How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: A Complete Guide

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution to fix software failures, prepare the device for sale or delete personal data.The procedure removes all user files, apps and settings, returning the phone to a “out of the box” state. However, not everyone knows that Xiaomi has three fundamentally different ways of resetting – and each is suitable for specific situations.

In this article, we will discuss all current reset methods (including hidden MIUI features), explain how to bypass common errors such as requesting a password after a reset, and give a checklist for safe execution of the procedure. Particular attention will be paid to models with Mi Account locking - their reset has critical nuances that even official instructions are silent about.

1.When you need Xiaomi reset to factory settings

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is the only way to bring the phone back to life. Here are 5 objective reasons to perform the procedure:

• 📱 System lags and freezes - if MIUI It slows down even after cleaning the cache and updating.
• 🔒 Preparation for sale / transfer – deletion of all personal data (photos, messages, accounts).
• 🛠️ Fixing bugs after firmware – if the phone doesn’t turn on or reboots cyclically.
• 🚫 Removing viruses or malware that are not removed by antiviruses.
• 🔄 Resetting a forgotten pattern lock/password (but only if Mi Account binding is disabled).

It is important to understand that resetting does not help with hardware malfunctions (for example, if the touchscreen is not working due to physical damage or the phone is not charging).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 series and Redmi Note 11/12 After a reset, you may need to enter your Mi Account login, even if you haven't tied it to it.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is a good way to do this if the phone turns on, you remember the unlock password, and you have access to the menu, and the advantage of this is that it's a minimal risk of building the device.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (if not already activated).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset Settings, then Delete all data.
5. Enter the screen unlock password (if requested).
6. Confirm the action with the Reset button.

It takes 5-15 minutes to reboot, and you'll be asked to set up your phone as new, and at this point you can recover data from the backup (if it was created in advance).

Backup important data (photos, contacts, messages)

Remember the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)

Disable Find Device in your account settings

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure that SIM-Card retrieved (if you plan to sell)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Poco) F5, Redmi K50) After resetting through the menu, you may remain linked to Google Account. To avoid blocking, delete your Google account before resetting in your Account settings → Google.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the on button, hovers on the logo, or reboots cyclically, a Recovery Mode reset will help, which works even on completely dead phones (assuming they somehow give signs of life).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For Xiaomi 11T/12 Pro: Volume up + Volume down + Power. For Poco X3/X4: Volume up + Power (hold 20+ seconds).

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the layout of the items: reset is usually second or third on top. On models with MIUI Global, the menu will be in English.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (if the password is forgotten)

If you forget your pattern lock or unlock password, but your phone is tied to your Mi Account, you can reset your device remotely via Xiaomi’s website, which only works if you meet three conditions:

• 🔗 The phone is connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Find Device was activated before blocking.
• 🔐 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device tab (or Device Management in the Russian version).
3. Find the locked phone in the list and click Erase Device.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from the account.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will reboot and prompt it to be configured as new, and it’s important that if the device has Mi Data Protection enabled (on 2022+ models), you’ll need to enter the password from the last Mi Account after the reset, otherwise the phone will remain locked.

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If the phone asks for an old password after resetting via Mi Account, try entering 123456 or 000000 – sometimes this works on firmware up to MIUI 12.

5. Typical errors in resetting and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes that can turn a reset into a nightmare, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery discharge – if the phone turns off during reset, it could damage system files.Solution: charge the device at least 70% or plug it into charging before the procedure begins.
• 📶 The lack of Internet in models with MIUI 13+ After reset, you need to connect to the network to activate. Solution: make sure that SIM-Card active or connect to Wi-Fi before reset.
• 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account – if you don’t remember your account details, your phone can turn into a brick.Solution: Restore your account in advance on account.xiaomi.com.
• 📱 Resetting through unofficial Recovery (e.g, TWRP) — This can lead to loss. IMEI Solution: Use only standard Mi Recovery.

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after reset, which is true for phones with an unlocked bootloader.

1. Save the IMEI (type *#06# and write down both numbers).
2. Make sure that the phone is official firmware (not custom).
3. Do not use fastboot erase commands manually.

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If the phone does not catch the network after reset (there is no cellular signal), the IMEI most likely flew, and you can restore it through the engineering menu (#4636##) or the firmware of the modem module.

6.What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

After a successful reset, the phone will be like new, but there are a few nuances that will help avoid problems in the future:

• 🔄 Don't restore data from the backup right away -- first check if the system is failing. Sometimes old settings can carry errors.
• 🔐 Set up unlocking by fingerprint – it is more convenient than a password and protects against accidental resets.
• ☁️ Turn off automatic sync with Mi Cloud if you don’t want to duplicate data.
• 📱 Update your firmware to the latest version – this closes vulnerabilities and improves performance.

If you dropped your phone before selling, remember:

1. Delete all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks).
2. Disable Find Device in the Mi Account settings.
3. Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any).
4. Do the reset again without it. SIM-cards (in some models, this removes the binding to the operator).

To recover data after reset, you can use:

• Mi Cloud – if synchronization is enabled.
• Google Drive – for contacts, calendars and some apps.
• Local backup – if you made it through Settings → Additional → Backup.

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If photos are missing after reset, check the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder on the memory card – sometimes backups are saved there automatically.

7. Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset