Full reset Xiaomi: 4 working ways to reset your smartphone to factory settings

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step: it solves freeze problems, removes viruses, prepares the phone for sale or eliminates the consequences of a failed upgrade. However, an incorrect reset can turn the device into a “brick” if you do not take into account the nuances with the Mi Account, bootloader or version of MIUI.

This article includes four proven reset methods (including hidden ones), a Redmi/POCO compatibility table, and instructions for unlocking the bootloader and bypassing account binding, with a particular focus on post-reset errors (such as “This device is locked”) and how to fix them without a service center.

Why you need a complete reset and when to do it

A full reset (or hard reset) erases all data from internal memory, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state. This is not the same as resetting settings in the menu – the latter often saves files in DCIM or Downloads folders.

The main reasons for discharge are:

• 🔄 System Lags: the phone brakes after the update MIUI installing applications.
• 📱 Preparation for sale: deletion of personal data (photos, messages, accounts).
• 🔓 Removing viruses: if the antivirus detected malware in system files.
• 🔧 Errors after firmware: cyclic reboot (bootloop), lack of network.
• 📦 Reset password: if the pattern lock is forgotten or PIN-Code (not working on all models).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Mi Account (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) after reset, you may need to enter a login/password from the account associated with the phone!

Before discharge, it is mandatory:

1. Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Remember the data from the Mi Account (if linked).
3. Charge the phone at least 50% - interruption of the process is fraught with damage to the firmware.

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

This method works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset Settings, then Delete all data.
5. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.

It takes 3-10 minutes, and after the restart, you'll be asked to set the phone up as new.

Make a backup.|Remember the Mi Account data|Charge the phone. >50%|Disable Google Account (if necessary)|Delete SIM-map SD-map-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After the reset, you may see an error "This device is associated with a Mi Account": the solution is to enter a linked account or use the Mi Unlock Tool (see the section on unlocking).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (Power and Volume buttons)

If the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the MI logo, use Recovery Mode, which works even on locked devices, but requires physical access to the buttons.

Instructions for most models:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 Redmi/POCO: Nutrition + Loudness up 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11/12: Nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down

Mi Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

- 🧹 — dataset,

- 🔄 — restart,

- 📱 — PC-connection.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons or requires a deep reset (for example, after a failed firmware), use Fastboot.This method erases all memory parts, including user data and cache.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot Commands.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Mi Bunny).
2. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Check Connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (serial number will appear), enter the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

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

fastboot erase system


fastboot erase data




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot erase system commands will remove firmware! After that, you will need to reflash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the official ROM.

1. Reinstall drivers via Mi Flash Tool.

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. disable driver signatures in Windows (for older OS versions).-->

Method 4: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for bricks)

If the phone has turned into a brick (it doesn't turn on, doesn't respond to buttons, hangs on the logo), the Mi Flash Tool will help. This method reflashes the device from scratch, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

What needs to be done:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Select firmware for your model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Global Stable ROM).
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
4. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
5. Connect to your PC, open the Mi Flash Tool and select the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh, then Flash, and it takes 5 to 15 minutes.

After firmware, the phone will automatically reboot to the “out of the box” state.

- Correctness of the selected firmware (should match the phone model).

- Is the boot loader unlocked (see next section).

- Is the phone connected to the port? USB 2.0 (USB 3.0 may not work).-->

How to Unlock the Booter Before Resetting

On all modern Xiaomi (starting with MIUI 8), the bootloader is locked, which means that you will need to unlock the bootloader to reset via Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

fastboot: error: Cannot generate image for this anti version!

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Link Mi Account to your phone in settings (Settings → Xiaomi Account).
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
3. Launch the utility on your PC and log in to your Mi Account.
4. Transfer the phone to Fastboot and connect to the PC.
5. In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock. The process will take up to 720 hours (30 days) for new accounts!

Once unlocked, you can use Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool without restrictions.

Frequent mistakes after resetting and how to fix them

Even after a successful reset, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔒 «This device is locked": The error appears if the phone was tied to Mi Account and you forgot the data. Solutions: - Enter the correct username / password. - Use Mi Account Unlock Tool (unofficial method, risk of blocking the account). - Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership.
• 📵 No net after reset: A typical problem for Redmi with two SIM-Solution: - Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks and set up APN Manually. - Update the firmware through Settings → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: Occurs due to a damaged firmware. Solution: - Sweat your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 4). - If it doesn't help, check the battery (sometimes the bootloop is caused by a hardware malfunction).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions