How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forgot your password

A situation where the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone suddenly forgets the password, pattern lock or PIN-The code is one of the world's most stressful mobile technologies, and it turns into a useless piece of plastic and glass, and it stores important contacts, photos and documents inside it. MIUI There are several mechanisms for forced access, although they involve the risk of data loss.

Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand that most unlocking methods without knowing the code lead to the complete removal of user information. Resetting to factory settings is a radical measure that returns the gadget to the state of "out of the box." If you did not back up in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer, it will be impossible to restore photos and messages after the procedure.

There's a nuance about the Mi Account, and if you've enabled Find a Device on your device, you'll need to reset your phone to login and password from the account it was previously linked to, which is a theft-proof mechanism that you can't get around with simple methods, so if you're planning to drop someone else's phone or device you bought from your hands, make sure you know the previous owner's authorization data.

Preparation for discharge procedure and necessary conditions

The process of restoring access should only be started after careful preparation, as interruption of the procedure at any stage can lead to software errors. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%. If the phone runs out at the time of formatting the system partition, this can lead to a brick state, when the device will no longer respond to any commands.

The second important point is the presence SIM-Some recovery methods, especially those involving remote management via Google Find My Device or Mi Cloud, may require obtaining a retrieval. SMS-confirmation code or an active Internet connection if SIM-card blocked PIN-With the code you have forgotten, remove it before you start manipulating it.

⚠️ Note: If your phone has encryption enabled (it is active on all modern Android devices by default), then once reset, the old files cannot be restored by standard methods.

It’s also worth checking if you have access to a computer. While most operations can be done with buttons on the smartphone itself, having a PC on hand will allow you to quickly download the necessary drivers or utilities if standard methods don’t work.

Hard Reset Method through Recovery Menu

The most common and reliable way to unlock Xiaomi if you forget your password is to use a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode, which is built into the firmware of each device and allows you to perform low-level operations such as cleaning cache or full data reset (Wipe Data).

The login process can vary depending on the model and version of the MIUI shell. Most modern models require you to turn off the phone and press the combination of buttons. Usually this is a Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo or recovery menu appears. Some models may require you to connect a charger or USB cable connected to the computer to activate the menu.

Once you enter the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In newer versions of MIUI (starting at 12 and above), the system may require you to enter a special confirmation code that appears on the screen, or press a combination of buttons (for example, press the volume up 5 times) to confirm the action.

If the phone requests a password from your Mi Account after a reset and you don't remember it, this method will lock the device, which will require a Unlock Bootloader unlock procedure that takes 7 to 15 days and requires the device to be linked to your account in advance, so Hard Reset is only effective if you remember your Mi Account or your account was not tied.

Remote reset via Mi Cloud

If you have difficulty physically accessing the recovery menu or are afraid of damaging buttons, you can use the manufacturer’s cloud service.Mi Cloud (formerly known as Find Device) allows you to remotely control your device if you have the Internet enabled and your Xiaomi account is authorized, a method that is especially convenient when the phone is locked but still running in the background.

To do this, you'll need any other smartphone or computer with Internet access. You'll need to go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your Mi Account. Importantly, it must be the same account that was used on the locked device. If you forget your account password, you can restore it through the email or phone number that you linked to when you signed up.

Once you have successfully logged in, select Find Device, and the system will try to locate your device. If the device is online, a tag will appear on the map and the Wipe Data option will be available in the management menu, and clicking this button will initiate a command to reset completely.

The main advantage of this method is that it does not require physical interaction with the buttons of the smartphone. However, if the phone is turned off, in flight mode or does not have access to the network, the reset command will be executed only after it is connected to the Internet. If the attacker immediately SIM-Disable Wi-Fi and the card, the method will be useless.

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If you reset your password through Mi Cloud, make sure that when turned on, the phone immediately connects to a known Wi-Fi network to receive a command to erase data.

Google Find My Device with Google Find My Device

An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard tool, Find My Device, which is built into the Android operating system at the system application level and works independently of the MIUI shell. It is effective in cases where a Mi Account was not created or you do not remember a password from it, but you have logged in to a Google account on the device.

To use this method, go to android.com/find from any browser, you will need to enter the Gmail email address and password that were used on the locked smartphone. Once logged in, the system will show a list of devices associated with this account.

You'll have three options in the control interface: Call, Lock, and Clear. We're interested in the Erase Device button. When you press it, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted permanently. Confirm the action and the phone will receive a reset command. It's important to note that for this method, the phone must also be on and have an active Internet connection.

There is an important difference in the behavior of different versions of Android: on older versions (before Android 9-10), after a remote reset, the phone could sometimes be configured as a new one, bypassing the Google account verification (FRP Lock). On modern versions of Android and MIUI, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection works rigidly: after a reset, the device will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synchronized with the phone before the reset. If you do not remember this password, the phone will remain locked.

⚠️ Note: Google Find My Device does not work if your device is not logged in to your Google account or has geolocation/data disabled. Check your Google account activity history to make sure your device was online recently.

Reset via Fastboot and PC mode

For advanced users who are not afraid of working with the command line, there is a method of resetting through the Fastboot mode. This mode is designed for low-level interaction with the hardware of the phone and is often used for flashing, but can be adapted for resetting if other methods are not available. However, it is worthwhile to understand that the standard Fastboot command does not always perform a full data browse without flashing, but can help clear partitions.

To enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi, you usually need to turn off your phone and press the Volume Down and power button at the same time. The image of a hare repairing an android will appear on the screen and the inscription will read: FASTBOOT. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.

You need to install the ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer. Once installed, open the command prompt (CMD) or PowerShell in the tool folder. Enter the command to check the connection:

fastboot devices

If you get the serial number of the device in response, the connection is established.

fastboot erase userdata

This command forcibly erases the user data partition. Once you complete the command, type fastboot reboot to restart. The phone should start in the initial setup mode. This method bypasses the software locks on the interface, but does not remove the protection of Mi Account or Google FRP if they are active.

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Fastboot mode gives deep access to the system, but requires drivers on the PC and accuracy when entering commands, as an error can lead to the loss of the IMEI partition.

Problems with FRP protection and Mi Account

Xiaomi smartphones today have two layers of protection: Google FRP and Mi Account Lock. After successfully resetting the password with any of the methods described above, the system will require proof of ownership when it first boots, so that the stolen phone can not simply be dumped and sold.

If the phone requires you to enter a Mi Account password and you don't remember it, the only legal way is to restore access through id.mi.com. You'll need the phone number or email to which the account was registered. If the number is lost, the recovery process can take considerable time and require you to contact the support checks to purchase the device.

If you block Google Account (FRP), remember your Gmail and password. If you changed your password recently, the system may require you to wait 24 hours after reset before trying to log in.

There are many third-party programs and services that promise to “bypass FRP” or “remove Mi Account.” Be very careful: most of them are fraudulent or contain viruses. There are no official ways to circumvent these protections without owner data. Using paid unlockers (Boxs) can cost money, but does not guarantee the result on new versions of firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)