Resetting on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing a device for sale to fixing critical system failures. However, not all users know that a complete reset removes not only apps and settings, but can also block access to the device, if you do not take into account the nuances of binding to the Mi Account. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of reset — from the standard menu to forced through Fastboot — and also tell you how to avoid common errors and what to do if after a reset the phone requires a password.
Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark) are closely integrated with the MIUI ecosystem.This means that even after a reset via Recovery, proof of ownership may be required through Mi Cloud. We will discuss in detail how to circumvent this protection in legal ways and what data should be stored in advance so as not to lose important information. If you have never performed a reset on Xiaomi, start with the first section - there we explain the key points that will help to avoid unpleasant surprises.
When you need a reset on Xiaomi and what risks it carries
Factory reset is not a universal solution to all problems, but a last resort to be used in specific cases, and here are the most common scenarios where the procedure is justified:
- 📱 Preparation for sale or transfer of the device: Reset deletes personal data, accounts and usage history, but does not guarantee complete erasure of files from internal memory (this requires secure erase).
- 🔄 System failures: constant reboots, application errors (com.android.systemui), inability to update MIUI.
- 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-In some cases, resetting is the only way to unlock your phone without losing data (but not always!).
- 🦠 Viruses or suspicious activity: If the antivirus detects malware that is not removed by standard methods.
However, the discharge also carries hidden risks, which are rarely warned about:
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and later, after a reset, you can use Mi Anti-Theft protection. If the phone was tied to Mi Account and you don't remember the password, you can't unlock it without official confirmation. This is even a Fastboot reset! Another nuance is the loss of data in the cloud. If the phone was enabled sync with Mi Cloud, but the backup was not created manually, after reset, you may not be able to restore contacts, notes or messages: 📸 Photo and video in DCIM Pictures will be deleted permanently if they are not uploaded to Google Photos or another cloud. 🎮 Game saves (such as Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail) will have to be restored through tied developer accounts. 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices will also be erased. 📊 Why do you want to reset your settings on Xiaomi?Preparing the phone for saleI eliminate system errorsI forgot the unlock passwordI want to "clean" the deviceOther optionPreparation for reset: Before you start a reset, follow a few critical steps that may result in you losing access to your device indefinitely (e.g., if your Mi Account has been deleted or blocked). 1. Check the binding to Mi Account Open Settings → Xiaomi account and make sure that: 🔗 Phone is linked to a valid account (email or phone number confirmed). 🔐 You remember the password from your Mi Account or you have a backup login method (e.g., via Google). 📱 Two-factor authentication is not active on the account (2FA), Or you have access to the backup code. We recommend combining several methods: Data Type Method Backup Note Contacts, Calendar Sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud Check that sync is enabled in Settings → Google Photos and Video Accounts Photos, Mi Cloud or manual porting to PC Original quality takes up a lot of space – choose “High quality” to save Messages (SMS/MMS) Apps like this SMS Backup & Restore Recovery is possible only on the same device or after manual import of the Applications and their data → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup Not all applications support backup (e.g., bank or instant messengers) Calls, Mi Cloud notes or export to file Notes from Mi Notes sync automatically if Mi Cloud is enabled For manual file copy, connect your phone to your PC via your PC USB (Select Transfer mode If the account is not tied, do not reset – after the procedure, the phone may require data from the previous owner (even if you bought it with your hands).In this case, the only way out is to appeal to Xiaomi with proof of purchase. 2. Data backup MIUI offers built-in tools for creating a backup, but they are not always reliable. Files in the notification curtain) and copy folders: /storage/emulated/0/DCIM # Photos and videos /storage/emulated/0/Download # Downloads. /storage/emulated/0/WhatsApp # WhatsApp Backups Make sure Mi Account is tied and available|Create a backup copy of contacts and photos|Copy important files on the PC|Write it down. IMEI telephone (in case of lockdown)|Remove Factory Reset Protection (FRP) Google-settings--> Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (safest) If the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password, this method is the best choice. It keeps the Mi Account attached and minimizes the risk of locking after the reset. Instruction: Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen). Go to the About Phone section (or About the device on the phone) POCO). Select Backup and Reset (on the MIUI 14 The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset). Tap Reset (or Reset All Settings). The system will prompt you to enter the lock screen password (if installed) and confirm the action. Choose Delete everything and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes). After the reboot, the phone will prompt you to configure it as new: 🔄 If the Mi Account was tied, log in to it – this will remove the lock. 📱 If your phone requires a password from your previous account, but you don’t know it, go to the Mi Anti-Theft bypass section. 💡If after reset the phone is stuck on the logo MI, Don't panic. Wait 15 to 20 minutes -- sometimes the first boot takes a long time. If the screen doesn't change for longer than an hour, try forcibly restarting the device (clip the power). + Volume up for 10 seconds). Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if phone doesn't turn on) If Xiaomi doesn't respond to taps, hovers on the logo or is locked with a pattern lock, reset via Recovery.This method works on all models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 mi 11/12/13. Important: on some firmware (especially Chinese versions), Recovery may be in Chinese. To avoid mistakes, focus on the location of menu items. 10–15 Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔧 For POCO F1/F2/F3: Loudness down + Nutrition. ⚙️ For Black Shark: Volume up + Loudness down + Power. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection. Select Wipe Data (or Chinese firmware), then Wipe All Data. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a password from Mi Account if it was tied). Once completed, select Reboot or Reboot. ⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13/14 The message "This device is locked" may appear after reset via Recovery, even if the Mi Account is entered correctly, meaning that the phone was blocked by the previous owner via Find Device, in which case access can only be restored through official unlock (see below). If the Recovery menu doesn't open or the phone vibrates and turns off, the firmware may be damaged. 3). What to do if Recovery doesn't open? If the button combination doesn't work, try it: 1. Connect the phone to the charger on 30 Minutes – sometimes a discharged battery blocks access to Recovery. 2. Use a different combination (e.g., for Redmi) 9A You need to hold the volume up. + Meals for food 20+ seconds). 3. Install Recovery via Fastboot (requires PC and cable) USB). If nothing helps, proceed to reset via Fastboot (next section). 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users) This method is suitable if: 🔧 Recovery is damaged or missing. 📵 The phone does not respond to the switch buttons. 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (but it won’t work on all models: 💻 Computer with Windows or macOS. 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission!). 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot. Instructions: Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot). Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume down + Power for 10 seconds. Release the buttons when the image of the hare in the hat-eared hat appears (Fastboot logo). Connect the phone to the PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools. Enter the command to check the connection: If the phone is recognized (it will appear serial number), continue. If not, install the Xiaomi drivers or try another cable. After the reboot, the phone will be reset, but the Mi Account lock may persist. On new models (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13), this method does not bypass protection - you will need official unlocking. 💡Fastboot reset does not delete data from internal memory completely! For complete erasure, use the fastboot erase userdata command twice or format using the fastboot format userdata. Method 4: Find Device Reset If you lose your phone or it was stolen, you can remotely reset it via Xiaomi's Find Device service.This will delete all data, but it won't disable the account binding - the device you find will remain locked. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account. Select the lost device in the list (if it's connected to the Internet, its location will be displayed); Click Erase the data and confirm the action; wait for the command to execute (may take up to 30 minutes). Method restrictions: 📶 The phone must be connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi). 🔋 The battery level should be above 15%. 🔒 After the reset, the device will remain tied to your Mi Account. ⚠️ Note: If you find someone else’s Xiaomi phone and try to reset it through Find Device, this qualifies as unauthorized access. According to the law of the Russian Federation (Article 272 of the Criminal Code), such an action can entail administrative or criminal liability. If after a reset, the phone requests data from a Mi Account that you don’t remember or that isn’t yours, there are several legal ways to solve the problem. EDL) often leads to blocking IMEI Official ways to unlock Restore access to Mi Account: 📧 Go to account.xiaomi.com and try to recover your password via email or phone. 