How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings, If You Need Parental Control

You've been trapped in your own safety: parental controls on Xiaomi block access to reset settings, and passwords are lost or forgotten, a situation that is familiar to many — according to Mi Community statistics, 12% of MIUI users have experienced at least one such problem, but there is a way out: from official methods through the Mi Account to technical workarounds for power users.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to reset Xiaomi with parental control, from the simplest (suitable for a beginner) to the most complex (requires a PC and ADB knowledge). Importantly, some methods can lead to loss of data on internal memory if you do not perform preliminary preparation, we will indicate where the risks are minimal and where backup is required.

Before you start, answer two questions: 1. Do you have access to a Mi Account linked to your phone? 2. Are you prepared for the possible loss of photos, contacts, and apps?

The choice of method depends on the answers.

1.Official method: Mi Account reset (without loss of data)

The safest way is to use a Mi Account that works even if parental controls block the settings menu, but requires:

• 📱 Access to another device (PC, tablet or second phone)
• 🔑 Login and password from the Mi Account that was used in setting up parental controls
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection on a blocked phone

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from another device and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the locked phone (by model and IMEI).
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (depending on the account security settings).

✅ Pros: does not require physical access to the phone settings, data on SD-The map (if any) will be retained.

❌ Cons: If your account is unlinked or your password is forgotten, the method won't work.

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If you forgot your Mi Account password, try to restore it through a linked email or phone number. Xiaomi lets you do this without losing data on the device if you have access to backup email.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (powers 90% of Xiaomi models)

Recovery mode is a phone emergency menu that allows you to perform critical operations bypassing the system.

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up simultaneously and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some models, the path may be called Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: This method removes all data from internal memory, including photos, messages and installed apps. If the phone has been enabled sync with Mi Cloud, contacts and some settings will be restored automatically after restarting.

Bypassing parental controls via ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is on but parental controls block access to settings, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a PC debugging tool.

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Included debugging by USB (If it is not disabled in parental control settings)

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Connect the phone to your computer and allow debugging (if you receive a request).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and type: adb shell pm uninstall-k --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider This command removes the parental control application for the current user.
4. Restart the phone. After that, access to the reset settings will be unlocked.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, this method may not work due to the increased protection:

adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1

It temporarily disables API restrictions, which sometimes allows you to bypass the lock.

Install ADB Tools on PC| Enable USB debugging on your phone (if possible)| Connect your phone with the original cable | Check if the device is determined by the adb devices | Backup important data (if available)

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4.Reset via Fastboot (if Recovery is blocked)

If Recovery mode requests a password or doesn't allow you to reset, then Fastboot, a low-level firmware mode, deletes all data and requires an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check for detection by the team: fastboot devices
3. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 13/14 series, Redmi K60) This method will not work without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool. 72 It requires a fixed Mi Account.

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Fastboot is the most radical method that is guaranteed to drop the phone, but requires technical skills. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

5. Alternative methods: service center and third-party utilities

If none of the above methods worked, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

Official service centers can reset the phone on the documents confirming ownership (check, warranty card or passport), the cost of the service is from 500 to 1500 rubles, depending on the model. Plus: a guarantee of data retention (if possible). Minus: waiting time is 1-3 days.

2. Specialized utilities

There are programs like the Mi Flash Tool or the SP Flash Tool that allow you to flash your phone without locking it.

• 🔧 Knowledge of the exact model and firmware version
• 💾 Firmware file (fastboot) ROM recovery ROM)
• 🛡️ Unlocked bootloader (for most models)

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial utilities can lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the phone. We recommend this method only to advanced users or under the guidance of a specialist.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to reset Xiaomi with parental controls, users often face typical problems:

1. Fastboot: Solution: Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a tied Mi Account).
2. ADB does not see the device: Solution: Install Mi USB Driver drivers and check if USB debugging is enabled in the developer settings.
3. After the reset, the phone asks for the old Mi Account: Solution: this is FRP-locking (Factory Reset Protection), to remove it, you need to enter data from the last Mi Account you used.

If you encounter another bug, check its code in the official MIUI documentation or ask a question on the 4PDA forum (a section of your Xiaomi model).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions