How to return Xiaomi to factory settings: all ways to reset

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary step, helping to fix software failures, prepare the device for sale or remove unnecessary data after prolonged use. However, not all reset methods are equally safe, and the consequences can take you by surprise, from losing photos to blocking your Mi Account.

In this article, we will discuss all current reset methods, from standard through settings to forced through Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to models with a lock bootloader (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), where wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a “brick”, and find out how to save important data before reset and what to do if the device does not respond to commands.

If your Xiaomi has started to slow down, spontaneously restart, or make update errors, a reset is often the last hope before visiting a service center. But before you press Wipe Data, make sure that the problem is not in the hardware (such as a bloated battery or a damaged motherboard).

1.Resetting preparation: what to do in advance

Factory resets remove everything: contacts, messages, photos, installed apps, even some system files, which is why preparation is more important than the process itself.

The first step is to back up. Use the built-in Mi Cloud (if synced) or third-party services like Google Drive. Google Photos is good for media files, and export via Settings → Google → Backup is good for messages.

Pay particular attention to:

• 📱 Contacts: export them to the.vcf file via the Contacts app.
• 📸 Photo/video: Move to a PC or external drive (don’t just rely on the cloud!)
• 🔑 Passwords: If you use Mi Account, make sure you remember your login and password – you will need authorization after the reset.
• 🎮 Game data: Link your game accounts to Google Play or social media.

If you are planning to sell the device, untie all accounts:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Delete Mi Account, Google and other linked profiles.
3. Log out of Mi Cloud and turn off Find the Device.

⚠️ Warning: On bootloader-locked models (e.g., Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account even after formatting. If you forget the data, restore it in advance.

Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%|Create a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Unplug your Google account (if you plan to sell)|Check that SIM-map SD-map extracted (optional)-->

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

This is a method that works if your smartphone is turned on and reacts to touch, and it's the simplest and doesn't require any additional tools.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About Phone section (in some firmware - Additional).
3. Choose Resetting (or Resetting and Resetting).
4. Tap to erase all data (may be called Reset to factory).
5. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Once you reboot, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, like after you buy it, and at this point, you can either reconfigure the device or turn it off for transfer to the new owner.

⚠️ Warning: Some models (e.g., POCO X3 Pro) may have a Mi Account link request after a reset, even if you untied it in advance, due to Xiaomi's anti-theft policy, the decision is to enter the account details that were tied before the reset.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Does not require a computer or special knowledge.
• 🛡️ Minimum risk of “bricking” of the device.
• ⚡ Works even on locked bootloaders.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It won’t help if the smartphone doesn’t turn on or is stuck on the logo.
• ❌ Does not delete data from the memory card (if installed).

💡

If after reset, the device asks for a password from the previous Google account (FRP-block), try to enter the data of the last associated account. If you do not remember, you will need to bypass through Fastboot or contact the service.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the power button, hovers on the MI logo or reboots cyclically, a Recovery reset will help.This mode is sewn into the firmware and starts before the system boots.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the device (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Power. 📱 For Redmi Note 8/9: Volume up + Loud down + Power. 📱 For POCO F1/F2: Volume up + Power (hold 10+ seconds).

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, the control is carried out by volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation, Power for selection). The interface can be in Chinese - navigate by icons:

• 🧹 Wipe Data (or ) is a reset.
• 🔄 Reboot (or ) - Reboot.
• 📥 Apply update - installing firmware (not needed for resetting).

Once you have selected Wipe Data, confirm the action and wait until it is completed. It can take up to 20 minutes - don't interrupt it!

⚠️ Warning: On devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing custom firmware), a reset via Recovery may result in a loss of the ability to boot the system, in which case you will need to re-flash through Fastboot.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 Recovery damaged or missing.
• 🔒 Device locked in Mi Account after reset.
• 📱 You need to completely reflash the smartphone.

Requires: a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed, a USB Type-C cable (original!) and a charged device (minimum 30%).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn off Xiaomi and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot (screen with a hare in a hat-eared).
3. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 13 or Redmi K60) before reset will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

If after restarting the device requires authorization to Mi Account, and you do not remember the data, you will need to bypass FRP.

• Download the Mi FRP Tool (for example, with XDA Developers).
• Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | Never reset |Another way-->

5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even with the seemingly simple process, users often face problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

1.The device is not included in Recovery

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 20%).
• 🔌 Try another cable or port USB (if you connect to a PC).
• ⏱️ Hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds).

2.After reset, asks for a password from Mi Account

• 🔑 Enter the account that was tied before the reset.
• 📧 If you forget your password, restore it through the official website.
• 🛠️ If your account is not yours (for example, when buying a used phone), you will need to bypass FRP via Fastboot.

3.Reset interrupted and phone not switched on

• 🔄 Try re-entering Recovery and repeat resetting.
• 💻 If it doesn't work, run the device through the Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🚨 In extreme cases, contact the service center (especially if the warranty is valid).

4.Data lost after reset

• 🔍 Check cloud backups (Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
• 💾 Use data recovery software (such as DiskDigger or Recuva), but the odds are low.
• 📲 If photos are synced to Google Photos, they must be saved.

💡

If the smartphone does not respond to any of the methods of reset, the problem may be hardware (damaged motherboard, battery or plumes). In this case, self-repair is not recommended - contact the specialists.

6. reset on different Xiaomi models: features

Not all Xiaomi devices behave the same when reset, here are the key nuances for the popular series:

Redmi Note 8/9/10/11

• ✅ Supports reset via Recovery without a PC connection.
• ⚠️ Redmi Note 10 Pro and later may require confirmation via Mi Account.
• 🔧 The bootloader is locked by default – Fastboot needs to unlock.

POCO F1/F2/F3/F4

• ⚡ Quick Entry to Recovery: Volume up + Power (hold 10 seconds).
• 🔒 Frequent problem: FRP- Locking after reset (solved via Fastboot).
• 📱 On POCO F3 GT and F4 GT, the reset may reset the display settings (update frequency).

Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13

• 🔐 Mandatory binding to Mi Account - without it, resetting is useless.
• 🛡️ Supports data encryption – a password may be required after a reset.
• 🔄 Recovery through Mi Cloud is more stable than on budget models.

Redmi 9A/9C/10A

For models with a MediaTek processor (such as the Redmi 10C or POCO M4 Pro), a Fastboot reset may require additional drivers. Download them from the MediaTek site or use the SP Flash Tool utility.

7.What to do after resetting: initial setup

Once the reset is successful, the device will start in initial setup mode. Here's what you need to do first:

1. Pass the setup wizard

• 🌍 Select the language and region (important for Google services to work properly).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (mobile internet may not work without a SIM- card).
• 🔑 Enter Mi Account information (if required) or create a new account.

2. Recover the data

• ☁️ Restore backup from Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📱 Move contacts from the.vcf file (if saved).
• 🎮 Log in to games and apps (e.g. WhatsApp, Viber).

3. Set up security.

• 🔒 Set a pattern lock or PIN- code.
• 👆 Enable Find the device in Mi Cloud.
• 🛡️ Update your firmware to the latest version (Settings → System Update).

4. Optimize productivity

• 🚀 Turn off unnecessary background processes (Settings → Applications → Auto Run).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache through Settings → Storage.
• 🔋 Calibrate the battery (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruption).

If you plan to sell a device, don't restore your data - just turn it off after reset. To check the health of the device, just make sure that the smartphone turns on and passes the initial setup.

8.Reset alternatives: when not needed

Sometimes problems can be solved without being completely reset.

1. Cleaning the app cache

If the smartphone is slowing down, but not critically:

1. Go to Settings → Applications.
2. Select a problem app (like Facebook or Instagram).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear the cache.

2. Resetting network settings

Helps with problems with Wi-Fi or mobile Internet:

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action.

3. Delete unnecessary files

Use the built-in Cleaner (Security → Cleaner) utility to make room without resetting.

4. Recoiling of the update

If the problem started after the firmware update:

• 📥 Download the previous firmware version from Xiaomi's website.
• 🔄 Install it with Recovery (Apply update).

5. Safe regime

If the smartphone is glitching due to a third-party application:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to Turn off - the option Safe Mode will appear.
3. In this mode, remove suspicious applications.

💡

If you're not sure what's causing the malfunction, try the mildest methods (cache cleaning, safe mode) first. Factory resets are an extreme measure that should only be resorted to if there's a serious malfunction.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset