How to reset your Xiaomi phone settings to factory if you forget your password: all ways 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that even power users face. Screen locking protects personal data, but if you can't remember a combination of numbers or a pattern lock, the phone turns into a useless "brick." Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official ways to bring the device back to life without losing functionality. The main thing is to act on instructions and take into account the nuances of a particular model (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 or the flagship Mi 13 series).

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting, including working through Recovery mode, using a tied Mi Account and advanced tools like Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to the typical errors that cause users to lose data or permanently lock the device. For example, many people do not know that on some Xiaomi models, after 5 failed attempts to enter a password, additional protection is activated - and then the standard reset via Wipe Data will not work.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (must be at least 30%, otherwise the risk of “bricking” the device during the process)
• 📡 Having a backup of important data (reset will delete everything, including photos, contacts and messages)
• 🔑 Accessing your Mi Account if it was linked to your phone (this will make it easier to unlock your account)

1. Recovery Mode Reset: a universal method for all models

Recovery mode is a built-in recovery menu available on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version. To get there, you do not need to connect the phone to your computer or use special programs. However, there is a limitation to the method: if the device activates the “Device Protection” function, after reset, you will need to enter data from the associated Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (or a combination Power + Volume up if the sensor is not responsive).
2. Press the Power Button and Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (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 (usually you need to select Confirm or enter Yes manually).
6. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 2-5 minutes) and restart your phone via Reboot.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ or POCO F4) After the reset, you may be asked to enter your Mi Account data, even if you haven't tied it. FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you don’t remember your login/password, go to the account method.

2 Unlocking through Mi Account: if the phone is linked to the account

If you have previously logged in to Mi Account on a locked phone, you can reset your screen password without losing data, which works even on newer models with MIUI 14/15, which have enhanced protection against unauthorized access, the main condition is that the device must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

How to reset your password through Mi Account:

• 🌐 Go to account.xiaomi.com from another device.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same account as on a locked phone.
• 📱 In the Devices section, find your smartphone and select the Find the device option.
• 🔄 Click Unlock the screen and follow the instructions (confirmation may be required by SMS email).
• 📲 On the phone will appear a notification about unlocking – confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is disconnected, this method will not work. Also note that after unlocking through Mi Account, some features (such as Mi Pay or Game Turbo) may require re-authorization.

3. Fastboot Reset: For Advanced Users

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You can’t log in to Recovery (for example, the menu is damaged).
• 🔒 Phone requires Mi Account after reset, but you don't remember it.
• 🖥️ You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.

This method will require:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools (includes fastboot).
2. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
3. Connect the phone to the PC in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down when the device is off).

Reset commands (enter cmd or terminal):

fastboot devices

(checks device connection)

fastboot erase userdata

(Deletes user data, including password)

fastboot erase frp

(drop off FRP-protection, if required)

fastboot reboot

(Reboots phone)

Important: On models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) before reset via Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool application.

💡

If your phone doesn’t show up after the fastboot device command, install Xiaomi drivers. USB Drivers or try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).

4. Features of reset on different Xiaomi models

The reset procedure may vary depending on the series and year of release of the device, below are the key nuances for popular lines:

🔍 How to find out the model of Xiaomi?

If the phone is locked, look at the box or sticker under the battery (on removable models). IMEI:

1. Dial *#06# on another phone and your device’s IMEI will appear.
2. Check it out at IMEI.info.

5 What to do if after resetting the phone requires an old password

The situation where, after Wipe Data, the device still asks for a screen password, typical for Xiaomi with Data Protection enabled, is because some system files are not deleted in a standard reset.

• 🔄 Repeat the reset, but in Recovery, select Wipe Data. → Format Data (full formatting).
• 🔧 Use Fastboot with fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase frp.
• 📞 Contact the service center if the phone gives an error "This device is locked" - this means hardware locking.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global Stable for Redmi Note 8 Pro) after Format Data phone can hang on the logo.

6. How to avoid data loss during a reset

Resetting to factory settings inevitably removes:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including screenshots and downloads from messengers).
• 📞 Contacts that are not synced to Google or Mi Cloud.
• 🎮 Game saves (unless linked to a developer account).
• 📄 Documents and files in internal memory.

To minimize losses:

1. Check backups: 🖥️ In Mi Cloud (Cloud section) → Backup copies). 🤖 Google Drive (if synchronization is enabled).

Remove the memory card.

Use the PC.

💡

Even if you don’t back up, some data (such as photos) can be recovered after reset using programs like DiskDigger or Recuva – but only if you don’t have a full formatting (Format Data).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake. №1: Interruption of the discharge process

If you take out the battery or force the phone to turn off during Wipe Data, it can lead to:

• 🔴 Damage to system files (the phone does not turn on or boots in an infinite loop).
• 🔴 Lock the bootloader (requires official firmware via Mi Flash).

Decision:

Recovery

Wipe Cache

Mistake. №2: Use of informal firmware

Installing custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) on a locked phone without unlocking the bootloader leads to:

• 🔴 Poose. IMEI (phone doesn't catch the net).
• 🔴 Blocking your Mi Account (Xiaomi may see it as an attempted hack).

Decision:

Xiaomi

💡

If the phone is resetting with an error called “Invalid IMEI”, you can restore it using the engineering menu (type ##3646633## and select Connectivity → CDS Information → Radio Information).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions