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

Why resetting Xiaomi without a password is not always an easy task

Forgetting the password from Xiaomi’s smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one. The manufacturer has envisaged several ways to return access to the device, but each has its own nuances. The main problem is that modern models (starting with MIUI 12 and later) actively use the binding to the Mi Account account, which can lock the device even after a reset via Recovery. This means that simple “hard reset” is often not enough – additional actions will be required.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting Xiaomi to factory settings without a password: from standard (via the recovery menu) to advanced (using Fastboot and ADB). Particular attention will be paid to models with a blocked bootloader, as they require mandatory authorization through Mi Account after the reset. If you do not remember the data from the account, some methods will be useless, but we will offer workarounds.

Before you start, consider that the reset will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed applications. If the smartphone was enabled sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud, some information can be restored later, but local files (such as notes or messages in messengers) will be lost irretrievably.

Method 1: Recovery Mode Reset (Standard Method)

The most common way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which works on most models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13, and others, and the main condition is access to the Recovery menu itself, which opens with a combination of buttons.

Instructions:

  1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it is frozen).
  2. Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + 🔄 Volume up button (for most models). 🔘 Power button + 🔄 Volume down button (for older devices, such as Redmi) 4X).

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe & Reset

MIUI

Wipe All Data

Reboot

Reboot to System

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader, after a reset, a request for data entry from Mi Account, which was previously associated with the device, may appear. If you do not remember the username / password, the smartphone will remain locked.

Turn off your smartphone (hold the power button for 10+ seconds)

Check the button combination for your model (see instructions above)

Charge the device at least 30% (to avoid turning off during reset)

Prepare data from Mi Account (if the account was linked)

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Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If the Recovery menu is not available (for example, due to a damaged firmware) or the smartphone does not respond to buttons, you can use Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot, It is suitable for devices with locked screens.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install Platform Tools on PC (includes fastboot and adb).
  2. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: 🔘 Power button + 🔄 Loud down button Hold until a robot image with the words Fastboot appears.
  3. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
  4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and execute the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), type: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50 The fastboot erase userdata command may not work due to anti-Rollback protection, in which case you will need a complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 5).

Reset via Recovery

Reset via Fastboot

Reset via Mi Account

Never dropped it.

Another way.-->

Resetting methodPC requiredIt works on a locked bootloader.Deleting the Mi AccountDifficulty
Recovery Mode❌ No.✅ Yes.❌ No (requires authorization after resetting)⭐ Easy.
Fastboot✅ Yes.✅ Yes.❌ No.⭐⭐ Middle-Average
Mi Account (remote)❌ No.✅ Yes.✅ Yes, if you know the data)⭐ Easy.
EDL Mode (Test Point)✅ Yes.❌ No (needs an unlocked bootloader)✅ Yes.⭐⭐⭐ Hardly.

Method 3: Reset via Find Device (if sync with Mi Account is enabled)

If your Xiaomi has activated Find Device and your Mi Account is linked, you can try resetting your password remotely, which doesn’t require physical access to your smartphone, but only works when you have internet on your device.

Instructions:

  1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
  2. Select the Find Device tab (or Device Management in the Russian version).
  3. The map will show the location of your smartphone. On the right menu, click Erase Device.
  4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
  5. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes) and the device will be unlocked after the reboot.
  6. You don't remember your account details: If you created an account through Google or Facebook, try logging in through these services. Contact Xiaomi for proof of ownership of the device (checks, box, IMEI). On Qualcomm CPU models (such as Redmi Note 11 Pro+), you can try to bypass the lock via EDL mode, but this requires soldering work and special equipment.

⚠️ Note: Buying “foreign” Mi Accounts on third-party platforms (for example, to bypass locks) is fraud. Xiaomi can lock the device permanently if such an account is detected. The only legal way is to restore access through official support.

What if your Mi Account is linked to an old phone number?
If the phone number associated with Mi Account is no longer available, try the following steps: 1. On the account login page, select "Forgot your password?" → "Restore via email." 2. If the email is also not available, contact Xiaomi with a photo of the device box (it indicates IMEI) and a purchase check. 3. In some cases, the seller can help (if you bought from the official store), providing information about the initial binding.

Method 5: Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (extremely)

If all previous methods have failed, the radical option is to completely flash the smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires:

  • 💻 Windows computer.
  • 🔌 Cable. USB (preferably original).
  • 📥 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website).
  • 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, see the instructions below).

Step-by-step:

  1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
  2. Unpack the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip format) into a folder without Cyrillic characters.
  3. Turn off the smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode (power button + volume reduction).
  4. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
  5. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
  6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
  7. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart your smartphone.

⚠️ Note: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will delete all data, including the Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader.If the bootloader is locked, first unlock through the official Xiaomi tool (it will take a wait of 7-30 days for new accounts).

💡

Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool is the only way to completely remove the Mi Account from your device, but is only suitable for models with unlocked bootloader.

How to unlock bootloader on Xiaomi (if required for firmware)

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi is a prerequisite for flashing through Fastboot or EDL. The process takes 7 to 30 days (depending on the account status) and requires:

  • 📱 Charged smartphone >50%.
  • 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
  • 🔓 Mi Accounts linked to the device.

Instructions:

  1. Activate Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
  2. Enable debugging over USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging over USB
  3. Attach the device to Mi Account: Settings → Additional → For developers → Mi Unlock status
  4. Download Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your account.
  5. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.
  6. Wait for SMS or unblock notifications (may take up to 30 days for new accounts).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings, and after this procedure, some features (such as Find Device or Mi Pay) may not work properly until the account is re-assigned.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When resetting Xiaomi, users often face typical preventable problems:

  • 🔋 "Device shuts down during reset: Charge the battery by at least 50% before the procedure. If the smartphone is discharged in the process, connect it to charging and try again.
  • 🔌 "Computer doesn't see device in Fastboot": Install drivers ADB/Fastboot manually through Device Manager.
  • 🔒 "After the reset, asks for the old Mi Account": "This means that the bootloader is locked. The only options are to recall account data or contact support.
  • 📱 "Recovery sensor not working: On some models F3, Redmi K40) Recovery control is carried out by volume (select) and power (confirmation) buttons).

If after reset, the smartphone is getting stuck on the Mi logo or rebooting in a loop, this is a sign of damaged firmware, in which case only flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (see Method 5) will help.

💡

If the smartphone doesn’t turn on after reset, try pressing the power button for 20-30 seconds to force the reset. If this doesn’t help, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes and try again.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can you reset Xiaomi without losing data?
No. Any factory reset removes all data from the device, including photos, messages and apps. The only way to save information is to remember your password or unlock your smartphone through Find Device (if the feature was activated in advance).
What if Xiaomi asks for a Google Password (FRP) after reset?
This is Factory Reset Protection (FRP) protection, which works if the device was tied to Google Account. To unlock: Enter the email and password from the last Google account you linked. If you don't remember the data, restore access through the Google Recovery page. If the account is not yours (for example, the device is bought by hand), contact the previous owner. FRP bypass on new versions of Android (11+) without account data is almost impossible.
Does Recovery Reset on Xiaomi Work with MediaTek Processor?
Yes, but on some models (Redmi 9A, Poco C31) the Recovery menu may be different, for example, you need to choose Factory Reset instead of Wipe Data, and devices on MediaTek do not support unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool - they will require the use of BROM mode (the equivalent of EDL for Qualcomm), which is more complicated and risky.
Can I drop Xiaomi through a service center without a check?
Theoretically, yes, but in practice, most service centers require proof of ownership of the device (check, box, IMEI). Without documents, they can refuse the service, especially if the smartphone is active lock Mi Account. Alternatively, informal services, but they do not guarantee the safety of data and can use illegal methods of unlocking.
What is Anti-Rollback and why does it interfere with resetting?
Anti-Rollback is Xiaomi's protection mechanism, which prevents firmware from rolling back to an older version. If you're trying to flash your device through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool and you see an anti-rollback check fail error, you're trying to install firmware older than the one on the device. The only solution is to flash a newer version of MIUI (you can download it on the official website). Check the current version of MIUI in the settings (Settings → Phone → MIUI version) and select the firmware with a higher number.