How to reset Xiaomi settings if you forgot your password: the full guide

Xiaomi owner can’t unlock his gadget because of a forgotten password, PIN-It's a common occurrence of code or a pattern lock, and it can happen after a long period of downtime, a spontaneous change in security settings, or a trivial forgetfulness. MIUI HyperOS provides several ways to restore access to the system, even if the lock screen remains an insurmountable barrier.

Before you take any drastic action, you need to understand that most reset methods will result in the complete deletion of user data. Hard Reset erases photos, contacts, correspondence and installed applications, returning the smartphone to a factory state. That is why it is important to be aware of the consequences beforehand and, if possible, try to remember the code or find a record of it before starting the cleaning procedure.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the current methods of bypassing locks, from standard Google features to engineering recovery menus, learn how to properly prepare the device, what button combinations to use and how to avoid blocking your Mi Account after a reboot. Remember: if the phone has enabled the Find Device feature, you will need a login and password from a Google account or Mi Account to activate the gadget after a reset.

Preparation for the discharge procedure and important nuances

Starting the process of restoring access requires calmness and understanding the risks. If your Xiaomi smartphone is locked, first of all assess the state of battery charge. To successfully perform all operations, the charge level must be at least 40-50%. Interrupting the reset procedure due to battery discharge can damage system files and turn the device into a brick.

It is also worth checking whether the phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, and having a connection is critical for the operation of Google's Find Device service and for subsequent account verification. SIM-card blocked PIN-code, it will need to be entered at the first download, so keep it handy.

• 🔋 Make sure your battery is above 50% to avoid a sudden shutdown.
• 📶 Check for a stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 Remember or record data from your Google and Mi Account account linked to your device.
• 💾 If you can connect to a PC, try copying important files through the file manager (not working on all versions of Android).

⚠️ After resetting the settings on modern versions of Android (version 5.1 and above), the protection will work FRP (Factory Reset Protection means that without entering a password from a previously synchronized Google account, it will be impossible to log in.

Don't ignore the possibility that the password may have been saved in the cloud. If you have access to a computer or other device, try logging into your Google account through your browser and checking the security section. Sometimes you can find clues or even change your password remotely, which can help unlock.

Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu

The most common and effective way to unlock Xiaomi if you forget your password is to use Recovery Mode, which does not require access to the desktop or phone settings, as it runs at the bootloader level.

The login process can vary depending on the model and firmware version. Most modern Redmi and Poco smartphones require you to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.

The Recovery menu interface can be presented either in English with text items or as a graphical interface with icons. If you see a list of commands, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by a power button. If the interface is graphic, control is done through a touchscreen.

You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data, and once you select that, the system will request confirmation, often requiring you to enter the code that appears on the screen, or simply click "Confirm," which is a safety measure against accidental reset.

• 📱 Press the button combination to enter recovery mode.
• 🗑️ Select Wipe Data or Factory Reset.
• ✅ Confirm the action by entering the code or pressing the confirmation button.
• 🔄 Wait until the process is over and select Reboot (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: In some new versions MIUI You may need to unlock the screen to enter the cleanup mode, even in the Recovery menu. If the system requests a password to log into the Wipe Data menu, this method is not suitable for you and you will have to use cloud services.

Once the cleanup is complete, the device will automatically restart. The first run will take longer than usual, as the system will recreate the file structure. Be prepared to enter your Google account details to verify the owner.

Use of Google’s “Find Device” service

If the smartphone is blocked, but connected to the Internet and it is active geolocation, you can use the official tool from Google. service "Find My Device" (Find My Device) allows not only to track the location of the gadget, but also remotely reset settings to factory.

To do this, you'll need any computer, tablet or smartphone with Internet access. Go to the official Google website and log in with the same account that was used on the blocked Xiaomi.

In the device management interface, select the "Erase Device" option, which will alert you that all data will be deleted without recovery, and after confirmation, the command will go to the phone, and in a few minutes the reset process will begin.

This method is particularly convenient because it does not require physical interaction with the phone's buttons, but if the phone's internet is off or GPS is off, the command will only be executed the next time it connects to the network.

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Remote reset via Google is the only way that doesn’t require physical access to the phone’s buttons, but it depends entirely on having an active internet connection on the locked device.

Unlocking through Mi Cloud (Find Device)

Xiaomi smartphone owners have access to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is functionally similar to Google’s solution.If the phone has been activated Mi Account and enabled the “Find the device” function, you can reset through the web interface.

Go to i.mi.com and log in using your Mi ID (phone number or email) and password. From the main menu, select Find Device. The map will show the location of your gadget if it is online.

At the bottom of the screen or in the device control menu, find the Erase or Wipe Data button. Pressing this button initiates a remote command to reset completely. Unlike Recovery, this method also deletes all files, but does so through a cloud link.

• 🌐 Visit i.mi.com from any device.
• 🔐 Sign in to your Mi Account.
• 📍 Select a locked smartphone from the list of devices.
• 🧹 Click the “Erase” button to delete data and password.

The advantage of this is that it works even if the phone is not visible on Google services, but is tied to the Xiaomi ecosystem, but if the phone is offline, the command will queue up and execute when you first connect to the network.

⚠️ Note: After being reset via Mi Cloud, the phone may require re-authorization to Mi Account when turned on.This is an anti-theft feature that cannot be circumvented without knowing the password from the account.

Reset via ADB (for advanced users)

For users who previously included USB Debugging in the developer menu, there is a possibility of resetting via a computer and the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) utility, which allows you to send a command to reset without bypassing the lock screen, but it only works if the device has already been authorized on that computer.

You'll need to install Xiaomi drivers and Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC. Connect your phone with a cable to your computer. If debugging is enabled and your computer is authorized, you'll be able to send commands through the console.

adb reboot recovery

This command will reset the phone to Recovery mode, and then you can use ADB to initiate the vape, although it is often easier to reset the buttons once you get on the menu. If you want to try to delete a specific settings file (does not work on all versions of Android due to increased security), you can use the command:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

It is worth noting that on modern versions of Android 10, 11, 12 and above, this method of deleting key files often does not work due to the encryption of the data partition. Therefore, the main scenario for using ADB in this case is to reboot in Recovery to perform Hard Reset buttons if they are faulty.

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery

Once the reset procedure is successfully completed, the phone will turn on as a new one, and you will be greeted by a welcome screen and asked to select a language, followed by a setup step where the system will require a Wi-Fi connection.

At this point, FRP protection will work. The system will ask you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset, which is a critical security point. If you enter the wrong password several times, the account can be temporarily blocked.

If you have successfully verified, the process of recovering data from the backup (if it was created earlier) will begin. MIUI will offer to restore contacts, messages, settings and even the location of icons on the desktop.

• 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
• 🔑 Enter your Google account to remove the blocking FRP.
• 📥 Accept the terms of use and privacy settings.
• ☁️ Select a backup copy to restore data.

It is recommended to immediately set a new password or biometric unlock (fingerprint, Face ID) to prevent a recurrence of the situation. Also, be sure to re-attach Mi Account for use of cloud functions and search for the device.

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Tip: Once you have set up a new password, write it down in a safe place or use a password manager. Biometrics should only be set up after you have created a strong digital key.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)