How to completely reset Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings: 3 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution. Maybe your smartphone started to brake after the MIUI update, got infected with a virus, or you just want to sell the device by deleting all personal data. Either way, hard reset will return the phone to its original state, as if you just unpacked the box.

But not all resets are equally safe. Some methods retain the ability to roll back, others erase data permanently. In this article, we'll look at three official ways: phone settings, Recovery mode, and Fastboot. And how to prepare for resets so you don't lose important files, and what to do if the phone doesn't turn on after the procedure.

Why do I need a factory reset?

Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is really necessary.

• 🐢 Slowdown: If Xiaomi has started to “lay” even after cleaning the cache and removing unnecessary applications, resetting can return performance.
• 🦠 Viruses or malware: Some Trojans are so deeply embedded that they can only be removed by full formatting.
• 📱 Preparing for the sale, so that the new owner does not have access to your accounts, photos and messages.
• 🔄 Failed update MIUI. If after the update the phone stopped working normally (for example, constantly restarts).
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN. In some cases, resetting is the only way to unlock the device.

But remember: Resets remove all data from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (unless synced with Google Photos or Mi Cloud).
• 📱 Contacts (unless saved in a Google or Mi Account).
• 🎮 Save games and customize applications.
• 📥 Uploaded files (documents, music, APK).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) after reset, you may need to enter the username and password from Mi Account, if previously the function was activated “Device protection”. Without this data, the phone will become a “brick».

Preparing for resetting: how to save important data

Before you click Reset, make sure all valuable files are stored in a safe place.

Sync your contacts with Google or Mi Account|

Backup photos in Google Photos or on PC|

Save. SMS and the log of calls (for example, through SMS Backup & Restore)|

Record the username and password from Mi Account (if linked to the device)|

Make sure the phone has enough charge (at least 50%)-->

If you are not sure that all data is synchronized, use the built-in backup function in MIUI:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select data to save (contacts, messages, Wi-Fi settings, etc.).
3. Click on “Create a backup” and wait until it is completed.
4. Copy the backup file (located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder) to your computer or cloud.

For photos and videos, it is better to use Google Photos or manually transfer to your PC via USB-Don’t rely on Mi Cloud alone – a free account has limited space (5GB) and not all files can be saved.

I am synced with Google/Mi Account|

Copying on the computer |

I use cloud services (Yandex Disk, Dropbox) |

I don't keep it. I have nothing to lose.|

Another way.-->

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (soft reset)

This is the easiest and safest method, but it only works if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🔋 The device is charged at least 30 times%.

Instructions:

1. Open the settings (cog icon on the desktop).
2. Go to About Phone (in some versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. Fly through the warning and click “Reset settings”.
5. If necessary, enter PIN-code.
6. Confirm the action by clicking “Delete everything”.

The phone will restart and start the cleaning process, which will take 5 to 15 minutes, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like when you first turn on.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After resetting through the settings, garbage may remain in the section /data. If the phone continues to brake, try resetting via Recovery (method) 2).

💡

Soft reset through settings is the safest method, but it doesn't always delete all temporary files. Use Recovery for complete cleanup.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (hard reset)

If the phone doesn't turn on, is stuck on the MI logo, or you've forgotten the pattern lock, resetting through Recovery will help, which is more reliable because it formats all partitions, including cache.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F1, Mi 8 and old flagships: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.

Wipe Data

Wipe & Reset

Wipe All Data

Reboot

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

If the phone still brakes after resetting via Recovery, try to further clear the cache (Wipe Cache). This will not delete your data, but can eliminate the freeze.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even turn on in Recovery.
• 📱 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and phone is locked.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB and Fastboot, as well as the original USB-Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the image of a rabbit in a hat appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) on your computer and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
5. Enter the command to completely reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the commands are executed, the phone will restart and start setting up from scratch, a method that guarantees that it will delete all data, including viruses and corrupted system files.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi 11 or Redmi) K40) After fastboot erase commands, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool, otherwise the phone will not boot.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the MI logo after reset via Fastboot, try pinching Volume Up + Power for 20 seconds for a forced reboot.

What if the phone doesn’t turn on after reset?

In rare cases, after a reset, Xiaomi can:

• 🔄 Getting fixated on the logo MI.
• 📵 Do not respond to the power button.
• 🔌 Show black screen, but vibrate when charging.

Here's what we can do:

1. Forced reset: Press Power + Volume up for 20 to 30 seconds, sometimes it helps to get out of the loop.
2. Reset via Recovery: If your phone is responsive, try re-entering Recovery and repeating Wipe Data.
3. Fastboot firmware: If the first two methods didn't work, you'll have to reflash your phone using the Mi Flash Tool. To do this: Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the instructions of the program.

Calling the service:

Xiaomi

loss of

On models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 9C or POCO C31) for firmware through Fastboot requires authorization of the Mi Account. Without it, the phone will not accept firmware and will remain a “brick”.

How to recover data after resetting?

If you made a backup before the reset, it will be easy to restore the data:

• 📱 Contacts and calendar: automatically synced when logged in to Google Account or Mi Account.
• 📸 Photos: If they were uploaded to Google Photos, open the app and wait for sync.
• 💬 SMS And calls: Restore through SMS Backup & Restore (if backup is done).
• 🎮 Games and apps: Reinstall from Google Play – progress in games will recover if they are tied to an account.

If there is no backup, you can try data recovery programs, such as:

• Dr.Fone (paid but with trial period)
• EaseUS MobiSaver (free to recover a limited number of files)
• DiskDigger (works without root rights, but does not guarantee 100% results).

But remember, the more you use your phone after a reset, the less likely you are to recover deleted files, and it's better to connect it to your PC and scan the memory.

Frequently asked questions