How to return Xiaomi to factory settings: a complete guide with risks and life hacks

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes necessary step. You can lose all the data, but you will return the smartphone to its original state: without viruses, system glitches or traces of the previous owner. 90% of performance problems are solved by reset, but many users are afraid to do it for fear of breaking something.

In this article, we will discuss all current reset methods (including hidden ones), tell you how to prepare to avoid losing important ones, and warn about pitfalls. Particular attention will be paid to models with a locked bootloader and devices on MIUI 14/15, where the process is different from the old versions.

Reset is not a panacea: if the phone doesn't turn on at all or is stuck on the Mi logo, try other methods first (like flashing through Fastboot), but in 80% of cases, factory settings help bring the smartphone back to life without going to the service.

Important: Once reset, the devices with the associated Mi Account will require you to enter your login/password when you first set up, which is protection against theft. If you do not remember the data, restore it in advance on the official Xiaomi website.

1. When do you need a factory reset?

Resetting Xiaomi is worth a few things, but not all of them are obvious. Here is a complete list of symptoms for which the procedure is justified:

🔹 System glitches: apps spontaneously close, the phone slows down for no reason, or MIUI It produces errors like, "Com.android.phone is stopped," most often after a failed update or left-hander" APK.

🔹 Viruses or suspicious activity: if the antivirus finds threats, and unknown device administrators appear in the settings. reset will remove all malware, but does not guarantee 100% protection - viruses could damage system files.

🔹 Selling or transferring a phone: even after deleting the data through the menu, it can be restored by special programs. Factory reset erases everything irrevocably (unless methods like chip-off are used in laboratories).

🔹 Reset password/pattern lock: if you forgot to unlock and Find My Device doesn't help, but note: after reset, you will need to enter data from Mi Account if it was tied.

❌ The reset won't help if:

• 📱 Problem with iron (the camera, speaker, touchscreen does not work - here you need a diagnosis).
• 🔋 Phone not turned on (you need a Fastboot or flashing through the EDL).
• 🔒 Device in the state of "brick" (full brick - service only).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12+ and data encryption (on by default), a reset via Recovery can lead to loss of access to internal memory, if you do not know the password from the Mi Account.

2.Reset preparation: what to save and how not to lose data

The factory reset deletes everything: photos, messages, contacts, app settings, even some system files. Here's a checklist for what to do before the procedure:

Sync contacts with Google/Akcount Mi| Download photos and videos on PC/cloud |Save SMS via apps like SMS Backup & Restore |Record usernames/passwords from apps (especially banking) |Untie your device from Mi Account if you sell

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📌 How to transfer data:

• 🖥️ On PC: Connect the phone to USB file transfer (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM (Downloads, WhatsApp (if you need to save chats).
• ☁️ In the cloud: use Google Photos for media files, Mi Cloud for notes and contacts (but check if there is enough space).
• 📱 On another phone: apps like ShareMe (from Xiaomi) transfer files over Wi-Fi Direct.

⚠️ What won’t survive even after the backup:

• MIUI settings (themes, gestures, fingerprint unlocking).
• Data from some games (Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, etc. – link to the developer account!).
• Local notes in the standard Notes app (unless synced with Mi Cloud).

🔧 For advanced users: If you have an unlocked bootloader, make a partition backup /data through TWRP or ADB. This will save even the application settings, but requires root rights.

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Before reset, disable Find My Device in Google settings and Remote Management in Mi Account. Otherwise, after reset, the phone may lock at the setup stage.

3. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This is the official method that works on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi 4X to Xiaomi 14 Ultra).

📱 Step-by-step instruction:

⏳ How long does it take: usually 10-20 If the process takes longer than a few minutes. 30 Wait for the end or the restart.

🔴 What to do if the reset is suspended:

• Wait at least 1 hour – sometimes the system optimises applications for a long time after resetting.
• If the screen is black for more than an hour, try pressing the power button for 20 seconds to force a reboot.
• If the phone doesn’t respond, proceed to reset via Recovery (method 2).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after resetting the menu, the error "No" may appear OS It's a bug. MIUI 13, which is treated by re-discharge via Recovery.

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Resetting via the menu is the only method that does not require detachment of the Mi Account in advance, but after the procedure, the first setup will still require you to enter the account details if it was linked.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t load beyond the logo or reboots cyclically, Recovery will help, which works even on locked phones, but requires physical access to buttons.

🔧 How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Food (keep until vibration). 📱 For POCO And some Redmi: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

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🔄 How to Reset Settings in Recovery:

1. Use volume buttons for navigation and power to select.
2. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data on Chinese firmware).
3. Confirm the action - the process will take 5-10 minutes.
4. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

🛠️ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\firmware).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC – the Android Bootloader Interface device should be determined in Device Manager.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) and click Flash.
6. Wait until it is finished (10-20 minutes) and the phone will restart automatically.

⚠️ Possible errors and solutions:

• 🔌 Couldn't find fastboot devices: check drivers (install Google's platform-tools).
• 🚫 Anti-rollback check fail: So you're trying to flash the old version MIUI. Download a newer firmware.
• 🔒 Device is locked: bootloader locked. You need to unlock it officially (takes it) 7-30 days).

🔓 How to unlock the loader:

1. Apply on the Xiaomi website (you will need a tied Mi Account).
2. Wait. SMS with confirmation (usually 72 hours).
3. Download Mi Unlock Tool, log in to Fastboot and follow the program instructions.

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Fastboot is the only way to bring a phone with a damaged Recovery or soft brick back to life, but if the bootloader is locked, unlock it officially first, or you risk a full brick (unrecoverable without JTAG).

6.What to do after resetting: first setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on as new, and you will have to go through the initial setup, where there are a few critical points:

📱 Step-by-step customization process:

1. Choose a language and region (we recommend Russia to avoid problems with Google services).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi – without the Internet, you can not activate Mi Account.
3. Enter the data from Mi Account if the phone was tied, and without this step, you can't continue setting up.
4. Recover data from the backup (if you did it through Mi Cloud or Google).
5. Set your fingerprint/face if necessary.

🔄 How to recover data:

• 📷 Photo/video: if synced with Google Photos, they will automatically download. or copy back from your PC.
• 📞 Contacts: If you were linked to Google or Mi Account, they will recover after you log in.
• 🎮 Games/Apps: Reinstall from Google Play – progress will recover if you have linked a developer account.

⚙️ Settings MIUI, which should be changed immediately:

• 🔒 Security: Enable Find My Device and Remote Management in your Mi Account.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up or discharge quickly after reset, calibrate the battery: completely discharge it before turning it off, then charge it to 100% without interruption.

1. Dial ##4636##.

2. Go to Phone Information → Select a network.

3.If IMEI No, no, you will need to install the module. NVRAM through SP Flash Tool (for experienced users only!).-->

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the right reset, users are facing problems. TOP-5 mistakes and their solutions:

🚨 What NOT to do after the reset:

• ❌ Install unofficial firmware immediately - first check the stability on the stock MIUI.
• ❌ Recover data from a backup made on an infected phone (viruses can come back).
• ❌ Skip security updates – install all available patches after reset.

🔍 How to check if the reset has been successful:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory – free space should be ~100%.
2. Check Settings → Accounts – there should not be other people’s emails or applications.
3. Run an antivirus (such as Dr.Web) to scan the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions