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

Why Factory Resetting Is Not Always the Best Solution

A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a bad situation, but it's not a bad one. Many users immediately rush to find out how to make a hard reset without thinking about the consequences. Yes, Hard Reset will remove the lock, but with it all the data will disappear: photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If the phone was not synchronized with the Mi Cloud, it will be impossible to restore information.

Moreover, the new Redmi and POCO models (released after 2021) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was tied to the device after a reset, without which the phone will turn into a brick. So, before you reset Xiaomi, you should try alternative unlock methods – for example, through Find Device or ADB.

In this article, we will look at all the working methods of reset, including hidden MIUI features, Recovery and Fastboot modes, as well as official tools from Xiaomi.

Method 1: Recovery Mode Reset (on 90% of devices)

The most universal method is to use Recovery, which does not require a PC connection and works even on locked phones, but there is an important condition: the device must have MIUI (non-custom) run-off firmware.

To log in to Recovery, follow the following steps:

• 🔋 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it doesn't respond).
• 🔄 Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + For the Redmi Note. 8/9/10 and POCO X3: Loudness up + Loudness down + Food for Mi. 11/12 and new flagships: Volume up + Food (hold on) 15+ seconds).
• 📱 Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the buttons. In 5-10 seconds, the Recovery menu will open.

In the recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons to confirm the selection.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data on Chinese firmware).
2. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
4. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Make sure the battery is charged >30%|Check the phone model (button combinations are different)|Prepare your Mi Account data (may be required after resetting)|Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card if not necessary)

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⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) If you reset through Recovery, you may get a request to enter a password from Mi Account, and if you don't remember your account information, your phone will remain locked.

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (if Recovery doesn't work)

If standard Recovery is not available (for example, the phone asks for a password even in recovery mode), you can use Fastboot. ADB/Fastboot.

The advantage of this method is that it bypasses Mi Account locking on most devices (except for models with anti-Rollback protection, such as the Mi 10T or Redmi K40), but there is a risk of damaging the firmware partition if you interrupt the process.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or 15 Seconds ADB Installer for quick setup).
2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot: Press Volume Down + Power. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.

Win + R

cmd

fastboot devices

(Serial number of the device must be displayed)

fastboot oem edl

(If it doesn't work, try fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase cache.)

fastboot reboot

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If fastboot oem edl doesn’t work, try entering fastboot flashing unlock.This will unlock the bootloader, but will erase all data and require confirmation via Mi Account.

Method 3: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

If you have a Mi Account attached on your phone, you can try unlocking it through Find Device, which works even if you don't remember the lock screen password, but remember the Mi Account.

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device (or Device Management) tab.
3. Find the locked phone in the list and press Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), the lock will be removed within 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: After unlocking through Find Device on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X4) You may need to re-enter your Mi Account password the next time you turn on!

Recovery|Fastboot|Mi Account (Find Device) |Treaked to the service center |Never reset

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Method 4: Reset via EDL (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a damaged system. It works at the Qualcomm processor level, so it is suitable for most Xiaomi devices (except for Mediatek devices, such as the Redmi 9A).

Warning: the method requires a special cable (or circuit board contacts) and firmware for your model, and an error can cause the phone to fail completely.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (can be found in the archive with QFil).
3. Turn off the phone and transfer it to EDL: Method 1: Close the Test Point pins on the motherboard (disassembly required). Method 2: Use the fastboot oem edl command (if Fastboot is available).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

It takes 5-15 minutes, and then you flash it back, and it'll be on with a clean system, no locks, no data.

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EDL is the only way to restore a phone if it doesn’t turn on or is stuck on the Mi logo. But it requires firmware experience or specialist help.

Method 5: Officially Unblocking through Service Center

If all of these methods fail (e.g., the phone requires a password from Mi Account after reset), you can contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

What will be required:

• 📄 Documents for the phone (checks, warranty card, box).
• 🔐 Data from Mi Account (if the phone is linked to the account).
• 💳 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles depending on the model).

Service centers use special software from Xiaomi, which allows you to reset the lock without losing the IMEI.

• ✅ On the phones with MIUI Global Unlocking Takes 1-3 Days.
• ❌ On the Chinese versions (MIUI China may take up to 2 weeks (needs approval from Xiaomi China).
• ⚠️ If the phone is blacklisted (stolen/lost), unlocking will not be possible.

Addresses of service centers can be found on the official website: mi.com/ru/service.

What to do after resetting: the first steps

After a successful reset, the phone will turn on as new, but before you start using it, you need to do a few important things:

1. Set up Mi Account (if you don’t do it right away, a later may be required when you upgrade your system).
2. Restore data from a backup (if it was created in Mi Cloud or via Google Drive).
3. Update your firmware to the latest version (in Settings → About Phone → System Update).
4. Set the lock again – use it. PIN-code or pattern lock (they are easier to recover than password).

If the phone is unstable after reset (for example, it discharges quickly or brakes), perform an additional cache reset:

1. Log in to Recovery (button combination, as in Method 1).
2. Select Wipe Cache (not to be confused with Wipe Data!).
3. Reboot the phone.

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After reset, turn off automatic sync with Mi Cloud in your account settings.This will prevent you from being re-blocked if you forget your password again.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset