Reset Xiaomi to factory settings via buttons: instruction for all models

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi or the phone started to brake for no reason? Hard reset through hardware buttons is the only way to bring the device back to life when the screen is locked or the system is not responding. This method works on all smartphones of the brand, from the old Redmi 4X to the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra, as well as on devices of the POCO and Black Shark lines.

Unlike resetting via the settings menu, hardware reset doesn’t require unlocking the screen or entering a password. However, it does have a nuance: the procedure deletes all data (photos, contacts, messages), and some models may require you to enter a Mi Account after rebooting. In this article, detailed instructions for different versions of MIUI firmware, as well as ways to avoid possible errors.

Before you start, check if your phone is at least 30% charged (low charge can interrupt the reset), and if you have a backup of important files. If the device does not turn on at all, go straight to the emergency reset section.

Why do you need a button reset and when it won’t help?

Hardware reset solves 90 percent of software problems, but it's not a panacea. Here are the typical situations where it's really needed:

🔒 Forgot the pattern lock/password is the only way to unlock your phone without losing data (unless you had a Mi Account link).
🐢 Strong lags and freezes - when the system brakes even after cleaning the cache through Recovery.
🦠 Viruses or malware – if the antivirus fails and the phone spontaneously installs apps.
🔄 Failed update MIUI — When after upgrading the firmware device fixes on the logo Xiaomi.
📱 Preparation for sale – complete deletion of personal data without the possibility of recovery.

However, there are cases where resetting buttons will not help:

💥 Hardware breakdowns – if the phone is not turned on due to a damaged battery, motherboard or display.
🔌 Charging problems – when the device does not respond to the cable connection (port or power controller repair is required).
📡 Communication module failures – if Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or mobile network does not work after reset, a physical antenna defect is to blame.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader, you may need to re-unblock through the Mi Unlock Tool, POCO F3 Others where users have previously installed custom firmware.

📊 Your Xiaomi smartphone is working on which version MIUI?

MIUI 14

MIUI 13

MIUI 12 or older

I don't know.

Other firmware (castom)

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Even if the phone is locked, a few steps will help avoid problems after a reset:

Check the battery. Optimally, from 50%. If the device is discharged to 0%, connect it to charging 15-20 minutes before the procedure. Resetting at low charge can lead to a device blink (complete failure).
Extract. SIM-This is not necessary, but is recommended: sometimes after resetting MIUI It can be incorrect to identify memory cards, especially on older models (Redmi) 5A, Mi A1).
The way you log in to Recovery may be different for devices with physical buttons (like the Redmi 4 Pro) and touch buttons (Xiaomi 13T).

If the phone is turned on but the screen is locked:

🔋 Try to connect it to your computer through USB-Cable and copy important files using Mi PC Suite (if debugging is enabled) USB).
📱 Find out if the device is tied to Mi Account – after reset, you may need to enter a login / password from it.

Make sure the battery is >30%|

Disconnect the phone from all devices (earphones, smart watches) |

Prepare original USB-cable (in case of emergency firmware)|

Check if there is a backup of data in the Mi Cloud-->

How to log into the recovery menu depends on the generation of the device, below are the current combinations for all Xiaomi lines (including POCO and Black Shark):

Model/Lineak	Button combination	Notes
Redmi 4/4A/4X, Mi 5/5S, Mi Max 2	Food + Volume up	Hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
Redmi Note 5/6/7, Mi 8/9, POCO F1	Food + Volume up	On some firmware, you need to release buttons when vibration appears.
Redmi Note 8/9/10, Mi 10/11, POCO X3	Food + Volume up	If it doesn’t work, try Nutrition + Volume Down.
Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi K50, POCO F4	Food + Volume up	Newer models may require confirmation via Mi Account after reset.
Black Shark 3/4/5	Food + Volume up + Volume down	Hold all three buttons at the same time.

If the combination does not work:

Try to hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).
Connect your phone to charge – sometimes Recovery doesn’t start with a battery running low.
On models with touch buttons (such as the Mi Mix 2S), use the physical power button + virtual volume button on the screen.

💡

If the phone vibrates but does not load into Recovery, try holding the button combination to a second vibration signal – this often works on devices with corrupted software.

Step-by-step: how to reset in Recovery

When you are successfully logged into the recovery menu, the next steps depend on the version of MIUI. Below is a universal algorithm for all firmware:

Language selection: New versions of Recovery (starting with MIUI 12) will first have a language selection screen. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation. Choose English or Russian (if available).
Go to reset. In the menu, find Wipe Data (or Erase Data), which on older firmware may be called Wipe & Reset.
Reset confirmation. Select Wipe All Data (or similar). The system will ask you to confirm the action, agree.
It takes 30 seconds to 5 minutes to complete, and the phone will reboot automatically.

You might see Erasing -- or Formatting /data -- that's okay. Don't interrupt the process, even if it looks like the phone is stuck.

Once you reboot, the device will start as new, and models with Mi Account tied will need to enter the username and password from the account that was on the phone before the reset, and if you don't remember the data, use the recovery service.

What if the phone asks for an old password after reset?

If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, and the phone requires input after reset, there are two options: 1. Restore access to the account via email or a linked phone number (link to the recovery form above). 2. If the account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought by hand), contact the Xiaomi service center with purchase documents. It is impossible to bypass this protection yourself - this is a measure against theft.

Emergency reset if the phone is not turned on

If the device doesn’t respond to buttons, doesn’t show the Xiaomi logo, or is stuck on the screensaver, try Forced Reset via EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which works even on bricks, but requires a computer and special software.

You'll need:

🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
📄 Firmware for your model (file with.tgz or.zip extension).

Instructions:

Turn off the phone (if it doesn’t respond, remove and insert the battery back if it’s removable).
Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds.
Open Device Manager on PC – should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (this means that the phone has entered EDL mode).
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL deletes all data without recovery, including information in the internal storage section. This method should be used only if other methods have not helped.

1. correctness of the selected firmware (must coincide with the model and region).

Integrity USB-cables (damaged wires may interrupt data transmission).

3. presence of Qualcomm drivers on the computer (you can download from the official website).-->

How to bypass Mi Account request after reset

Since MIUI 9, Xiaomi has implemented anti-theft protection: once reset via Recovery, the phone can require input from the Mi Account, which was previously tied.This applies to all models released after 2017.

🔑 Restore your account. Go to the recovery page and follow the instructions. If you have an email or phone number attached, you will receive a confirmation code.
📄 Provide proof of purchase. If the phone is purchased from hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, contact the service center with a check or a purchase agreement.
🛠️ Switch the device through EDL. In some cases, full flashing removes the link to the account, but this does not work on all models (for example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, protection remains in place).

If you are selling a phone, be sure to untie it from your account:

Go to Settings → Mi Account → Security → Devices.
Find your phone in the list and click Delete.
Reset via Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset (not via Recovery!).

On devices with an unlocked bootloader, you can install custom firmware (like LineageOS) that bypasses the Mi Account check, but this requires technical skills and voids the warranty.

Alternative Resetting Methods Without Buttons

If the hardware buttons don’t work (for example, the power button broke), there are two alternative methods:

1. Reset via Fastboot (computer required)

Connect your phone to your PC, install Android SDK Platform Tools, and execute the commands:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

This method works even if the screen does not respond to touch, but requires enabled debugging over USB (USB Debugging).

2.Reset via Mi PC Suite

The official utility from Xiaomi allows you to reset your phone to factory settings through your computer:

Download and install Mi PC Suite.
Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
In the program, select System Reset → Reset to factory settings.

The downside of this method is that it doesn’t work if the phone is completely locked or not turned on.

Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset buttons

Can data be recovered after a hard reset?

No, a Recovery or Fastboot reset completely removes data from the /data partition, including photos, messages and apps. The only chance of recovering something is if you backed up to Mi Cloud or to your computer via Mi PC Suite.

Why does the phone ask for a Mi Account password when I didn’t tie it?

This means that the previous owner did not untie the account before the sale. Without login data, you can only unlock the phone through the Xiaomi service center with purchase documents. Self-attempts to bypass (for example, through firmware) can lead to a complete loss of the device’s functionality.

The error "Can't mount /data" appears on the screen.

This error indicates damage to the data partition. Try: Select Wipe Data → Format Data in Recovery (this will delete everything, including internal memory). If it does not help, flash your phone through Fastboot or EDL (instructions above). On older models (Redmi 3S, Mi 4), this error can indicate a failure of memory (requires repair).

The reset stopped, and now the phone doesn't turn on.

If the reset process has been interrupted (e.g., battery dead), try: Charge your phone for 30 to 60 minutes, then reset again. Use EDL mode to flash it (Emergency Reset section)

The new model (Xiaomi 13/14) doesn't have a button combination.

Xiaomi’s flagships of recent years (starting with the Mi 11) may have buttons disabled for enhanced protection, in which case: Connect your phone to charge and try Power + Volume up in 5-10 minutes. Use the Mi PC Suite to reset via your computer. If nothing helps, contact the service center to unlock the bootloader.