How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forgot your password: all ways 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users face. According to service centers, 63% of device locks are due to loss of screen access. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official ways to reset to factory settings even without knowing the password. However, it is important to understand that the procedure will lead to complete loss of data on the device — photos, contacts, messages and installed applications.

In this article, we will discuss all the current unlock methods for Redmi, POCO and Mi models (including new HyperOS devices), their pros and cons, and give a checklist for resetting.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before unlocking

Before you start resetting, follow the mandatory steps to avoid additional problems:

• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50% – interruption of the process due to battery discharge can lead to a “brick” (inoperability) of the device.
• 📱 So, you can specify the model and the firmware version, and that's what you choose. 12T HyperOS 1.0 Pro does not work with Mi Account reset unless synchronization was previously enabled.
• 🔐 Check your tied Mi Account – if your phone is synced to the Mi Cloud, you may need to enter your account details after the reset.
• 💾 Back up (if you have access to a PC) Even if the screen is locked, some data (such as photos) can be pulled through the computer. ADB or Fastboot.

Make sure your phone is 50%+ charged

Find the box from the phone (there may be an IMEI)

Check if you remember the username/password from Mi Account

Prepare. USB-cable (original, without damage)

Download Mi Unlock Tool (if you plan to unlock via Fastboot)-->

If you don't remember if you've synced with Mi Cloud, try logging into account.xiaomi.com from your PC, and the Devices section will show you a list of your connected gadgets, and if your phone is there, you'll need to enter your account information to activate it after the reset.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS devices (released after October 2023) may be asked to enter the old password after a Recovery reset, even if you have completed a full reset, a feature of the new security system. In this case, only unlocking through Fastboot or contacting the service center will help.

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

The most versatile method, running on 90% of Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and Mi 11/12/13. does not require a computer, but deletes all data.

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: For most models: Power + Volume up For POCO F1/F2/F3: Power + Volume down For Xiaomi 13 Ultra and new flagships: Power + Volume up + Volume down (hold 8-10 seconds)

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot to System

It takes 3-7 minutes. If you want to reboot your phone to enter your old password (relevant to HyperOS), move on to Method 3 or 4.

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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the characters (data cleanup) and (confirm).

Method 2: Unlocking through Mi Account (if synchronization was enabled)

This is a good method if you have a Mi Account attached to your phone and sync enabled, and it allows you to reset your screen password without losing data, but it doesn't work on all models.

How to check if the method is suitable:

• 📱 The phone was connected to the internet after the last unblocking.
• 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud was enabled in the settings (check i.mi.com).
• 🔐 Remember the username and password from the Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (depending on your security settings).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the lock password.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13), this method may not work unless two-factor authentication has been previously confirmed. SMS, who will come to the number associated with the account.

Yeah, regularly.

Yeah, but rarely.

No, I never did.

I don't know how to check.-->

If after a successful login, the system still requires an old password, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📱 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes a change helps) IP).
• 🔧 Log in to Mi Cloud from PC and manually remove the device from the list, then try again.

4. Method 3: Fastboot Reset (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if:

• 🔧 Resetting via Recovery didn't help (phone asks for old password).
• 📱 The device is not defined in the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g, POCO F5 or Redmi K60).
• 🔐 You are ready to use PCs and utilities ADB/Fastboot.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 (on Mac/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don’t take cheap Chinese cables – they often don’t transfer data to Fastboot).
• 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (official, from Xiaomi).
• 🔧 Drivers. ADB Fastboot (can be installed via Android) SDK).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
5. Follow the instructions of the program. If the error "Couldn't unlock" appears, then the bootloader is not unlocked on the device.
6. To unlock the bootloader: fastboot oem unlock Attention: this will delete all data and reset the settings to factory.
7. Once unlocked, try again in the Mi Unlock Tool.

Newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require waiting 7-14 days after the account is linked to the device.

5. Method 4: Password bypass through ADB (only for old firmware)

The method works on Android 9 and lower devices (e.g. Redmi 5/6, Mi A1/A2) and requires USB debugging enabled. On new firmware (MIUI 12+, HyperOS), this method does not work due to enhanced protection.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
3. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

If USB debugging is disabled, this method will not work, in which case only the options with Recovery or Fastboot remain.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices, attempt to delete password files via ADB This could lead to a full lockdown of the bootloader, which would turn the phone into a brick and require a flashing in the service center.

6 What to do if nothing helps: service center and alternative methods

If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:

1. Contact the official service center Xiaomi: 📍 Find the nearest center on the site mi.com/service. 💰 The cost of unlocking: from 1 500 before 3 000 RUB (depending on the model). ⏳ Term: 1–3 day if there is no queue).

Hand-flashing the phone

• 📥 Download the official firmware for your model from the site MIUI Downloads.
• 🔧 Use the Mi Flash Tool for Fastboot Firmware.
• ⚠️ Risk: If the phone fails, it may fail.

Before visiting the service center:

• 📄 Bring a check or a box from your phone (to confirm ownership).
• 🔐 Make sure to remember the data from your Mi Account (if your phone is tied).
• 📱 Take a picture. IMEI (printed on a box or under the battery – this will speed up the process.

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If the phone is bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, you can unlock it only through a service center with proof of ownership (check or purchase agreement).

7. How to avoid future data loss

To avoid having to deal with the problem of a locked phone again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional way to unlock.
• 📱 Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (settings) → Xiaomi → Mi Cloud → synchronization).
• 🔧 Set up Smart Lock (automatic unlocking in trusted locations, such as at home).
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (for example, Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).
• 🔄 Regularly back up through Settings → System system → Backup.

If you often forget passwords, consider using a pattern lock — easier to remember than a digital code — but remember that a pattern lock is less secure, and can be peeked or guessed by the traces on the screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset