How to make a factory reset on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + FAQ

Why do you need a Xiaomi reset and when to do it?

Hard reset on Xiaomi smartphones is a radical solution that brings the device back to its original state, as if you had just unpacked it out of the box. The procedure removes all user data: apps, photos, accounts, Wi-Fi settings and even system updates (in some cases).

The main reasons are: selling or transferring your phone to another person (to clear personal information), fixing critical MIUI failures after failed firmware, fighting viruses that are not removed by antivirus, or restoring functionality after “hanging” on the logo. For example, if your Redmi Note 12 stopped loading after installing a custom recovery, resetting via Recovery Mode may be the only way out.

But it's important to understand that resetting is not a panacea, it won't help if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (such as a broken screen or a failed motherboard), and it's also useless to reset when you lock your Mi Account, which requires other methods (we'll talk about them in a separate article).

Resetting: What to do before cleaning your phone?

Before you click Reset, follow 3 critical steps that can lead to irreversible data loss or even locking your device.

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Backup app MIUI Note: Backups through Mi Cloud do not store all data (for example, Wi-Fi passwords are not synced).
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% Interrupting the reset process due to a discharged battery can turn your Poco X5 brick".
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account. After reset, the phone may require you to enter credentials to unlock (Find Device feature).
• 📶 Disable two-factor authentication (if enabled) or save backup codes. Otherwise, you risk losing access to your account.

⚠️ Note: If you forget the Mi Account, a Recovery Mode reset will lock your phone! in this case, you will need an official unlock through the Xiaomi Service Center (cost from 1,500). ₽).

Make sure there is enough charge on the phone|Backup in Mi Cloud or on PC|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)|Disable protection with a pattern lock (if any)

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Method 1: Reset via the MIUI settings menu (the easiest one)

This is a standard method that works on all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi 4X to the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The main condition is that the phone must turn on and respond to the touch of the screen.

1. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).

It takes 5-15 minutes, and the phone will reboot several times, and then you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like you did after you bought it. SIM-card or battery during the process!

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If you reset your phone and you forget your old password, try connecting to Wi-Fi and reconnecting with Mi Account, which works 80 percent of the time.

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

This method is useful if Xiaomi is stuck on the logo, does not respond to buttons or is blocked by a pattern lock. To log into Recovery Mode, hardware buttons are used - the screen can be turned off.

Instructions for most models (including Redmi Note 11, Poco F4, Xiaomi 12T):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-20 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (usually in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data (or Clear Data) item.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data → Confirm.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 with pure Android One), the Recovery menu may look different.

⚠️ Note: On phones with a bootloader blocked, a Recovery reset may require you to enter your Mi Account data even after cleaning. If you don't remember your password, don't use this method!

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This is a good method if the first two things didn't work, or if you want to completely reflash your phone. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (original!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
3. Connect your phone to your PC. The device manager should have an Android Bootloader Interface record.
4. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
5. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

This method does not remove the firmware, but only cleans user data. If you need to reflash your phone (for example, after a failed update), use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for your model.

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | Never reset |Another way-->

Method 4: Reset via Mi Account (remotely)

If your phone is lost or stolen, you can reset it remotely via Xiaomi's Find Device service.

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your phone from the list of devices.
3. Click on Erase Data (or Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Please note: this method only works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔋 Device is on and not discharged.

Once reset remotely, the phone will be locked before the Mi Account data is entered, even if it is re-stripped. This is anti-theft protection.

Method 5: Reset via EDL Mode (extreme case)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that is used when the phone is not fully powered on (even in Fastboot). EDL required:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 🔌 The original cable. USB (Better with a clamping for reliable contact).
• 📄 Official firmware for your model (downloaded from en.miui.com).
• 🔧 Screwdriver for disassembling the phone (on some models you need to close contacts on the board).

The process is complex and risky: if you make a mistake, your phone can turn into a brick. We recommend that you contact a service center if you are not sure about your skills. The average cost of such a service is 1,000-2 500. ₽.

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Use EDL Mode only as a last resort! Incorrect actions can damage the bootloader, and the phone will not be able to recover even in the service.

What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, the phone will return to factory settings.

1. Set up Mi Account again if required (for example, to synchronize notes or photos).

Please note: after resetting, there may be problems with:

• 📱 No network – check the settings SIM-maps and mobile network.
• 🔊 Incorrect operation of speakers - sometimes resets knocks down the sound settings (reset is solved by rebooting).
• 🔋 Fast battery discharge – the first 2-3 days after resetting the phone can discharge faster due to background system optimization.

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter an old password that you do not remember - do not try to guess it many times! After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset