How to reset Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings, if you forgot the password

Forgot the pattern lock, PIN-Xiaomi's code or password and you can't unlock your phone? This is familiar to many people -- especially if the device has been idle for a long time or given away with protection already installed. Fortunately, even without knowing the password, you can bring the smartphone back to life by resetting it to factory settings. But there are nuances: some methods work only with a tied Mi Account, others require a connection to a PC, and still others can lock the device forever if you do not act correctly.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of reset for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from simple (via Recovery Mode) to complex (using Fastboot and ADB). Separately, we will discuss how to bypass the Mi Account lock after a reset and what to do if the phone requires you to enter an old password even after a hard reset. All instructions are relevant for devices on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, including the latest models of 2023-2026.

1.Reset preparation: what you need to know in advance

Before you start resetting, consider a few critical points:

• 🔐 If you have a Xiaomi account on your phone, you will need to enter your username and password after reset, without which the phone will become a brick (especially on models with a mobile phone). MIUI 10+).
• 📱 Data loss. Reset deletes everything: photos, contacts, messages, installed apps. If the phone syncs to a Google Account or Mi Cloud, some of the data can be recovered later.
• 🔌 Battery charge. Make sure the phone has at least 50% charge. interruption of the reset process can cause software failures.

If you don’t remember the Mi Account data, but the phone was officially purchased (not a “gray” import), try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. In extreme cases, contact the Xiaomi service center with a check about the purchase – they can help unlock the device.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12 HyperOS after reset may require confirmation through SMS Or an email linked to your account, and if you don't have access to it, your phone will stay locked.

2. Method 1: Reset via Recovery Mode (without PC)

The easiest method is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the old (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and new (Xiaomi 14 Pro, POCO F5).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (or Power + Volume Up if a standard shutdown is not available).
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (usually in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the item. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (you may need to enter Yes manually).
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new. If you have a Mi Account request during the setup phase, use the linked account. If you don't have one, read the section on the lock bypass below.

Is the phone completely off?

Is the device at least 50% charged?

Is there a backup of important data

Are you ready to block your Mi Account (if your account is not yours)

-->

3. Method 2: Fastboot reset (if Recovery is not available)

If the Recovery menu doesn’t open (for example, because of a damaged firmware) or the phone hangs on the logo, you can use Fastboot mode. This method requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool or ADB utility.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi on PC (you can download from xiaomiflashtool.com).
2. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: press Volume Down + Power for 5-10 seconds.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
5. Run the reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will be reset, but may require you to enter Mi Account data. If the fastboot erase userdata command does not work, try an alternative option:

fastboot -w

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) If you reset it through the Fastboot, you might have to use the Anti-Rollback, which will lock the phone if the firmware is downgraded, and you'll need to flash the original version. MIUI via Mi Flash Tool.

4. Method 3: Reset via Find Device (if Mi Account is tied)

If you have Google's Find Device enabled on your phone, you can reset it remotely via a web interface, and this only works if you:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔒 It has the Find Device function enabled (checked in Settings). → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 👤 You know the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Find Device section, select your phone from the list.
3. Press Erase Device and confirm the action.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

This is the only method that allows you to reset your phone remotely without having physical access to it, but after resetting, the phone will still require you to enter Mi Account data when you first set it up.

5. Method 4: Reset via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can reset it through ADB Even with a locked screen, this is a method that is suitable for advanced users.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (If not, the way won't work).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Check the connection command: adb devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), enter:
3. Reset: Adb shell recovery --wipe_data Alternative command (for new versions) MIUI): adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

If the commands don’t work, try transferring your phone to Recovery via ADB:

adb reboot recovery

Then reset through the recovery menu (see Method 1).

💡

If USB debugging has been enabled but the phone is not defined in ADB, try reconnecting the cable or using the adb kill-server command and then adb start-server to restart the service.

6.Method 5: Bypassing the Mi Account lock after resetting

If the phone requires Mi Account data to be entered after a reset and you don't know it, there are several ways to get around locking.Be aware that not all of them are legal, and some may result in permanent loss of access to the device.

Official methods:

• 📄 Check of purchase. Contact Xiaomi service center with a document confirming the purchase. They can unlock the phone in 3-7 days.
• 🔄 Restore your account. Try to restore access to your Mi Account via account.xiaomi.com by providing your email or phone number.

Unofficial methods (at your own risk):

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial Mi Account bypass methods can result in a complete lockdown IMEI (The phone will lose communication and become unusable for calls. MIUI 12, Xiaomi tightened protections, and most of the "holes" closed.

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If neither of these methods worked, there are two options:

1. Xiaomi official centers can unlock the phone by check or warranty card, the cost of the service is from 1000 to 3000 rubles.
2. Swipe your phone through EDL. This is an extreme measure that requires special equipment (for example, a UFi Box or a DC-Phoenix). It is not recommended to do this yourself - there is a high risk of permanently ruining the device.

If the phone is old (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), it is sometimes cheaper to buy a new one than to pay for unlocking.On newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), the chances of successfully bypassing the lock are minimal due to the increased protection.

💡

Starting with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, Xiaomi has completely closed most of the Mi Account bypass vulnerabilities.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset