How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Smartphone: A Complete 2026 Guide

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires contacting a service center, Redmi, POCO and Mi devices offer several official ways to restore access. However, not all methods are safe: some lead to complete data loss, and others work only with a Mi Account attached.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to reset your password to Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden Fastboot features, Recovery Mode crawling, and even methods for damaged screen devices. We’ll focus on the nuances of new HyperOS models, which require a different approach than older versions of MIUI. If you’re afraid of losing photos or contacts, there’s a section at the end of this article on how to minimize damage.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13, but requires:

• 📧 Mi Account was tied to phone before lockdown.
• 🌐 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 📱 The ability to enter a login / password from an account on another device.

If these conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the locked screen, tap Forgot your password? (or Forgot password?).
2. Choose Restore through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm the login via SMS or email (the code will come to the alternative device).
5. Create a new unlock password.

Important: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can request additional verification (for example, a linked number for SMS) if the account has not been used for a long time.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through account.xiaomi.com from another device. Use the backup email or phone number provided during registration.

2. Password reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 Mi Account protection is disabled (no link to the account).
• 💻 There is a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔄 You are ready to lose all data on your device.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. Press the Power button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Download the firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
4. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (should appear) COM-port).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-15 minutes).

Warning: This method deletes all data, including photos, messages and apps, and it may not work on new HyperOS models if Anti-Rollback protection is enabled.

Download Mi Flash Tool from the official website|Install Xiaomi drivers (for example, via Mi) PC Suite)|Check the battery charge (minimum 50%)|Prepare original USB-cable (do not use adapters)-->

3. Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (full reset)

Hard Reset is an extreme measure that erases all data but is guaranteed to unlock the phone.It works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 and Mi 11.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until vibration.
3. In the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe Data (or ).
4. Confirm action (Yes).
5. After reset, select Reboot.

The new HyperOS firmware may have different paths: Wipe & Reset → Erase All Data → Confirm.

Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 with HyperOS) may require data entry from the Mi Account after Hard Reset if it was previously tied.

4. Unlock via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method only works if USB debugging was enabled before locking.This is rare, but if you're a developer or have previously configured a phone over a PC, try:

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

Limitations:

• ❌ It does not work on HyperOS (root rights required).
• ❌ On new Xiaomi models, debugging is turned off after blocking.
• ❌ If the phone is not identified in adb devices, the method is useless.

5. Password bypass through Xiaomi Service Center

If none of the methods worked, the official service center remains, and Xiaomi can unlock the phone on presentation:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport holder.
• 📱 IMEI devices (you can find out through a box or sticker under the battery).

The cost of the service: from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the model, the term - from 1 to 5 days, in some cases, they may refuse if the phone is listed on the black list (stolen / lost).

Alternative: Unofficial services offer unlocking via EDL Mode (emergency mode), but these are:

• 🔓 Risky (may damage the firmware).
• 💰 It costs more (3000-5000 rubles).
• ⚠️ Breaks the guarantee.

Mi Account (official method)|Fastboot (for advanced ones)|Hard Reset (full reset)|Service centre|Another option-->

6. How to save data before resetting a password

If your phone is locked but you need to save photos or contacts, try:

To check if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled:

1. Go to i.mi.com from another device.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Check the Photos, Contacts and Notes sections.

Note: If a phone is stolen, Xiaomi may block access to the Mi Cloud after the real owner has contacted you.

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The only way to guarantee data retention is to back up regularly to Mi Cloud or PC, and on a locked phone, the chances of recovery are minimal.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Users often experience problems resetting passwords, and here are common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔌 "Phone is not defined in Fastboot" → Install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager or use Mi PC Suite.
• 🔒 "Hard Reset requires a Mi Account" → It's FRP-You need to enter the account that was previously linked.
• ⚡ "Firmware through Mi Flash ends in error" → Check the firmware version (should be lower or equal to the current one). USB-cable.
• 📱 "The sensor is not working in Recovery" → In some models POCO control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down) and power (choice).

If you see an "Anti-Rollback" error when you're running your firmware, it means you're trying to install a version that's too old.

1. Download the latest stable firmware for your model.
2. Use the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All (not Clean All and Lock) mode.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions