How to reset Xiaomi password to factory settings: the complete guide

When you pick up your Xiaomi or Redmi, but the lock screen keeps you from going any further, it's familiar to many. A forgotten digital code, an incorrectly drawn pattern lock, or a system failure after an upgrade can turn a device into an impregnable fortress. Owners often panic, believing that photos and contacts are lost forever, but modern methods of access restoration allow you to solve the problem.

There are several proven ways to regain control of the gadget, but they require a clear understanding of the processes occurring inside the Android operating system and the MIUI shell. It is important to understand that in most cases, especially when using modern versions of firmware, password reset will inevitably lead to the complete removal of user data.

Before we take decisive action, we need to assess the risks and prepare tools. In this article, we will detail the algorithms for different lock scenarios, explain the role of the Mi Account, and advise you on how to avoid problems in the future. Recovery is the only guaranteed method of unlocking if you do not remember any of the access codes.

Device preparation and risk assessment of data loss

Any manipulation of system partitions carries the risk of loss of information. Before you start the recovery procedure, you should soberly assess the situation. If there is important data on the phone that was not synchronized with the cloud, try to remember the code or use alternative login methods if they were configured before.

However, if the system is completely closed, the choice is small: you need a stable charger and, preferably, a computer. Although a basic PC reset is not always necessary, having a workstation at hand will allow you to perform a deeper diagnosis in case of errors in the boot.

Make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%.The reset process and subsequent initial setup can take a long time, and a sudden power outage at a critical moment can damage the file system.If the device responds to presses, quickly turn on flight mode or turn off the Internet to prevent remote locking from the owner (if it is not your phone).

📊 What type of lock you forgot?

Digital. PIN-code

pattern lock

Mi Account password

The fingerprint doesn't work.

Other

⚠️ After resetting the settings on modern smartphones Xiaomi will work protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection: This means that activating the device requires you to enter a Google account or Mi Account that was synced to the phone before the reset.

Reset via Recovery mode (hardware method)

The most common and effective way to get back access to the device is to use the built-in Recovery Mode recovery menu, which is loaded separately from the main operating system, so the screen lock does not work here.

The login process may vary depending on the model, but the classic circuitry for most Redmi Note, Poco and Mi models remains the same: Turn off the device completely and wait for the vibration or dimming of the screen. Then press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to keep the volume.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume buttons (up/down) and you can confirm your choice with a power button. In some versions, especially global ones, the screen can support multi-touch, and you can control it with your finger. You need to find Wipe Data and select a confirmation of action.

☑️ Checklist before reset

Battery charge above 50%:Remembered Google/Mi Account data:No important unsynchronized photos: Volume buttons are good

Done: 0 / 1

⚠️ Note: On some models with a shell MIUI 12/13/14 When you select Wipe Data, you may need to enter a digital password that you have forgotten, which is an additional security measure. If the system requires a password that you do not remember, this method may not work through the standard menu without using specialized software on your PC.

Use of Xiaomi Service (Mi Cloud)

If the Internet has been turned on on on the locked device and the Device Search function has been activated, you can try to unlock it remotely through the Mi Cloud service.This method is convenient because it does not require physical contact with the housing buttons, but it only works under a number of strict conditions.

To do this, go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone) and log in to your Mi Account that was used on the locked smartphone. If the login is successful and the device appears in the list, select the option to unlock or clear the data.

The remote command goes to the phone and it resets, but if the phone is in flight mode or not on the network, the command will only be executed after it is connected to the Internet, and this method also completely deletes all user data, restoring the factory state.

What to do if Mi Cloud says “Device Offline”?

If the device is offline, it means it has no internet connection, in which case remote reset is impossible, you will have to use the hardware method through Recovery or wait until the phone is in the Wi-Fi range it previously connected to (if the auto-connection function is active).

Reset via computer and ADB (for advanced users)

For those who previously included on the phone mode "Debugging by" USB" (USB Debugging, there is a possibility of resetting through the command line of the computer. This method requires the presence of installed drivers. ADB And Fastboot on PC, and it lets you send a command to erase a data partition without using volume buttons.

Connect your phone to your computer via USB-Open the command line (CMD) PowerShell in the tool folder ADB. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is determined and the serial number is issued, you can proceed to reset.

To perform the reset, type the following command: adb shell recovery --wipe_data. The phone will reboot to recovery mode and start the cleaning process, and it's a good way to bypass some software locks on the interface, but it's useless if you debug it. USB It was not included before the lockdown.

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot reboot

The above code demonstrates an alternative path through Fastboot mode, which also clears the userdata user partition.Be careful when typing commands, as a syntax error can lead to unpredictable results.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods: Table

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the main ways to reset to the table, each method has its advantages and limitations, depending on the state of the device and the availability of presets.

Method	Conditions required	Data security	Difficulty
Recovery Mode	Working buttons, battery charge	Data deleted	Low.
Mi Cloud	Internet, active Mi Account	Data deleted	Low.
Google Find My Device	Internet, active Google account	Data deleted	Low.
ADB / Fastboot	Included debugging USB, PC	Data deleted	Tall.

💡

Useful tip: If you often forget passwords, set up fingerprint or face unlock, but be sure to remember backup digital PIN-code, as biometrics do not work after the device is restarted.

Problems with Mi Account after reset

Once the Wipe Data is successfully reset, the phone will reboot as new, but the welcome screen may require authorization from an account that was previously linked to the device, a theft protection system known as Activation Lock.

If you enter the wrong password from your Mi Account several times in a row, the system can temporarily block the ability to sign in, in which case you must wait for the specified time (from 1 hour to 24 hours) or restore access to the account through the Mi Account site through another device.

It's important to distinguish between locking a device and locking an account, and if a phone says "This device is locked to Mi Account," it means that Find Device was active, and if you don't input the correct data from that account, you can't use the phone even after you flash it.

💡

Resetting the screen password always results in deleting the data and requiring the owner to be confirmed via Google or Mi Account when you first set up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I reset my Xiaomi password without losing my photos and contacts?

Unfortunately, on modern versions of Android and MIUI, this is almost impossible, because data is encrypted with a key that is tied to your password or pattern lock, and without entering the correct code, you can't decrypt files, and the only chance is that if the data was synced with Google Photos or Mi Cloud, then it can be recovered after reset.

What to do if your phone requires a password when you log in to Recovery?

Newer versions of MIUI have Recovery protection, so if the system asks for a password you've forgotten, a standard button reset won't help, and you'll need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode, which will also delete all the data.

Will the phone drop if the battery runs out during the process?

If the battery dies at the time of writing system files, it can lead to the permission of the bootloader or file system (“bricking”). The phone can stop turning on or enter an endless cycle of reboots.

How to avoid blocking in the future?

Check your cloud sync routinely. Record your own. PIN-codes and graphics keys to a safe place (notebook or password manager). It is also useful to add an alternative method of unlocking, such as a smart watch or a smart lock that removes the lock when you are nearby.