How to reset Xiaomi Mi to factory settings: 5 proven ways

Resetting on Xiaomi Mi smartphones is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the device for sale to fixing software failures after a failed update. However, not all users know that there are several ways to perform the reset, and each of them is suitable for specific scenarious. For example, if the phone is locked with a password, the standard settings menu will not be available, you will have to use alternative methods.

In this article, we will discuss all the current reset methods for the Mi 8/9/10/11, Mi Note, Mi Mix and other models, including those that work on MIUI 12/13/14. Special attention will be paid to the nuances: what to do if the smartphone does not respond to buttons, how to bypass the binding to the Mi Account after a reset, and why sometimes restoring factory settings does not solve the problem with the “eternal” Xiaomi logo when booting.

1. Reset via the settings menu (if the phone is unlocked)

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools. This is suitable if you remember the screen unlock password and the phone is switched on normally. This method retains the ability to recover data from the backup (if it was created earlier).

To perform the discharge:

• 📱 Open the Settings app** (cog icon).
• 🔧 Go to the About Phone section. → General settings → Resetting settings (on some firmwares, the path may be different: Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 🔄 Select “Reset All Settings”** (not to be confused with “Reset Network Settings»!).
• 🔐 Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
• ✅ Confirm the action by clicking “Erase everything»**.

It takes 3-10 minutes depending on the model, and after the reboot, you'll be asked to set the phone up as new, and the important thing is, if you've used the Mi Account, you'll need to enter your username and password after the reset, which is FRP.

Create a backup in Mi Cloud|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Make sure the battery is charged > 50%|Disable Google Account (if you plan to sell your phone)-->

2. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

If the phone is locked, not turning on or hanging on the logo, hardware reset via Recovery Mode will help, a method that works on all Xiaomi Mi models, including the Mi A1/A2 (with pure Android), the main thing is to properly pinch the button combination.

Instructions for most models:

1. 🔋 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it doesn't respond).
2. 🔘 Press the power button at the same time. + Loudness up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. 📱 Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (black screen with yellow text in English or Chinese).
4. 🔧 Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select "Wipe Data"** (or Clear Data).

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g. Mi 11 Ultra) the button combination may be different + Volume down. If the first one didn't work, try the alternative combination. Also note that after a hard reset, all the data in the internal memory will be permanently deleted, including the photos in the folder. DCIM.

3. Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If Recovery Mode is unavailable or the phone is locked (it doesn’t respond to any buttons), you can use Fastboot mode. This method requires a connection to the computer and installed Xiaomi drivers, but allows you to reset settings even on dead devices.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers on your PC.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot erase commands will completely delete user data, including accounts. If the phone does not turn on after execution, you may need to reflash it through the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware download.

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | Never reset |Another way-->

4. Reset via Mi Account (remote)

If you lose your phone or it has been stolen, you can reset remotely via Xiaomi’s Find Device service.

• 📶 Connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 Linked to your Mi Account.
• 🔋 On (the discharged device will not appear in the service).

Instructions:

1. 🌐 Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. 📍 In the “Find Device” section** select your smartphone from the list.
3. 🔄 Click “Erase Device” and confirm the action.

Note that after a remote reset, the phone will unplug your account and you won’t be able to track its location, and this method doesn’t work if the device is disabled or in airplane mode.

5. Reset the screen lock password (without data loss)

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-Don't rush to reset your phone completely -- there are ways to delete your password without losing data. One of them is using a Mi Account if it was tied to your device.

How to reset your password:

1. 🔐 On the lock screen, enter the wrong password (or pattern lock) 5 times in a row).
2. 📧 The button “Forgot your password?” will appear.
3. 🔑 Enter the username and password from your Mi Account.
4. 📱 Follow the instructions to create a new lock password.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if:

• 📶 Phone connected to the Internet (to check your account).
• 🔧 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔒 You didn’t change your Mi Account password after setting up your phone.

💡

If you forget your Mi Account password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use your email or phone number. After you recover, wait 24 hours for you to sync your data with Xiaomi servers.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even following the instructions, users often face problems after a reset, and consider typical situations and ways to fix them.

If none of these methods worked, it may be a hardware fault (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case we recommend contacting the Xiaomi service center.

💡

Always check the battery before reset – if the phone runs out during the process, it can lead to a “brick” (impossibility to turn on).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions