Resetting Xiaomiβs smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that can solve most software problems, from brakes and bugs to viruses and βbrokenβ updates, but users donβt always understand how to do it correctly so as not to lose important data or turn the phone into a βbrickβ.
In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including models from 2023-2026), explain when hard reset is needed and when soft reset through settings is enough, and warn against typical errors.
If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, doesn't respond to touch, or just "gluts" after the firmware, here's the solution, and if you sell or transfer the device to another person, a complete reset will be a mandatory step to protect personal information.
1. When do you need a factory reset?
Resetting is not a panacea, but in some cases it is really necessary. Here are the key situations when it is worth considering this procedure:
- π System glitches: The phone is constantly restarting, apps are crashing, or artifacts appear on the screen after the update MIUI.
- π’ Slowdown: Even after cleaning the cache and deleting unnecessary files, the device βbrakesβ for no apparent reason.
- π Screen locking: Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-Find My Device is not helpful.
- π± Preparing for the sale: to prevent the new owner from accessing your accounts, photos or messages.
- π οΈ Failed firmware: After manually updating via Fastboot or Recovery, the phone wonβt turn on.
However, resetting will not help if the problem is related to:
- π Hardware malfunctions (broken screen, broken speaker, battery problems).
- π‘ Breakdown of the communication module (network does not catch, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth does not work due to physical damage).
- π§ Getting liquid β here you need repairs, not software reboot.
β οΈ Note: If you are resetting your phone due to viruses, note that some malware may be stored in a folder. /sdcard/ (After resetting, be sure to format the internal drive via Recovery.
Before you start, check if a more gentle method will help:
- π§Ή Cleaning the cache through Settings β Memory. β Clear the cache.
- π Restart in Safe Mode (hold the off button) β"Restarting in Safe Mode").
- π² Update MIUI Up to the latest version through Settings β The phone. β Updating the system.
2.Resetting preparation: what to do beforehand
A reset without preparation can result in loss of important data or locking your phone.
βοΈ What to do before resetting Xiaomi
Backup is the most important step, and Xiaomi has built-in tools for doing this:
- Go to Settings β About Phone β Backup and Reset β Local Backup.
- Select data to save: contacts, messages, notes, Wi-Fi settings, etc.
- Click Create a backup and wait until it is completed (the file will be saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).
For security, copy the backup to your computer or the cloud. Warning: some data (such as Wi-Fi passwords or Mi Home settings) may not be saved!
Mi Account problems: If you forget your Xiaomi account password and your phone is tied to it, you will be blocked after reset by requiring you to enter your username/password.
- π Remember the login details or restore access through the official website.
- π§ If your account is not yours (for example, a phone is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner for an unbundling.
- π οΈ In the extreme, it will be necessary to unlock through EDL (Only for experienced users!).
β οΈ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12+ and enabled Find My Device after reset may need to enter the old password from the lock screen, even if you untied the account! β Google β Security β Find My Device.
For models with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after firmware custom ROM), the reset can lead to the loss of the ability to update by air (OTA), in which case after the reset you will have to re-unblock the bootloader through the official tool Xiaomi.
π‘
If you sell a phone, go to Settings β Google β Accounts after a reset and make sure your data isnβt there. Sometimes accounts remain βtiedβ even after a factory reset!
3. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)
This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, it stores data on the memory card (if any), but completely clears the internal memory.
Step-by-step:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
- Go to the About Phone section. β Backup and reset.
- Select Reset (on some models β Reset all settings).
- The system will ask you to choose what to clean: π± All data β complete reset (recommended). π Settings only β saves files, but resets system settings (rarely helps in case of serious failures).
password/pattern lock
Wait until the phone is finished (rebooted 1-2 times).
On newer versions of MIUI 14/15, the path may be slightly different: Settings β Memory β Resetting or Settings β Additional β Recovery and Reset.
What happens after the dump:
- β All applications and their data have been deleted.
- β Network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) reset.
- β Google and Mi accounts are detached (but you may need to re-enter after you turn on).
- β The files on the memory card (if it was inserted) will remain intact.
What if the phone asks for an old password after reset?
If the phone doesnβt turn on after reset or hangs on the Mi logo, proceed to the next method.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If the smartphone is getting stuck, does not respond to touch or does not load, resetting through Recovery Mode will help, which works even with damaged firmware, but requires care.
How to log in to Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Hold the combination: π§ For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. π§ For POCO F1/F2/F3: Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition. π§ For Xiaomi. 12/13/14: Loudness up + Food (hold until vibration).
Mi
Recovery
In Recovery, control is carried out by volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selection).
Resetting instructions:
- Select the Wipe Data option (on Chinese firmware - ).
- Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data (or ).
- Wait until the process is completed (it will take 1-3 minutes).
- Go back to the main menu and select Reboot β Reboot to System.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
| Russian version | Chinese version (pinyin) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Data | (QΔ«ngchΓΊ shΓΉjΓΉ) | Clearing the data |
| Wipe All Data | (QΔ«ngchΓΊ suΗyΗu shΓΉjΓΉ) | Complete cleaning |
| Reboot to System | (ChΓ³ngqΗ xΓ¬tΗng) | Reboot to the system |
| Mount | (GuΓ zΓ i) | Connect the memory |
β οΈ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 11T) After resetting via Recovery, an error may appear "This" MIUI version cannot be installed on this device. This means that the firmware is damaged. In this case, you will need to flash through Fastboot (Method 3).
If Recovery is not available (the phone does not respond to buttons) or you see a black screen, proceed to the next method.
5. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)
This method is suitable if:
- π§ Recovery Unavailable or Damaged.
- π§ Phone is blocked by Mi Account and does not accept password.
- π§ You need to reflash the device after a failed update.
You'll need:
- π» Windows computer 10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
- π Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged!).
- π₯ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.
Step-by-step:
- Download the firmware for your model from the official website (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!). 12 Pro+ It's gonna be a file of sorts. toco_global_images_..._fastboot.tgz.
- Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\rom).
- Install drivers: Download Mi Flash Tool and install. Enable USB debugging on your phone (if it turns on): Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (click 7 times) β Return to Additional β For Developers β Debugging on USB.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool and plug your phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume Down + Power before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
Mi Flash Tool
Select
Refresh
COM-port
Clean All
Flash
Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot automatically.
Important: On models with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 and newer) before the firmware via Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi Unlock Tool. Without this, the phone will not accept firmware!
If the phone does not turn on after firmware or hung on the logo, try:
- π Repeat the procedure with another firmware version (for example, an older version).
- π§ Check cable and port USB (Sometimes the problem is poor contact).
- π οΈ Use it. EDL Mode (for experienced users only!).
π‘
Fastboot reset is the most radical method, but it is also the most reliable in case of serious failures, but it requires a computer, an original cable and strict adherence to instructions, and errors at this stage can lead to the "bricking" of the device!
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common problems and solutions:
- π "Phone shut down during reset: If the battery runs out in the process, the device may not turn on. Solution: plug in to charge for 30 to 60 minutes, then reset. If it doesn't work, use Fastboot.
- π "After reset, asks for the old password from Mi Account": "This is protection against theft. Solution: Enter the last associated account. If you don't remember, restore access via account.xiaomi.com. At the very least, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.
"The reset didn't help - the phone still brakes."
Possible causes:
- Internal memory is damaged (check in ##4636# β Testing).
- Installed unstable firmware (try to reflash through Fastboot).
- Hardware problems (for example, battery wear or processor overheating).
"The computer doesn't see the phone in the Fastboot."
Decision:
- Install drivers manually through the Android SDK.
- Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
- Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool).
How to check if the reset has been successful:
- π± The phone is loaded as a new (welcome window) MIUI).
- π B Settings β There are no old accounts on your phone.
- π folder MIUI/backup empty (if there was a backup, it was deleted).
β οΈ Note: On devices with encrypted storage (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra) after resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter a password to decrypt the data. If you forget it, the only way out is to completely flash through Fastboot with all the data lost.
7. What to do after the discharge?
After a successful reset, your Xiaomi has become like new, but to avoid problems in the future, follow a few important steps:
System setup:
- π± Go through the initial setup, but donβt restore data from the backup right away β check the stability of the work first.
- π Create a new password/pattern lock (do not use simple combinations!).
- π‘ Connect to Wi-Fi and check for updates in Settings β The phone. β Updating the system.
Data recovery:
- π Move files (photos, videos) from your computer or cloud (do not restore backup) MIUI, if it was created before the failure!).
- π± Install apps manually from Google Play (do not restore via Mi Cloud unless you are sure the backup is clean).
Optimization of work:
- π Turn off unnecessary background processes: Settings β Battery β Energy saving regime.
- π΅ Limit Auto-Run Applications: Settings β Annexes β Permits β Auto-start.
- π‘οΈ Install an antivirus (such as Malwarebytes) and check the system.
Protection for the future:
- π Enable device encryption: Settings β Additionally. β Confidentiality β Encryption of the telephone.
- βοΈ Set up automatic backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud.
- π Check your memory status regularly: Settings β Memory. β Cleanup.
If you are selling a phone, after reset, you must:
- π± Make sure that in the settings β Accounts do not have your data.
- π Charge the device to 100% (new owner should see a working device).
- π¦ Pack your phone in a box with cable and documents (this increases its value when selling it).
π‘
After reset, don't rush to install all the old apps at once. Start with the most essential ones (messaging apps, banking apps) and watch the phone work for 1-2 days. If there are no brakes, install the rest.