How to reset Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings: the full guide 2026

Why you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings and when to apply it

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes the only way to get the smartphone back to a stable state of operation, which removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to a “out of the box” state, most often resorted to in three cases: before selling the phone, to fix critical MIUI failures or after a failed firmware update.

For example, if your Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 starts to slow down, spontaneously reboot or emit errors like the com.android.phone stopped, the reset can help. However, it is important to understand that this is not a panacea. If the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (for example, a broken screen or a bloated battery), a software reset will not help.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery Mode and Mi Account), how to prepare your phone to avoid losing important files, and warn against common errors, and answer questions about unlocking your Mi Account after resetting and recovering data.

Preparing Xiaomi smartphone for reset: what to do before the start

Before you click Reset button, make sure you follow all the critical steps, otherwise you risk losing photos, contacts, or even locking your phone because of your Mi Account.

• 📱 Backup. Use the built-in Settings feature. → The phone. → Backup or third-party services like Google Photos for Media and Mi Cloud for Contacts.Please note: backup MIUI does not store Wi-Fi passwords or data from certain applications (such as WhatsApp).
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Recovery resets can take up to 10-15 minutes, and if the battery runs out in the process, the device can turn into a brick".
• 🔑 Make sure you remember your Mi Account information. Once reset, your phone will require you to enter your username and password from the account associated with the device. If you forget, restore access in advance at account.xiaomi.com.
• 📶 Disable all accounts. Go to Settings. → Accounts and sync and delete Google, Mi Account and other profiles.This will make it easier to set up your phone after a reset.

⚠️ Note: If you reset Xiaomi with the Bootloader Unlocked, after the procedure, the phone may need to be re-unlocked.

Method 1: Reset via the MIUI settings menu (the easiest method)

This is the standard method that is suitable for most models Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO based on MIUI 12-14. the main advantage is that it does not require a reboot in Recovery and is suitable even for beginners.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on some firmware).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (on POCO may be called Additional → Resetting).
4. Select Reset, then Delete all data.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset phone (or OK).

The phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process. The MI logo and progress bar will appear on the screen. Don't turn the device off at this point, this can damage system files. Reset time depends on the model: on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with UFS 3.1 it will take 2-3 minutes, and on the budget Redmi 10A with eMMC - up to 10 minutes.

Make sure your phone is over 50% charged

Create a backup copy of important data

Remember the username/password from Mi Account

Disable all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks)

Check that SIM-card and memory card removed (if desired)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) may require re-activation after reset IR-block (infrared port) via Settings → Connected devices. It's not a bug, it's just a feature of firmware.

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

If Xiaomi's smartphone is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn't respond to touch, you'll have to use Recovery Mode, which is also relevant if you forget your pattern lock or your phone's reset. PIN-unlock.

Instructions for most models (including Redmi Note 11, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (or a combination of Power + Volume up if the screen is unresponsive).
2. Press the Power Button and Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selecting a point. Select the language (usually English or ).
4. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data on some versions), then select Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (may need to enter) PIN-code, if it has been installed).
6. Wait for the process to be completed (Data wiped successfully will appear on the screen) and select Reboot to reboot.

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

• 📱 The first item is reboot (Reboot).
• 🗑️ Third or fourth item: Reset (Wipe Data).

Method 3: Reset via Mi Account (remotely or after blocking)

If you lost your phone or it was locked and your Mi Account was tied to your device, you can reset remotely, which is also useful if you forgot your pattern lock, but remember the data from your Xiaomi account.

For remote reset:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your smartphone.
3. Click Find the device, then erase the data.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

The phone will be reset the next time you connect to the Internet, and it's important that the device then requires you to enter data from Mi Account when you first set up (Factory Reset Protection, FRP).

If the phone is in hand but locked:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Choose Restore through Mi Account.
3. Enter the login and password from the linked account.
4. Follow the instructions to reset your password or completely reset your settings.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, a reset via Recovery will not help - the phone will require you to enter the data of the old account.

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If after resetting via Mi Account, the phone asks for an old password, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or using mobile internet. FRP-The lock is triggered by error due to cache.

What to do after a reset: the first setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, Xiaomi’s phone will launch as new.You’ll have to go through the initial setup, which includes:

• 🌍 Language and region choice (we recommend Russia or Europe for the correct operation of Google services).
• 📶 Wi-Fi connection (required for downloading updates and restoring backup).
• 🔑 Data entry from Mi Account (if the account was linked before resetting).
• 📱 Data recovery from backup (if it was created through MIUI Backup or Google Drive).

If you used Mi Cloud for backup, data will begin to recover automatically after logging in. For a Google account, go to Settings → Accounts → Google and select which data to sync (contacts, calendar, photos).

Important: After a reset on some models (for example, Xiaomi 12S Ultra) access to NFC or IR-port functions may disappear. To return them, update your firmware to the latest version through Settings → System Update.

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After reset, be sure to check for MIUI updates - this will fix possible bugs and return access to all smartphone functions.

Typical Mistakes When Resetting Xiaomi and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If the phone is running slower after the reset than before the procedure, the reasons may be as follows:

• 🐢 Installed non-optimized firmware (for example, global instead of European).
• 📉 Background processes from pre-installed applications (Mi Browser, GetApps) are enabled).
• 🔄 Update not implemented MIUI last-minute.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting to factory settings