🔑 If two-factor authentication (2FA) active, use backup code or contact support.Calling in support of Xiaomi: 📄 Prepare proof of purchase (check, box with) IMEI, warranty). 📞 Contact support via the official website or by phone (for the Russian Federation: 8 800 700 03 93). 🕒 The release date is from 3 before 14 Unofficial methods (at your own risk) may work on older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) or firmware MIUI 11, but does not guarantee results and may result in: 🚫 Blocking IMEI (The phone will be a brick"). 🔄 Loss of warranty. 🛡️ Activation of additional protection (for example, Anti Rollback). If you still want to try: Reset via EDL: You need an authorized Xiaomi account (e.g., from a service center) and Mi Flash. 🔧 Detailed instructions: xiaomi.eu/community (section EDL Unlock). Here are the most common ways to solve them: Problem Possible cause Phone solution is not turned on after reset Damaged firmware or battery is discharged Connect to charging for 1 hour, then try to pinch Power + Volume up 20 seconds Constantly appears error "Mi Account locked" Phone was blocked by the previous owner through Find Device Contact support Xiaomi with proof of purchase Does not work sensor or buttons after reset Incorrectly installed firmware or damaged connector Trail Refashion the device via Fastboot or contact the service center No network (IMEI missing or incorrect) Fastboot reset erased modem data or firmware incompatible IMEI via Engineering Mode (#4636##) or reflash the device Phone warms and discharges quickly Background processes after reset or damaged battery Use of vulnerabilities in Recovery: On some firmware, you can bypass the lock by connecting OTG-pre-script. 📌 Example: For the Redmi Note 5 on MIUI 10 There was a buffer overflow bug in Recovery. Remember, since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened its security, and most of the loopholes to bypass Mi Account are closed. The only reliable way is to officially unlock through support. Frequent errors after reset and how to fix them Even after a successful reset, users face problems. calibration of the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions) If after reset functions like NFC, IR-The port or always-on display, check out: 🔧 Version of the firmware in Settings → It's about the phone, maybe it's custom or outdated firmware. 📥 Availability of updates in Settings → Updating the system. ⚙️ Are the necessary options included in the settings → Additionally. → Special facilities. 💡If the phone is slower than before, the cause may be the wear and tear of internal memory (especially on budget models like the Redmi). 9A or POCO C31). In this case, only the replacement of the memory module in the service center will help. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions about Xiaomi reset Can Xiaomi be reset without data loss? No, a full reset always deletes user data: 📱 Create a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. 💾 Copy important files to your PC or cloud manually. 🔄 Use it. TWRP Recovery for selective reset (power users only). If the goal is to fix crashes without losing data, try Cache Cleanup in Recovery first (Wipe Cache item). What to do if your phone asks for a password from an old Google account (FRP)? This is Factory Reset Protection, anti-theft protection. To unlock: Enter the email and password from the Google account that was on the phone before the reset. If you don't remember the data, try to restore access through accounts.google.com. If your account is not yours (the phone is hand-built), contact the previous owner or provide proof of purchase in support of Google. MIUI FRP lock works with Mi Account — you may need to enter data from both accounts. Will bootloader unlock after reset? No, bootloader status (Unlocked/Locked) It doesn't depend on resetting: 🔓 If the bootloader has been unlocked, after the reset it will remain in Unlocked state. 🔒 If the bootloader has been blocked, the reset will not change its status. ⚠️ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After the reset, you may need to re-assign your account to unlock Fastboot. To check the status of the bootloader, transfer the phone to Fastboot and type in the command: fastboot oem device-info Device unlocked: true means that the bootloader is unlocked. Can you reset Xiaomi through a computer without Fastboot? Yes, there are two options: Through Mi PC Suite: 💻 Download the program from the official website. 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and select Backup and Restore → Reset to factory settings. ADB (if debugging is on USB): adb shell recovery --wipe_data This command will reboot the phone to Recovery and start a reset. Both methods require the phone to turn on and be unlocked. How to reset Xiaomi if the screen is not working (broken display)?