How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi Smartphone to Factory Settings: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why a factory reset may be necessary

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. You may find yourself in a situation where the phone starts to brake after a year of active use, or after a failed MIUI update, the system produces a critical error. In some cases, a reset is required before selling the device to delete all personal data without the possibility of recovery.

The procedure returns the smartphone to a "out of the box" state: delete all installed applications, photos, accounts and settings. However, not all data is permanently erased. For example, files on the memory card (if installed) will remain intact, and some system logs can be stored in service partitions. It is important to understand that the reset does not amount to firmware - it does not change the version of MIUI, but only cleans user data.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to reset: through the phone settings, using Recovery Mode and the fastboot command, and you will learn how to prepare the device to avoid losing important information, and what to do if the reset freezes or ends with an error.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before cleaning

Before you start resetting, make sure to back up. Even if you plan to reset your phone due to a problem, there is always a chance of losing important data.

• 📸 Photos and Videos: Use Google Photos, Mi Cloud or transfer files to your computer via the computer USB-cable, folder DCIM usually weighs the most.
• 📱 Contact and SMS: sync with your Google account or export to.vcf via the Contacts app.
• 🎮 Game and application data: many games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile is linked to your account, but local saves (such as Minecraft) will have to be copied manually.
• 🔑 Passwords and logins: if you use Mi Account or third-party password managers (1Password, Bitwarden, make sure the backup is up to date.

Pay special attention to the associated accounts. After the reset, you will need to enter the username and password from Mi Account if it was activated. If you forget the data, restore access before the reset, otherwise you risk getting a locked phone. Also check if the device is not linked to Google Account (FRP protection), especially if you bought the device from hand.

⚠️ Note: If you reset Redmi before selling, be sure to log out of Mi Account in the settings (Accounts) → Mi Account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to use certain functions (for example, unlocking the bootloader).

Upload photos to the cloud|Synchronize your contacts with Google|Save passwords from the browser|Remove banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff)|Sign out of your Mi Account (if you sell your phone)|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)-->

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if the phone is switched on and you can log in. It is the most secure and requires no additional tools. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10, Redmi 9A, etc.) on MIUI 12-14.

Open Settings and go to About Phone (some versions of MIUI call it About Device).

1. Slip on Backup and Reset (or Reset in new versions).
2. Select Resetting (not to be confused with Network Resetting!).
3. The system will suggest you choose what to reset. Mark Delete all data (including files in internal memory).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock if requested.
5. Confirm the action with the Reset button (usually red).

It takes 5 to 15 minutes. The phone will restart several times. Don't interrupt the procedure, it can damage system files. Once you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like when you first turn on.

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If the reset menu does not have the option "Delete all data", try first to disable Find Device protection in the Mi Account settings.

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

If Redmi does not load beyond the MI logo, freezes on the lock screen or gives an error System UI stopped, reset via Recovery Mode will help.This mode is available on all Xiaomi smartphones and does not require unlocking the bootloader.

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.

Control in Recovery is carried out by volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection).

1. Select Wipe Data (sometimes called Wipe & Reset).
2. Confirm the action in the following menu (usually Wipe All Data).
3. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone is stuck on the logo after reset, the firmware may be damaged, in which case you will need to reflash the device via Fastboot (see the next section).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro) may require you to enter a Mi Account password in Recovery, even if you haven't used it. If you don't remember the password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com before resetting.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is suitable if the first two methods did not work, or you want to completely reinstall MIUI (for example, after a failed firmware).

Warning: Fastboot reset deletes all data without recovery, including service sections. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center.

Instructions:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on PC.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds. The screen will appear a hare in a hat-outer (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect Redmi to your computer via USB-cable (preferably original).
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers again.
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will be reset to factory settings. If you want a full flash, download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads and run it through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Fastboot reset erases data by 100%, but does not fix firmware errors.If the phone does not turn on after reset, a complete firmware reflash is required.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even with the instructions, users are faced with problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions.

• 🔄 The phone is stuck on the logo. MI after reset: usually means that the system partition is damaged. Try resetting via Recovery or flashing through Fastboot.
• 🔒 Requires a password from Mi Account after reset: it's protection against theft. Enter your account. If you don't remember the password, restore it on Xiaomi's website.
• 📱 Sensor not working in Recovery Mode: Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

If the phone is no OS installed or not turned on after the reset, the boot partition is likely damaged, in which case only the firmware via Fastboot or EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account) will help.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Redmi 10A) Fastboot reset can block the bootloader if the unlock has not been previously performed. EDL and firmware through Mi Flash Tool with authorization.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the phone will start in initial setup mode.

1. Choose language and region: we recommend you to specify Russia to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi: This will be needed to restore backup and update the system.
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if you’ve used it before) without it, some features (such as Mi Cloud or Find Device) will not be available.
4. Recover: If you have backed up your data through Mi Cloud or Google, the system will offer to restore contacts, photos and apps.
5. Update MIUI: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the latest security patches.

If you've reset your phone before you sell, don't restore your data.

• Skip the login step to the accounts.
• Turn off Find Device and Mi Cloud in the settings.
• Perform another reset via Settings to remove all traces of your account.

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After reset, check the App Resolution settings (Settings → Privacy). Many programs (such as WhatsApp or VK) will request access to contacts, camera and microphone again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions