How to Reset Your Settings on Xiaomi Without Losing Data: 5 Proven Ways

Why Xiaomi Settings Can Be Lost – and How to Avoid It

Resetting to factory settings is a standard procedure when selling a smartphone, fixing system failures or preparing for a MIUI update. However, many Xiaomi users (including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11) face an unpleasant surprise: after a reset, photos, WhatsApp correspondence, saved passwords and even contacts disappear, the reason lies in the peculiarities of MIUI working with memory partitions and cloud services.

Unlike pure Android, Xiaomi’s firmware defaults to link some of the data to your Mi Account, but not everything syncs automatically, such as photos in the gallery can be stored locally, and app settings (such as com.xiaomi.misettings) can be stored in a secure partition that is not always backed up, and this section will be devoted to how to prepare for a reset to save 100% of personal data, including hidden folders and game mode settings.

It's important to understand that even a soft reset (through the settings menu) can erase data if you don't follow the preliminary steps. And hard reset (via Recovery Mode) almost always formats internal memory. Next, step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, from the safest to the emergency.

Way 1: Backup over Mi Cloud – Why It Doesn’t Always Work

Xiaomi’s official method is synchronization with Mi Cloud (Mi Account cloud), which, in theory, should save contacts, notes, SMS, and even some customization of system applications, but in practice users face three problems:

  • 🔄 Incomplete sync: Mi Cloud does not reserve photos in original quality (preview only), game saves and files from folders like /MIUI/Extra.
  • 📶 Traffic restriction: The first backup over the mobile Internet can take up to 5 GB of traffic (for example, for the Redmi Note 11 Pro).+ 128GB of memory).
  • 🔐 Account Linking: If you forget your Mi Account password, it will be impossible to recover your data – even if you prove your device is owned.

How to make a backup through Mi Cloud:

  1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
  2. Turn on synchronization for all items (especially "Contacts", "Notes", "SMS").
  3. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup and create a backup file on internal memory (it will be in /MIUI/backup/AllBackup).
  4. Copy this folder to a PC or external drive – it will come in handy if the cloud “forgets” some of the data.

💡

If Mi Cloud gives an error “Can’t sync”, try to disable the VPN or change the account region to “Russia” in the profile settings.

Method 2: Local Backup – Hidden MIUI Capabilities

Few people know, but MIUI can create full backups, including app settings, Wi-Fi passwords, and even some game data, which is more reliable than Mi Cloud, but requires more action:

  1. Connect your smartphone to charging (the process can take 20-40 minutes).
  2. Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI version to activate the Developer Mode.
  3. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
  4. Install the Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or ADB Tools on your PC.
  5. Connect your phone via USB, select File Transfer mode and in Mi PC Suite, click Backup.

The advantage of this method: backup retains:

  • 📁 Folders. /DCIM, /Downloads, /Pictures originally.
  • 🎮 Preserve games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile).
  • 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi networks (stored in the /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xml).
What is not stored in the local backup?
Data of some banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff) due to their protection. - Files from the /Android/data/ (app cache). - Settings of Google Pay and other payment systems.

Once you have created a backup, copy /MIUI/backup/ to an external drive. To recover from a reset, simply connect your phone to your PC and select Restore in Mi PC Suite.

Method 3: Reset via Safe Mode – when the system is “hang”

If Xiaomi’s smartphone brakes, overheats, or makes errors like “System UI Stopped” but it turns on, try resetting through Safe Mode. This method only clears temporary files and settings without affecting:

  • 📸 Photographs and videos.
  • 📞 Contacts (if synced with Google or Mi Account).
  • 🎵 Music and uploaded files.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the power button and when the Mi logo appears, release it and immediately press the Volume down.
  3. Keep Volume down until the "Safe Mode" appears in the lower left corner.
  4. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Reset settings.
  5. Select "Reset" (Do not "Reset all data!").

Take screenshots of important screens (e.g. mobile internet settings)|Check the synchronization of contacts with Google|Make sure the phone has enough charge (minimum 50%)|Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)-->

After the reboot, check:

  • Google Play Services (sometimes reset)
  • Files saved in /DCIM/Camera and /Downloads folders.
  • Have you been assigned to your Mi Account (sometimes you need to log in again)?

