Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only way to get your smartphone back on track. Have you noticed that the phone is slowing down, discharged quickly or infected with viruses? Or are you going to sell the device and want to delete all personal data? In this article, three proven ways to make a hard reset on any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone, including models with a locked screen.
It's important to understand that resets delete all data -- photos, contacts, messages, installed apps. If the phone is still working, make sure to back up via Mi Cloud or locally to your computer. We'll detail how to save information before reset, what methods work on MIUI 14/15, and what to do if the smartphone does not respond to buttons.
The instructions in this article are relevant for all modern Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5/F5, Xiaomi 13/14 and older models based on the MIUI 12+. If your device is released before 2018 (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A1), some menu items may differ - we will mention this too.
1.Reset preparation: What to do before a hard reset
Before you press the Reset button, follow a few critical steps that neglect can result in data loss or device lockdown after reset.
First, check the Mi Account binding. After reset, Xiaomi will require you to enter the username and password from the account that was on the phone before the cleanup. If you forgot the data or bought the device from your hands, the reset can permanently lock the smartphone (Mi Account Lock protection is activated). Make sure you remember the email and password or untie the account in advance in Settings → Xiaomi Account.
Second, save important data. Even if the phone is unstable, try to copy the files:
- 📁 Photos and videos: connect your smartphone to your PC via USB (Select File Transfer Mode or use the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
- 📞 Contacts: sync with your Google account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts).
- 📝 Messages: Export through apps like SMS Backup & Restore.
- 🎮 Game Savings: Check if they are linked to a Google Play account or social media.
Third, charge the battery to at least 50%. Recovery or fastboot can take up to 30 minutes to reset, and if the phone runs out in the process, it will lead to serious firmware errors. Also prepare a USB cable (original or quality analogue) - it will be needed for methods with connection to the PC.
2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest)
If the phone turns on and reacts to touch, use this method.It doesn't require a computer and is suitable for most Xiaomi models on the MIUI 12-15.
Instructions:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to About Phone (or About Device on some models).
- Slip on Reset (may be called Reset and Reset).
- Select Erase all data (reset to factory settings).
- Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock if requested.
- Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings (or Remove Everything).
The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.
Make sure you remember the password from your Mi-account
Synchronize your contacts with Google
Copy photos on PC/cloud
Charge your phone to at least 50%
Disable screen protection (PIN/graphical)-->
⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO X3, Redmi Note 10) may result in a "This device is locked" error after reset, which means that the phone is linked to the Mi Account and you need to enter your username/password to continue. If you don't remember the data, restore it to account.xiaomi.com before resetting!
3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, use Recovery mode.This method works even without access to the system, but requires a combination of buttons.
Steps to Enter Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Press and hold the power button + volume button.
- Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
- Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu in English or Chinese.
In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for moving, power for selecting) can control the touch control on some models (POCO F3, Xiaomi 11T).
Further action:
- 🔍 Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
- 🔄 Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data (or Confirm).
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed (may take up to 10 minutes).
- 🔙 Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System for Reboot.
⚠️ Warning: If you see Wipe & Reset in the Recovery menu with Erase All Data (include internal storage) subitem, choose it - this guarantees complete cleanup, including internal memory. 3S, Mi 5) may require a password from your Mi Account, even in Recovery!
What if you can’t get into Recovery?
Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)
This method is suitable if:
- 🔧 The phone is not included in or included in Recovery.
- 🖥️ You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.
- 🔓 You need to bypass the lock Mi-account (not on all models).
To reset via fastboot you will need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).
- 🔋 Battery charge of at least 30%.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the power button + volume reduction to enter fastboot mode (a rabbit image with the inscription Fastboot will appear).
- Connect the phone to the PC.
- Open the command prompt (or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
- Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
⚠️ Note: On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), fastboot reset may not delete your Mi Account. If the phone requires login after reboot, use the official unlock method via Mi Unlock Tool (it will take 7-15 days to wait).
1. Reconnect. USB-cable to another port (preferably) USB 2.0).
2. Enable USB debugging in Settings → For developers (if the phone is still turned on).
3. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (download them from Xiaomi’s site for your model).-->
Table: Comparison of discharge methods
| Method | When to use | PC required | Deleting the Mi Account | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through the settings menu | The phone is working, there is access to the system. | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐ Very simple. |
| Through Recovery. | The phone is not turned on, but it is included in Recovery. | ❌ No. | ❌ No, on most models) | ⭐⭐ Middle-Average |
| Through fastboot. | The phone is not included in Recovery, there is a PC | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially (depending on the model) | ⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. |
| Through the Mi Unlock Tool | You need to delete your Mi Account after resetting. | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult. |
If you're selling a phone, you'd better use a reset via the settings menu, which is the most complete and deletes all the data, including files in internal memory. Recovery is the best way to unlock after a failed update. Leave the fastboot method as a last resort, because it requires technical skills.
6.What to do after resetting: initial setup
After a successful reset, the phone will start in initial setup mode. Follow the instructions on the screen, but pay attention to a few key points:
1. Connect to the network. At the stage of choosing Wi-Fi, connect to a reliable network. If the smartphone does not see the network, check if the aircraft mode is on (can activate automatically after reset).
2. Sign in to Mi Account: If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account, the system will request a username and password. Enter them carefully - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the device will be locked for 24 hours. If you do not remember the data, restore them through account.xiaomi.com from another device.
3. Data recovery. If you backed up through Mi Cloud, the system will suggest that you restore contacts, messages and applications during the setup stage. Select the data you want and wait until sync is complete. For local backups (on PC), copy the files back through USB.
4 System Update. After reset, check for updates: Settings → About Phone → System Update. Install the latest version of MIUI to avoid application compatibility errors.
1.Reboot (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Turn off animation in Settings → For Developers (enable Developer Mode by clicking 7 times on MIUI Version).
3. Install the latest firmware through System Update.-->
7. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions correctly, you can have problems.
Error: "This device is locked" after reset.
🔹 Reason: The phone is tied to a Mi Account and you don’t remember the login details.
🔹 Decision:
- 📧 Restore your password via account.xiaomi.com (requires access to the email or phone associated with your account).
- 📱 If recovery is not possible, contact Xiaomi Support with proof of purchase (check, box).
- 🔓 For older models (Redmi) 4/5) You can try bypassing through fastboot, but it is risky (brick is possible).
Mistake: The phone is stuck on the Mi logo after being reset.
🔹 Cause: Cleaning process interrupted or firmware damaged.
🔹 Decision:
- 🔄 Try to log in to Recovery again and repeat the reset.
- 💻 If it doesn’t work, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).
- 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged (plug in charge for 30 minutes before resetting).
Error: Can't log in to Recovery or fastboot.
🔹 Cause: Faulty buttons, damaged motherboard or bootloader lock.
🔹 Decision:
- 🔧 Check the buttons for physical damage (dust, moisture).
- 🔌 Try another charger (sometimes Recovery is only available when charging).
- 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use it ADB Recovery: Adb Reboot Recovery