wait until it's finished:

It takes 3-10 minutes. Once complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System to restart.

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, and you do not remember them, try to restore access through account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is not available or working.
• 🔒 Phone locked off Mi Account after failed reset.
• 📦 You need to reflash the device (for example, after a failed update).

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot original USB-On devices with a locked bootloader, this method can result in a complete lock if you do not unlock the bootloader in advance!

1. Install Mi Flash Tool and Drivers: Download the official utility from Xiaomi’s website and install drivers for your model.
2. Connect your phone to your PC: Use the original cable. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader blocked after fastboot erase commands, the phone may require authorization to Mi Account, even if you did not configure it! To avoid blocking, pre-unblock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account binding and a wait of 7-30 days).

If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset or gives a No command error, try reflashing it through the Mi Flash Tool using the official firmware for your model.

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer has a line Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked and the reset may result in a lock!-->

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

Once reset successfully, the phone will start as new. Here's a step-by-step recovery plan:

1. Log in to Mi Account: Use the same data you had before the reset to recover contacts, notes, and photos from the cloud.
2. Install apps: Download the required programs from Google Play. If you saved a list of apps, use it as a checklist.

If your phone is running slower than before, check:

• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📵 Turn off automatic download of updates for apps on Google Play.

💡

After reset, take your time to restore everything at once. Install the basic applications (messaging, banking), then check the stability of the system. If the brakes repeat, the problem may be in the hardware.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if the reset is done correctly, there can be problems.-5 errors and ways of correcting them:

If none of these methods worked and the phone still doesn’t work, a hardware malfunction (such as a damaged eMMC memory) could be the cause, in which case, contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for the purchase.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions