How to Reset Xiaomi Smartphone to Factory Settings: A Complete Guide (2026)

Xiaomi’s factory reset is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, and it’s possible that your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with a virus, or you just want to sell the device and delete all your personal data, and in any case, Hard Reset will return the phone to its original state, the way it was when it was first turned on.

But before you start, it’s important to understand that resetting wipes all the information from your internal memory, including photos, contacts, messages, and installed applications. Even if you backup your Mi Cloud, some data (such as saving in games or setting up apps) can be lost irrevocably. In this article, we’ll look at three official reset methods, their pros and cons, and give you tips on how to minimize data loss.

Note that the instruction is relevant for all modern models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and others).If your device is released before 2018, some menu items may differ - we will mention this too.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Don't rush to reset your phone at the first problem. In most cases, more gentle methods help: cleaning the cache, rebooting or resetting the settings of a particular application. Hard Reset is justified in the following situations:

• 🔄 Strong lags and hangs after the update MIUI (Especially if the smartphone is slowing down even in basic tasks).
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by an antivirus.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (if other unlocking methods fail).
• 📦 Preparing to sell or transfer the device to another person.
• 🔧 System failures, such as constant reboots, application errors, or a broken system Wi-Fi/Bluetooth.

If the problem is with one app (e.g., the Camera or Gallery won’t open), try first:

1. Clear the cache and application data in Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Update the app via Google Play or Mi App Store.
3. Restart the phone in safe mode (press the power button → hold “Switch off” → confirm the transition).

If none of these methods worked, then you should consider a full reset. But first make sure to back up!

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

The most common user error is a reset without backing up. Even if you plan to recover data from Mi Cloud, some files (such as saving games or setting up apps) may not sync automatically.

• 📁 Photos and videos: copy to your computer via USB Or upload it to Google Photos./Mi Cloud.
• 📞 Contact: Export to the VCF-file through Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
• 💬 Messages: Use applications like SMS Backup & Restore (available on Google Play).
• 🎮 Game Save: Check if the game supports cloud-based saves (e.g., through Google Play Games).
• 📝 Notes and documents: export from Mi Notes or WPS Office.

For convenience, you can use the built-in MIUI backup function:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data to save (contacts, messages, system settings, etc.).
3. Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed.
4. The backup file will be stored in the internal memory in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

If you have Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, you can also do a full backup through TWRP (Castom Recovery), but this method is only suitable for advanced users.

💡

Before reset, check if your Mi Account is linked to your phone. After Hard Reset, the device may require you to enter a username and password to unlock (Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature).

Backup photos and videos |Export contacts to VCF|Save messages via third-party application |Check cloud game saves |Remember username/password from Mi Account |Connect phone to charge (battery should be >50%)

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

If the phone turns on and you remember the password, it's the fastest and most secure method, and it works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models with MIUI 12 and later.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone.
3. Click Backup and Reset.
4. Select Reset (in some versions of MIUI, this option may be called Resetting All Settings or Resetting Factory Settings).
5. The system will ask you to choose what to drop: 📱 Resetting all settings – deletes applications, settings, and data, but leaves files in internal memory. 🧹 Cleaning all data – a complete reset, including deleting photos, music and other files.

PIN-code

graphical

Drop it.

Once you reboot, the phone will start in its initial setup mode, like after you bought it. If you have previously made a backup through Mi Cloud, the system will prompt you to restore data when you first turn on.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, you may need to enter a password from the Mi Account account that was linked to the device after reset!

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

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, doesn’t respond to touches, or you’ve forgotten your password, resetting through Recovery Mode will help.This method works even on locked devices, but requires physical access to buttons.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 🔋 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔋 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down (for some older models, such as the Redmi) 4X).

Mi

Recovery Mode

volume

feed-in

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

Reboot to System

The phone will reboot and start in a factory state. If after the reset, you have a request to enter the Mi Account password, enter the data from the account that was associated with the device.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro), a reset via Recovery may require you to enter your Mi Account password even after you reset. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will become a brick"!

💡

Recovery Mode resets all data, including files in internal memory. If the phone just slows down but turns on, it is better to use Method 1 (reset via settings).

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t turn on at all (even in Recovery).
• 🔒 You forgot your Mi Account password and after resetting via Recovery, your phone requires authorization.
• 📱 You need to flash the device with clean firmware (for example, to remove custom software).

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program (or fastboot from Android SDK).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official Xiaomi website).
2. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, for Redmi Note 11 it will be a file with the extension.tgz).
3. Turn off your phone and put it into Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down for 5-10 seconds. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.

Mi Flash Tool

Select

Refresh

Clean All

Flash

Wait until the process is completed (usually 5-10 minutes).

Once flashed, the phone will automatically restart in factory condition, which removes all data without recovery, including locking Mi Account (if the firmware is official and suitable for your model).

⚠️ Warning: Wrong firmware through Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick.Make sure you download the firmware exactly for your model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G — device!).

What do I do after the dump?

After Hard Reset, the phone will start in initial setup mode. Here's what you need to do first:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi – this is necessary to recover data from the cloud.
2. Log in to your Google account – this will allow you to restore the applications and some of the settings.
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if previously associated) – this will unlock access to Mi Cloud.
4. Recover the data: 📱 From Mi Cloud (if backup was done). 🖥️ From a computer (if you copy files manually). 🔄 From local backup (file in folder) MIUI/backup).

Update the system.

Settings → About the phone → System update

MIUI

Set up security.

• Install. PIN-code.
• Turn on Find Device (in case of losing your phone).
• Activate Google Find My Device.

If the phone is still slowing down after reset, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., a worn-out memory or a faulty battery), in which case we recommend contacting the service center.

💡

After reset, take your time to recover all the data immediately. First, check if the problem is solved (for example, lags or overheating). If the problem remains, the cause is not the software, but the hardware.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often make mistakes that can lead to data loss or phone lockdown.

• 🔌 Battery discharge: If the phone turns off during reset, it could damage the system. Charge the device to at least 50% before starting.
• 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account: If the phone is linked to a Xiaomi account, you will need to enter your login and password after reset. Without them, you will not be able to unlock the device (support request will be required).
• 📱 Wrong firmware: When you reset via Fastboot, using firmware from another model will lead to "bricking." Always check the name of the firmware file (for example, toco_global_images_... For the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 🔄 Interrupted reset: If you take out the battery or force the phone to turn off during the process, the system may damage).
• 📁 Incomplete backup: Many users forget to save games or app settings that don’t sync to the cloud.

If after resetting the phone:

• 🔄 He's fixated on the logo. → Try resetting via Recovery or flashing through Fastboot.
• 🔒 Requires a Mi Account password you don’t remember → Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box).
• 📵 It doesn't turn on at all. → check charging, try another charger or contact the service.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions