How to return to factory settings smartphone Xiaomi: the full guide

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a procedure that can solve most software problems, from slowing down to errors after the MIUI update. But not all users know that an incorrect reset can turn a phone into a “brick”, especially if the device has a locked bootloader or custom firmware.

In this article, we will discuss three official reset methods (via settings, Recovery and Fastboot), explain how to prepare your phone to keep important data from being lost, and warn you of common errors, and answer the questions most often asked after a failed reset.

If your Redmi, POCO, or Mi starts to slow down, spontaneously reboot, or make errors when installing applications, a factory reset is often the last chance to bring your device back to life without going to the service. But it's important to understand that this is not a magic "fix everything" button. For example, if the problem is a physical malfunction (for example, a fallen battery plume), reset will not help.

Another nuance is unlocking the bootloader: On new Xiaomi models (released after 2021), resetting through the Fastboot without unlocking will activate the Anti-Rollback protection, and the phone may lose the ability to boot forever, so we will separately focus on how to check the status of the bootloader and what to do if the reset failed.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before

First rule: Reset erases everything. Photos, contacts, messages, Wi-Fi passwords, app settings, everything will be deleted without recovery (if there was no backup), even files on internal memory (unlike the ones you have in your app). SD-maps disappear.

Here is what you need to do in advance:

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → Google → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) will save contacts and some settings, but not all data.
• 🔋 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge may make it impossible to continue loading the system.
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username and password from your Mi Account. After the reset, you will need authorization, otherwise the phone will be blocked (Mi Account Lock function).
• 🛠️ Check the model and version MIUI. Some reset methods don’t work on older firmware versions (e.g. Recovery on Mi 8s). MIUI 10 looks different than on the Redmi Note 12 with MIUI 14).

Special attention is paid to users with unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), in which case a reset via a standard menu can lead to bootloop (infinite reboot), they are better off using alternative methods, which we will discuss below.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought your phone with your hands and don't know if the bootloader is unlocked, check this through the fastboot oem device-info command. If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

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

This method is suitable for most users, as it requires no additional tools and works even on locked phones, the main condition is that the device must turn on and respond to touch.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device on new MIUI versions).
3. Slip on Reset (may be called Reset and Reset).
4. Choose to erase all data (or Reset settings).
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 5 to 15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

If this method doesn’t work (for example, the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo), move on to the next method.

Battery charge > 50%|Backup created|Password from Mi Account known|The phone is not connected to the PC-->

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

Recovery Mode is a service mode that allows you to reset your phone even if the system is not booting.It is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, but the appearance of the menu may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo and recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (select item) can be controlled. On new models (Redmi Note 11, POCO X5 and later), the menu can be touch-sensitive.

Next:

1. Select the language (if there is such a clause).
2. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
3. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
4. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
5. Select Reboot to reboot.

If you don't have Wipe Data in the Recovery menu, you have custom firmware installed, and then try the Fastboot method.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Mi 10, Mi 11) may require re-assignment of the Mi Account after reset via Recovery, even if the phone was unlocked earlier.

Through Settings | Through Recovery | Through Fastboot | Never reset-->

4. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

This method requires a computer and knowledge of commands, but it's the most reliable if the first two methods didn't work, suitable for phones with an unlocked bootloader or if you need to reflash the device after a failed upgrade.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download from the official website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or Fastboot command (for resetting).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power button + volume reduction to enter Fastboot mode (a bunny in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), you can continue.
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once you reboot, the phone will look like new. If you want to not only reset but also reflash the device, use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for your model.

5. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often face problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If the phone is still unstable after reset, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., worn-out flash memory), in which case only a diagnostic at the service center will help.

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Before selling your phone, make a Fastboot reset with the fastboot erase frp command – this will remove the binding to your Google and Mi Account account, which will save the new owner from activation problems.

6.How to recover data after reset (if there is no backup)

If you forgot to backup, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are.

• 📁 Photo and video: Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (only if the phone is defined as a drive.
• 📞 Contacts: Check sync with Google Contacts or Mi Cloud. Even if the phone is reset, contacts could be saved to the cloud.
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: If your phone was linked to a Google account, you can see the passwords at passwords.google.com.

Important: Don't write new data to your phone after a reset if you want to restore old files, and each new record reduces the chances of a successful recovery.

There are more advanced methods for root-enabled phone owners (like using TWRP and ADB), but they require special knowledge and don’t guarantee 100% results.

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The only reliable way to save data is to back up regularly. Set up automatic backup in Settings → Google → Backup and enable sync for contacts, photos and apps.

7. Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset