How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forgot your password: the full guide 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Screen locking protects your data, but if you can't remember the combination, the phone turns into a brick. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to unlock without resorting to service centers. In this article, we will discuss all the current password reset methods on Redmi, POCO and Mi devices, including hidden features and workarounds for different versions of MIUI.

It's important to understand that any factory reset will delete all the data from the device -- photos, contacts, messages, and installed apps. If you've synced with Mi Cloud, some of the information can be restored after unlocking. But if you don't have a backup, you can't get it back, so before you start, evaluate how critical the information on the phone is.

We’ll look at methods from the simplest (via Mi Account) to the most complex (Fastboot and EDL modes), each one suitable for specific scenarios — for example, if your internet is turned off or your phone is not responsive to touch.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (if an account is linked)

The safest and most official way is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Xiaomi account.
• 🔄 The device has enabled the function “Find Device” (Find Device).

If these conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times in a row. the message will appear: "Forgot the password?".
2. Click on this caption and select “Unblock via Mi Account”.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset your password.

After successful authentication, the system will prompt you to create a new password or PIN-This method works on most models, including the Redmi Note. 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 mi 11/12/13. However, if the device has custom firmware installed or synchronization with Mi Cloud is disabled, the method may not work.

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If you can't log in to Mi Account because of a "Device not found" error, check if geolocation and internet are on on the locked phone, sometimes by rebooting the router or changing the Wi-Fi network.

2. Recovery Mode (without password and Mi Account)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, the next option is a hard reset via Recovery, which will delete all data but return access to the phone, suitable for devices running MIUI 12/13/14 and most Xiaomi models, except those that are blocked by Fastboot (for example, some versions of Redmi for the Chinese market).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 Power button + Volume up and down (for the POCO F1/F2/F3).

Mi

Recovery

• 🔧 Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
• 🔄 Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter) PIN-code, but in this mode it is not usually asked).
• After the reset is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and prompt it to be configured as new, which works even if you have forgotten your pattern lock or fingerprint, but on some devices (such as the Redmi K40/K50 with Fastboot locking), the Recovery menu may be limited, in which case you will need a Fastboot or EDL.

Turn off your phone completely |Remember the button combination for your model |Plug in charge (the battery must be at least 30% charged)|Don't interrupt the reset process

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3.Use Fastboot to unlock (advanced method)

If Recovery Mode is not available or helps, the next step is Fastboot Mode. This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and an unlocked bootloader (on some models), suitable for power users, as improper actions can turn the phone into a “brick”.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠 Tools: Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot.
• 📥 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on your computer (you can download it via Mi PC Suite).
2. Turn off the phone and transfer it to Fastboot: Press the Power Button + Volume down for 10 seconds. A hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.

CMD

Terminal

fastboot devices

If the device is identified, you will see its serial number.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will be reset to factory settings. If this method does not work (for example, due to a blocked bootloader), you will need to EDL-treatment or referral to a service center.

4 Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader. It is used in service centers, but is also available for home use. Note: to activate EDL on modern Xiaomi requires an authorized account (for example, from a service center), otherwise the firmware can end in error.

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Loudness up + Loudness down + Power button (for most models). 🔘 Connect. USB-cable to the computer by holding buttons (on some models) POCO).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

For firmware via EDL:

1. Download firmware in.tgz format for your model from the Xiaomi website or forums like XDA Developers.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select a firmware folder and press Refresh – the program must detect the phone in EDL mode.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Once firmware is in place, the phone will reboot to its original state, a method that is guaranteed to work even on locked devices, but requires caution – improper firmware can damage camera or network modules.

Mi Account|Recovery Mode|Fastboot|EDL|Never tried-->

5 Password bypass via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can try to reset your password through ADB. This method rarely works on modern devices due to tightening security, but can help on older models (Redmi) 4/5, Mi A1/A2).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices
3. If the device is identified, follow the commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

Solution: Repeat the firmware with the correct version of the software or go to the service. If the phone has turned into a brick (no response to buttons, no computer detects), you will need to solder it. EMMC-chip.

If none of these methods worked, don’t try to experiment with unofficial firmware or questionable software, which can permanently put your phone down.