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

Resetting Xiaomi phone to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes necessary step: Did you buy a used smartphone and want to delete the previous owner’s data? Does the device slow down, overheat or “glut” after the upgrade? Or maybe you forgot the pattern lock and can’t unlock the screen? In each of these cases, hard reset will help return the phone to its original state – but with nuances.

It’s important to understand that the procedure removes all user data – photos, contacts, messages, installed apps and even Mi Account settings. while the system files (firmware, kernel) remain intact. In this article, we will analyze 5 proven reset methods for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models – from a simple menu in settings to recovery via Fastboot if the phone does not turn on.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before the start

Before you click Reset, follow 3 mandatory steps – they will save you hours on data recovery and save you from unpleasant surprises.

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud (if your Xiaomi account is tied) Alternatively, manually copy files to your PC via a Xiaomi account MTP (Put your phone on like a flash drive).
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%.Reset via Recovery or Fastboot can take up to 30 minutes - if the phone runs out in the process, you risk getting a "brick».
• 🔐 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account. After resetting some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro et al. require Xiaomi account data to be activated (Mi Account Lock) without which the phone will be "useless».

If you’re resetting your phone before selling, be sure to untie it from Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out. Otherwise, the new owner won’t be able to use the device!

⚠️ Note: On models with an unlocked bootloader, a reset via Recovery may result in a lock FRP (Factory Reset Protection. This is Google protection, requiring you to enter your last synchronized account. If you don't remember your password, use the method. №4 (reset via Fastboot).

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

If the phone is turned on, touch-responsive and you have access to the menu, this method is best suited. It works on all models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, regardless of the MIUI version.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (or About Device in new MIUI versions).
3. Slip on Backup and Reset (in some firmware, the item is called Resetting).
4. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset (or Remove All).

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.

Check the battery level.|Create a backup copy|Untie your cards and accounts (Google Pay, Mi Pay)|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Make sure the phone is not connected to VPN (can block the discharge)-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi) K40) When you reset, you may see the error, "This device is reset. Log in to the Google account that was synced earlier." FRP-To avoid blocking, delete all Google accounts in Settings before resetting → Accounts.

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

If your smartphone is stuck on the Mi logo, reboots cyclically or doesn’t respond to touch, use Recovery, which works even when your firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the device’s buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it doesn’t respond).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F1, POCO X2: Volume up + Volume down + Power. For Xiaomi Mi 10, Mi 11: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds).

Mi

Loudness up

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Yes

Reboot

Reboot to System

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for icons: the basket or reset icon is the right item. On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), the menu can be in English by default.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If the phone doesn’t load even in Recovery, or you’re faced with a problem. FRP-This method requires a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (original to avoid connection issues).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (the official tool from Google).
2. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Volume Down + Power buttons for 10 seconds. Release when a hare in a hat-eared hat appears on the screen (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and go to the folder with Platform Tools: cd C:\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 drivers or try another cable.
6. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

On models with a locked bootloader (bootloader), the fastboot erase userdata command may not work – in this case, you need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).

1. reconnect the cable to another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

2. Enable debugging mode via USB in the developer settings (if the phone is turned on).

3. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Android Bootloader Interface").-->

5. Method 4: Reset via Mi Flash Tool (complete flashing)

If previous methods have failed (e.g., the phone is bricked after a failed update), it remains completely flashed through the Mi Flash Tool, which removes all the firmware and installs a clean version of MIUI, but requires:

• 🖥️ Windows computer;
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (download only from the official Xiaomi website);
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if previously not unlocked – you will need to wait 7-15 days for confirmation from Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the latest version can be found on the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
2. Download the firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!). Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., unpack the archive in a folder, C:\miui_rom).
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (as in the method). №3).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Press Refresh – your phone should appear in the list of devices.
7. Select firmware mode: Clean all – complete cleaning (recommended); Clean all and lock – cleaning + lock the bootloader (only if you are sure you will not unlock it again).

Flash

Once you flash it, it turns on as new, and this method is guaranteed to delete all data, including FRP-Blocking and viruses, but requires technical skills.

⚠️ Note: Firmware of unofficial (custom) versions MIUI LineageOS can result in Mi Account blocking or loss of IMEI. Use only official firmware from the Xiaomi website!

6. Method 5: Reset via Find Device (if phone is stolen or lost)

If you lose your phone or it has been stolen, you can remotely reset it via Xiaomi’s Find Device service.

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account (should be linked to your phone!).
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click on Erase Data (or Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action with a password from the account.

Please note: this method only works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi);
• 🔋 Battery level above 10%;
• 🔒 Find Device is enabled on the device (checked in Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).

After the reset, the phone will be untethered from your account, but the attacker will not be able to use it without data from Mi Account (if protection is enabled).

💡

Remote reset via Find Device does not work if the phone is turned off or in airplane mode, in which case contact the police and provide the IMEI devices (you can find it through a box or check).

7. Frequent errors after reset and how to fix them

Even after a successful reset, there can be problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If the phone stopped seeing after the reset SIM-map, check it out:

• 📶 Is it inserted correctly? SIM (on some models, the tray has a “key” – the card must be inserted by a certain side);
• 🔄 Network settings: go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name of the access point (APN) and select the operator manually;
• 📱 Firmware version: on some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After resetting, the modem settings fly off - the update will help MIUI.

8.How to recover data after resetting

If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are.

1. Restoration through Google account:

When you first turn on after reset, the phone will prompt you to restore data from a Google backup. Select an account that was synced before the reset and confirm the recovery.

• 📇 Contacts;
• 📅 Calendar;
• 📁 Some app settings (such as WhatsApp or Telegram).

Recovery programmes:

If your phone is defined by your computer as a storage device, you can try programs like DiskDigger, Recuva, or EaseUS MobiSaver, which scan your internal memory for deleted files.

• 🔍 Chances are higher if no new data is recorded on the phone after the reset;
• 💰 Free versions of the software recover only a part of the files;
• ⚠️ Do not install programs on the same disk where the data is stored (the risk of overwriting).

3. Contact the service center:

If the phone had critical data (such as photos) and self-recovery didn’t help, contact Xiaomi’s service center. EDL-mode (emergency loading mode), but:

• 💸 Service paid (from 3000 to 10 000 rubles);
• ⏳ The process takes 1-3 days;
• 🔒 Not all centers provide this service (check by phone).

1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.

2. Enable the option to Backup on Google Drive.

3. Select an account and confirm synchronization.

Now, contact, SMS and the application settings will be saved automatically.-->

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions