How to roll back a Xiaomi phone to factory settings: 3 working methods

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a radical, but sometimes necessary step. It helps eliminate freezes, remove viruses, prepare the device for sale, or simply return it “clean” Android after numerous experiments with firmware. However, an incorrect reset can lead to data loss, account blocking Mi Account or even bricking of the phone. In this article, we will analyze all the current rollback methods - from the standard menu to the mode Fastboot, and also tell you how to minimize the risks.

It is important to understand: the procedure differs depending on the model Xiaomi (for example, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 have different versions MIUI) and firmware versions. We'll focus on universal methods, but

⚠️ Attention: some menu items may differ - check the official documentation for your model before starting.

Before you begin, answer two questions for yourself: why do you need a reset (solving a problem or preparation for sale?) and what data it is critical to preserve. The choice of method depends on this.

1. Preparing for a drop: what you must do

Dropping without preparation is like jumping with a parachute without checking the lines. Even if you plan to use the standard menu, the risk of losing important data remains. Here is a checklist of required actions:

Pay special attention backup. It MIUI has a built-in backup function (Settings → About phone → Backup), but it does not save all the data. Alternatives:

• 📱 Contacts and SMS: export via Google Account or applications like Super Backup.
• 📸 Photo/video: copy to PC or cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud).
• 🎮 Games and applications: use Helium or built-in synchronization accounts.
• 🔑 Passwords: if you use Mi Browser or Notes, export the data manually.

Mi Account —key point After resetting, the phone may require input. login/password for the account Xiaomilinked to the device. If you forgot the data or bought the phone without unlinking the account, unlocking may take up to 72). hours (according to the rules Xiaomi 2026, check the binding in Settings → Xiaomi Account.

⚠️ Attention: If the phone was purchased secondhand and the previous owner did not unfasten it Mi Account, resetting may lead to permanent blocking. In this case, you will need official proof of ownership (receipt, box with IMEI).

2. Method 1: Reset through the settings menu (the safest)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, is not stuck in the reboot cycle and you have access to the menu. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 (on older versions, menu items may differ). data-i="95">Steps:

Steps:

1. Open Settings (gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to section About phone → Backup and reset.
3. Select Reset settings.
4. Click Delete all data (may be called Erase all data).
5. Enter the PIN code or pattern if the system prompts.
6. Confirm the action with the button Reset.

The phone will reboot and begin the cleaning process, which will take from 5 up to 15 minutes. Upon completion, you will see the initial setup screen, as after the purchase.

Problem	Cause	Solution
The reset was interrupted by 50%	Weak battery or system failure	Charge the phone until 100% and try again
After resetting, it asks for the old password	The phone is linked to Mi Account previous owner	Contact the seller to unlink or provide proof of purchase to support Xiaomi
Not responds to touches when selecting reset	The touchscreen is damaged or there is a failure MIUI	Use method 2 (Hard Reset) or connect the mouse via OTG
The message "This device is locked" appears	Activated protection FRP (Google)	Enter the details of the last Google account linked to the phone

3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone does not turn on)

If Xiaomi stuck on the logo, does not respond to clicks or is locked, will help Hard Reset through recovery mode (Recovery Mode). This method works even on “dead” phones, but requires careful execution of the instructions.

Algorithm:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it is frozen).
2. Hold down the combination of buttons:
   • For most models: Volume up + Power.
   • For POCO and some Redmi: Volume Up + Volume Down + Power.

Hold the buttons until the logo appears Mi and menu Recovery.

Use the Volume buttons to navigate and the Power button to select.

Select an item Wipe Data (or Clear Data).

Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.

After completion, select Reboot.

In some firmware, the menu Recovery may be in Chinese. Focus on the icons or use a translator. The main thing is not to select items with Reboot to fastboot or Apply updateif you are not sure of their purpose.

What to do if Recovery Mode is in Chinese?

In the recovery menu Xiaomi the following items are often found in Chinese:

- (Qīngchú shùjù) = Wipe Data

- (Chóngqǐ) = Reboot

- MIAssistant (Liánjiē MIAssistant) = Connect to Mi Assistant (do not select this point!)

If you are afraid of making a mistake, take a photo of the screen and use Google Lens for translation.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50) after a Hard Reset, a lock may work FRP (Factory Reset Protection) from Google. To unlock the phone, you will need to enter the details of the last linked Google account.

4. Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is the most radical and requires connecting the phone to PC. It is used if:

• 🔧 The phone is completely locked (even Recovery does not open).
• 📥 You need to reflash the device after an unsuccessful update.
• 🔄 You need to remove the custom firmware and return it. stock MIUI.

For work you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (you can download from the website Xiaomi or via Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 USB cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official website Xiaomi in the section Fastboot ROM).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold Volume down + Powerto enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat with earflaps will appear).
3. Connect your phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with the firmware.
5. Enter the command to unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked):

   fastboot oem unlock

   Note: on new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) preliminary unlocking is required through Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 7 days).
6. Flash the stock firmware with the command:

   fastboot flash all

   or via Mi Flash Tool (select clean all in the settings).

After resetting via Fastboot, the phone will be completely cleared, including the section with bootloader unlock data. If you If you plan further manipulations with the firmware, unlock it again. Bootloader.

5. Common errors and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Error	Cause	How to fix
"Cannot receive Hello Packet"	Problems with drivers. or cable	Reinstall the drivers ADB, try another cable/USB port
Phone hangs on "Mi Logo" after reset	Damaged firmware or incompatible version MIUI	Flash the stock firmware via Fastboot
"This device is associated with another account"	The phone is tied to Mi Account the previous owner	Contact the seller or provide a receipt to support Xiaomi
The touchscreen does not work after a reset	Flash in the firmware or damage to the display	Connect the mouse via OTG or flash the phone again

One of the most insidious errors is FRP blocking (Factory Reset Protection) from Google It works if the phone has been linked Google account, and after resetting you cannot remember it. Solutions:

• 🔑 Remember the login/password from the last account (even if the phone was in your hands for 5 minutes).
• 📧 If your account is yours, but you forgot your password, restore it via Google recovery page.
• 🛠️ For older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) there are workarounds via ADB, but they require technical skills.

⚠️ Attention: Starting from MIUI 13, Xiaomi the policy has been tightened. Bypassing blocking without account data is officially impossible - this is a measure to protect against theft. FRP. Bypassing the blocking without account data is officially impossible - this is a protection measure against theft.

6. reset: initial setup

After a successful reset, the phone will return to its out-of-the-box state. You will have to go through the initial setup, where it is important to:

1. Select the language and region (the availability of some functions depends on this, for example, Google Pay).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (required for downloading updates and recovery backup).
3. Log in Mi Account (if your phone is yours) or skip this step (if you are preparing for sale).
4. Restore data from backup (if you made a backup via MIUI or Google).
5. Update the firmware to the latest version (Settings → About phone → System update).

If the phone is for sale, do not restore your accounts and do not connect to your Wi-Fi networks. Enough:

• 📱 Check the functionality of the camera, display, speakers.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to 100%.
• 📦 Pack in a box with original accessories (if any).

For personal use after a reset, we recommend:

• 🔒 Set a strong password or pattern.
• 🛡️ Activate Settings → Privacy → Application protection for critical apps (banks, instant messengers).
• 🚫 Disable unnecessary permissions for applications (Settings → Permissions).

7. Alternatives to a hard reset: when you can do without it

Before resetting your phone to factory settings, check if the problem can be solved using less radical methods:

Problem	Alternative solution
The phone is slow	Clear the cache in Settings → Storage → Clear cache. Disable animation in Settings → About phone → MIUI version (click 5 times on the version, then Window animation: Off).
Low disk space	Delete unnecessary files via Files by Google or transfer photos/videos to the cloud. Use Settings → Storage → Analysis to search for large files.
Viruses or advertising	Install Malwarebytes or Dr.Web Light, scan the system from unknown sources (Settings → Privacy → Install unknown applications).
The application crashed	Clear the application data (Settings → Applications → Select the application → Storage → Clear dataReinstall it.

If the problem is firmware updatethat "broke" the phone, try rolling back to the previous version MIUI via Recovery:

1. Download the required firmware version from the official website (section Recovery ROM).
2. Place the file .zip in the root of the phone's memory (the file name should be like miui_blockota_name_version.zip).
3. Go to Recovery Mode (see Method 2).
4. Select Install update.zip and confirm the installation.

This will help restore functionality without complete loss of data.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to reset Xiaomi without losing data?

No, a full factory reset always deletes user data (photos, applications, settings). However, you can:

• Make a backup via Settings. → About the phone → Backup.
• Copy important files to a PC or to the cloud manually.
• Use alternative methods (see section 7) if the problem is not critical.

If the phone is locked and does not turn on, data recovery after a reset is impossible.

How to reset Xiaomi if you forgot the pattern key?

There are three options:

1. Via Mi Account: on the lock screen, press Forgot your password? → enter the data from the linked account Xiaomi.
2. Hard Reset: use Method 2 (via Recovery Mode), but all data will be lost.
3. Fastboot: If the first two methods did not work, flash the phone via PC (Method 3).

On models With MIUI 12 and newer, after resetting you may need to enter data Mi Accounteven if you forgot the pattern key.

Will the MIUI version be reset after a rollback to factory settings?

No, the reset does not roll back the firmware version. For example, if you have. was MIUI 15, after the reset the same version will remain, but with clean settings. To return the old firmware, you need to manually flash the phone via Recovery or Fastboot (see section 7).

Why does Xiaomi ask for the old password after the reset? Wi-Fi?

This is a feature of the Wi-Fi Sense v MIUIfunction. The phone stores data about connected networks in encrypted form, and after resetting it may ask for the password for the old network if you try to connect to it again. Solutions:

• Connect to another network. Wi-Fi.
• Reset the network settings in Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Reset network settings.
• If you don’t remember the password, delete the network manually and connect again.

Is it possible to reset Xiaomi via a computer without Fastboot?

Yes, but with reservations:

• If the phone turns on and you have access to MIUI, use Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) for backup and reset through the menu.
• If the phone is locked, but USB debugging was turned on earlier, you can try to reset the password through ADB command:

  adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

  (does not work on all models and versions MIUI).

For a complete reset without Fastboot a computer is not needed - just the phone menu or Recovery Mode.