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

Why Xiaomi’s factory reset could be a lifesaver for your smartphone

Xiaomi smartphones are famous for their performance and flexibility, but even they eventually start to “slow down” or behave unstable. This reset removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the phone to a “out of the box” state, which helps solve problems with freezes, viruses, bugs after updates or improper operation. MIUI.

However, Xiaomi reset is different from the same procedure on other Android devices: there are nuances with binding to the Mi Account, features of Recovery Mode and even the risk of locking the phone if you do not know the subtleties. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of reset (including hidden ones), tell you how to prepare to not lose important data, and warn against typical mistakes that users make.

Before you start, answer yourself the question: do you want to just clean the phone before selling or try to solve a specific problem? it depends on the choice of method. For example, if Xiaomi does not turn on or hovers on the logo, a simple reset through the settings will not help — you need a fastboot or a fastboot. EDL-And if you forget the pattern lock, the algorithm will be different.

When you really need to reset to factory settings

Many users resort to hard reset at the first lag, but this is often unnecessary. Here are the specific cases where reset is justified:

• 📱 Xiaomi phone constantly overheats, turns off or reboots for no reason (even after cleaning the cache).
• 🔒 You have forgotten your password, pattern lock, or PIN-The code and unlocking through Mi Account is not working.
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by antiviruses (for example, advertising in the status bar).
• 🔄 After updating MIUI Critical bugs: phone calls, camera or sensors are not working.
• 💰 Preparing the phone for sale or transfer to another person (mandatory for the protection of personal data!).

When the slack does not help or even hurt:

• ⚠️ If the problem is in the hardware (broken screen, faulty battery, burned motherboard).
• ⚠️ When blocking IMEI (For example, after theft, a different approach is needed.
• ⚠️ If the Xiaomi phone does not turn on due to a damaged bootloader (requires firmware through the phone). EDL).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 8/9 Pro, POCO X3 And then, after a reset, you might need to enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was attached to the device, and if you forget them, the phone will turn into a brick.

Preparing for resetting: how not to lose important data

Resetting to factory settings removes everything: photos, contacts, messages, apps, and even files on internal memory (but not on the internal memory). SD-So preparation is a critical step. Let's start with backup.

1. Data retention

Use Xiaomi’s built-in tools or third-party services:

• 📁 Local Copy: Go to Settings → The phone. → Backup and create a backup for SD-Disadvantage: Not all data will be saved (for example, Wi-Fi passwords).
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: In the same menu, select Backup to Mi Cloud. make sure you have enough space (free 5GB).
• 🤖 Google Account: Sync Contacts, Calendar and Mail in Settings → Accounts. → Google.
• 📱 Third-party apps: For photos - Google Photos, for messages — SMS Backup & Restore.

2. Account untied

After reset, you may have problems with authorization, so you can avoid blocking:

• 🔑 Remove Mi Account in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.
• 📌 Get a Google Account (if you plan to sell your phone).
• 💳 Remove Bank Cards from Google Pay and Mi Pay.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13 series POCO F4/F5 Recovery Reset Protection can be used to protect Factory Reset Protection (FRP). This means that after the reboot, the phone will require you to enter data from the last Google Account, even if you deleted it! Solution: before resetting, turn off Settings → Google → Security → Find the device.

Make a backup copy of the data|Unblock Mi Account|Delete your Google Account (if necessary)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Get out. SIM and SD-card (optional)|Remember the data from Mi Account in case of blocking-->

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

If the phone turns on and you remember the password, it’s the best method.It works on all Xiaomi models, from Redmi 4X to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, and requires no additional tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI - Additional).
3. Choose Resetting (or Resetting and Resetting).
4. Reset settings (on some models – Erase all data).
5. Enter a password/pattern lock if required.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything or Reset the phone.

The phone will reboot and start the cleaning process, which will take 5-15 minutes, and then you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase.

What to do if the “Settings Reset” item is not available?

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global Stable for POCO M3), the menu may look different.

1. Open Settings → System and device → More
2. Select Restore and Reset → Reset settings.

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If the phone is severely slowing down and does not allow you to open the settings, try to start the reset through safe start mode: press the power button → long tap on “Switch off” → “Reboot in safe mode”.

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

Recovery Mode is an emergency mode that works even if MIUI doesn’t boot.It’s on all Xiaomi smartphones, but the interface may vary depending on the model and firmware version.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For POCO F1/F2: Power button + Volume down. For Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite: Power button + both volume buttons.

Mi

Recovery

In Recovery, volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and power buttons (select) can be controlled. Newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12) can have a touch interface.

Resetting instructions:

1. Choose a language (if you have an option).
2. Go to Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
3. Select Wipe All Data (sometimes called Factory Reset).
4. Confirm the action (Confirm or Yes).
5. Wait until the end (the screen will display the inscription Data wiped successfully).
6. Choose Reboot or Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi Mi 11) after reset via Recovery, a request for Mi Account data may appear, even if you untied it! Before reset, log in to Mi Account and disable Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method will be useful if:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode is damaged or missing.
• 🔒 Phone locked and Mi Account not tied.
• 📱 You need to reset Xiaomi with custom firmware (for example, after a failed rooting).

You will need a computer with installed drivers. ADB/Fastboot original USB-cable (not cheap charging!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with Platform Tools.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
6. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

The phone will restart and start cleaning up, and run time is 2 to 5 minutes.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi Mi) A2, POCO F3) The fastboot erase userdata command may not work, in which case you will need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi), but this will lead to a complete reset of all partitions, including the main partitions. /system!

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Fastboot reset is the most reliable way if the phone doesn’t respond to other methods but requires technical skills. A mistake in commands can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device!

What to do after a reset: initial setup and data recovery

After a successful reset, Xiaomi’s phone will launch in initial setup mode.

1. First launch.

• 🌐 Select the language and region (important for Google services to work properly).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi (preferably the same network as before the reset – this will speed up the recovery of backups).
• 🔑 If you request Mi Account, use the data from the account that was linked before the reset.

Data recovery

If you have made a backup copy:

• ☁️ For Mi Cloud: Log in to Mi Account and select Restore from Backup in the Settings menu.
• 📁 For local backup: Connect SD-card or copy backup file to phone, then go to Settings → The phone. → Backup → Restore.
• 🤖 For Google: Contact, email and calendar data will be automatically restored after logging in to your account.

3. Post-reset optimization

To make the phone work faster:

• 🚫 Disable unnecessary system applications: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Pre-installed.
• 🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🛡️ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1.Forgot to untie Mi Account

If you reset your phone without deleting your Mi Account, you'll be asked to enter your login and password when you first turn on, and without that data, your phone will be a brick.

• Try to recall the data or restore the password through the official website.
• If your account is not yours (for example, a handheld phone), contact the previous owner or support Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

2. interrupted the discharge process

If the battery is taken out or the phone is discharged during the reset, this can lead to:

• Damage to system files (the phone will boot in an infinite loop).
• Lost access to Recovery Mode.

Solution: Try repeating the reset via fastboot or flashing the phone again using the Mi Flash Tool.

3.Non-tested IMEI after reset

On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M2) After the discharge, it can "fly off» IMEI, That's what's going to cause the network to lose. IMEI:

1. Dial *#06#.
2. Compare it to the number on the box or under the battery.

If you don’t have an IMEI, restore it with an engineering menu (#4636##) or specialized utilities (such as the SN Write Tool).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Reset