How to get into the hard reset on Xiaomi: all the ways of 2026

Why you need a hard reset and when to use it

Hard reset on Xiaomi smartphones is a complete factory reset, removing all user data. Unlike a normal reset via the settings menu, hard reset is done at the firmware level and allows you to bypass system locks, a procedure that becomes necessary in several critical cases:

First, when a smartphone is stuck on a logo or reboots cyclically (bootloop). Second, if you have forgotten your pattern lock or password and the Mi Account is not tied. Third, hard reset helps with serious crashes after a failed firmware or rooting update. It is important to understand that this method completely erases the internal memory of the device, including photos, contacts and installed applications.

Xiaomi has integrated several ways to perform a hard reset so users can restore the device to work even without access to the main interface.However, not all methods are equally safe - some can lead to a bootloader lock or loss of IMEI if performed incorrectly.

Preparing for hard reset: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, follow the necessary preparatory steps to minimize the risk of loss of important data and make it easier to recover from the procedure:

• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 70% – the process can take up to 30 minutes, and the battery discharge will interrupt the operation.
• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup if the device is still responding to commands.
• 🔐 Make sure you have your Mi Account (login and password) details if your phone is linked to your account.
• 📡 Prepare a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) – it will be required to be reactivated after resetting.

Pay special attention to your device models. The ways you log in to Recovery Mode may differ for Redmi, POCO and Mi. For example, the POCO F5 uses a Power + Volume Up combination, and the Redmi Note 12 uses Power + Volume Down.

⚠️ Note: If your device has Find My Device enabled, you will need to enter Mi Account data to unlock after the hard reset".

Method 1: Hard Recovery Mode (Standard Method)

The most common way is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which works on 90% of Xiaomi devices released after 2018.

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Power + Volume Up For POCO X3/X4: Power + Volume Down For Mi 10/11: Power + Volume Up + Volume Down (hold 10 seconds)

Mi

Fastboot

Recovery Mode

In the Recovery menu, the interface will be in Chinese or English. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for confirmation. Find Wipe Data (or ), then select Wipe All Data (). Confirm the action - the process will begin automatically.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Mi) A1/A2) After selecting Wipe Data, you will need to enter a password from the last active Google account (FRP-If you don't remember it, use alternative methods.

Method 2: Hard Resets via Fastboot (for power users)

If the standard Recovery Mode is unavailable or damaged, you can reset via Fastboot mode.This method requires you to connect to a PC and use the Mi Flash Tool utility or ADB commands.

1. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers and ADB Tools on your PC (download from the official website).
2. Turn off your phone and transfer it to Fastboot: Actively hold Power + Volume Down until the hare appears in the eardress cap
3. Connect the device to your PC via USB and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
4. Run the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
5. Enter the complete reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

This is a riskier method, because the wrong commands can damage the boot or system partition, use it only if you are confident in your actions, after you execute the commands, the phone automatically restarts and starts the initial setup procedure.

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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your device, try another one. USB-cable or port. Often the problem is that there are no drivers for Fastboot mode.

Method 3: Hard resets via Mi Account (if the password is forgotten)

If you've forgotten the pattern lock, but the phone is tied to the Mi Account, you can reset your account via the web interface, which only works when you have an active Internet connection on your device.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the locked smartphone and select Find the device.
3. Click Delete Data and confirm the action via SMS or email.
4. Wait for a notification of a successful reset (can take up to 10 minutes).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

If the phone doesn't turn on or hangs on the logo after a hard reset, it may indicate firmware damage, in which case you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool using the official ROM for your model.

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If the hard reset didn’t help solve the problem (for example, the phone still doesn’t turn on), it indicates a hardware malfunction, in which case a diagnosis is required at the service center.

What to do after a hard reset: recovery and setup

After a successful reset, the device will return to factory condition.

1. Go through the initial setup (selecting language, connecting to Wi-Fi).
2. Sign in to Mi Account if the phone has been tied.
3. Restore data from a backup (if it was created).
4. Update the firmware to the current version through Settings → About the phone → System update.

Pay special attention to the security settings:

• 🔐 Install a new pattern lock or PIN-code
• 📱 Link a Google account to protect against FRP
• 🔄 Enable automatic backup in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud

If you plan to sell or transfer the device to another person, remember to log out of Mi Account and delete all synchronized data. This can be done in the Settings menu → Accounts → Mi Account → Sign out.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions