How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings: Safe Ways to 2026

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes necessary, solution. Have you noticed that the smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update? Or are you planning to sell the device and want to delete all personal data? Perhaps the phone is infected with a virus that can not be removed by standard methods. In either case, hard reset will return the gadget to its original state - the same as it was when you bought it.

However, the procedure has nuances: wrong actions can lead to the blocking of the Mi Account or loss of important files without the possibility of recovery. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones (including models from 2023-2026), as well as how to prepare for the procedure and avoid typical errors.

When do I need to reset to factory settings?

Before you start taking drastic measures, assess whether they are really necessary. Here are the valid reasons for dumping:

• 🐢 Phone slows down, apps constantly fly out, and cleaning the cache does not help.
• 📱 You sell or transfer your device to another person and want to delete all data.
• 🔒 Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-screen-lock.
• 🦠 Suspected infection with a virus that is not removed by antiviruses.
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Critical errors (e.g., camera or sensors not working).
• 📦 Need a “clean” device for firmware testing or development.

Resetting will not help if the problem is related to:

• 🔋 Physical breakdown of the battery or motherboard.
• 📶 Hardware malfunctions (for example, the speaker or microphone is not working).
• 🔌 Damage to the charging connector or USB-port.

Preparing for resetting: what must be done?

The unpleasant surprise after reset is the loss of all photos, contacts and messages. To avoid this, follow 3 mandatory steps:

1. Back up. Use the built-in Settings feature. → The phone. → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive, Mi Cloud: 📸 Photo and video (folder) DCIM). 📞 Contacts (synchronize with Google Account). 💬 Messages (annexes such as: SMS Backup & Restore). 🎮 Save games (if the game supports cloud backup).

Make sure you know the username and password of your Mi Account.

Mi Account Lock

Charge the battery by at least 50%

If you drop your phone before selling, additionally:

• 📱 Log out of all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks).
• 💳 Remove Linked Bank Cards in Google Pay or Mi Pay.
• 📍 Turn off the Find the device function in the security settings.

Create a backup copy of the data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Charge the phone. ≥50%|Get out of Google and Mi accounts|Delete bank cards-->

⚠️ Warning: If you forget your Mi Account password, a reset may lock your phone permanently.

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (soft reset)

The safest method is if the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password. Suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Settings Reset.
4. Click Delete all data (entry may be required) PIN-code-key).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will restart and start the cleaning process (5-15 minutes) and after completion you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after purchase.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A1/A2 With pure Android One, the path to reset is different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset parameters.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

If the phone doesn't turn on, is stuck on the MI logo, or you forgot your unlock password, a Recovery Mode reset will help, which works even on locked devices, but requires caution.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F1/F2: Volume up + Volume down + Power. For Xiaomi Mi 10/11: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds).

Mi

Loudness up

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 🔹 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🔹 The second item is reset (Wipe Data).
• 🔹 The third point is the connection with the PC (Connect with MIAssistant).

⚠️ Warning: Phones with bootloader unlocked may be alerted This device is unlocked after resetting via Recovery.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If the first two methods didn’t work (for example, because of a damaged firmware), you can use the official Mi Flash Tool, which involves completely flashing the phone and requires a Windows PC.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for your model (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (last version).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power Connect your device to your PC – Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
4. At the bottom, select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

Once the firmware is successful, the phone will automatically restart, a method that guarantees that it will delete all data, including viruses and corrupted system files, but requires care.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives an error critical partition flashing is not allowed, unlock the bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.

What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, the phone will launch with a welcome screen.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi. This is for data recovery and firmware updates.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if your phone was tied to it before the reset) without it, some features (such as themes or cloud storage) won’t work.
3. Restore data from backup: 📱 If you used Mi Cloud: Select Restore from the Cloud at the Configuration Phase. 🖥️ If backup on PC: connect your phone and copy files manually.

Update the firmware

Settings → About the phone → System update

If after resetting, the phone asks you to enter the password from your old Mi Account, but you don’t remember it:

• 🔓 Try to restore access through the Xiaomi website.
• 📧 If an email or phone number is linked, ask for a recovery code.
• 🚫 If your account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought by hand), contact the previous owner. Without data from Mi Account, it is officially impossible to unlock the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and consider common mistakes and their solutions:

If the phone is slower than before the procedure, it may be due to:

• 🔋 Worn-out battery (check the status in Settings) → Battery).
• 📱 An outdated version MIUI (firmware update).
• 🧹 Background data synchronization (disable unnecessary applications in Settings) → Accounts).

💡

If the reset didn't solve the performance problem, check the battery status and update the firmware.In 80% of cases, the brakes are due to a worn battery or an outdated version of MIUI.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions