Reset Xiaomi through buttons: instructions for phones and TVs

When Xiaomi starts to glitches, slows down, or refuses to turn on, hardware resets through physical buttons are often the only way out, and this method works even with a fully β€œhanged” system, where the touch screen does not respond and the device does not load beyond the logo. But how to perform the procedure so as not to turn the gadget into a β€œbrick”?

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to reset via buttons for Redmi, POCO, Mi and Mi TVs, from classic hard reset to hidden engineering combinations. You’ll learn which buttons to pinch, how to avoid recovery errors, and what to do if the device doesn’t turn on after reset. And for visuals, we’ve prepared unique button layouts for popular models from 2022-2026.

Why You Need to Reset Through Buttons and When to Use It

Hardware reset is a β€œheavy artillery” for Xiaomi devices that is used in critical cases, erasing all data from internal memory (except for an SD card if installed) and returning the system to factory settings.

  • πŸ“± The device does not turn on or hangs on the logo Mi/Redmi (so-called bootloopΒ»)
  • πŸ”’ Forgot the pattern lock or password to unlock the screen
  • 🐒 The system is unbearably slowed down even after rebooting (viruses, software conflict)
  • πŸ“² After updating MIUI Critical errors (e.g., constant reboots)
  • πŸ”„ You need to completely clean the device before selling (but it is better to use Factory Reset in the settings)

Important: resetting through buttons will not help if the problem is related to a hardware breakdown, such as a damaged battery, a broken screen plume or a burnt motherboard, in which cases repairs are required at a service center.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi models with Mi Account lock may require login and password entry after reset. If you don’t remember the data, the device will remain locked!

πŸ“Š What type of reset you need?
Resetting the Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO phone
Resetting the Mi TV
Unlocking the pattern lock
Recovery after a failed update
Other

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before starting the procedure, follow the mandatory steps to minimize the risks:

  1. Check the battery. The phone should have at least 30-50% charge. For Mi TVs, make sure they are plugged in (resetting through buttons on TV only works when power is in place).
  2. Remove the memory card and SIM (if any) to prevent them from being randomly formatted.
  3. Find out the model of the device. The combination of buttons may differ! Phones show the model on a sticker under the lid or in documents; TV shows it on the back.
  4. Prepare data for Mi Account if the device is linked to the account.

If the phone is still on, but you're planning a reset due to the sale, back up through Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Backup. There's no backup for TV settings, you'll have to reconfigure them.

Battery charge β‰₯ 30%|Extracted. SIM and SD-map|Device model refined|Ready data from Mi Account (if tied)|Backup (if the phone is turned on)

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Resetting Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO phones via buttons: step-by-step instructions

The universal combination for most Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13):

  1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes – press the power button for 10-15 seconds before turning off).
  2. Press the power button + volume button (Power + Vol Up).
  3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery Mode menu appear.
  4. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) and then Wipe All Data.
  5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (usually a power button).
  6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A/9C or POCO M3), the combination may differ:

ModelButton combinationNotes
Redmi Note 8/9/10Power + Vol UpMenu in English, control of volume buttons
POCO F3/GTPower + Vol Down (then select Recovery)First comes Fastboot, then you need to select Recovery.
Mi 10/11 UltraPower + Vol Up + Vol Down (Simultaneously)Accurate simultaneous pressing is required
Redmi 7A/8APower + Vol Up (hold until vibration)Menu in Chinese - looking for the character "" (data cleanup)

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

What if you can’t get into Recovery?
If the phone vibrates after the buttons are pressed, but the menu does not appear, try: 1. Connect the charger (sometimes helps with a discharged battery). 2. Use another combination (for example, Power + Vol Down to log into the Fastboot, and then select Recovery with volume buttons). 3. On older models (until 2018) you may need to remove and insert back the battery (if it is removable).

Resetting Mi TVs through buttons: features and nuances

Xiaomi Mi TVs (A2, P1, Q1, Q2) also support hardware reset, but the process is different from smartphones.You'll need a remote control (even if the screen isn't responding) and access to physical buttons on the case.

Instructions for most models:

  1. Turn off the TV with a button on the remote or on the case (usually located on the side or bottom).
  2. Press and hold the "Menu" button on the TV body (not on the remote!).
  3. Without letting go of Menu, press the Power button on the remote and hold both 10-15 seconds.
  4. Release the buttons when the recovery menu appears on the screen (usually labeled Factory Reset).
  5. With the Vol Β± buttons on the case, select Wipe Data and confirm.

The Mi TV 4S/4A (2018-2020) may require a different combination:

  • πŸ”Œ Turn off the TV for 1 minute.
  • πŸ“Ί Hold the Menu. + Vol Down on the case and, holding them, connect the power.
  • πŸ•’ Hold the buttons for 20-30 seconds until the menu appears.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi TVs TV Reset buttons remove all installed apps, including Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video, and they will have to be reinstalled through the Mi App Store.

πŸ’‘

If after resetting the TV does not find Wi-Fi network, try resetting the network settings separately: go to Settings β†’ Network β†’ Network Reset.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the seemingly simple procedure, users often make mistakes that can lead to complete data loss or system damage.

  • ⚑ If you release the buttons too early or pull the battery out during a reset, the device may stop turning on, and on phones, it can damage the boot partition, on TV, it can damage the firmware.
  • πŸ”‹ Low battery power. If the phone runs out during reset, there's a high risk of bricking. Always check the charge!
  • πŸ”‘ Ignoring Mi Account: Linked devices will be asked to enter a login/password after reset, and without them, the phone will become a brickΒ».
  • πŸ“± Confusion with buttons. Some models. POCO power + Vol Down leads to Fastboot, not Recovery!

If the device does not turn on after reset or is stuck on the logo, try:

  1. Repeat the reset procedure (perhaps the first time the data has not been completely cleared).
  2. Connect to charging for 30-60 minutes, then try again.
  3. For phones: Swipe your device through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (PC required).
  4. For TV: contact the service center - independent firmware recovery is difficult and risky.

πŸ’‘

If the phone asks for an old pattern lock after reset, that's fine. Type any 4-6 point key and the system will suggest alternative ways to unlock (e.g., via Mi Account).

Alternative Resetting Methods If the Buttons Don’t Work

If physical buttons are damaged or unresponsive, there are a few workarounds:

1.Reset via Fastboot (for phones)

You will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB cable:

fastboot devices


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

This command will clear user data and cache, but will not affect system files.

2.Reset via Mi PC Suite

The official utility from Xiaomi allows you to restore the phone to factory settings via PC. Download it from pcsuite.mi.com and follow the instructions of the restore wizard.

3.Reset via Google Find My Device (phones only)

If your device is linked to a Google account, you can remotely reset it via Find My Device.

  1. Log in to your Google account.
  2. Select your Xiaomi device from the list.
  3. Press Erase Data.

The disadvantage of the method: after the reset, the Mi Account lock may remain.

4.Discharge TV through ADB (for advanced users)

If the buttons on the TV body do not work and the remote is lost, you can try resetting via ADB:

adb connect [IP_your TV]


adb shell




am start -n com.android.tv.settings/.deviceinfo.FactoryResetActivity

IP-TV address can be found in the router (section) DHCP) or via the Mi Home app (if the TV is connected to the same network).

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

Once the reset is successful, the device will return to factory settings.

For phones:

  • πŸ“± Go through the initial setup (choose language, connect to Wi-Fi).
  • πŸ”’ Enter Mi Account details if the device is tied.
  • πŸ“² Restore data from backup (if it was made via Mi Cloud).
  • πŸ”„ Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Updating the system.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Install an antivirus (such as Avast or Bitdefender) and check the system.

For TVs:

  • πŸ“Ί Connect to Wi-Fi and log in to Mi Account (if required).
  • 🎯 Set up channels (if you use an antenna or cable TV).
  • πŸ“₯ Install the necessary applications through the Mi App Store.
  • πŸ”Š Set up the sound: select the mode (Standard, Movie, Music) in Settings β†’ Sound.

If after the reset, artifacts appeared on the screen (strips, flickering) or sound problems, this may indicate a hardware malfunction.

πŸ’‘

After reset on Xiaomi phones may be missing partition SD-To return it, go to Settings. β†’ Warehouse β†’ SD-map and press Mount.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Can I reset through the buttons if the phone is broken and does not respond to touch?
Yes, hardware reset is designed for this kind of thing, and the key is to have the Power and Volume buttons running, and if the screen is completely black, but the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, try the combination blindly, focusing on the vibration.
❓ After reset, the phone asks for the old password?
This means that the device was enabled FRP (Factory Reset Protection) from Google. To unlock the phone: Connect to Wi-Fi. Enter the login and password from the Google account that was tied to the phone before the reset. If you don't remember the data, restore it through accounts.google.com. Some Xiaomi models may require additional binding to Mi Account.
❓ Resetting through buttons removes firmware?
No, the reset only erases user data (photos, apps, settings) and returns the system to a factory state. The firmware (MIUI or Android TV on TV) remains in place. However, if the firmware was damaged (for example, after a failed update), it may need to reinstall it via Fastboot.
❓ How to Reset Xiaomi When Volume buttons Are Not Working?
If the physical buttons are broken, try alternative methods: Fastboot reset (you need a PC and a PC). USB-Discharge via Mi PC Suite. Remote reset via Google Find My Device (if sync is enabled). For TVs: if the buttons on the body don't work, try using the original remote or universal remote with Mi support TV.
❓ Can the reset be cancelled after it is launched?
No, once the Wipe Data command is confirmed, the process is irreversible. Interrupting the reset (e.g., by removing the battery) can damage the system files and permanently damage the device. If the reset is started incorrectly, wait until it is completed and reconfigure the device.