How to restore Xiaomi Redmi to factory settings: 3 working ways

Why a factory reset could be a lifesaver for your Redmi

Your Xiaomi Redmi has started to slow down, spontaneously reboot or give out errors when installing apps? Perhaps it's time to return it to its original performance. Factory reset is a radical but effective method of solving most software problems. It deletes all user data, applications and settings, returning the smartphone to the "out of the box" state.

It's not only useful for troubleshooting, it's used before selling a device to clear personal information, or after failing to experiment with firmware. But a wrong reset can lead to the loss of important data or even to "bricking" the phone. In this article, we'll look at three official reset methods that Xiaomi recommends, and also explain how to avoid typical errors.

Before you start, remember that the procedure is irreversible. All photos, contacts, messages and installed programs will be deleted. If you don't back up, you won't be able to return them. So the first step is always the same: save important data.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before the procedure

Even if you're in a hurry to get your phone back on track, don't miss this stage. Preparation takes 10-15 minutes, but saves hours on recovering data later.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or use Mi Cloud. this will save contacts, SMS and some settings.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Recovery resets can take up to 30 minutes, and discharging in the process will cause a failure.
• 📋 Write down your Mi Account. After the reset, you'll need authorization, and without a login and password, it'll be hard to unlock your phone.
• 🔌 Prepare the cable. USB (If you plan to reset via Fastboot, the original Xiaomi cable reduces the risk of connection errors.

Pay special attention to Mi Account. If you forget your password, restore it to reset. After the procedure, Xiaomi can request confirmation of ownership of the device through the linked account, without it, the phone will turn into a brick with the words "This device is locked."

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 10/11/12 and newer after resetting via Recovery may require input PIN-code SIM-- Make sure you remember this code or extract it. SIM before the procedure.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This is a method that works if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and it's the simplest and least risky method, because it's controlled by the MIUI operating system.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to the About Phone section. → Backup and reset.
3. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-10 minutes, the phone will reboot several times, after which the screen of the initial setting will appear, at which point you can restore data from the backup (if it was created).

⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 14 and later, after reset, the device protection function can automatically turn on. It blocks access to the phone for 72 hours if you enter your password incorrectly.

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

If the smartphone is stuck on the logo, reboots cyclically or doesn't respond to the screen, resetting through recovery mode will help, which works even with damaged firmware, because it uses embedded software.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm the action.
6. After cleaning, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, be guided by the location of items: Wipe Data is usually the third on top. On new models (Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and newer), additional confirmation via Mi Account may be required after the reboot.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method requires a computer and command line knowledge, and it works if the first two methods fail or you need to bypass Mi Account lock (legally if your phone is yours).

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi)
• 🔑 Unlocked bootloader (if not previously unlocked, this method will not work)

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down for 10 seconds.
2. Connect your phone to your computer. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Device Manager.
3. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal on macOS) and type: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, check the drivers.
4. Run the full reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will look like new, and this method doesn’t bypass the Mi Account binding if it’s activated, and it will require official proof of ownership through Xiaomi’s website to remove it.

1. Reinstall Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your model’s processor).

2. Use another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

3. Disable driver signatures in Windows (to do this, type in the command line bcdedit) /set nointegritychecks on and restart the PC).-->

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following the instructions, users face problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 phone is stuck on startup Mi logo after reset → Wait. 20-30 If it doesn't work, reset via Recovery by selecting Wipe Cache before Wipe Data.

On Redmi models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 10A or Redmi 9T), the IMEI may disappear after a Fastboot reset, requiring recovery via an engineering menu (#3646633##) or service center.

⚠️ Note: If after a reset, the phone requests "This device is associated with another account", do not attempt to bypass the lock through third-party programs. IMEI. Contact the official service with a check for purchase.

What to do after resetting: initial setup

After a successful reset, the phone will suggest you go through the initial setup.

1. Language and Region Choice: Install Russia or your country to avoid problems with Google services.
2. Wi-Fi connection: Use a stable network, at which point the phone will download the latest MIUI updates.
3. Sign in to Mi Account: If you forget your password, restore it via SMS or email. Without authorization, some features (such as Find Device) will not be available.
4. Data recovery: If you have backed up, select it from Mi Cloud or from an external drive, and photos and videos will be restored automatically.

On models with MIUI 14+, after setting up, it is recommended:

• Disable "MIUI Recommendations" in Settings → Privacy if you do not want to see ads.
• Activate Developer Mode (7 times click on About Phone's MIUI version) to access advanced settings.
• Update all apps through Google Play, as they may be outdated after a reset.

💡

After a reset, the phone can run slower for the first 1-2 days. That's OK: the system indexes files and optimizes performance. Don't rush to reset again!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Redmi Reset