How to Reset Xiaomi via Fastboot: A Complete Guide with Commands and Warnings

Introduction: when you need a reset via Fastboot and how it differs from the standard

Fastboot resets on Xiaomi smartphones are a radical method of restoring the device to health when standard methods (via the settings menu or Recovery) do not help. Unlike a conventional reset that only clears user data, Fastboot mode allows you to reflash critical parts of the system, including recovery, boot and even modem. This is true in case of "bricks" (software breakdowns), when the phone does not load beyond the Mi logo, hovers on the screensaver or gives a No command error in Recovery.

The main scenarios when you need to reset via Fastboot:

• 🔄 The device is booted into an infinite loop (bootloop) after an unsuccessful update.
• 🔧 The smartphone does not respond to standard reset via Recovery Mode.
• 🛡️ Custom software must be removed (e.g., after installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔒 You need to unlock the bootloader before the firmware (unlock bootloader).
• 📱 The phone was "buzzed" after experimenting with Magisk or TWRP.

It’s important to understand that Fastboot resets are not just about cleaning up data, but about completely rewriting system partitions using official or custom firmware. The process requires a PC, a USB- cable, special utilities (Mi Flash Tool, ADB/Fastboot) and command knowledge. Errors here are fraught with a final “brick,” so instructions should be followed carefully.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

Before starting a reset, make sure all the preconditions are met. Failure to comply with at least one item can lead to data loss or device failure!

List of mandatory training:

• 🔋 Charge your smartphone at least 50 percent (preferably 80 percent) and interrupting the process due to battery drain is almost guaranteed to turn the device into a brick.
• 💻 Prepare a PC with Windows 7/10/11 (for the Mi Flash Tool) or Linux/macOS (for ADB/Fastboot). Virtual machines are not recommended due to driver issues.
• 📋 Install Xiaomi drivers (you can download it on the official website). Fastboot requires Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 package.
• 🔗 Download the official firmware for your model (.tgz or.zip format) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater. The firmware must correspond to the region of the device (Global, China, EEA).
• 🔐 Unlock the bootloader (unlocked) and this requires the device-based Mi Account (up to 72 hours).

Also prepare:

• 🔌 High-quality USB- cable (preferably original from Xiaomi) cheap cables can interrupt the connection.
• ⏳ Time: The process can take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the model and the speed of the PC.
• 📝 Write down IMEI and the serial number of the device (under the battery or on the box) which may be needed to restore the network after the reset.

⚠️ Warning: If your device was purchased with rooted firmware or has unofficial Recovery (e.g., TWRP), a reset via Fastboot may result in IMEI loss or network problems. In this case, save the nvram partition using the adb backup command before resetting.

How to enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

To start resetting, you first need to transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode. The ways of entering depend on the state of the device:

Method 1. Through buttons (if the phone is switched off or got stuck)

1. Turn off the smartphone (if it freezes – press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume down at the same time.
3. Hold until the Fastboot logo appears (Mi Bunny robot with the inscription FASTBOOT).

Method 2. via ADB (if the phone is turned on but you need to go to Fastboot)

1. Enable USB debugging in settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional Settings → For Developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb reboot bootloader

Method 3: Mi Flash Tool (if the phone doesn't respond to buttons)

• 🖥️ Connect the phone turned off to the PC.
• 🔧 Press Volume up + Volume down and, holding them, connect the USB- cable. The device will be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

If none of these things worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a power button malfunctioning), which would require TestPoint, a procedure for power users.

Reset via Mi Flash Tool: the official method from Xiaomi

Mi Flash Tool is Xiaomi's official Fastboot firmware utility, which supports most Redmi, POCO and Mi models, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step 1 Download and install the Mi Flash Tool

• 📥 Download the latest version from the official website (Tools section).
• 📂 Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MiFlash).
• 🖥️ Run MiFlash.exe on behalf of the administrator.

Step 2: Connect your phone in Fastboot mode

• 📱 Transfer the device to Fastboot (see previous section).
• 🔌 Connect it to a PC. The Mi Flash Tool should have a device (e.g., COM4).

Step 3: Select firmware and set the settings

• 📁 Press Select and specify the path to the unpacked firmware (the folder must contain images and flash_all.bat files).
• 🔧 Select firmware mode at the bottom: Clean all (removes everything, including internal memory); Clean all and lock (reset + lock bootloader (not recommended if you plan custom firmware); Save user data is firmware without data cleaning (rarely works correctly).

Step 4. Start firmware.

• ⚙️ Press Refresh, then Flash.
• ⏳ Wait until it's finished (progress will be displayed in the log). The phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Warning: If the Mi Flash Tool logo has a critical partition flashing error is not allowed, then the bootloader is locked. Unlock it through the official Xiaomi tool.

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a “Couldn’t find fastboot” error, try running it in Windows 7 compatibility mode or turn off driver signature verification (click F8 when you boot your PC and select “Disable Mandatory Driver Signature Verification”).

Resetting via Fastboot commands: a manual method for power users

If the Mi Flash Tool is not suitable (e.g. for older models or custom firmware), you can use manual Fastboot commands. This method requires knowledge of the console, but gives you more control over the process.

Step 1 Install ADB and Fastboot

• 📥 Download Google's Platform Tools.
• 📂 Unpack into the folder C:\platform-tools.
• 🖥️ Open the Command Prompt in this folder (Shift + PCM → Open the PowerShell window here).

Step 2. Check the device connection

Enter the command:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), you can continue. If not, check the drivers.

Step 3. Perform reset.

For complete cleaning, use the commands:

fastboot erase boot


fastboot erase system




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache

Then, run the official firmware (if you have a flash_all.bat file, run it).

Step 4: Reset the device

fastboot reboot

If you need to flash specific sections (e.g., recovery only), use:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

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Fastboot manual commands allow only damaged partitions to be replayed point by point, but require a precise knowledge of the firmware structure. It is safer for beginners to use the Mi Flash Tool.

Frequent Fastboot Reset Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and let's consider the most common and ways to solve them:

Additional advice:

• 🔄 If the firmware is 99% interrupted, try turning off the antivirus or firewall.
• 📡 If there is no network after the reset, check IMEI with the command *#06#. If it is lost, restore it using the SN Writer Tool.
• 🔧 If the phone is stuck on the logo after firmware, press Power + Volume up for 20 seconds for a forced reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires a password from your Mi Account after being reset via Fastboot (even if you didn't), this means that Mi Account Lock was previously enabled. Unlocking will require entering a login/password from your associated account. If you don't remember them, contact Xiaomi Support with proof of ownership of the device.

Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

Fastboot resets all data from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (unless synced with Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Contacts (unless saved in a Google or Mi Account)
• 🎵 Music, documents and downloads.
• 🎮 Application and game data (progress, save)

What can be restored:

• 🔄 Backups: If you have backups done through Mi Cloud, Google Drive, or TWRP, recover the data after you first set up your phone.
• 📎 Files on the SD- card: If there were, the memory card is not affected when reset via Fastboot.
• 🔧 IMEI and serial number: If they are missing, recover via SN Writer Tool (Nvram backup required).

Data recovery programs (if there is no backup):

• 🛠️ DiskDigger – scans internal memory for file residues.
• 🔍 Recuva – Recovers deleted photos and documents (requires root rights).
• 📱 GT Recovery is a mobile recovery app (not available on all models).

The chances of recovery depend on how much data was written to the phone after the reset, and the earlier you start the recovery, the higher the probability of success.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions about Fastboot Reset