The forgotten password on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face daily. Unlike iPhones or pure Android devices, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones have unique security mechanisms that make unlocking difficult. Deep integration with the Mi Account ecosystem, MIUI Recovery, and stringent restrictions on resetting through the Fastboot require precise follow-up instructions — a mistake at any stage can turn the phone into a brick.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to reset your password to Xiaomi in 2026, including official methods (via Mi Account), engineering modes (EDL), and alternative solutions for devices with an unlocked bootloader. Particular attention will be paid to the risks: why you can not just take out the battery, how to avoid blocking the iCloud analogue from Xiaomi (Find Device), and what to do if the phone requires an old password even after reset.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most secure and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the Mi Account, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and newer, but there are some nuances:
- 🔹 The phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔹 The Mi Account must be linked to the device before being blocked.
- 🔹 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or XP) POCO F5) You will need confirmation SMS email.
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
- Choose Restore through Mi Account.
- Enter your username (email/phone) and account password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm the login.
- Follow the system instructions to create a new password or PIN-code.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously untied your Mi Account through Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete your account, it won't work, and it's also not available on custom firmware devices like LineageOS).
2. Recovery Mode reset (without data loss?)
Many users mistakenly believe that MIUI Recovery will save their data. It's not like that: any reset over the recovery deletes all files, including photos, contacts and apps. However, this method works even without a tied Mi Account, if you have physical access to the phone.
How to log in to Recovery Mode:
- Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
- Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, Power for confirmation).
- Confirm the action (Confirm).
| Xiaomi model | Combination of buttons for Recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Food + Volume up | On some versions, you first need to pinch the Volume up + down, then Power. |
| POCO X3/X4/X5 | Food + Volume up | If it doesn’t work, try connecting the charger before entering. |
| Mi 11/12/13 | Food + Volume up | The Mi 13 Ultra may require additional confirmation via Mi Account, even in the Recavéri. |
After resetting, the phone will reset to the “out of the box” state.You will need to go through the initial setup, but the screen lock password will be reset.
Turn off the phone from charging
Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged
Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card (if you need a link)
Remember the data from Mi Account (if the phone is tied)
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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced)
If Mi Account is not tied and Recovery Mode is unavailable (for example, due to a corrupted firmware), you can use Fastboot, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB/Fastboot.
Pre-launch warnings:
- 🚨 Unlocking the bootloader erases all data and resets the phone to factory settings.
- 🚨 On new models (Xiaomi) 13T, POCO F5 Pro) may require waiting 7-15 days after linking the account to the device.
- 🚨 The Wrong Fastboot Commands Can Brick Your Phone.
Step-by-step:
- Install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
- Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot Mode: Press Power + Volume Down.
- Connect the phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
- Unlock the bootloader: fastboot oem unlock (on the phone screen, confirm the action with the Volume Up button).
- Once unlocked, reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after unlocking the bootloader, you may need to re-assign Mi Account within 24 hours, otherwise the phone will lock again.
What if the fastboot can’t see the device?
4.Use of EDL mode (for "bricks")
Regime. EDL (Emergency Download Mode – the last chance to bring the phone back to life if it doesn’t turn on or gets stuck on the Mi logo (EDL-cable or testpoints) and firmware for your model.
When you need an EDL:
- 🔧 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
- 🔧 After a failed reset via Fastboot appeared black screen.
- 🔧 Device locked at Mi Account level after reset.
Instructions (simplified):
- Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
- Install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
- Transfer the phone to EDL: For most models: Press the Volume up + down and plug in USB-cable to PC. POCO F3/F4: It may be necessary to close the testpoints on the motherboard.
Mi Flash Tool
Flash
It takes 5-15 minutes, and after successful firmware, the phone will restart in factory condition.
adb reboot edlBut this method only works on devices with an unlocked bootloader.
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5. Alternative methods (for older models)
On Xiaomi devices before MIUI 10 (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1), workarounds sometimes work that no longer work on new phones.
Method 1: Calling a locked phone
- 📞 From another phone, call the blocked Xiaomi.
- 📞 Accept the call and without completing it, quickly go to Settings. → Password and security.
- 📞 Turn off the screen lock (if menu is available).
This method works on 1 in 10 devices and only on MIUI 8-9.
Method 2: Reset by Google Find My Device
If you have a Google Account and Internet access enabled on your phone:
- Go to Find My Device.
- Select a locked phone and click Erase Data.
- Confirm the action (you will need a password from your Google account).
Minus: After the reset, Mi Account may remain blocked if the phone was tied to a Xiaomi account.
6.What to do after reset: data recovery and prevention of blocking
After successfully resetting your password, you will have to:
- Recover data (if you did backup via Mi Cloud or Google).
- Set up a new password (we recommend using a PIN or pattern lock instead of a complex password).
- Attach Mi Account (required to protect against theft).
How to avoid blocking in the future:
- 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional unlocking method.
- 📝 Write it down. PIN-code to a secure location (e.g., Google Keep with encryption).
- 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — In new versions, vulnerabilities that allow to bypass the lock are fixed.
If you lost data after resetting, try recovery programs:
- Dr.Fone (paid, but with a high chance of recovery of photos and contacts)
- DiskDigger (free for scanning internal memory)
However, remember: the chances of returning data after a complete reset are minimal.
💡
The most reliable way to avoid data loss is to back up regularly in Mi Cloud or on your PC via Mi PC Suite, and even if you forget your password, your photos and contacts will remain safe.