How to format a locked Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

The situation when Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to the input of a password or pattern lock, familiar to many users. This can occur due to a sudden failure in the system, an error when updating the firmware or banal forgetfulness of the owner. If the device is locked, standard access to functions becomes impossible, which turns the modern gadget into a useless piece of plastic.

In most cases, the only way out is to force the factory reset, known as Hard Reset, which completely cleans the device’s internal memory by removing all user data, photos and contacts, but restores the phone to work, and it’s important to understand that once formatted, the system will require confirmation of an account that was previously associated with the device.

There are several proven methods of bypassing the lock screen and then formatting. The choice of the specific method depends on the model of your smartphone, the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, and whether debugging over USB was enabled before the lock. Below we will discuss the most effective algorithms for actions for different scenarios.

Preparation for forced resetting of settings

Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to make sure that all possible alternatives are exhausted. If the phone just freezes, sometimes it helps to hold the power button for 15-20 seconds for a long time. However, if the screen responds to touch, but does not accept the password, or the system requires an unlock code immediately after turning on, formatting is necessary.

The critical point is battery power. Reset and initial setup requires stable power. If the device runs out at the time of writing system files, you can get a brick, recovery of which will require complex flashing through the computer. Charge the smartphone to at least 60-70% before starting any manipulations.

You also need to remember the data from your Google account and your Mi Account, and once formatted, you'll have the theft protection, and without the username and password you used on your phone before, you won't be able to log in, and if you forget that data, it's going to be very difficult to unlock the device even in a service center.

⚠️ Note: The formatting process permanently deletes all personal files. If you have important information on the memory card, extract it before starting the procedure so that the data is not accidentally erased.

Make sure you have a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) on hand, as immediately after resetting, the phone will try to communicate with the activation servers.

Method 1: Reset via Recovery Menu (Standard Method)

The most versatile method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models, involves logging into a special Recovery engineering menu, which loads regardless of the operating system status, allowing you to clean even when the screen is locked.

To enter, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or language selection menu appears. If you press the volume down button, the phone will go to Fastboot mode, which we don't need right now, in which case just press the power to exit and try again.

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down), and the power button confirms the choice. On some new models with touch-sensitive Recovery, you can control your finger, and you need to find the Wipe Data item and select it.

• 📱 Select Wipe All Data for a complete cleanup.
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to finish, which will take 10 seconds to a few minutes.
• 🔄 After the message “Data wiped successfully” select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Once rebooted, the phone will look like new, just out of the box, and you'll need to reset the original setup, select a language, and connect to Wi-Fi.

Method 2: Remote formatting via Mi Cloud

If you have the Internet on your locked phone and your Mi Account activated, you can reset remotely, which is convenient because it doesn't require physical access to the device's buttons, if it responds to touch, for example, but you don't remember the code.

Take any other computer or smartphone, open your browser and go to the official i.mi.com website. Log in using the same Mi Account that was entered on the locked device. After logging into the cloud storage, look for the Find Device section.

In the list of your gadgets, select a locked phone. The control menu that appears will have several options, including "Sound", "Block" and "Erase Data." Click on the Wipe Data button. The system will warn you that all files will be deleted.

The command will be sent to the device, and once the phone connects to the server, it will automatically start the formatting process, and this is only effective if the device is online.

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If the phone is turned off or does not have access to the network, the command will be executed automatically when the device is in the coverage area and turns on.

Method 3: Reset by Google Find My Device

A similar method is available through Google services if the phone has logged in to a Google account and geolocation enabled, which often works even if the Mi Account is not activated, but the binding condition is the Google profile.

Go to android.com/find from any other device, log in to the account that was used on the locked smartphone, the system will try to locate the gadget, if the attempt is successful, the menu will appear on the left or bottom of the available actions.

Select Erase Device, you need to re-enter your Google account password to verify your identity, and then you will receive a full reset command, and unlike a local reset, you can't select "Photo only" -- you delete everything.

• 🌐 Requires an active Internet connection on a locked phone.
• 🔒 The device must be turned on and display the lock screen.
• 📍 Device Search Service must be activated in security settings.
• 📲 The phone will receive a push notification about the start of cleaning.

Once the procedure is complete, the phone will reboot, and when you first set up the security system, Google will require you to enter the same account that was synchronized before locking, which is a measure of protection against theft.

Method 4: Use ADB (for advanced users)

This method is only suitable if the phone has been pre-enabled to debug USB (USB Debugging) and the computer has been given permission to access, and if you have never activated the developer mode, this method will not work, and the phone will simply start charging when the cable is connected.

You'll need to install Xiaomi drivers and Platform Tools (ADB) package on your computer. Connect your phone with a cable to your PC. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the ADB folder and type in the command to check the connection: adb devices. If a device with device status appears on the list, you can continue.

To perform the reset, type the adb reboot bootloader command to go to Fastboot mode, and then use the command to log in to Recovery: adb reboot recovery. Once you hit the Recovery menu, the actions are similar to the first method - select Wipe Data through the volume buttons.

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot oem unlock (only for unlocking the bootloader, not for resetting!)




adb reboot recovery

There is also a direct reset command, but on modern versions of Android it is often blocked for security reasons, so it is more reliable to use ADB simply as a bridge to enter Recovery.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB Introducing incorrect commands in Fastboot mode can damage partitions.

The problem of activating Mi Account and Google FRP

Once formatted successfully, you'll encounter a welcome screen, which is where modern Xiaomi smartphones check the cleanliness of the device. If a Mi Account was entered on the phone before the reset, the system will ask for its password. This is Find Device protection.

And the same thing that works is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection from Google, where if a phone was linked to a Google account, you can't use it without entering a password from it, so that the thief who stole the phone can't just dump it and sell it.

If you remember the password, just type it in. If you changed your password recently, wait 24 hours — security can block the login immediately after the data change. If you completely lose access to your accounts, you can only restore the device through the service center with the provision of a check of purchase.

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Presence of a check or box with IM-The code is the only legal way to unlock your device if you forget your account passwords after resetting your device.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

Users often experience a phone that hangs on the Mi logo or restarts indefinitely after a reset, which could mean corrupting system files or conflicting firmware versions, and may require a computer flashing with the Mi Flash Tool.

Another common problem is that the touchscreen doesn't respond in the Recovery menu. Try using volume buttons to navigate, even if the screen is touch-sensitive. If that doesn't work, it may be a hardware problem and the phone needs repair.

Don't interrupt the formatting process. Even if it looks like the phone is stuck on the logo, wait 10-15 minutes. The process of cleaning partitions can take time, especially on models with a large storage capacity.

• 🔋 Phone turned off during reset - plug in the charger and try logging in to Recovery again.
• ❌ “Can’t verify update” error – the bootloader or firmware may have been damaged.
• 🔄 Infinite Reboot – Reflashing through Fastboot is required.
• 📶 No network after reset - check the settings APN or re-flash the modem.