Resetting MIUI on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that every user will sooner or later face. Whether you sell a device, experience software failures or forget your Mi Account password, a correct reset will help return the phone to factory settings. However, not everyone knows that an incorrect reset through recovery can lock the device permanently due to a link to a Xiaomi account - this error is made by 78% of users when self-reset.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of resetting. MIUI β from the standard settings menu to forced reset via Fastboot and EDL-Mode: We'll focus on how to avoid locking up after reset and what to do if your phone requires you to enter your old account data. 12 before Xiaomi's flagships 14 Ultra including devices on MIUI 14/15 HyperOS.
Why You Might Need to Reset Your MIUI Account
Main reasons for discharge MIUI-There are only five accounts, but each requires different approaches:
- π Selling or transferring your phone β the new owner must not have access to your data, including synchronized passwords and billing information.
- π Forgotten password β if you donβt remember the Mi Account data, but your phone is locked after being reset via Recovery.
- π Systemic failures β MIUI It can slow down, issue errors, or reboot cyclically after a failed update.
- π± Virus Removal β Some malware is embedded in system files and not removed by standard methods.
- π Switch to custom firmware β a complete partition cleaning is required before installing LineageOS or Pixel Experience /data.
It is important to understand the difference between resetting your settings and deleting your MIUI account. The former erases user data (photos, apps, SMS), but retains its binding to the Mi Account. The latter completely untie the device from your Xiaomi account, which is critical when selling or eliminating the lock after a failed reset.
β οΈ Note: If you reset your phone for sale but donβt delete your Mi Account, the new owner will be able to recover your data via Find Device (device search) or access synchronized passwords from the Mi Cloud.
Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings
The safest method that works for most situations is to reset directly from the system that is running, and it is guaranteed not to lock the phone, since it takes place with the authorization of the current account.
Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:
- Open Settings β About Phone β Memory (or Settings β Additional β Restore and Reset on Older Versions).
- Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
- The system will prompt you to enter a password from Mi Account - this is a mandatory step to confirm the right to reset.
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).
Once rebooted, the phone will be as new as it is, but will remain tied to your Mi Account to unplug the device completely:
- π± Go to Settings. β Accounts. β Mi Account.
- π Click Exit and confirm deletion of account from device.
- π Enter a password to confirm.
Are contacts synced with Mi Cloud| Whether photos are saved in Google Photos or on PC| Whether the password from Mi Account| Whether the device is disconnected from Find Device (if you sell)
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This works even if the phone is not rooted and has a locked bootloader, and the main condition is to remember the password from the Mi Account.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (without password)
If the phone is not turned on or locked with a pattern lock, you can use the Recovery Mode, but here lies the main trap: after such a reset, Xiaomi may require data input from the Mi Account, which was previously associated with the device.
How to get to Recovery:
- Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
- Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data β Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirmation by power button).
| Xiaomi model | Combination of buttons for Recovery | The risk of blocking after reset |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 | Food + Volume up | High (requires Mi Account) |
| Xiaomi 11/12/13/14, Mix 4/5 | Power + Volume up (hold 15 seconds) | Medium (depending on the MIUI version) |
| POCO F3/F4/F5, Redmi K40/K50 | Power + Volume Up (let go when vibrating) | High (blocking for 72 hours) |
| Xiaomi Civi 1/2/3, Redmi 9/10 | Food + Volume up + Volume down | Low (on older versions of MIUI) |
β οΈ Note: If the phone requires Mi Account data to be reset via Recovery and you donβt remember it, the only way out is to officially delete the account via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section) and this will take up to 7 days as Xiaomi checks ownership.
Through MIUI settings | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | Never reset |Another way
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Method 3: Forced reset via Fastboot (for advanced)
The method via Fastboot is suitable if:
- π§ The phone doesnβt even turn on in Recovery.
- π Mi Account password is forgotten, but PC access is available.
- π¦ You need to get customized recovery (TWRP) before discharge.
This will require:
- π₯οΈ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
- π Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
- π Unlocked bootloader (if previously unblocked, you will have to wait 7-15 days).
Step-by-step:
- Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: (a) Turn off the device. (b) Press Power + Volume down until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
- Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
- Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
If the bootloader is blocked, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool app before reset.The process takes up to 2 weeks due to Xiaomi's policy (account binding and waiting). SMS-code).
What happens if you reset via Fastboot with a blocked bootloader?
Method 4: Resetting through EDL-regime (extreme case)
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware emergency mode used to restore phones with damaged firmware or locked bootloader.
- π§ Authorized Xiaomi account (for new models after 2021).
- π₯οΈ Mi Flash Pro or QFil.
- π Official firmware in.tgz format for your model.
- π Specialist EDL-cable (or closing contacts on the board).
Algorithm of action:
- Transfer the phone to EDL: a) Turn off the device. (b) Close the Test Point contacts (model-dependent location) or use EDL-Cable.c) Connect to the PC - the Qualcomm port will appear in the Device Manager HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.
- Wait for the end (10-20 minutes) and the phone will automatically restart.
β οΈ Attention: Use EDL Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Without authorization, it will lead to permanent blocking. IMEI (The device will lose the network. Unlocking will require contacting the service center with proof of purchase.
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If you can't find Test Point for your model, search for "[phone model] EDL Test Point diagram." For example, "Redmi Note 12 Pro EDL Test Point diagram."
Method 5: Delete Mi Account without reset (if you forgot your password)
If you forgot your Mi Account password, but the phone is working, you can try to delete your account without completely resetting it, which works on 60 percent of devices with MIUI 12-14.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings β Memory β Backup.
- Turn off Mi Cloud Backup and Synchronization.
- Return to Settings β Accounts β Mi Account.
- Click Delete your account (if the option is active).
- Confirm the action via SMS or email (if linked).
If the option to delete the account is inactive:
- π Try changing the region to India or Europe β sometimes this will unlock the option.
- π§ Use it. ADB-Team (requires included debugging for the USB): adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.account (not working on all models and may cause malfunctions in the services of Xiaomi).
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Deleting Mi Account through settings is the only official way to unplug your device without the risk of being blocked. All other methods (including bypassing your account through firmware) can result in loss of IMEI or account ban.
What to do if your phone requires an old Mi Account
When a phone asks for data from an old Mi Account after being reset via Recovery or Fastboot, it is called FRP-locking (Factory Reset Protection), which works differently in Xiaomi than on Samsung or Google Pixel β here the lock is tied to the hardware identifier of the device.
Options for a solution:
- π§ Restore access to Mi Account: (a) Go to account.xiaomi.com and click "Forgot your password?". (b) Confirm ownership via a linked email or phone. (c) If your account is not yours (e.g., a handheld phone), request data from the previous owner.
- π Official Account Deletion: (a) On the Mi Account site, select "Delete Account" (Security section). (b) Confirm Deletion via SMS/email. c) Wait 7 Days β after that, the lock from the phone will be removed automatically.
- π§ Passage EDL (risk!): (a) Swipe the phone through EDL with an authorized account (proof of purchase required). b Use service firmware (engineer) ROM), But it can lead to loss. IMEI.
On Xiaomi models 2023-2026 (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5), bypassing FRP without official deletion of the account is almost impossible - the company has tightened protection after a wave of fraud with stolen phones.