Effect of 3% pre-straining of austenite on the improvement of SME in Fe-29.9% Mn-6.0%Si has been studied over the temperature range of 573-1073 K. Results show that recovery strain (εtr). shape recovery ratio (η) and strain corresponding to the saturation εtr for the solution treated samples deformed at room temperature have been improved significantly by pre-straining of austenite. The ηfor the samples with ~2.5% deformatin at room temperature increases with pre-straining temperature and the maximum ηcan be reached by pre-straining at 973 K when dynamic recrystallization has just occurred. After pre-straing at 973 K, the maximum εtr has been increased from 1.7% for solution treated sample to 3.8% and the complete recovery strain can reach 2.2%. It is believed that the pre-straining of austenite is to decrease the critical stress for the formation of ε martensite.