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

Forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that thousands of users face every day. PIN-A code or fingerprint that is no longer recognized can turn a lock on your phone into a real headache, especially when your device stores important data, such as photos, contacts or work documents.

Fortunately, you can even reset Xiaomi to factory settings without a password, and there are several official and informal methods for this. However, it is important to understand that a complete reset removes all data from internal memory, including applications, settings and media files. It will not be possible to restore them after the procedure if there was no backup. In this article, we will analyze all current ways to unlock, their pros and cons, and also give recommendations on how to avoid data loss in the future.

Why Xiaomi Phone Is Locked and What to Do First

Before you start resetting, you should understand why the device is locked, and most often the reasons are as follows:

• 🔑 Repeated incorrect password entry – after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system locks the device for 30 seconds, a minute or even requires you to enter a Mi Account account.
• 📱 Failure after update - sometimes firmware MIUI You may “forget” stored passwords or fingerprints.
• 👶 Children or relatives changed their settings, a classic situation where a child accidentally installed a new one. PIN.
• 🔄 Restore from backup – if a copy was created with a different password, the phone may require it to be entered.

Before resetting, try these simple steps:

1. Connect your phone to charge and wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery interferes with the correct operation of the fingerprint sensor.
2. Try entering a password in a dark room – bright light can interfere with the recognition of the pattern lock.
3. If the button “Forgot your password?” appears on the screen, click on it – the system can offer unlocking through Mi Account (if it was tied).

⚠️ Note: If the lock screen displays a message “Device blocked by administrator”, this means that the phone is managed through Google Apps Device Policy (for example, corporate). MDM). In this case, the reset will not help - you need to contact the administrator of the system.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📧 Remember the username (email or phone) and password from the Mi Account.
• 📱 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi (to verify your account) was turned on on the phone).
• 🔗 The device was not manually untied from the account.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click "Forgot Password?" (or "Forgot Password?" on English firmware).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm the login via SMS or email (depending on your account settings).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen – the system will suggest resetting the lock password.

If the "Forgot Password" button is not available, try:

• 🔄 Restart the phone (clip the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi via the Quick Settings Panel (if available on the Lock screen).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your phone without logging out, this method may not work).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (without password)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, the next step is hard reset through Recovery Mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12/13 and others.

• ⚠️ All data will be deleted (photos, videos, messages, applications).
• 🔓 If the phone was enabled Mi Account protection, after the reset, you will need to enter account data.
• 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) It may be necessary to unlock the loader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Power + Volume up. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X): Power + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

Recovery

Nutrition

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Yes

Reboot → Reboot to System

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for power users)

If Recovery Mode is not available or resetting through it does not help (for example, due to a blocked bootloader), you can use Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot, It is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including Redmi. K40, POCO F3 others.

Pre-launch warnings:

• 💻 I need a computer with Windows/Linux/macOS and USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Requires unlocking the bootloader (if it is blocked, the reset may not work).
• ⚡ Risk of “brick” (turning the phone into a “brick”) with the wrong commands.

Instructions:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot Tools on your computer.
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (a serial number appears), enter the command to reset:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

If the bootloader is blocked, first unlock it through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires a tied Mi Account and a wait of 7-30 days for new accounts).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) After a Fastboot reset, you may need to re-authorize your Mi Account, even if it wasn’t there before the lockdown.

1. Install drivers manually through Device Manager (Windows).

2. Use another USB-cable.

3.Reboot your computer and phone.-->

Method 4: Use Find Device (Remote Unlock)

A little-known but effective method is remote unlocking through Find Device, which works if:

• 🌍 Mobile data or Wi-Fi are included on the phone.

How it works:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Select a locked phone from the list of devices.
3. Click on "Locate Device" (locate device).
4. In the management menu, select "Erase Data".
5. Confirm the action - the phone will start resetting to factory settings.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No need for physical access to the phone.
• ✅ It works even when you're forgotten. PIN graphical.
• ✅ Saves the ability to recover data via Mi Cloud (if synchronization was enabled).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ The phone must be connected to the internet.
• ❌ After the reset, you may need to re-enter the Mi Account data.

💡

Find Device is Xiaomi’s only official way to remotely reset, and is safer than third-party software and doesn’t require unlocking the bootloader.

Method 5: Third-party programs (risky method)

If all of the above methods fail, some users resort to third-party programs like Mi Account Unlock Tool, Xiaomi Tool V2 or Dr.Fone, but this method has serious disadvantages:

• 📵 Violation of Xiaomi policy – the company can block the device for using unofficial tools.

If you do, follow these rules:

1. Download programs only from official developers’ websites (e.g. xiaomi.eu for firmware).

Example of work with Mi Flash Tool (official firmware tool):

1. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, connect your phone in Fastboot mode.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or tools to bypass Mi Accounts may result in permanent blocking IMEI (The phone will become a “brick” without the possibility of calls and mobile Internet).

What to do after reset: data recovery and setup

After a successful reset, you will have to:

1. Set up your phone as new – language selection, Wi-Fi connection, Mi Account login (if required).

How to recover data:

• 📱 Contacts and notes – sync automatically if you have a Mi Account or Google Account linked.
• 📷 Photos and videos – if Mi Cloud or Google Photos are enabled, you can download files back.
• 💬 Messages – Recovered via Mi Cloud (if backup is enabled).

If there is no backup, try recovery programs:

To avoid future data loss:

• 🔄 Set up automatic backup in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup.
• 📱 Use Google Photos to automatically upload media files.
• 📝 Write down the password from Mi Account and PIN-phone code in a secure location (e.g. Google Keep or Google Keep) 1Password).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset