How to Reset a Blocked Xiaomi to Factory Settings: All Ways 2026

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-The situation is familiar to many - especially if the device has been lying idle for a long time or was presented with an already set password, POCO Or Mi can be brought back to life by resetting to factory settings, but there are nuances: some methods work only with a Mi Account attached, others require a computer, and still others can lock the device permanently if you act at random.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of reset (including hidden ones), explain why models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may not work standard hard reset, and tell you how to avoid the error “This device is locked.”

1.Preparation: What to Know Before Resetting

Before you start resetting, answer three key questions:

• 🔹 Is the phone linked to a Mi Account? If so, you'll need to log in and password it after the reset, and without that data, the device will become a brick”.
• 🔹 Is there any data on your phone? Hard reset deletes everything: photos, contacts, messages. If your phone is synced to Google Drive or Mi Cloud, some of the data can be recovered.
• 🔹 What is Xiaomi? on new flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Xiaomi) POCO F6) protection may be included FRP (Factory Reset Protection, which locks the phone after a reset.

If you don't remember if your phone is tied to Mi Account, try remembering that when you first turn on, it asks you to create or log in to an account, and if you missed that step, chances are that you won't be blocked.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ and a MediaTek chip (such as the Redmi Note 12) may be reset by Recovery and the error "Device is corrupted" may appear.

Also check the battery power - if the phone runs out during reset, it can cause IMEI loss or other serious failures. Optimal level: at least 50%.

2. Method 1: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (without computer)

This is the simplest method that works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including Redmi 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4 and old Mi A1/A2. The main condition is that the phone must turn on (albeit with a locked screen).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (if it does not respond, press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery Mode: 🔘 For most models: Nutrition + Loudness up 🔘 For POCO F1/F2/F3: Nutrition + Loudness down 🔘 For Xiaomi Mi. 11 Lite: Nutrition + volume-button

Mi

Android

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (usually 1-3 minutes).

Reboot → Reboot to System

If after the reboot, the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, enter the data from the account that was associated with the device. Without them, you can not unlock the phone - this is protection against theft.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global 14) Wipe Data might be called Erase Everything. Don't be afraid.

3. Method 2: Reset via Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

If you remember the username and password from Mi Account, but forgot the pattern lock, you can try unlocking the phone through the official Xiaomi service. This method works even if the device does not turn on (for example, after a failed firmware).

How to unlock:

1. Go to the Mi Account website and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your locked phone (if it has been connected to the internet at least once, it will show up here).
3. Press Find the device. → Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
5. If the phone is connected to the network, the lock will be removed automatically, if not, you will have to use Fastboot (mode 3).

This method doesn't reset data, it only removes the lock on the screen. However, if you don't remember the password from Mi Account, you can restore it through the attached email or phone number. In extreme cases, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).

4. Method 3: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

If the first two methods fail (e.g., the phone doesn’t turn on or asks for a password after reset), the firmware is left over via Fastboot, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires a computer, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not cheap charging!)
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (you can download it on the official website)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows) or fastboot in Android SDK

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons Power + Volume down for 5-10 seconds The screen should appear a hare in a hat-eared and the inscription Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your computer. Install the drivers (if Windows didn't find them automatically, download them). USB-Google drivers).
3. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip) in a folder without Cyrillic.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to be completed (5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

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If the Mi Flash Tool is running a “Couldn’t find fastboot” error, try running it on behalf of the administrator or use an alternative utility called XiaoMiTool V2.

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will be as new as it is, without locking, but without your data, and if the error “This device is locked” appears, the device will have Mi Account Lock protection enabled.

1. Enter data from the linked account.
2. Or contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.

⚠️ Note: On bootloader devices, the firmware via Fastboot may result in a full block (brick). Before the procedure, check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked: false, unlock the bootloader through the official website (it takes 7-15 days to wait).

5. Method 4: EDL Mode for MediaTek devices (hidden mode)

If your Xiaomi is running on a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi Note 10/11, POCO M4 Pro) and Fastboot isn’t helping, you can try EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which allows you to flash the phone even if it’s not on or locked at the bootloader level.

How to log into EDL:

• 🔌 Turn off the phone.
• 🔧 Close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (disassembly of the device is required).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC – a Qualcomm device should appear in Device Manager HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

For firmware in EDL mode you will need:

• 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (see forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm chips).

Firmware through EDL is the riskiest method, and a mistake can lead to:

• 🚨 Poose. IMEI (The phone won't catch the network).
• 🚨 Damage to section NVRAM (non-working Wi-Fi/Bluetooth).
• 🚨 Full “brick” (brick) of the device.

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EDL mode should only be used if other methods have failed, and it is safer for most users to contact a service center.

6.What to do if after resetting the phone asks for the old password

One of the most frustrating things is when you have a hard reset, and after you reboot, the phone still requires you to enter the Mi Account password, which means that the device has FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activated.

How to unlock:

1. Think of the Mi Account. If you've ever registered for an account on that phone, try to reset your password through Xiaomi's website.
2. Contact support.Provide a check, box or other proof of purchase. Xiaomi can remove the lock remotely (but not always).
3. Use FRP bypass. For some models, there are ways to bypass protection through ADB or special utilities (such as Mi Account Unlock Tool).However, this requires technical skills and can violate the warranty.

If you have a hands-on phone and the previous owner hasn’t untied your account, contact them. Without their help, it’s almost impossible to unlock the device — especially on newer models with MIUI 14+.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you reset Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Another common mistake is using unofficial firmware, and if you download firmware from a questionable site, you run the risk of getting:

• 🚫 Viruses or spyware.
• 🚫 Failing sensors (gyroscope, NFC).
• 🚫 Constant failures and overheating.

Always download firmware only from the official Xiaomi website or verified sources (for example, 4PDA with positive reviews).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions