Recovery of Xiaomi Settings: From Reset to Backup

Reset Xiaomi — a procedure that sooner or later faced every smartphone owner of this brand. the reasons can be different: from banal errors in the system to the need to sell the device or eliminate the consequences of virus attacks. However, not everyone knows that the restoration of settings is not only a factory reset, but also a whole range of measures: from backup to fine-tuning. MIUI after clean installation.

In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios: how to return factory settings through menus and recovery modes, how to restore data from a backup (including contacts, SMS And apps, and what to do if Xiaomi doesn't turn on or hangs on the logo. MIUI, which will help to avoid data loss and speed up the device setup after resetting.

Important: Procedures differ for devices with unlocked and locked bootloader, as well as for different firmware versions (MIUI 12–MIUI We have taken into account all the nuances to make the instructions suitable for the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and other popular models 2022-2026.

1. When you need to restore Xiaomi settings

Factory reset is a last resort, but sometimes it's a must, and here are the typical situations where the procedure is justified:

• 🔄 Slowdown: smartphone slows down, apps crash, cache cleaning doesn't help. Often to blame accumulated errors in the system or conflicting updates.
• 📱 Preparation for sale: to delete all personal data (photos, passwords, accounts) and return the device to a “clean” state.
• 🔒 Screen locking: if you forget the pattern lock or PIN-code and unlocking through Mi Account is not possible.
• 🐞 Critical errors: cyclical reboot, black screen, inability to boot the system after a failed update.
• 📲 Failure after firmware: if after manual update via Fastboot or Recovery the device is not working properly.

Before resetting, however, check for alternative solutions:

• 🔍 Cleaning the cache through Settings → Memory. → Clear cache (does not delete data, but speeds up work).
• 🔄 Restart in Safe Mode: Press the Power button → Hold "Switch off" → Confirm the transition, help identify the problem in third-party applications.
• 📥 Update MIUI: Sometimes bugs are fixed in new firmware versions (Settings) → The phone. → Updating the system).

⚠️ Note: if the Xiaomi smartphone does not respond to buttons or hovers on the logo, do not try to reboot it repeatedly - this can lead to damage to the partition EFS (stored IMEI You better go straight to recovery via Fastboot.

2. Backup before reset: what and how to save

The factory reset removes all data from internal memory, including:

• 📞 Contacts (unless synced with Google or Mi Account).
• 💬 Communications SMS/MMS call history.
• 📸 Photos and videos (if not saved on the SD-map).
• 🎵 Music, downloads and documents.
• ⚙️ Application settings (for example, saved games, login / passwords in the browser).

To avoid losing something important, use the built-in tools of Xiaomi:

Method 1: Local backup through MIUI

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data for saving (contacts, SMS, applications, system settings).
3. Click "Create a backup" and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the folder). MIUI/backup/AllBackup).

Method 2: Cloud reservation in Mi Cloud

For this:

1. Sign in to Mi Account (Settings) → Xiaomi account).
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Backup to Mi Cloud.
3. Turn on synchronization for the desired data (contacts, notes, photos).

Important: a free Mi Cloud account only provides 5 GB of space, and it is better to use Google Photos or a physical drive to reserve photos and videos.

Check the synchronization of contacts with Google/Mi Account|

Save photos and videos to PC or cloud|

Write it down. IMEI (06# in case of loss|

Untie accounts (Google, Mi, banking applications)|

Make sure the battery is charged > 50%-->

3. How to reset settings through the menu MIUI

If the smartphone turns on and reacts to touch, use the standard method:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select "Reset" (on some models - "Reset all data").
3. The system will be asked to PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking "Reset phone settings" → "Delete everything".

It takes 5-10 minutes, and after you restart, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like you did after you bought it.

⚠️ Note: on some models (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4) You may need to re-assign your Mi Account after resetting. If you forget your password, restore it in advance at account.xiaomi.com.

If you're on the menu MIUI Unavailable (for example, because of a screen lock), move to the next section.

4. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

Recovery mode is the only way to return the smartphone to work if it:

• 🔴 It is on the Xiaomi logo or MI.
• 🖥️ Cyclically rebooting.
• 🔒 Does not respond to password entry.
• 📵 Not loading beyond the lock screen.

Instructions for all Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 Power button + Volume up – for most models (Redmi Note 10, Xiaomi 12). 📱 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down for older devices (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).

Mi Recovery

In the recovery menu, select the language (English or Chinese).

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Reboot → Reboot to System

Features:

• On some firmware (MIUI 14+) The Wipe All Data is called Factory Reset.
• If the phone requires the Mi Account password to be entered after reset, it means that the Mi Cloud Lock was previously activated.

5. Post-reset recovery: setup MIUI zero

After the factory reset, you'll have to go through the initial setup process.

Step 1: Choosing a language and region

On the welcome screen:

1. Choose the language (we recommend "Russian").
2. Specify the region - "Russia" (this affects the available services and firmware).
3. Connect to Wi-Fi (required to download updates).

Step 2: Data recovery

The system will offer to recover data from:

• 📱 Backup copy MIUI (if it was created earlier).
• ☁️ Mi Cloud – if synchronization is enabled.
• 🤖 Google Account – for contacts, calendar and some apps.

Tip: If you haven't backed up, skip this step and set up the device as new. You can manually copy files from your PC later.

Step 3: Set up security

Mandatory action:

1. Create a pattern lock or PIN-code (don’t skip this step – it protects data).
2. Add a fingerprint (Settings) → Passwords and security → Fingerprint).
3. Activate Find Device (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device – This will help you find your phone in case of loss.

Step 4: Optimization MIUI

To make the smartphone work faster:

• 🚀 Turn off animation: Settings → Special facilities → Remove animations.
• 🔋 Activate Performance Mode: Settings → Battery → Performance mode.
• 📵 Limit background activity: Settings → Annexes → Permits → Auto-start.

💡

After reset, check the Application Resolution settings (Settings) → Confidentiality → Permissions: Many applications (e.g. messengers) require re-access to the camera, microphone and storage.

6.Reconstruction IMEI and network settings after resetting

Sometimes after a hard reset or firmware, the network disappears (no signal, not determined). SIM-The reason is file damage. EFS, stored IMEI And network settings. Here's how to fix it:

IMEI verification

Dial on the phone keyboard:

*#06#

If not IMEI display zeros or "Invalid", requires recovery.

Method 1: Recovery through the Engineering Menu

1. Enter the engineering menu code: ##4636##
2. Go to the “Phone Information” section and check the status IMEI.
3. If IMEI No, no, use the utility. SN Write Tool (requires PC and cable) USB).

Method 2: Manual recovery through ADB

For experienced users:

1. Connect your phone to a PC with drivers installed ADB.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell su restorecon -R /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases chmod 660 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db exit exit
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: change IMEI Restor only the original values indicated on the box or under the battery (for collapsible models).

7.Frequent errors after recovery and their solution

Even after a successful reset, there can be problems.

Error 1: "Device locked in Mi Account"

If after resetting the phone requires the username / password from Mi Account, this means that the previously activated protective lock (Mi Cloud Lock).

• 🔑 Enter data from the linked account.
• 📧 If you forget your password, restore it through [account.xiaomi.com](https://account.xiaomi.com).
• 🛠️ If your account is not yours (for example, a handheld phone), contact the previous owner or service center with proof of purchase.

Mistake 2: “Not enough memory” after recovery

The reason is that the cache and the application data are taking up space.

1. Go to Settings → Memory → Clear the cache.
2. Remove unnecessary apps: Settings → Apps → Delete.
3. Transfer the photo/video to SD-map.

Error 3: “Apps are constantly flying out”

Possible causes and solutions:

• 🔄 Version incompatibility: Update apps in Google Play.
• 📥 Damaged data: Clear the cache and application data (Settings) → Annexes → [Name of name] → Warehouse → Clear the cache/data).
• 🛠️ Failure in MIUI: Check for system updates.

💡

If you lose your game purchases or your app data (like WhatsApp) after a reset, you can only recover it through a backup, and without it, your data is lost forever.

8. Alternative recovery methods (for experienced users)

If the standard methods didn’t help, try the advanced methods:

Method 1: Fastboot Firmware

It will require:

• 🖥️ PC with Mi Flash Tool drivers installed.
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from the [en.miui.com](https://en.miui.com/download.html)).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
2. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz).
4. Press "Refresh" → "Flash and wait until it's finished.

Method 2: Recovery through TWRP

Custom recovery TWRP permitting:

• 🔄 Install unofficial firmware.
• 📁 Create a full backup system (Nandroid Backup).
• ⚙️ Restore individual sections (e.g, EFS).

Important: For installation TWRP You need an unlocked bootloader. You can find the instructions for unlocking on the forum. [XDA Developers](https://forum.xda-developers.com/).

Method 3: Use ADB data recovery

If the phone is turned on but some of the data is lost, you can try to retrieve it through the phone. ADB:

adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/ C:\Backup\Photos


adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db C:\Backup\

This will copy the photo and contact database on the PC.

💡

Before you run through Fastboot, check the device model with the command fastboot getvar product. Using firmware for another model will lead to a brick (complete inoperability) of the phone.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions