Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings through hardware buttons is the only way to get the device back on if it doesn’t turn on, is stuck on the logo or locked after a failed update. It works even when the firmware is damaged when access to the settings menu is not possible. In this article, detailed instructions explaining each model, a compatibility table and answers to frequent errors.
The main advantage of resetting through the buttons is bypassing the MIUI lock and the ability to recover without a computer, but the procedure has risks: if you interrupt it during the formatting phase of the data partition, the phone can turn into a brick, and we will tell you how to avoid this and what to do if the reset did not help.
When you need to reset through hardware buttons
Use a combination of three buttons (Nutrition + Volume up + Volume down) is advisable in 5 cases:
- 🔄 The phone is stuck on the screensaver Mi or POCO and does not respond to charging.
- 🔒 The device is locked after changing the firmware or incorrectly entering the password.
- 🐢 The smartphone slows down to complete failure (for example, due to a virus or overcrowded memory).
- 📱 The screen doesn’t respond to touch, but the buttons work.
- 🔧 You must delete all data before selling, but login is not possible.
If the phone turns on but is slow, try a software reset via the Settings menu → About the phone → Resetting. The hardware method is a last resort, as it:
- ⚠️ Deletes all data (photos, contacts, messages).
- ⚠️ Resets the settings. MIUI and Google account.
- ⚠️ May require re-activation of the device via Mi Account (if there was a binding).
What Xiaomi models support resetting through 3 buttons
The method has been running on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones since 2018, including:
- 📱 Redmi Note Series: Note 7–13, Note 7 Pro–13 Pro+, Note 10S–12R.
- 📱 Redmi Series: Redmi 9-12, Redmi A1–A3, Redmi K20–K70.
- 📱 Series POCO: POCO F1–F6, POCO X3–X6, POCO M2–M6.
- 📱 The flagship Mi: Mi 9-14, Mi 10T–13 Ultra, Mi Mix 2S–4.
Older models (before 2018, for example, the Redmi 4X or Mi A1) may require a different button combination or PC connection via Fastboot. For devices with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 9A), you sometimes need to use Volume Up + Power instead of three buttons.
| Model | Supported combination | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10–13 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | You may need to hold for 10-15 seconds. |
| POCO X3–X6 | Food + Volume up | On some versions, you need to release buttons when the POCO logo appears. |
| Mi 11–14 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | After vibration, the button can be released. |
| Redmi 9–12 | Food + Volume up | On MediaTek versions, it sometimes only works after the 3rd attempt. |
⚠️ Note: On phones with an unlocked bootloader, resetting through the buttons may result in re-locking.
Step-by-step: how to reset Xiaomi through 3 buttons
Before the procedure begins:
Make sure the battery is charged > 30%|Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if any)|Prepare the charger in case of discharge|Remember your Mi Account information (if you were tied in)
-->
Step 1. Turn off your phone. If it's getting stuck and unresponsive, hold the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the screen goes out.
Step 2. Press the button combination:
- For most models: Power + Volume up + Volume down.
- For POCO and some Redmi: Nutrition + Volume up.
Hold the buttons until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
Step 3: When the Recovery menu appears on the screen, release the buttons. Use Volume Up/Down for navigation and Power for selection.
Step 4: Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on newer versions of MIUI) and confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
Step 5: Wait until the process is completed (it takes 1-3 minutes), and then the message Data wipe successful appears - select Reboot to restart.
Step 6: The phone will reboot and start setting up as new. If you request Mi Account data, use the previously associated account.
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even if you follow the instructions correctly, users face problems.
- 🔒 After reset, requires a Mi Account → This is a Factory Reset Protection (FRP). Enter the account that was linked before the reset. If you don't remember the password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone doesn't turn on after reset (black screen, no vibration), this may indicate firmware damage, in which case you will need to flash it over Fastboot or EDL-PC-based.
💡
If the phone brakes after reset, perform an additional cache cleanup: in the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache (does not delete data, but speeds up the system).
What to do if the reset does not help
If after factory settings problems remain (the phone does not turn on, freezes or requires a password), try these solutions:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The phone will not turn on after resetting | Firmware or loader damaged | Fastboot with the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode |
| Constantly rebooting. | Module conflict after update | Install stable firmware through Recovery (.zip file) |
| Requires Mi Account but does not accept password | Account deleted or blocked | Restoring access through the official website or contacting for support |
| No net after reset | IMEI settings are reset | Restore the IMEI through the Engineering Menu (#4636##) |
If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory or power controller).In this case, contact the service center.
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the power + volume up until the menu appears.
- Choose Test Mode (or Diagnostics on new models).
- Check out the Memory Test and Battery Test sections.
💡
If the phone requires a Mi Account after a reset but you don't remember it, don't try to bypass the protection through third-party programs.This can lock the device permanently. Contact Xiaomi for proof of purchase (check or box).
How to save data before resetting
If the phone turns on but you want to reset it through buttons, try saving important files first:
- 📁 Photo and video: Connect your phone to your PC via USB and copy the folders. DCIM and Pictures.
- 📞 Contacts: Export them to.vcf file via Contacts app → Settings → Imports/Exports.
- 💬 Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore to create backup.
- 🎮 Application Data: Enable sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud.
If the screen is unresponsive, but the phone is determined by the computer, use data extraction programs:
- Dr.Fone (paid, but there is a trial version)
- Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools (free, requires unlocked bootloader).
- 7-Zip for manually extracting files from the TWRP backup (if any).
⚠️ Note: If the phone has been enabled data encryption (in the security settings) → Encryption), it is impossible to extract files after resetting through the buttons - they will be deleted irrevocably.
Alternative ways to reset Xiaomi
If resetting through 3 buttons doesn’t work, try these methods:
For models with a Qualcomm processor (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi K40) can be used EDL-The Emergency Download Mode is an extreme measure because it requires:
- Special cable (EDL cable) or closure of contacts on the board.
- QFil or Mi Flash Tool.
- Official firmware in.mbn format.
💡
If you experiment with firmware frequently, install TWRP Recovery and create a backup of the data partition via the Backup option, which will allow you to recover data even after a complete reset.