How to return Xiaomi to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step.It helps fix system crashes, remove viruses, prepare the device for sale or just start with a clean slate. However, not all users know that a complete reset erases not only apps and settings, but also internal memory, including photos, contacts and messages. Without prior backup, you risk losing important data forever.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods for all Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO — From a simple menu in settings to Fastboot mode for locked devices, you’ll also learn how to get around common bugs (such as This). MIUI version cannot be installed on this device and what to do if the phone does not respond to commands. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS 2026 year-end.

Resetting through settings is the safest way, but it requires a workable system. If a smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not turn on or is locked with a pattern lock, you will have to use recaps or Fastboot. The latter method is especially important for devices with an unlocked bootloader, as it allows you to reflash the phone even in case of serious software failures.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow all the critical steps: Without a backup, you will lose data from internal memory, including gallery photos, WhatsApp/Telegram messages, game saves, and account setups. It will be impossible to recover them after the reset if they are not synchronized with the cloud.

Here's what you should check out:

• 📱 Synchronization with Mi Account: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account and make sure that you have your contacts, notes and calendar synced.

Pay special attention to your Mi Account. If you forget your password, resetting it can trigger FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, and the phone will require you to enter your login/password after rebooting. To avoid blocking, check:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and make sure your account is active.
2. If you bought your phone with your hands, ask the previous owner to remove the device from your account at account.xiaomi.com.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12 HyperOS may require re-activation of biometric data (fingerprint, Face) after reset ID). Pre-save backup access codes!

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (for the work phone)

This is the easiest method that is suitable if the smartphone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-The instructions are the same for all Xiaomi models, including: POCO F5, Redmi Note 13 Pro and Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in HyperOS).
3. Select Backup and Reset → Resetting.
4. Click to erase all data (entry may be required) PIN-code).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Delete Everything.

The phone will automatically restart and start the reset process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and once completed, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase.

Are your contacts synchronized with your Mi Account?

Photos copied to PC/cloud

Are smart devices (watches, bracelets) untied?

Do you know the password from your Mi Account?

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If after resetting the phone requires the username / password from Mi Account, it means that the FRP protection has worked.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Enter the data from the account that was linked to the phone before the reset.
3. If you don’t remember your password, restore it through the Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) If you plan to install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader before reset!

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

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches, or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery Mode, which works even without access to the main system, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔧 For POCO: Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

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In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation. The interface can be in Chinese or English - orientate by icons:

• 🔄 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• 📱 Reboot → Reboot to System (Reboot after reset).

Once you select Wipe All Data, the phone will begin the cleaning process, which can take up to 20 minutes. Don't interrupt it or remove the battery! Once complete, select Reboot to System, and the device will restart in factory condition.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after resetting via Recovery or if it gives a No command error, it could mean that the firmware is damaged, in which case you will need to flash it through Fastboot (mode 3).

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

The Fastboot method is the most radical and requires connecting your phone to a PC.

• 🔧 The phone does not turn on or respond to Recovery.
• 🔒 Device locked in Mi Account after reset.
• 📱 You need to reflash the phone from scratch (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in the terminal (for Windows) macOS/Linux).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz or.zip).
5. Press Refresh – the program must determine the device (it will appear). COM-port).
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. When it's done, it automatically reboots. If you have an anti-rollback error, you're trying to install an older version of the firmware than you did before. In this case, download the newer version of MIUI/HyperOS.

1. Reinstall the driver manually through Device Manager (select "Xiaomi Composite MDB Interface").

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. Run the program on behalf of the administrator.-->

⚠️ Note: Fastboot reset deletes all data without recovery, including the contents of internal memory (including folder) MIUI This method can also lead to the bootloader locking if it was previously unlocked. Before the procedure, check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: true, after the firmware, the bootloader locks!

5. Typical errors in resetting and how to correct them

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and consider the most common errors and their solutions:

If the reset has lost sound, the camera is not working or the network is missing, most likely, the firmware was installed for another region. For example, the firmware for Xiaomi 13 China will not work correctly on Xiaomi 13 Global.

1. Download the correct firmware version from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Repeat the firmware via Fastboot.

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If the phone doesn't turn on after reset for more than 30 minutes, don't try to repeat the procedure - this may aggravate the problem.

6.How to recover data after reset (if you did not make a backup)

If you haven't saved the data before the reset, the chances of it being recovered are minimal, but there are.

Method 1: Recovery with Mi Cloud

• 📱 If Mi Cloud was turned on before the reset, go to i.mi.com and check if there are backups in the Devices section. → Backup copies.
• ☁️ Contacts, notes and photos (if synced) can be downloaded directly from the cloud.

Method 2: Using Recovery Programs

If your internal memory hasn't been overwritten with new information, you can try programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but success depends on:

• 🕒 The time after the reset (the earlier, the better).
• 📱 Phone models (on Xiaomi with Snapdragon chip, chances are higher than on MediaTek).
• 🔒 bootloader unlock status (on locked devices, recovery is almost impossible).

Method 3: Contacting a service center

In some cases, specialists can extract data using professional equipment (for example, the data may be collected by specialists, UFED or JTAG). However, it is expensive (from 5,000). ₽) It does not guarantee 100% results.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use questionable software to "hack" Mi Account after reset! this can result in a complete lock IMEI (The official way to unlock is only through Xiaomi support with the provision of a check of purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)