How to Reset Xiaomi Settings If You Forgot Your Password: The Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction: Why resetting without a password is not always secure

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics. The problem is compounded by the fact that modern models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5) use data encryption at the TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) hardware level.

In this article, we will discuss 5 official and informal methods of resetting settings, their pros and cons, and explain why some methods (for example, through ADB) stopped working on MIUI 14+ firmware. Importantly, none of them guarantee data safety – photos, messages and applications will be deleted. If you need to restore access to files, first try alternative solutions (about them at the end of the article).

Method 1: Recovery Mode Reset (on 90% of models)

The most versatile method that is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices is the use of Recovery Mode, which does not require a connection to a PC and works even on locked phones. However, there is a caveat: some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may require data entry from the Mi Account associated with the device after a reset.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. After you complete the process, select Reboot to System.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ And the activated function, called Factory Reset Protection, will require you to enter data from Mi Account after the reboot, and if you don't remember the account, the phone will turn into a brick".

Method 2: Using Mi Account (official method)

If your phone is linked to your Mi Account and you remember your username and password, you can reset your settings remotely via a web interface, which works even if the device is off or in another city, and the main condition is that you have an active Internet connection on your phone (via mobile network or Wi-Fi).

Step-by-step:

• 🌐 Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
• 📱 In the Devices section, find your phone.
• 🔄 Click Find the Device (Find Device) → Erase Data (Erase Data).
• ⏳ Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA), A code from the reset will be required to confirm the reset SMS Mi Authenticator apps, and you can't restore the device without access to them.

Method 3: Fastboot commands (for advanced users)

Fastboot reset is a deeper method that allows you to reflash your phone or erase the data partition, and is suitable for devices where Recovery is password-locked or corrupted, but it will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (preferably original).

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack it into the C:\platform-tools folder.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt in the fastboot folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your phone, install the drivers manually through Device Manager (select “Android Bootloader Interface”).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or Redmi K50) After erase commands, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool, otherwise the phone will not boot. UFS 3.1.

Method 4: Reset via EDL Mode (extreme case)

Emergency Download Mode (EDL) is a hidden firmware mode used by service centers to repair phones with a damaged bootloader, allowing you to reflash the device even if it doesn't turn on, but you need to log in to the EDL:

• 🔌 Special cable (EDL cable) or circuit of the circuit board.
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if the phone has not been unlocked before, you will need authorization through the Mi Unlock Tool).

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right EDL This can lead to permanent blocking. IMEI (This method is recommended only for experienced users or service engineers.

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Resetting via EDL Mode is the only way to bring a phone with a damaged bootloader back to life, but it requires special equipment and knowledge.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods did not help or you are afraid of damaging the phone, the best option is to contact the official Xiaomi service.

• 🛡️ Guarantee of safety IMEI and the operation of the device.
• 📄 Official documentation (act of work performed).
• 🔧 Data recovery (in some cases).

The cost of the service varies from 1 000 before 3 000 depending on the model and complexity of the work. 13 Pro price may be higher due to the need to work with the chip eMMC/UFS. Please clarify before your visit:

• A receipt or box (required to confirm possession)
• Warranty status (if the phone is warranty, the reset may be free).
• Data recovery (in 80% of cases, data is lost irretrievably).

What if the phone needs an old password after resetting?

When a phone requests a password from a previous account after a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, it is associated with Factory Reset Protection (FRP) function, which is activated automatically when you link Mi Account.

1. Remember your account information. If you remember your Mi Account login and password, enter it. Once you log in, the phone unlocks.
2. Restore your account. On account.xiaomi.com, select Forgot your password? and follow the instructions (requires access to an email or phone linked to your account).
3. Contact Xiaomi. If you don't remember your account details but can confirm ownership of your phone (check, box, IMEI), support can help unlock the request, up to 7 days.

⚠️ Attention: Purchase of “screwsters” FRP" On third-party sites (for example, offers like “unblock Xiaomi for 500 rubles”) often lead to fraud or blocking IMEI. Xiaomi does not officially support such services and may block the device for attempting to bypass protection.

How to avoid data loss in the future?

To avoid the problem of forgotten password and data loss, follow these recommendations:

• 🔐 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to PIN-code.
• ☁️ Set up automatic backup in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud. Enable synchronization of contacts, photos and notes.
• 📝 Write down the password from Mi Account and PIN-phone code in a secure location (for example, in the Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).
• 🔄 Check regularly (every 3 months) for resets via Mi Account at account.xiaomi.com.

If you often forget passwords, consider using Google’s Smart Lock.This feature lets you automatically unlock your phone in secure places (like at home or work) without entering. PIN-You can activate it in Settings. → Security → Smart Lock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset without password