How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forget the password from Mi Account

Mi Account passwords are one of the most common problems faced by Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners. Without access to your account, you can’t reset your settings through the standard menu, and trying to bypass security often leads to locking your device. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 working ways to unlock, including official Xiaomi methods and alternative solutions for power users.

It’s important to understand that modern Xiaomi models (starting with MIUI 12) use a hard-to-repeat Mi Account as part of their security system, which means that a simple hard-reset via Recovery Mode won’t work — the phone will require you to enter your account details after the reboot.

Before you start resetting, check:

• 🔍 Do you have access to an email or phone linked to your Mi Account (you can recover your password through the official website).
• 📱 Whether the device has custom firmware installed (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience) makes it easier to unlock.
• 🔧 Do you have any? OTG-cable and second phone/PC for alternative methods.

1. Official reset via Mi Unlock Tool (for locked devices)

If you reset your phone with Recovery and you don't remember it, you can use the Mi Unlock Tool, Xiaomi's official utility, which only works if you meet three conditions:

• 🔗 The device was unlocked earlier (in the developer settings enabled) OEM Unlock).
• 📅 At least 72 hours have passed since the last account was linked (Xiaomi’s rule for theft protection).
• 💻 Access to Windows PC and original USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Launch the utility and log in to Mi Account (if you remember the data) or create a new account.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
4. In the utility, press Unlock and wait for the process to complete (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Download the latest version of the utility|Enable debugging on USB developer-setting|Connect the original USB-cable|Charge your phone at least 60%|Disable antivirus on PC-->

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else’s account, Xiaomi can block unlocking for up to 30 days.

2.Dumping through EDL-The mode (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a hidden firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even without an unlocked bootloader.The method is suitable for devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon (most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models).

The work will require:

• 🖥️ PC with Qualcomm drivers installed HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 🔌 Test Point (contacts on the board for forced transfer to the EDL).

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the phone and disassemble it (or find Test Point on the board without fully disassembling - for some models, it is enough to remove the back cover).
2. Close the Test Point contacts with tweezers or wire while connecting the phone to your PC.
3. The device manager should have a record of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service center, and note that after the firmware is deleted all information, including photos and messages.

3. Use of bypass services (paid, but safe)

If self-directed methods seem too risky, you can use online services to unlock Mi Account, which operate on the principle of remote access to the Xiaomi database and can reset your account in 1-3 days.

Popular services (as of 2026):

• 🌐 MiAccountUnlock – the cost of $15, support for 90% of models.
• 🌐 UnlockJunky - Price from $20, money back guarantee.
• 🌐 GSMFlasher – suitable for older models (until 2020).

How it works:

1. Pay for the service on the service website.
2. Provide the phone IMEI (you can find out through the set *#06#).
3. Wait for the unblock confirmation (usually 24-72 hours).
4. Recovery Mode – the phone will not require Mi Account data.

💡

Before paying, check the reviews on the service on forums (such as 4PDA or XDA Developers). Scammers often create copies of popular sites with similar names.

4. Fastboot reset (if the lock screen password is known)

If you remember the password/pattern lock from the lock screen but don't remember the Mi Account data, you can try resetting via Fastboot without completely flashing it.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
3. Enter the command to reset user data: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the phone is rebooted, it will suggest that you configure it as new. If the bootloader has been unlocked before, this method bypasses the Mi Account check 80 percent of the time, but on newer models (MIUI 14+), Factory Reset Protection (FRP) may work.

5. Alternative methods: OTG-cable ADB

For Android devices 7–10 (For example, Redmi Note 7/8, POCO X3) You can try the reset through ADB using OTG-Cable and mouse. This works if you've set up debugging for the device. USB.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect. OTG-phone-line.
2. On the lock screen, call the Emergency Call menu.
3. Dial ##4636## and the hidden test menu will open.
4. With the mouse, go to Usage statistics → Back (it may take several attempts).
5. The Settings menu will open - find the Recovery and Reset section.

💡

This method only works on older versions of MIUI (up to 12.5). on newer firmware, access to settings via emergency call is blocked.

If USB debugging has been disabled, try another method:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings
• If the command works, settings will open where you can reset.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone (guarantee card or check), in some cases, specialists can reset the account at the request of the owner.
2. Buy a new phone – if the device is old (like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1), the cost of repair may exceed its market price.

Before visiting the service, check:

• 📄 Availability of boxes and documents (proof of ownership).
• 🔧 Phone condition (if it has been repaired before, Xiaomi may refuse help).
• 💰 The cost of the service (in official services, unlocking Mi Account costs from 2000 to 5000 rubles.).

💡

If the phone was bought by hand, try contacting the previous owner. Sometimes people forget to untie the account, but are willing to help remotely (for example, through TeamViewer).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi resetting without Mi Account password