How to reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings and remove everything by default

Have you bought a used Xiaomi smartphone, encountered bugs after an upgrade, or just wanted to “reset” the device before selling? resetting to factory settings is the only way to return the phone to “out of the box” state by removing all user data, apps and settings. However, in MIUI, this process has nuances, from binding to a Xiaomi account to hidden options in the Recovery menu.

In this article, we will understand 5 Proven ways to return a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to factory settings - both through the system menu and using physical buttons (if the screen is not working). MI after reset, because this is the most common problem users. MIUI 14/15 and all the models produced after 2018 year-end.

Why is Xiaomi phone not resetting to factory settings?

Before you start resetting, it's important to understand what could go wrong. 90% of the time, the problem is because of:

• 🔒 Links to Xiaomi account – after resetting the phone requires you to enter the username / password of the previous owner (Mi Cloud Lock function).
• 🛠️ Damaged firmware – if the system has been modified (e.g. via Magisk or custom recavery), a reset may result in a “brick».

If you buy a phone with your hands, be sure to check if it is untied from your Xiaomi account.

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Check if the mail is displayed in the “Account” section.
3. If there is a binding, ask the seller to remove the device from the Mi Cloud personal account.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from the old Xiaomi account, you can restore access only through the official service center. EDL Fastboot cancels the warranty.

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

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on, you have access to the lock screen, and you remember the pattern lock./PIN-It keeps firmware integrity and minimizes the risk of "brick».

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset on Older versions of MIUI).
2. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
3. The system will suggest choosing the type of discharge: 📱 Resetting – deletes apps, accounts, but leaves media files. 🧹 Remove everything - complete reset to factory state (recommended).

Confirm the action by entering the password / pattern lock.

Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will start in the initial setup mode, as after the purchase, if a request for input of Xiaomi account data appears on the screen, then the device was tied to the Mi Cloud.

Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

If the phone doesn’t turn on, hangs on the MI logo, or the screen doesn’t respond to touch, use hardware reset via the Recovery menu.This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the Power for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Hold the Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Select the language (English/Chinese) from the menu, then: 🔧 Press Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data. 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Reboot

Reboot to System

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

- 🧹 — dataset,

- 🔄 — restart,

- 📱 — exit.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the Recovery menu may require you to enter a password from your Mi Account even to reset.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to a damaged Recovery), you can reset your phone via Fastboot mode, which requires a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool or ADB programs.

Instructions:

1. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers.
2. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
5. Select the Clean All option and click Flash.

Method 4: Bypassing Mi Cloud lock after reset

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter the data of the previous Xiaomi account, this means that the device is tied to the Mi Cloud Lock.

1. 🛠️ Xiaomi Service Center – you will need a purchase check or a warranty card.

Informal methods (via EDL, Deep Flash Cable, or modified Recovery) do not work on all models and can lead to:

• 🚫 Poose. IMEI (phone doesn't catch the net).
• 🔌 This device is locked in a constant error.
• 📵 Xiaomi account block (if someone else’s Mi Account was used).

⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi tightened protection against unofficial unlocking.On new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K60) Bypassing Mi Cloud Lock without an original check is almost impossible.

💡

If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, ask the seller to do a reset with you and make sure that after the reboot the phone does not require you to enter account details.

Method 5: Reset by Find My Device (if your phone is lost)

If you lost your phone or it was stolen, but you had Google Find My Device enabled, you can remotely erase all data.

1. Go to Find My Device and log in with the same Google account as you do on your phone.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Press Erase Data. → Clean the device.
4. Confirm the action.

This method works even if the phone is turned off, but:

• 📶 The device must be connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔋 Google Accounts Should Be Mainstream on Phone.
• 🔒 After reset, the Mi Cloud lock will remain (if activated).

If the phone is turned off, the reset command will be executed the next time you connect to the network.

💡

Remote reset via Find My Device does not remove Mi Cloud Lock. If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account, it will be required to enter its details after cleaning.

What do I do after the dump?

After a successful reset, the Xiaomi phone will start in initial setup mode to avoid future problems:

1. 📱 Don’t miss setting up – go through all the steps, including connecting to Wi-Fi and logging in to your account Google/Xiaomi.
2. 🔄 Update the firmware - go to Settings → The phone. → Update the system and install the latest version MIUI.
3. 🔒 Turn it off. OEM Unlock (unless you plan to unlock the bootloader): Settings → For developers → Unlocking OEM.
4. ☁️ Sync your data with Mi Cloud or Google Drive so you don’t lose your contacts and photos when you reset next time.

If there are problems after the discharge:

• 📵 No network - check it out IMEI *#06# (if Null is displayed, repairs are required).
• 🔋 Battery goes down quickly – calibrate: discharge the phone to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions.
• 📱 Lags and brakes – do another reset or run your phone through Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset