How to reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s factory reset could be a lifesaver for your smartphone

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their stability, but even they eventually start to slow down: apps spontaneously close, the battery goes down in a few hours, and the system emits errors when updated. In 80% of cases, these problems solve a complete reset to factory settings – a procedure that returns the phone to the state “out of the box” by removing all user data, settings and installed programs.

But resets are not a universal pill for all diseases, and they won’t help if the phone is locked through Mi Account after the firmware is installed (it requires official unlocking), or if the problem is a physical breakdown (for example, a broken screen or a flooded motherboard), but they are effective at software failures, viruses, littering the system, or before selling the device, and the main thing is to prepare and choose the right method.

In this article, we’ll break down three official resets (via settings, Recovery mode, and Mi Flash Tool), tell you how to get around common bugs (like hanging on the Mi logo), and give you a checklist to save important data. And if you’re afraid of losing photos, there’s a bonus at the end: instructions to extract files even after the reset (assuming the phone still turns on).

Resetting: What to Do Before Cleaning Your Phone

Resetting to factory settings is an irreversible process, and it will delete all the data from internal memory: contacts, messages, photos, videos, game saves, and even files in the Download folder. If you don't back up, it will be extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to recover the information.

• 📱 Battery level: at least 50% If the phone runs out during reset, it can lead to "bricking" (complete inoperability).
• 🔐 Mi Account data: remember the username and password from the Xiaomi account. After reset, the phone may require authorization to unlock.
• 📁 Backup: copy important files to your PC, Google Drive, or external drive. Use Settings for contacts and messages → Google → Backup.
• 🔌 Cable and PC: If you plan to reset via Mi Flash, prepare the original USB-Install the Mi Unlock Tool driver.

Pay special attention to tied services, for example, if you use your phone for two-factor authentication (SMS codes from banks, social networks), after a reset, access to accounts may be blocked, untie the number in advance or save backup codes.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled Find Device, you may need to enter a password from your previous Xiaomi account after resetting. → Mi Account → Find Device.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, reacts to touch, and you have access to the menu. It is the simplest and does not require additional tools. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older devices on MIUI 12/13/14.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or Device on new MIUI versions).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click Delete all data (or Reset settings).
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which takes 5 to 15 minutes. Upon completion, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after purchase. If the device has been stuck on the Mi logo for longer than 20 minutes, see the "Problem Solving" section.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) This device is locked, which means that the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account. To unlock, you will need to enter a username and password from the previous owner.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If your smartphone doesn't respond to touch, freezes on the screensaver, or reboots cyclically, use Recovery mode, which works even on dead phones, but requires precise execution of instructions, and doing the wrong thing can cause you to lose your IMEI or other serious problems.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F3/F4: Volume down + Power. For old Redmi 4/5: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for confirmation. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data), then Wipe All Data. Once confirmed, the phone will start resetting. It can take up to 30 minutes - don't interrupt it!

Method 3: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for advanced users)

This method is necessary in extreme cases:

• 🔧 The phone is fully “brick” (does not turn on, does not respond to buttons).
• 📱 Refuse the device to another version MIUI.
• 🔒 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).

The work will require:

• Computer with Windows 7/10/11.
• Original. USB-cable (not cheap charging!).
• Mi Flash Tool.
• Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for your model.
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz or.zip) in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons "Loudness down + Power" before the hare appears in the hat-eared.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, the device needs to be determined.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Flash. It takes 5-10 minutes.

Important: Once you have firmware through Mi Flash, the phone will be completely clean, including removing the Mi Account. However, if the bootloader is blocked, you will need to officially unlock through the Xiaomi website (can take up to 360 hours!).

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If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a critical partition flashing is not allowed, try selecting Clean All mode instead of Clean All and Lock.

Table: Comparison of Xiaomi reset methods

Solving typical problems after resetting

Even after a successful reset, problems can occur, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Phone cyclically reboots: Most likely, the firmware is damaged. Re-reset via Recovery or run the phone over again through Mi Flash.
• 🔒 Requires password from Mi Account: Enter the account that was linked before the reset. If you forgot the password, restore it on the Xiaomi website.
• 📶 No network (IMEI dropped: This is a critical error that occurs when misreset via Mi Flash. IMEI Specialized software will be required (for example, SN Writer Tool and NV-data backup.
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly after reset: This is normal in the first 2-3 days - the system indexes files and optimizes work. If the problem persists, check the energy saving settings.

If the phone is this device is locked and does not accept the Mi Account password, it means that the device was tied to another region (for example, Chinese firmware on a global phone), in which case only official unlocking through Xiaomi support will help.

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If the phone doesn't turn on or gives you errors after reset, DO NOT try to re-stitch it without a diagnosis. Contact the service center - taking independent actions can aggravate the problem.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset