How to enter factory settings on Xiaomi phones: all ways

Factory settings on Xiaomi smartphones are not just a reset function, but a full-fledged tool to restore the device. Whether your Redmi Note 12 began to lag, POCO X5 shows an error after an update, or you're preparing your Mi 11 for sale, knowing how to access and use factory reset is critical. But there are nuances: an improper reset can lead to data loss, blocking the Mi Account, or even a "brick" of the device if you interrupt the process.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to enter factory settings on Xiaomi devices, including hidden methods through Recovery Mode and fastboot. You’ll learn how to bypass screen lock, what to do if the phone doesn’t turn on, and why sometimes resetting through the settings menu doesn’t help. And also unique data on the behavior of smartphones on MediaTek and Qualcomm processors during hard reset, which is not in the standard instructions.

1.What are factory settings and when to use them

Hard reset is the smartphone's return to the "out of the box" state.

📱 All user data is deleted: photos, videos, contacts, messages, installed applications.
🔄 Restore the standard settings of the system (brightness, sound, network, etc.).
🔒 Passwords and fingerprints are reset, but Mi Account remains tied to the device.
🛠️ Fixes software failures caused by viruses, incorrect updates or "junk" in the system.

When to do the reset:

🐢 Phone slows down strongly despite cache clearing and apps removal.
🔄 After updating MIUI Glitches (for example, spontaneous reboots).
📦 You sell or transfer the device to another person.
🔒 Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-code (but remember the Mi Account information!).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO C31) Resetting via Recovery can result in a bootloader lock if the bootloader has previously been unlocked.In this case, you will need to re-unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.

When the dumping doesn't help:

🔋 Battery problems (blown, fast discharge).
📡 Hardware malfunctions (camera, speaker, sensor not working).
🚫 The phone does not turn on at all (repair or firmware is needed through the EDL).

📊 Why did you need to reset your settings?

The device is braking.

I'm getting ready to sell.

Forgot my password.

After a failed update

Another option

If the phone turns on and you remember the unlock password, this is the best option, it preserves the integrity of system files and minimizes risks.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14 (relevant for Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO F5, etc.):

Open the settings (cog icon).
Go to About Phone → Backup and Reset.
Select Settings Reset.
Tap Delete all data.
Enter your password/pattern lock (if requested).
Confirm the action by pressing Ready.

It takes 3-10 minutes, and after the restart, you'll be asked to set the phone up as new.

Write down the data from Mi Account (login and password)

Save important files to your PC or cloud

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)

Untie your device from your Google Account (if you plan to sell)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A3 With Android One, the path to reset is different: Settings → System system → Additionally. → Reset options. Also, after the reset, you may need to re-activate the Mi Account via the reset. SMS.

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

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or does not respond to touch, resetting through Recovery Mode will help. This method works even when the screen is locked, but requires care.

Steps to Enter Recovery:

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (until 2018): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Recovery

Use volume buttons to navigate the menu.
Select Wipe Data (or Chinese firmware).
Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data → Confirm.
Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

What to do if you recover in Chinese?

If the menu is displayed in characters, focus on the location of the items: 1. The first item is reboot (don't choose!). 2. The second item is Wipe Data (we need). 3. The third item is Connect with MiAssistant (for firmware via PC). Reset confirmation usually requires selecting the far right item in the bottom row.

Features for different processors:

Processor	Xiaomi models	Nuances of discharge
Qualcomm Snapdragon	Xiaomi 13, POCO F4, Redmi K50	Reset is fast (2-3 minutes), the risk of "brika" is minimal.
MediaTek Helio	Redmi 10A, POCO M4 Pro	It can take up to 15 minutes. Don't interrupt.
MediaTek Dimensity	Xiaomi 11T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+	After the reset, you may need to re-activate your Mi Account via SMS.
Exynos (rarely)	Xiaomi Mi 9 SE (for some regions)	Recovery may not have touch control – use volume buttons.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 20 minutes after resetting via Recovery, try pressing the power button for 30 seconds to force a reboot. If that doesn't work, you need firmware via fastboot.

Method 3: Reset via fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via fastboot is used when:

🔧 Recovery Mode is not available (e.g., damaged).
📱 You need to bypass the Mi Account lock (only for unlocked bootloader!).
🛠️ Requires a "clean" firmware without traces of previous updates.

This method will require:

🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
📄 Firmware file for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

Turn off the phone.
Press Volume Down + Food to enter fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared).
Connect the phone to the PC.
Open the command prompt (cmd) in the fastboot folder and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the driver.
For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands delete data irrevocably. If you have unlocked bootloader, but not undetached Mi Account, after rebooting the phone will require entering the username / password from the account that was associated before unlocking!

💡

Fastboot reset is the most radical method, only if the first two methods didn’t work or you’re confident in your actions. For models with a locked bootloader (like the new Xiaomi 14), this method won’t work without first unlocking.

5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting.

Mistake 1: Interrupting the process

Pulling the battery or forcefully turning off the phone during a reset (especially through Recovery) can lead to:

🔄 Cyclical reboot (bootloop).
🚫 Loss of access to Recovery.
📵 Complete inoperability of the device (requires firmware through EDL).

Mistake 2: Forgotten Mi Account

All Xiaomi devices require data entry from the Mi Account that was tied before the reset after the reset.

🔐 Forgot your password – restore it to account.xiaomi.com.
📱 Buy a phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the account – contact him or Xiaomi support with proof of purchase.

Error 3: Firmware inconsistency

When resetting via fastboot or flashing it is important to use files that are specifically designed for your model and region.

🌍 Xiaomi Mi 11 (Global) firmware will not work for Mi 11 (China).
📱 Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet) files are not compatible with Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G (camellian).

How do I find out the code name of my model?

The code name (e.g. tucana for Redmi Note 8 Pro) can be found: 1. In Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (stick a few times on the "Kornel Version"). 2. Through the command in ADB: adb shell getprop ro.product.device 3. On sites like Xiaomi Firmware Updater on the model of the device.

6.What to do after discharge

A successful reset is only half the battle, so that the phone is stable.

System setup

📱 Go through the initial setup, connect to Wi-Fi.
🔄 Update. MIUI Up to the latest version (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).
🔒 Enable device encryption (if security is important): Settings → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Encryption.

Data recovery

☁️ Restore backup from Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
📁 Transfer files from the PC through MTP (Put the phone on USB).
🎵 For music and photos, it is convenient to use Xiaomi File Manager or Google Photos.

3. Optimization of productivity

🚀 Turn off animation: Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Animation Scale (select "No Animation").
🔋 Activate Battery Mode in Settings → Battery to save charge.
🧹 Clean the cache regularly: Settings → Warehouse → Clean up.

💡

After reset, turn off the automatic installation of recommended applications: Settings → Applications → Application Management → Recommended applications → Turn off the slider.

Alternative discharge methods

If the standard methods do not work, try:

1.Dumping via Mi PC Suite

The official utility from Xiaomi allows you to reset your settings even if the phone does not turn on. Download the program from the official website, connect the device and select System Restore.

2.ADB teams

If you have USB debugging enabled (Settings → For Developers), you can reset the settings via the command:

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

3. Service centre

If the phone does not respond to any manipulations (the screen does not burn, there is no reaction to charging), contact the authorized Xiaomi service center. The average cost of diagnosis is 500-1000 rubles.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

❓ Can I make a reset without losing data?

No, factory reset always deletes user data. However, you can: Back up through Settings → Backup. Copy files to your PC or memory card before reset. Exception: if you use MIUI 14 and previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud, contacts, notes and some settings will be restored automatically upon logging in.

❓ Phone after reset asks for old password from Mi Account?

It's a protection against theft (FRP — Factory Reset Protection) Solutions: If your phone is yours: Restore the Mi Account password at account.xiaomi.com. If the phone is purchased with hands: contact the previous owner and ask to untie the device from his account via Settings → Mi Account → Delete your account (before reset!) If you can’t contact: provide Xiaomi support check to buy – they can help unlock the device. ⚠️ Note: Use of "bypass" methods (e.g. firmware through EDL Unlocked – can lead to total loss IMEI and network failure!

❓ How long does it take to dump?

Time depends on the method and model: Through the settings menu: 3-10 minutes; through Recovery: 5-15 minutes (longer on MediaTek); through fastboot: 2-5 minutes (not including firmware time); if the process lasted more than 30 minutes, something went wrong. Turn off the phone (press the power for 15 seconds) and try another method.

❓ Can I reset the settings if I forgot the pattern lock?

Yes, but there are nuances: If you remember the Mi Account: reset via Recovery (method 2). After rebooting, log in and the phone unlocks. If you don't remember, try unlocking via find.mydevice.xiaomi.com (Find the device feature) The phone must be connected to the Internet. If nothing works, you need firmware via fastboot or EDL (but this will delete all data and may require unlocking the bootloader).

❓ Why the phone has become even slower since resetting?

Possible causes: Outdated firmware: After reset, update MIUI to the latest version. Memory problems: Check the state of the drive through Settings → Storage → Diagnostics. Background processes: Turn off autoloading unnecessary applications to Settings → Battery → Consumption Management. Hardware wear: If the phone is older than 3-4 years, you may need to replace the battery or clean the dust. If the brakes are left, try flashing the phone with clean fastboot firmware through 4PDA.