How to return factory settings to Xiaomi: all ways to reset (MIUI 14/15)

Resetting to factory settings on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve software problems. Whether you sell your phone, experience freezes after updating MIUI 15, or just want to “reset” the system to its original state, a proper reset guarantees a clean installation without unnecessary risks. However, many users make critical mistakes: from losing important data to blocking a Mi Account after reset via Recovery without detachment. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of reset (including hidden ones), nuances for different models, and what to do if the phone does not respond to the standard methods.

It's important to understand that resetting is not just about removing applications.

• 📱 System settings (networks, sound, display, accounts)
• 🔑 Accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📁 Internal memory (photos, videos, documents – unless otherwise selected)
• 🔄 Cache and temporary files (cleaned completely)

We're not going to be limited to basic instructions from the official documentation. Here you'll find solutions for complex cases: when the phone doesn't turn on, the pattern lock is locked, or the reset is interrupted during the boot phase, and at the end of the article, an FAQ with answers to questions users are embarrassed to ask (for example, can data be recovered after a reset via Fastboot).

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before cleaning

Before you click Reset, follow the mandatory steps to avoid data loss or device locking.Even if the phone is unstable, take time to prepare - this will save you nerves later.

First, unplug your Mi Account (if you plan to reset via Recovery or Fastboot). Otherwise, after the procedure, the device will require you to enter a login / password from your previous Xiaomi account, which can be a problem when selling the phone. You can do this in the Settings menu → Xiaomi Account → Sign out. If the phone is already locked, read the section on bypassing the lock below.

Backup (Mi Cloud or locally)|Unplug the Mi Account (if reset via Recovery/Fastboot)|Remember data from a Google account|Check the battery charge (minimum) 50%)|Delete SD-map SIM (if)-->

Second, backup. Use the built-in MIUI tools:

• 🖥️ Mi Cloud: Settings → The phone. → Backup (free 5GB, enough for contacts and notes).
• 📱 Local Copy: Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Save applications, SMS and settings, but not media files.
• 🔌 Computer: Connect the phone to USB file transfer (MTP) and copy the folders. DCIM, Downloads, Documents manually.

Third, check the battery power. If the phone runs out during reset (especially through Recovery), it can lead to a "brick" (unable to turn on), Optimum - 70% or higher. If the battery is weak, connect the charger with the original cable and perform a reset from the network.

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If the phone is slowing down and you can't back up, try to turn on Safe Mode: Press the Power button → Long Tap on Turn Off → Reboot Safe Mode. In this mode, third-party apps are disabled and the system is faster.

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

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it doesn't affect the system partitions that are responsible for the bootloader. MIUI 12-15 (including shells for POCO redmi).

Steps:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Scroll down and select About Phone (or About Device on some models).
3. Replace the backup and reset (in MIUI 15 may be called Resetting Settings).
4. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
5. Enter your password/pattern lock (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset settings (some models will need to enter) PIN-code SIM-map).

It takes 5-15 minutes. The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new. If you reset the message, "This device is linked to another Mi Account," then you didn't untie your account in advance.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need to detach your Mi Account.
• ✅ Maintains the integrity of system partitions.
• ✅ It works even on blocked loaders.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It won’t help if the phone doesn’t turn on or hangs on the logo.
• ❌ Does not clear internal memory (photos/video will remain unless selected "Clear everything»).

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

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches or is blocked by a pattern lock, resetting through Recovery mode will help. However, there is a critical nuance: if the device was tied to the Xiaomi account and does not turn off the Find Device function, after reset, the phone will require entering the data of this account. Without them, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device (it will require official proof of ownership).

Instructions for MIUI Recovery (relevant for most models, except for Xiaomi 12/13/14 with a new bootloader):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button + volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some firmwares – Factory Reset).
6. Confirm the action (Confirm).
7. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Yeah, I figured it out)|Yeah, but I had to look for a menu translation.|No, I'm afraid to break something.|I always used the settings menu.-->

Attention! On the new models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi Note 12 and later), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.

If your phone needs a Mi Account after resetting and you don’t remember it, try:

• 🔄 Restart your device and connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes it helps).
• 📧 Restore your account via account.xiaomi.com (forgot password function?»).
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with) IMEI).

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Recovery does not delete data from the memory card (if installed).However, if you choose "Wipe All Data", the phone's internal memory will be completely cleared, including the DCIM and Downloads folders.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used when:

• 🔧 Recovery is damaged or not running.
• 📱 Phone locked and menu reset unavailable.
• 🔄 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

Resetting via Fastboot will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (preferably original).Caution! Incorrect commands can result in complete data loss or bootloader lockdown.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down until the image of the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with fastboot.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
6. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you need to completely reflash the device (for example, after an update crash), use the command:

fastboot flash all [name firmware].zip

But remember: this will delete all data, including IMEI (on some models).

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Before working with Fastboot, check the status of the bootloader with the command fastboot oem device-info. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked, and you will need to unlock it through the official Xiaomi tool to get the firmware.

5. reset on a locked phone (if you forgot the pattern lock)

If you forgot your password, PIN Or a pattern lock, and the phone requires unlocking, there are several ways to get around this without losing data (but not on all models). MIUI and type of lockdown.

Method 1: Unblocking through Google account (for MIUI before version 12)

1. Enter the wrong password 5 times until the message “Forgot the password?” appears.
2. Slip on this label and select “Restore via Google”.
3. Enter the data from the Google account that was linked to the phone.
4. Create a new password.

Method 2: Reset via Safe Mode (if the lock is installed by a third-party application)

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on the “Switch off” option until you are prompted to switch to Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, remove the application that has installed the lock (for example, AppLock or Vault).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 3: Delete the lock file via ADB (requires debugging over USB)

If you previously enabled USB debugging in the developer settings, you can delete the password file:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

6.Recovery of data after reset: what can be returned

If you haven’t made a backup, the chances of recovering data depend on the reset method and the phone model:

You can use programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver to recover deleted files (photos, videos), but the odds are low, because the data is overwritten after the reset, and the best way is to regularly back up to Mi Cloud or PC.

If you used Mi Cloud for backup, restore your data as follows:

1. After reset, go through the initial phone setup.
2. In the Data Recovery step, select Restore from Mi Cloud.
3. Enter your Xiaomi account details.
4. Select the last backup and wait until it is completed.

1. Internet connection stability (better to use Wi-Fi).

2. date and time on the device (must be current).

3. Free space in the cloud (free only 5 GB).-->

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting.-5 problems and solutions:

Mistake 1: Phone after reset asks for old Mi Account

⚠️ If you dropped your phone from Recovery or Fastboot without untieing your Xiaomi account and now you don't remember the data, don't try to enter random passwords. After 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours. restore access to the account through the official website or contact in support with a check for purchase.

Error 2: Reset is interrupted during the “Data Cleanup” stage

Reasons:

• 🔋 Weak battery charge (less than 30%).
• 🔌 Unstable PC connection (when reset via Fastboot).
• 🛠️ Damaged system files (reflashing required).

Solution: connect your phone to charge, use the original cable, and try again. If the error repeats, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

Error 3: After reset, the phone will not turn on (black screen)

Possible causes:

• 🔄 Interrupted resetting process (e.g., removable charger).
• 📥 Incompatible firmware (if Fastboot was used).
• 🔧 Damaged loader.

Decision:

1. Try going to Recovery (Nutrition + Volume Up) and repeat the reset.
2. If it doesn’t work, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.
3. Newer models (Xiaomi 13/14) may require an authorized developer account.

Error 4: Sensor fails after reset

This is a typical problem for the Redmi Note 8/9 after an incorrect reset, and it's caused by a sensor driver failure.

1. Fastboot your phone with the option of Save User Data (if available).
2. Update the firmware to the latest version through Settings → System Update.
3. If it doesn’t help, contact the service (possibly the problem is in the sensor plume).

Mistake 5: Losing IMEI after being reset via Fastboot

⚠️ Attention, on some models, Redmi 7/8, POCO X3) After the fastboot erase commands can disappear IMEI. It makes the phone unusable to call. IMEI, You will need an engineering menu (##4636##) Mi Flash Tool with Clean All and Lock tick.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions