How to make Hard Reset on Xiaomi: all ways to reset to factory settings

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is the last resort when critical crashes, viruses, forgotten passwords or before selling a device. However, an improperly executed procedure can turn a gadget into a brick, block Mi Account or erase important data without recovery. In this article, 4 proven ways to make Hard Reset on any Xiaomi smartphone (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark), as well as instructions for unlocking after reset and storing data.

It’s important to understand the difference between Soft Reset and Hard Reset. The former simply restarts the system without affecting user files. The latter completely erases all data, including apps, photos, accounts and settings. On new Xiaomi models (released after 2021), a menu reset may require you to enter a password from Mi Account even if you forgot the graphical key.

This article is relevant for all MIUI-based devices (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS), as well as smartphones with Qualcomm, Mediatek and Dimensity chips. If your model is released before 2018, some methods (such as Fastboot reset) may not work – for which we have provided alternative solutions.

1 What is Hard Reset and When is it Needed

Hard Reset is the complete removal of all user data and the return of the smartphone to the state of “out of the box”.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📸 Photos, videos and music (if not saved to SD- map)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, Google accounts and Mi Accounts
• ⚙️ System settings (sound, display, gestures)
• 📁 Files in internal memory (except system)

When to use Hard Reset:

• 🔓 Forgot the pattern lock, PIN or unlock password
• 🐢 The smartphone is severely braking, overheating or constantly rebooting.
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by an antivirus
• 📦 Before selling or transferring the device to another user
• 🔄 After a failed update MIUI when the system is not booting

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi models with a Mediatek processor (e.g., Redmi 9A, POCO M3), a reset via Recovery may result in a bootloader lock. Before the procedure, check the status of Bootloader with the fastboot oem device-info command.

If the problem is with a logo hover or a cyclical reboot, try less radical methods first:

1. Press the power button for 15-20 seconds for forced reboot.
2. Connect the charger for 30 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery simulates failures.
3. Log in to Safe Mode (hold the power button → long tap on “Switch off” → “Reboot in Safe Mode”) and remove suspicious apps.

2. Hard Reset Preparation: How to Save Data

Reset erases all user information, so you need to make a backup copy before the procedure.

If the smartphone is not turned on or locked, the only way to save data is to connect it to your PC in Fastboot mode and use tools like the Mi Flash Tool (requires skills to work with the ADB). On models with the unlocked bootloader, you can try flashing custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) and copy files to the SD- card.

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi smartphones with an encrypted file system (FBE), data cannot be recovered after resetting — even through specialized programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver. Encryption is activated automatically when you set a password or PIN- code.

If you are selling the device, after resetting it is recommended:

• 🔄 Log out of all accounts (Mi Account, Google, social media).
• 📱 Delete SIM- card and memory card (if used for data storage).
• 🔋 Discharge the battery to 50% – this will prevent accidental switching on during transportation.

3. Method 1: Hard Reset via the settings menu (if the smartphone is working)

This is the safest method, as it does not require rebooting in Recovery or working with Fastboot. Suitable for devices that turn on and respond to touch.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Slip on Reset (or Reset and Reset → Reset settings).
4. Choose Delete all data (on some models, Erase everything).
5. Enter the password from Mi Account (if required) or the pattern lock.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

New smartphones (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5) may request confirmation via Mi Cloud after reset. If you do not remember the password, use the unlock instructions below.

The reset time depends on the amount of data and the model of the device — usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. Once completed, the smartphone will automatically restart and prompt you to configure it as new.

⚠️ Warning: Some models (Redmi 10, POCO X3 Pro) may still be linked to Mi Account after a menu reset. To fully untie the device, an additional Fastboot reset may be required (see Method 4).

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If after reset, the smartphone asks for an old password, try entering a combination of 123456 or 000000 – sometimes this works on devices with firmware from third-party developers.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

This method is used if the smartphone is not turned on, got stuck on the Xiaomi logo or locked with a pattern lock.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Volume up (most models) 🔘 Power button + Volume up + Loud down (for Redmi 5/6/7, Mi A1/A2)

Mi Recovery

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe & Reset

Wipe All Data

Reboot

On some models (POCO F1, Mi 8), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.

• 📱 The first item (with the phone icon) is a reboot.
• 🗑️ The second or third item (with the basket icon) is a data reset.
• 🔄 The last item is a firmware update.

If after reset, the smartphone asks to enter the Mi Account password, and you do not remember it, go to the section about unlocking.

5. Method 3: Hard Reset via Mi Account (if the password is forgotten)

If after reset, the smartphone requires you to enter Mi Account data, and you do not remember them, there are two legal ways to unlock:

Method 1: Recovery of password through the official website

1. Go to the Mi Account page.
2. Click Forgot Password? and enter the linked email or phone number.
3. Follow the recovery instructions (confirmation code will be sent to the mail or SMS).
4. After changing the password, enter new data on the locked smartphone.

Method 2: Unlocking through the service center (for older models)

On devices released before 2020 (Redmi 4X, Mi 5, POCO F1), you can bypass the lock via Fastboot command:

fastboot oem unlock-go

However, on new models, this method does not work – Xiaomi has tightened protection, the only option is to contact the official service center with documents for the device (check or box), the cost of unlocking is from 500 to 2000 rubles.

⚠️ Warning: Do not use gray services that offer 10 minutes of unlocking. Often they flash the device with unofficial firmware, resulting in the loss of IMEI, network problems, or the complete failure of the eMMC module.

If you bought a smartphone with your hands and the previous owner did not untidy the Mi Account, contact him and ask:

1. Remove the device from the list in Mi Cloud.
2. Send you a login and password to unlock (after reset, you can change them).

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Since 2021, Xiaomi has been blocking the ability to bypass Mi Account via Fastboot. The only legal ways are to restore a password or contact a service center.

6. Method 4: Hard Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 The smartphone is not included in Recovery.
• 🔒 After the reset, there was a link to the Mi Account.
• 📱 You need to flash a clean firmware (for example, after a failed update).

The work will require:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux driverless ADB).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue.
4. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
5. If you want to completely reflash the device, download the official firmware from the MIUI Downloads website and use the command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

On models with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi 12, Redmi Note 11) before reset, you will need to unlock the Bootloader:

1. Apply for unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Attach the device to Mi Account (in the developer settings, enable OEM Unlock).
3. Wait 7-15 days (the wait period depends on the model).
4. Once approved, unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with Dimensity processor (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50i), unlocking Bootloader resets IMEI and DRM- keys, resulting in loss of camera quality, Widevine L1 (Netflix's no HD) issues, and network errors. The IMEI recovery can only be done through the service center.

7. Frequent Hard Reset Errors and How to Fix Them

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have problems.

If the reset lost sound, the camera is not working or the network is missing, the critical sections are likely to have been erased.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the ZIP- archive and find the flash_all.bat file (for Windows).
3. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and start the flash_all.bat.

On HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70) you may need to re-activate Mi Account after reset. If the device is not connected to the Internet, use the mobile hotspot from another smartphone.

8. FAQ: Answers to frequent questions