How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings: 5 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, prepare the device for sale or eliminate the consequences of viral attacks. The procedure removes all user data, returning the phone to the “boxy state”, but if performed improperly, can lead to locking the Mi Account or loss of access to the device. In this guide, we will discuss all the current reset methods for Redmi, POCO, Black Shark and classic Mi models, including hidden nuances that are not written in the official instructions.

It's important to understand that factory reset and hard reset are not always the same thing. The first can be done through the settings menu, the second often requires Recovery mode or even a PC. The method depends on the state of the device: whether it works, whether you remember the password from the Mi Account, whether you have access to the Fastboot. We'll look at all the scenarios, from the simplest to emergency measures, when the phone does not respond to commands.

Before you start, check if your model is a device with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for the European market). In such cases, after the reset, you may need to log in through the original Mi Account, linked to the phone. If you bought the device from hand, check this point with the previous owner.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Even if your Xiaomi is stable, a factory reset without preparation can result in loss of important data or activation problems.

Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Make sure you know the username/password from your Mi Account

Write down the IMEI (type *#06#)

Untie the device from your Google account (if used)

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Backup is a critical stage. Xiaomi has a built-in backup tool, but it doesn't save:

• 🔐 Passwords from Wi-Fi and apps
• 📱 Data from some games (e.g. Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail)
• 📁 Files in folders DCIM, Downloads and MIUI (They need to be copied manually)

For complete safety, use a combination of built-in backup and manual copy on your PC. Pay special attention to the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder - it stores backups of system settings that are not automatically restored after a reset.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Xiaomi.eu or custom firmware, a standard reset via the menu can lead to a download to Fastboot.In this case, you will need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, responds to touches, and you remember a pattern lock or PIN-The instructions are valid for all devices on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Resetting (the HyperOS path may differ: Settings → Memory → Resetting settings).
2. Choose to Erase All Data (not to be confused with Settings Reset, which only resets the settings!).
3. Enter the password from Mi Account (if requested) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the reboot (can take up to 10 minutes).

Features for different versions of MIUI:

If you reset your phone and you don't know it, you'll have to contact Xiaomi's support team with proof of purchase, and in some cases, EDL testing can help, but it requires special equipment and risks locking the device permanently.

Redmi Note Series Series Series

POCO F/X series

Xiaomi 11/12/13 series

Black Shark

Other-->

3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or doesn’t respond to touch, a Recovery reset will help, which works even when the screen is locked, but requires physical access to the device’s buttons.

Instructions for most models:

1. Turn off the phone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 For Redmi/POCO: Nutrition + Loudness up 📱 For Xiaomi Mi (do) 2021 of the year: Nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down 📱 For Black Shark: Nutrition + Volume up (hold up) 15+ seconds)

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

On new devices (such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi K60 Pro), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese. Look for characters (clear data) and (confirm). If the menu does not appear, the bootloader may be damaged (the solution is firmware via Fastboot).

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices, a Recovery reset may require a Mi Account password even if the account was not previously linked.This is due to Xiaomi's new security policy.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remotely)

If your phone is lost or stolen, but you have access to your associated Mi Account, you can reset remotely, and this is also useful if the device is locked but connected to the Internet.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Devices tab and find your phone in the list.
3. Click Find Device → Delete Data (Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Remote reset has limitations:

• 🔄 It only works if Remote Control and Data Transfer are enabled on the phone.
• 📶 Requires an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ⏳ It can take up to 30 minutes (depending on the model).

After a remote reset, the phone will automatically unlock, but the first time you turn on, you will need to re-authorize to Mi Account. If the device was stolen, you should first use the Lock Device function so that the attacker can not untie the account.

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If the remote reset doesn’t work, check to see if the phone has geolocation services disabled. Some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) require GPS enabled to operate the feature.

5. Method 4: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., a firmware is damaged or the phone only loads into a Fastboot), you can reset via the command line, which requires a PC, USB cable, and ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

Preparation:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into the C:\platform-tools folder.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times click on version → Return to Additional → For developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.

Discharge commands:

adb devices # Checking the connection


adb reboot bootloader #Reboot in Fastboot




fastboot devices # Check connection in Fastboot




fastboot erase userdata # Clearing up user data




fastboot erase cache #Cache cleaning




fastboot reboot #Reboot

For devices with a locked bootloader (such as Xiaomi 12S Ultra) before reset will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool. without this command fastboot erase will not work.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) K50 Gaming, POCO X5 Pro) the fastboot erase userdata command can cause loss IMEI. In this case, the restoration of QCN-file-in-center.

Method 5: Reset via EDL and Test Point modes (Emergency method)

This is an extreme measure when the phone does not respond to any commands, does not load into Recovery or Fastboot. The method requires disassembling the device and using special equipment (EDL cable or Test Point closure).

When it may be necessary:

• 🔧 Phone after a failed firmware does not turn on (black screen, flashing red indicator).
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and the device is locked.
• 📉 Area damaged EFS (loss IMEI, serial).

Step-by-step process:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Take the phone apart and find Test Point (EDL Mode Points). Each model is different: Where to find Test Point for popular models? Redmi Note 10 Pro: under the back cover, next to the battery connector (two golden dots). POCO X3 Pro: under the plastic stub on the motherboard (marked "EDL"). Xiaomi 11T Pro: next to the camera, under the metal screen (requires full disassembly). For precise location, look for circuits on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.
3. Connect. EDL cable or close Test Point with tweezers while connecting USB-plug-in.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.

Once firmware is EDL, the phone will be completely reset, but may require authorization to the Mi Account even if the account was not previously tied, due to Xiaomi's anti-theft policy.

7.What to do after resetting: the first steps

Once the reset is successful, the device will return to factory settings, but that's not the end of the process.

• 📱 Go through the initial setup, but don’t connect to Wi-Fi until you restore the backup (this will prevent automatic updates). MIUI, which can "break" the system again).
• 🔄 Restore data from the backup (Settings) → The phone. → Recovery).
• 🔒 Link your Mi Account (if you haven’t done it before) to avoid being blocked on your next reset.
• 🛡️ Disable unnecessary system applications through Settings → Annexes → Application management (this will reduce battery load).

If there are problems after the discharge:

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If the phone is slower after reset than before reset, check if it has a MIUI beta installed, in which case it is recommended to flash the stable version through Recovery.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset