How to completely erase Xiaomi phone to factory settings: 3 working ways

Why Xiaomi’s factory reset may be the only solution

Resetting Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to factory settings is a radical but often necessary step: Imagine if the phone started to brake after the MIUI update, viruses blocked access to settings, or you bought a used device with other accounts, in which case a “hard reboot” of the system returns the device to its original state, removing all user data, applications and settings.

But many users face pitfalls, from a locked Mi Account after a reset to errors in Recovery Mode when the process is stuck on the logo. This article covers all the current ways to reset (including hidden ones), explains how to avoid blocking an account, and what to do if the phone does not respond to standard methods. We also look at what data can be recovered after a reset and which are irretrievably lost.

Importantly, the procedure is different for devices with a locked bootloader (most new models) and unlocked. If you plan to sell a phone, learn how to properly unplug the Mi Account - otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device.

Preparing for resetting: what to do before the start

Before you click Reset, follow the critical steps, or you risk losing access to your sensitive data or phone itself.

Turn off Mi Account binding in Settings → Xiaomi Account

Create a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Remember the password from your Google account (required after reset)

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)

Delete. SIM-Memory card and card (if you don’t want to format them)-->

Pay special attention to the Mi Account binding. If you do not untie your Xiaomi account before reset, the phone will require you to enter a username / password after rebooting - this is protection against theft. On models with MIUI 12+, Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection can also work, which will block access without data from the last Google account.

Use the built-in Mi Cloud solution or third-party tools like Titanium Backup (requires root) to back up your data, and note that even after copying to the cloud, some data (such as Telegram or WhatsApp messages) may not recover. On File-Based Encryption devices, it becomes impossible to recover data via PCs after reset, so files become unreadable garbage.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on but is responding to charging, try extracting data via Fastboot mode using the Xiaomi Flash Tool utility (an unlocked bootloader is required).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-It's the simplest and the least risky -- data is erased software without interfering with system partitions.

Instructions for MIUI 14/13/12 (relevant to Xiaomi 13/12/11, Redmi Note 12/11/10, POCO F5/X5, etc.):

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset Settings, then Delete all data.
5. Enter the password from the lock screen (if installed).
6. Confirm the action – the phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it takes 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you buy it.

• 🔑 Don’t connect to Wi-Fi right away – check if your Mi Account phone is locked first.
• 📱 If a window appeared with a request to enter a username / password from Xiaomi, then the account was not untied (the decision is in the next section).
• 🔄 If the reset is interrupted, repeat the procedure or use Recovery Mode.

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot/EDL | Never reset |Other way-->

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked with a pattern lock, Recovery Mode, an emergency recovery mode, will help, it is sewn into the firmware and works even with corrupted system files.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (like Redmi 4X): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and menu appear in English/Chinese.

In Recovery Mode, volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selection) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm Wipe All Data.
3. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) may require data entry from Mi Account after resetting via Recovery, even if the account has been untied.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot or EDL (for advanced users)

If the first two methods fail (e.g., the phone is stuck on startup Mi Logo or gives an error "Can't mount") /data"), Reset via Fastboot or mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode: These methods require a PC, USB-cable and special utilities.

First, try Fastboot:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on PC.
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 and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command to completely reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On devices with a blocked bootloader (bootloader) reset via Fastboot/EDL This can lead to hard-brick (unable to recover without service equipment:

fastboot oem device-info

If Device unlocked: false is the answer, unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (it will take 7-30 days to wait).

How to Unlock Mi Account After Resetting

If after resetting the phone requires you to enter data from Mi Account, and you do not remember them or the device was bought with your hands, there are several options:

To bypass Mi Account via Fastboot (at your own risk):

1. Log in to Fastboot (as described above).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute: fastboot oem clean_frp
3. If the command doesn't work, try: fastboot erase frp

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) These commands may not work because of the hardware protection, and then only the firmware through the EDL with an authorized developer account.

Frequent Resetting Mistakes and How to Fix Them

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

• 🔄 Phone hangs on Mi logo after reset: Reason: damaged boot partition or incompatible firmware. Solution: run your phone through Fastboot with official firmware (you can download it on Xiaomi website).
• 🔒 After the reset, the old one requires PIN-Code: Reason: On Android 9+ Solution: Reset again via Recovery or use the Mi Flash Tool with Clean All and Lock option.
• 📱 Phone doesn't turn on after reset: Reason: battery is dead or firmware is gone. Solution: charge your phone for 30 minutes, then reset. If it doesn't work, run through the reset. EDL.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after reset for more than 10 minutes, don’t panic – some models (POCO X3, Redmi 9) optimize applications for a long time at the first start.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Reset