Method 4: Recovery Mode Reset – Last Measure

If the phone doesn't turn on, freezes on the Mi logo, or gives you a "No Command" error, you'll have to use Recovery Mode, which erases everything from internal memory, but there's a way to save data before resetting:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
  3. Select Connect with MIAssistant (if there is one) and connect your phone to a PC with the Mi PC Suite installed.
  4. In the program, click "System Restore" → "Save Data" → "Start Recovery."

If the Connect with MIAssistant option is missing (relevant to older models like the Redmi 4X), try:

  • 🔌 Connect your phone to the PC and use it ADB For data copying: adb pull /sdcard/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ (This will copy all files from internal memory to disk C).
  • 📱 If ADB Does not define the device, try the Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers and Command: Adb devices (Serial Phone Number to Appear).
📊 What type of reset you have used before?
Through phone settings
Through the Mi Cloud
Through Recovery Mode
Never dropped it.
Another way.

Note: If you select Wipe Data in Recovery Mode without a backup, the data will be lost irrevocably. The new models (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5) have protection against accidental reset - the system will request a password from Mi Account.

Method 5: Reset without data loss via Fastboot – for advanced

This method is suitable if:

  • 🔧 You only need to reset system settings, leaving user data.
  • 📱 The phone does not respond to the sensor, but is detected by the PC in Fastboot mode.
  • 🔄 Refuse the device without formatting /data.

Instructions:

  1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Fastboot drivers.
  2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
  4. Do reset settings without deleting data: fastboot erase cache fastboot erase system fastboot flash system.img fastboot reboot (instead of system.img, specify the path to the firmware file for your model).

Attention: This method requires:

  • 🔐 Unlocked loader (Bootloader).
  • 📄 The right firmware for your model (for example, for Redmi Note) 10 Pro needs firmware. sweet_global_images...).
  • 🔋 Battery charge of at least 80% (process can take up to an hour).

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Fastboot reset is the only way to save data if the phone is not turned on but is detected in firmware mode, but it requires technical skills and can lead to a "brick" if an error is made.

What to do after reset: data recovery and setup

After successful discharge:

  1. Restore Backup: If you used Mi Cloud, log in and select Restore from the cloud settings. If you did a local backup, connect your phone to your PC and transfer the files back to /DCIM, /Downloads, etc.
  2. Set up sync: Activate Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync for Contacts, Calendar and Mail. Enable Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud Account → Auto Sync.

Check out system applications

  • Update Google Play Services and Mi App Store
  • Reinstall banking applications (they may require re-activation).

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting Xiaomi settings

Can I reset settings on Xiaomi without a password from Mi Account?
If the phone is tied to Mi Account, resetting via Recovery Mode will require a password. This can only be done through: official deletion of the account (you need access to mail / phone). Using EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi developer account and a firmware box). Self-combating attempts (for example, through Deep Test Mode) can lead to blocking of IMEI.
I reset the settings and the photos are gone.
If the photos were stored on internal memory and were not copied before reset: Use data recovery software (DiskDigger, Recuva) - connect your phone to your PC in mode MTP. Check the folder. /MIUI/backup/ — Sometimes the backup is automatically created. If the photos were in Google Photos, check the cart (stored). 60 The chances of recovery are higher if no new files are recorded on the phone after the reset.
After the reset, the Touch ID doesn't work. What do you do?
The problem is typical for models with AMOLED-screens (Xiaomi 12, POCO F4). Solution: Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Fingerprint. Remove all the fingerprints you saved. Reboot your phone. Reboot your phone. Add the fingerprint again, following the instructions on the screen. If the sensor doesn't respond, check the integrity of the screen glass, sometimes after the reset, you have hidden damage.
Can I reset settings for just one application?
Yes, MIUI has a feature to reset the settings of a particular application: Open Settings → Applications → Application Management. Select the desired application (like Instagram). Click Storage → Clear data (this will remove settings and cache, but not the application files themselves). For system applications (like Gallery or Phone), this method may not work – you will need a complete reset.
How to reset your settings to Xiaomi if you forget your pattern lock?
There are 3 official ways: Through Mi Account: 5 times enter the wrong key. Click "Forgot your password?" and log in to Mi Account. Through Find Device: Go to i.mi.com. Select device → "Unlock screen" (SMS confirmation will be required).

Through Recovery Mode

  • Enter the Recovery (Food + Volume Up).
  • Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

Unofficial methods (such as ADB or Fastboot) only work on older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5).