How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings via Recovery: full instruction with nuances

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings through recovery is a radical but effective way to bring the device back to work when standard methods are not available through the settings menu. This hard reset helps in cases where the phone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch, is locked with a pattern lock or suffers from critical errors after a failed update. However, the procedure has its pitfalls: from losing all data to the risk of “bricking” the device if you do the wrong thing.

In this article, we will discuss the unique features of Xiaomi recovery that are not found in other brands: working with Fastboot and MIUI Recovery, nuances for devices with a locked bootloader, as well as ways to get around typical errors like “No command” or “Can’t mount /data.” The instructions are relevant for all modern models – from Redmi Note 12 to flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, running on MIUI 12-15.

When to reset through Recovery, and when to do the standard method

Before you start taking drastic measures, it’s important to understand whether you really need a hardware reset, and 80 percent of the time, users resort to recovery when the problem is solved more easily:

• 🔄 Phone slows or glips → Try clearing the cache in the Settings menu → Memory. → Clean or roll back the update of the app that caused the crash.
• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock. → On new models of Xiaomi (C) MIUI 14+) You can reset the lock via Find My Device without losing data.
• 📱 Not activated after the update → Wait. 10-15 minutes – sometimes the system optimizes applications for a long time after the update.
• 🚫 Persistent errors Android system stopped" → Remove the problem ones APK through settings → Apps or reset via the settings menu (Settings) → The phone. → Resetting settings).

Recovery should be used only in critical cases:

• 💀 The phone does not load beyond the logo. MI (bootloop).
• 🔐 The device is locked and the Mi Account is untied or forgotten.
• 🛠️ After firmware through Fastboot, critical errors have occurred (for example, no firmware is available). IMEI).
• 🦠 Virus software blocks access to system settings.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a recovery reset may result in a username/password requirement from Mi Account, even if the account has not been previously used, due to Xiaomi’s anti-theft policy. If you do not remember your account information, it can take up to 72 hours to restore access!

Resetting Preparation: What to Do Before Entering Recovery

Unprepared resets can result in the loss of important data or even the "bricking" of the device, and here is a mandatory checklist before starting the procedure:

Charge your phone to at least 50%|Download Xiaomi drivers for PC (if you need Fastboot)|Prepare original USB-cable (not cheap analogues!)|Make sure there is no important data on the phone (photos, contacts, SMS)|Write it down. IMEI (on the box or via *#06# in case of network recovery-->

Pay special attention to the backup of data, and even if the phone doesn't turn on, some of the information can be saved:

• 📱 Contact and SMS → If you previously enabled sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud, the data will be restored automatically after resetting.
• 📷 Photo/video → On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) SD card files are not affected when reset.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords → Save the screenshots. QR-Network codes or write down passwords manually.
• 🎮 Preservation of games → Games like Genshin Impact or Honor of Kings are tied to your Mi Game Center account – log in after a reset to recover progress.

If your phone still has any response to your PC connection, try copying the data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

1. Connect your smartphone to your computer.
2. Enter in the command line: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ This will copy all files from the internal memory to the folder. Xiaomi_Backup disk-C:.

⚠️ Note: On devices with encrypted storage (by default in the MIUI 12+) internal memory (/data) They will not be available even through ADB The only way to save them is to unlock the bootloader and flash custom recovery. TWRP, But it requires technical skills.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Xiaomi: 3 Ways to Work

Depending on the model and condition of the device, there are different methods of entering the recovery menu. Let’s consider all the current options for Xiaomi 2020-2026 release.

Method 1: Classic button combination (works on 90% of models)

This is a universal method for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo and recovery menu appear.

On some models (such as Xiaomi 13T or Redmi K60) you may need to first press the Volume up and then press Power without letting it go.

Method 2: Through ADB (if the phone is switched on)

If the device is working but you want to log in to recovery for firmware or diagnostics, use ADB:

1. Turn on USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (tap 7 times on version, then go back to Additional settings → For developers).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: adb reboot recovery

Method 3: Fastboot (if recovery is damaged)

If the standard recovery does not load (for example, after a failed firmware), you can download it via Fastboot:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot.
3. Enter fastboot reboot recovery

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If the button combination doesn't work, try plugging your phone into charging for 5 minutes before trying again.A discharged battery can block the recovery entry.

Step-by-step: how to reset via Recovery on Xiaomi

Once you’ve successfully logged into the recovery menu, the next steps depend on the type of recovery you’re going to take. There are two options on Xiaomi smartphones:

• 🔧 Stock-stock MIUI Recovery (Chinese/global version) – with touch control and support for Chinese/English.
• 🛠️ Fastboot Mode (if recovery is damaged) – text menu with volume button control.

Let's look at both scenarios.

Scenario 1: Reset via standard MIUI Recovery

If you see a menu with touch buttons and the MI logo:

1. Choose a language (usually English or Chinese). To reset, the language is not important - focus on the location of the buttons.
2. Slip on the Wipe Data item (or in Chinese).
3. Select Wipe All Data (full reset).
4. Confirm the action by swipe or press Confirm.
5. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Some firmware (MIUI 13+) may request Mi Account data after reset. This is normal – enter the username and password that were associated with the device.

Scenario 2: Fastboot reset (if MIUI Recovery is not available)

If instead of a graphical menu you see a text screen with a Fastboot:

1. Connect your phone to a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.
2. Download MIUI ROM for your model (select the Recovery version, not Fastboot!).
3. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and place it in the root of the memory card.
4. In Fastboot, select Recovery (manage volume buttons, choose the power button).
5. In the menu that appears, select Apply update from SD card → specify update.zip file.
6. After installing the firmware, select Wipe data → Yes.

⚠️ Note: If you see an E:unknown command or E:signature verification failed error, it means that the firmware is not suitable for your model or is damaged. ROM Re-check from Xiaomi’s official website and check the checksum (MD5).

Typical Recovery Reset Mistakes and Their Solutions

Even with the correct instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If it's gone after the dump. IMEI If the network is not working, it means that it has been erased. NVRAM-Data. It can be recovered:

1. Download the NVRAM backup for your model (see forums like 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
2. Using the Fastboot command: fastboot flash nvram nvram.img

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If after a reset, the phone requires a Mi Account and you do not remember it, do not try to enter random data. After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

Once the reset is successful, the device will return to the "out of the box" state.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and log in to Mi Account (if required) and this will unlock some features, such as access to Mi Cloud.
2. Recover the data from the backup: 📱 Contacts and calendar → sync with Google Account. 📷 Photo/video → Copy from a memory card or cloud storage. 🎮 Preservation of games → Sign in to Mi Game Center or Google Play Games.
3. Update MIUI to the latest version via Settings → About Phone → System Update.
4. Set up security: 🔐 Install a new pattern lock or PIN. 📱 Enable Find My Device in Settings → Google → Security. 🛡️ Activate Reset Protection in Settings → Xiaomi account → Security.

If after the reset you notice that:

• 📶 No network. → Check it out. IMEI *#06# If it is missing, restore it. NVRAM (see previous section).
• 🔋 The battery goes down fast. → Calibrate: Fully discharge your phone, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 🔊 The speakers are not working. → Check if the speakers are clogged with dust (relevant for Redmi Note 11 and newer).

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After reset, take your time to install all applications at once. Let the system work 1-2 days in a "clean" form - so you can assess the real performance of the device and identify possible lags associated with the firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting via Recovery