How to reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings if you forgot your password: all working ways

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-The situation is familiar to many: the phone is locked after several failed attempts to enter, and access to data becomes impossible. Fortunately, even without a password, you can bring the device back to life - this includes a factory reset (called Hard Reset). However, the process has nuances: on new Xiaomi models (starting with the new model). MIUI 12) the manufacturer has tightened protections and standard methods may not work without a linked Mi Account.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking - from the simplest reset via Recovery Mode to complex manipulations with Fastboot and the most difficult ones. EDL-We will pay special attention to the Redmi Note models. 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4 and flagships Xiaomi 13/14, We also explain how to bypass the Mi Account lock after a reset (if the phone was linked to an account) and what to do if the device is not recognized by the computer.

1.Reset preparation: what you need to know in advance

Before you start unlocking, consider three critical points:

⚠️ Warning: Resetting to factory settings completely removes all data from the phone – photos, contacts, messages and installed apps. If your device has been enabled to sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud, some of the information (contacts, notes) can be restored after unlocking.

Xiaomi models with MIUI 13/14 and later after reset may require data entry from Mi Account, which was tied to the phone earlier. If you do not remember the username / password from the account, unlocking will be impossible without contacting the service center, in which case the only way out is to prove ownership through a purchase check or a box with IMEI.

Also check:

• 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50%. If the phone runs out during reset, it can cause the device to fail.
• 📡 Presence of cable USB (preferably original - it will be needed for methods with connection to the PC.
• 💻 Windows computer (for Fastboot and Fastboot methods) EDL). Nana Mac/Linux There may be problems with drivers.

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

The simplest method, which works on 90% of Xiaomi models including Redmi 9/10/11, POCO X3/X4 and Mi 10/11.Suitable if the phone responds to power and volume buttons but does not unlock due to a forgotten password.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (if it does not turn off, press Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume combination up and hold until the Mi logo appears (usually 5-10 seconds).
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu (black screen with yellow text in English or Chinese).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The reset process will begin (it will take 1-3 minutes).
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Clutch power. + Volume up 15.+ seconds|Connect the charger and try again|Try the combination of nutrition + Loudness down|Use a different cable (if connected to a PC)-->

If after the restart, the phone requires data entry from Mi Account, go to the section about bypassing the account lock.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T or POCO F5) Recovery menu items may be called Erase All Data or Factory Reset. If you see a menu in Chinese, look for the characters "" (clear the data).

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

If you have Mi Account enabled on your phone and you remember your login/password, you can reset your lock password without having to use a full Hard Reset, which saves data, but only works with a stable Internet connection.

Step-by-step:

1. On the locked screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Select the recovery option via Mi Account and enter the linked phone number or email.
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account (if two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm with a code from SMS).
4. The system will suggest resetting the lock password. Create a new PIN or pattern lock.

If this method did not work (for example, no button Forgot password?), then:

• 📵 Mobile Internet is off on the phone./Wi-Fi.
• 🔒 The device is not tied to the Mi Account.
• 🛡️ Find Device is enabled, which blocks remote reset.

💡

If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com. You will need access to the email or phone number specified during registration.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is not available or the phone is “This device is locked” error, you will need to use Fastboot mode, which requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool tool.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (on Mac/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (official firmware utility).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (a faulty cable may interrupt the process).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 70%.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
2. Connect your phone to your PC. Install drivers if Windows doesn't recognize them (download here).
3. Download the firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
4. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh, the program should detect your device. If not, check the drivers or cable.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash, which takes 5-15 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, POCO F4 GT) They have a locked bootloader, in which case you need to unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool before the firmware. The process takes up to 72 hours (it requires binding Mi Account to the device in advance!).

5. Method 4: EDL-regime (for bricks and complex cases)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a "emergency" firmware mode that is used when the phone doesn't turn on at all (brick) or other methods don't work. It allows you to flash the device at a low level, bypassing the locks of Mi Account and Bootloader.

Warning: This method is risky, because if you do the wrong thing, your phone can turn into a brick.

• 🔄 The phone does not respond to buttons and does not load.
• 🔒 Fastboot and Recovery are not available.
• 📱 On the screen only the Mi logo is lit or a red indicator flashes.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware in EDL format for your model (look for files with the.mbn extension).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (can be found in the firmware archive or at qfiltool.com).
3. Turn off your phone. Close the Test Point contacts (their location depends on the model - see the table below) and connect. USB-The phone must be determined as a cable to the PC. QHSUSB_BULK qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil program to run the firmware in EDL mode.

💡

EDL-The mode is the last chance to bring the phone back to life, but it requires electronics skills.If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center (especially for flagship models).

6.Method 5: Bypassing the Mi Account lock after resetting

If you have a hard reset phone that requires you to enter your Mi Account data and you don’t remember it, there are several ways to get around the lock.Be aware that not all of them are legal — some may violate Xiaomi’s user agreement.

Official methods:

• 📄 Check of purchase: Contact the Xiaomi service center with a check or box from your phone (needed) IMEI).
• 📧 Restore your account: Try to restore access to your Mi Account through the official website (you will need an email or phone number).

Unofficial methods (at your own risk!)

• 🔓 Special firmware: Some custom firmware (e.g. OrangeFox Recovery) lets you bypass Mi Account. Requires unlocked Bootloader.
• 🛠️ Service utilities: Programs like the Mi Account Bypass Tool (see XDA-Developers forums.

⚠️ Note: Using informal methods may lead to blocking IMEI (Xiaomi may also block an account for suspicious activity.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you reset Xiaomi, users face typical problems.

If none of these methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case only a diagnostics service center will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions