How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forgot your password: 3 working ways

Introduction: Why Resetting is Not Always an Easy Solution

A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that one in five users encounter. It would seem that it could be easier than resetting the phone to factory settings? But in practice, owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi face blocking Mi Account, requiring confirmation through an old account, or even a “brick” after a failed reset. This article will help avoid typical errors and return the device to work without losing data (if possible).

It's important to understand that resetting through settings (if the phone is unlocked) and resetting through a locked screen are two big differences: in the first case, you will lose only user data, in the second case, you risk getting a device with a Mi Account tied, which will require entering a username / password from the previous owner. We will consider all scenarios, including bypassing the Mi Account lock (legal ways) and restoring access to the account.

Before you start, answer two questions:

1. Is your Xiaomi account linked to your phone (even if you don’t remember it)?
2. Do you have a backup of your data (photos, contacts, messages)?

If the answer to the second question is no, try to restore the data first – after resetting, they will not be returned.

Method 1: Recovery Mode (without password but with the risk of blocking Mi Account)

This is the most common method, but it doesn't work on all models, like the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11, when you reset it, you might get a request to input Mi Account data, and if you bought it from hand, it can lock it forever.

This is for devices without a Mi Account attached, or if you remember your account information, turn off your phone first.

Keep the battery at least charged. 30%|Prepare the charger (the process will take place) 5-15 minute)|Make sure that SIM-card retrieved (if the phone asks for it) PUK-code)|Check if there is a backup of important data

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1. Press the button combination: 🔋 Power (enabled) + 🔄 Volume Up (volume up) – for most models (Redmi 9, POCO X3, Mi 10). 🔋 Power + 🔄 Volume Up + 🔊 Volume Down for Xiaomi 13 and Newer.

Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and Power to select. Select a language (usually English or ).

Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm.

After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If after the reboot the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, and you do not remember them, go to the section about unlocking the account. Continue trying to enter the wrong password is pointless: after 5 failures, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the characters (data cleanup) and (confirm).

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔓 You forgot your password but you know your Mi Account (login and password).
• 📱 The phone does not load or hangs on the Mi logo.
• 🔧 You're ready to use it. ADB and Fastboot.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Google’s Platform Tools program.

1. Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume Down until the image of a rabbit in a hat appears.
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the driver or try another cable.
4. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi K50) After this procedure, a request to unlock the loader may appear (OEM If you didn't do it beforehand, the phone will turn into a brick. Resetting via Fastboot on new devices without unlocking the bootloader will result in loss of the phone. IMEI and the inability to call.

Method 3: Unlock with Mi Account (if the phone is linked to your account)

If after resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data, and you do not remember them, there are two options:

1. Restore access to your account (if it is yours).
2. Contact the service center (if the phone is purchased with hands).

To restore access to the Mi Account:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and click Forgot password.
2. Enter your linked email or phone number. If you don't remember them, try to restore them via backup email (if you have).
3. Confirm the recovery via SMS or email. If you do not have access to the old number / mail, contact Xiaomi with a photo of the purchase check (they can reset the account manually).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is hand-held and the previous owner hasn't untie the Mi Account, it's impossible to unlock it yourself.The only legal way is to contact the seller and ask them to untie the device via i.mi.com (Find Device section). → Remove Device).

What to do if the reset did not help: alternative methods

If the standard methods do not work, try:

For ADB (if debugging was enabled before blocking):

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Enter cmd: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings If the command works, you will be taken to the settings where you can disable the password.

For firmware via Mi Flash:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch MiFlash.exe.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Refresh.
4. Select the Clean All method and press Flash.

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The firmware via Mi Flash deletes all data, including Mi Account, but requires an unlocked bootloader. On new models (after 2021), unlocking takes 7-30 days due to Xiaomi's validation.

Can data be recovered after resetting?

If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting back the data are minimal, but they are. Once reset via Recovery or Fastboot, the files aren't deleted immediately -- they're labeled as "free space" and gradually overwritten with new data. The faster you act, the better the chances of recovery.

Use the programs:

• 📁 DiskDigger – for photo and video recovery (works without root).
• 📱 EaseUS MobiSaver – Recovers contacts, messages, notes (requires root).
• 🔍 Recuva – a universal tool for Windows (plug your phone as a removable drive).

⚠️ Warning: Don't install recovery software on the phone itself, it will overwrite deleted data. Connect the drive to the PC and scan it. If the phone isn't defined as a removable drive, try turning it on. MTP-Developer settings (if available).

To increase the odds:

• 🛑 Do not write new files to your phone.
• 🔌 Do not connect the device to charging (the risk of overwriting data in background processes).
• 📴 Use the memory card separately (if the data was on it).

How to avoid blocking in the future: 5 rules

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:

1. Link backup email to Mi Account, and even if you forget your password, you can re-establish access through email.
2. Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers) This will unlock your phone through ADB if you forget your password.
3. Backup your device to Mi Cloud or PC (via Mi PC Suite).
4. Write your password in a safe place (like Google Keep or a notebook) and don’t use simple combinations like 123456 or your date of birth.
5. Untie Mi Account before selling your phone. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account.

If you are buying Xiaomi from hand, be sure to check:

• 🔍 No tied Mi Account (ask the seller to reset the phone with you).
• 📱 Status. IMEI (Type *#06# and the number should be displayed, not Null).
• 🔓 Is the bootloader unlocked (Fastboot must write Unlocked).

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Before buying a used Xiaomi, check it on the website [imei.info](https://www.imei.info/). If the phone is listed on a blacklist (stolen/lost), it can be blocked by carriers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset