How to reset Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro to factory settings: the full guide

Why do you need to reset the Redmi Note 3 Pro?

Resetting the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro to factory settings is a radical but sometimes necessary solution, and the smartphone, launched in 2016, is still used by many users today because of its reliability and custom firmware, but over time, even the most stable device can start to slow down, produce errors or refuse to turn on.

The main reasons for resetting: Hanging and lags – if the phone has become slow to respond to commands, and cleaning the cache did not help; Viruses or malware – when the antivirus does not cope with the threats; Preparation for sale – to delete all personal data without the possibility of recovery; Failed update – if after firmware the device stopped working correctly; Forgotten pattern lock or password – the only way to unlock the Redmi Note 3 Pro, if you do not remember the combination.

It is important to understand that the reset deletes all data from internal memory, including photos, contacts and installed applications, so you need to make a backup before the procedure.

In this article, we will look at three official ways to reset: through the phone settings, Recovery mode and Fastboot. Also, we will understand what to do if the Redmi Note 3 Pro does not turn on or hovers on the Xiaomi logo.

Preparation for resetting: what to do in advance

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow all the steps you need to take. Without a backup, you will lose access to photos, messages and other data stored only on your phone.

• 📱 Sync your data with Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud and enable synchronization of contacts, notes and photos, which will allow you to recover some information after resetting.
• 💾 Create a backup manually: copy important files (photos, videos, documents) to your computer or external drive. USB-cable and select file transfer mode (MTP).
• 🔋 Charge the battery: make sure the charge level is not below 50%. If the reset is interrupted due to discharge, this can lead to a blink (complete failure) of the device.
• 🔑 Make sure you know the data from Mi Account: after reset, you may need to enter a username and password from your Xiaomi account if you previously activated the Find Device function).

If you plan to sell or transfer your phone to another person, follow these steps:

1. Log out of all accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
2. Delete. SIM-card and memory card (if installed).
3. Turn off Find Device in your Xiaomi account settings.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi Note 3 Pro has custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), resetting through the standard menu can lead to a boot cycle.

Backed up important data

Battery charge ≥50%

Out of Mi Account and Google

Delete. SIM-card and flash drive (if available)

I remember the username/password from Mi Account.-->

Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest one)

This method is suitable if the Redmi Note 3 Pro is turned on and you can log in.The procedure takes no more than 5 minutes and requires no additional tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
2. Go to Additional (or Advanced Settings, depending on the version of MIUI).
3. Choose Reset and Reset (or Reset settings).
4. Slip on Resetting (sometimes called Delete All Data).
5. The system will prompt you to enter a password or pattern lock (if it is installed).
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset your phone settings or Delete everything.
7. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

After the reboot, you will see the screen of the initial setup, as after the purchase.If the phone requires data input from Mi Account, use the same login and password that you had before the reset.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Recovery and reset may be in the About Phone section → Updating the system → Three dots (menu) → If you don't find the right section, search by settings (the magnifier icon in the upper right corner).

💡

If after a reset, the phone asks for the account of the previous owner, and you do not know him, contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase.

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

If the Redmi Note 3 Pro is stuck on the logo, does not respond to clicks or does not load beyond the lock screen, use Recovery Mode. This method is also suitable if you have forgotten the unlock password.

To log in to Recovery on Redmi Note 3 Pro, do the following:

1. Turn off the phone (if it freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Volume Up (+) and Power buttons simultaneously.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
4. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu (black screen with blue text in English or Chinese) appears.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (Up/Down for navigation) and the power button (Select) are controlled.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data)
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (or Yes).
3. Wait until the process is complete (the screen will display the inscription Data wipe complete).
4. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items: the first item is reboot, the second is reset, the third is cache cleaning.

Select the second item for resetting.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account even to reset.If you don't remember the password, use the method via Fastboot (described below) or restore access to your account on account.xiaomi.com.

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

Fastboot is the most reliable method, but it requires a computer and minimal command line knowledge.

• 🔄 The phone is stuck in the boot cycle (constantly restarted).
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and Recovery requires it.
• 🛠️ You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• USB-cable (preferably original).
• Fastboot (part of the Android SDK or Mi Flash Tool)
• Drivers for Xiaomi (if Windows does not recognize the phone)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 3 Pro.
2. Press the Volume down button (-) and Power at the same time.
3. Hold them until a screen labeled Fastboot (Android robot with an open belly) appears.
4. Connect the phone to the computer.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type in the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install drivers.
6. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once you've done the commands, the phone will restart and start setting up from scratch. If you want to reflash the device completely, instead of resetting, use the command:

fastboot flash all [name firmware].zip

But that’s a topic for a separate article.

⚠️ Attention: The fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase cache commands delete all data without recovery. If you accidentally type another command (e.g., fastboot erase system), the phone may stop booting!

💡

Fastboot reset is the only way to bypass Mi Account lock after reset if you don't remember the password, but it requires Find Device to be disabled before locking.

What if the reset didn't help?

In rare cases, even after a reset, the Redmi Note 3 Pro may not work properly.

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem: A faulty motherboard requires diagnosis at a service center; a damaged battery can cause spontaneous shutdowns; and oxidized contacts if the phone fell into water or was operated in humid climates.

In such cases, self-repair is not recommended - contact the specialists.

To diagnose hardware problems, you can use the hidden test menu:

1. Enter the dialer code: ##4636##.
2. Choose Testing (Testing).
3. Check the sensor, speakers, camera and other components.

If the tests show errors, this is a reason to contact the service.

How to recover data after resetting?

If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your deleted data back are minimal, but there are. Here's what you can try:

• 📂 Recovery from memory card: If photos and files were stored on a microSD, they were not affected.Just paste the card into another phone or computer.
• ☁️ Cloud Services: Check Google Photos, Mi Cloud, or other clouds where data may have been downloaded automatically.
• 🔍 Recovery software: DiskDigger, Recuva (on PC) or EaseUS MobiSaver are suitable for Android. note that they only work if the phone has not recorded new data after the reset.
• 📱 Backups in Google account: When you first turn on after reset, the system will prompt you to restore data from Google).

To recover via DiskDigger:

1. Install the app from Google Play on another phone.
2. Connect Redmi Note 3 Pro as an external drive (MTP mode).
3. Run the scan - the program will find the deleted files (if they were not overwritten).

The success of the recovery depends on how long it has been since the reset and whether the phone was used at that time.

⚠️ Warning: Do not install data recovery software on the Redmi Note 3 Pro itself after resetting! This will lead to overwriting of deleted files and make them impossible to recover.

Frequently asked questions