Reset Xiaomi to factory settings, if you forgot the password from the Mi-account: 3 working ways

Introduction: Why does standard resetting not work?

Forgot your Mi Account password and can't unlock Xiaomi? Even after resetting through the settings menu, the phone requires you to enter your account details? This isn't a bug, but the theft protection that Xiaomi put into firmware after 2017. The fact is that the device's binding to your Mi Cloud account is maintained even after a hard reset via Settings → Reset.

In this article, three proven methods of bypassing locks that work on most Redmi models are used, POCO and Mi (including Redmi Note) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13). The methods vary in complexity: from simple reset through the Recovery to low-level stitching through the EDL-Important: Some methods require unlocking the bootloader, and we'll talk about that too.

⚠️ Warning: Reset via Fastboot or EDL deletes all data without recovery, including photos in internal memory, if the phone is encrypted, it will be impossible to recover files after reset.

Method 1: Recovery Reset (works on 60% of models)

The safest method is to use stock recovery, which is suitable if:

• 🔹 Find Device is not activated on the phone (device search).
• 🔹 The device is not linked to your Mi Cloud account via your Mi Account → Devices.
• 🔹 The model was released until 2020 (new ones may require authorization even in the Recovery).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, reboot through Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 9/10 And then, after you reset through the recavator, you may get a request to enter your Mi Account password. 2.

Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Shut down. SIM-memory-card|Prepare the charger (the process will take 5-10 minutes)|Check if the phone is disabled Find Device-->

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (requires unlocking the bootloader)

If the recovery requests a password, you'll have to use Fastboot mode, which deletes all data, including the Mi Account binding, but requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked – read the section below).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed – continue.
4. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

💡 What teams do:

• erase userdata – deletes all user data.
• erase frp – Reset Factory Reset Protection (Discharge Protection)

Redmi Note 10/11/12|POCO X3/X4/X5|Mi 11/12/13| Another model |I don't know-->

How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi (if not unlocked)

If you see a device is locked error when executing commands in Fastboot, then the bootloader is locked. Unlocking takes 7 days of waiting and requires:

• 📱 Mi Account tied to the phone (if you forgot the password - restore through the official website).
• 🌐 A stable Internet connection on your phone (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔧 Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Turn on the phone Developer Options (7 times click on the MIUI version in Settings → About phone).
2. Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For Developers.
3. Link your Mi Account to your device in Settings → Mi Account → Cloud Services → Find Device.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC, log in to the same account and follow the instructions (SMS confirmation will be required).

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including photos and apps, will be deleted from the phone. IMEI (on some Redmi models 9A/9C).

Method 3: Firmware via EDL (for power users)

EDL-The Emergency Download Mode is the last chance if other methods have failed, and it allows you to flash your phone at a low level, bypassing all locks:

• 🔧 Requires a special cable (or close contacts on the board).
• 💻 You need to know how to work with Mi Flash Tool and firmware.tgz.
• ⚠️ The risk of turning your phone into a brick if you make a mistake.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm drivers.
3. Transfer the phone to EDL-regime: 🔌 For the Redmi Note 8/9/10: Hold the volume up + Loudness down + USB-cable. 🔌 For POCO X3/X4: Close the contacts test point on the motherboard (you need to parse the phone).

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

clean all

📌 Important: After the firmware is through EDL The phone will be clean, but you may need to re-activate your Mi Account (if the model is new).

💡

Before you run through EDL, check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. Incorrect firmware will cause the communication module to break (there will be no network).

Compatibility table with Xiaomi models

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all three methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact Xiaomi Service Center with proof of purchase (check, box) and they can reset the account by serial number.
2. Buy an authorized auth-file for your model (cost) ~10–30$, It's sold on forums like XDA). This will allow you to run your phone through EDL faultless.

💡 Tip: Look for diagrams for your model on XDA-Developers or 4PDA.