How to reset Xiaomi phone to factory settings if you forget the password from the Mi Account

Forgot the Mi Account password and can't unlock Xiaomi even after a reset? This problem is familiar to thousands of users - the brand's smartphones are tied to the Xiaomi account, and without its data, the restoration of factory settings through the standard Recovery menu is often blocked. But there is a way out: from bypassing through the Fastboot to using hidden engineering modes.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to reset Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO to factory settings, even if you do not remember the username / password from the Mi Account. We will analyze methods from the simplest (via Find My Device) to the most complex (firmware via EDL), specify the risks of each option and give checklists for preparation. Importantly, after resetting via Fastboot or EDL, the phone may require re-authorization in Mi Account, which we will also discuss.

All instructions are valid for 2018-2026 models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5). If your smartphone is older, check for EDL support (it is disabled for some older models).

Why Standard Recovery Resetting Doesn't Work

Many users try to reset Xiaomi through the Recovery menu (clutch Power + Volume up), but encounter an error "This device is locked by Mi Account".

• 🔒 Mi Account Link: Since 2018, all smartphones of the brand are linked to the account when they are first turned on, and even after a reset, the system requires you to enter the account data that was linked to the last one.
• 🛡️ Theft protection feature Find My Device blocks access to your phone without authorization, even if you made Wipe Data in Recovery.
• 📱 Different versions of Recovery. Newer models (e.g. Xiaomi 14) are used MIUI Recovery 4.0, where the reset option is hidden behind additional confirmations.

Are there workarounds? Yes, but they require different levels of technical training, like phones with an unlocked bootloader that can use Fastboot, and some older models have ADB resets. Below, we'll look at all the options, from the simplest to the most reliable.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, reset via Fastboot or EDL This can lead to a complete blocking (requiring you to enter the original account on the first turn on), in which case only contacting the service center with proof of purchase will help.

Method 1: Reset by Find My Device (if the phone is online)

The safest method is to use Xiaomi’s official Find My Device service, which only works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔋 Battery level above 20%.
• 📱 Find My Device is enabled on the phone (checked in Settings) → Mi Account. → Find My Device).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
2. In the list of devices, select your smartphone.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.
4. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 30 minutes) and the phone will reboot and be unlocked.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔓 Does not require technical skills.
• 📱 Keeps the possibility of authorization in the Mi Account after resetting.

❌ Cons:

• 🚫 It does not work if the phone is off or off.
• 🔒 If you don’t remember your account information, the method is useless.

💡

If you forgot your Mi Account password but remember your email or phone number, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. SMS.

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader on your Xiaomi is already unlocked (for example, you have previously installed custom firmware), you can reset your phone via Fastboot mode. This method is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4, Xiaomi 11T/12T.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Quickboot (part of Android) SDK or Minimal ADB and Fastboot).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (there will be a hare in a hat-eared hat on the screen).
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will be reset, but may require authorization to the Mi Account.If the bootloader has been officially unlocked (via the Mi Unlock Tool), this step can be skipped.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|

Download Minimal ADB and Fastboot|

Check battery power (minimum 50%) |

Prepare original USB-cable|-->

⚠️ Warning: If the bootloader is locked, fastboot erase commands will not work, the phone will return to its original state unchanged (EDL).

Method 3: Reset via EDL (Engineering Download Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to bypass Mi Account lock even on locked phones. It works at the Qualcomm processor level, so it is suitable for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models (except for devices on Mediatek, such as Redmi 9A/9C).

Pre-launch warnings:

• 🔧 The method requires soldering skills or special cable EDL (worth ~500–1000 ₽).
• 📉 The risk of “bricking” the phone with a firmware error.
• 🔒 After the reset, you may need to re-assign to your Mi Account (if the phone was blacklisted).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (can be found on XDA Developers).
3. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔧 Method 1: Short test points on the board (requires disassembly). 🔌 Method 2: Use EDL-cable (plug it into the phone and pinch the power supply) + Volume up for 10 seconds).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

Clean All

Compatibility table for EDL with Xiaomi models:

Method 4: Bypass ADB (for older versions of MIUI)

Phones with MIUI versions 10-12 (released before 2021) sometimes run reset via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which does not require unlocking the bootloader, but has limitations:

• 📱 It only works if the phone is debugging mode on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer menu).
• 🔌 The phone must be determined by the computer in mode ADB.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm access to ADB (a request will appear on your phone screen).
2. In the command line, type: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.cloudservice pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.xiaomi.finddevice reboot recovery These commands will remove Mi Cloud and Find My Device services, after which you can reset via Recovery without locking.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.

⚠️ Important: On new versions MIUI 13/14 This method doesn't work - Xiaomi has closed the vulnerability, and after the reset, you may have problems with updates (the phone will swear about the lack of cloud services).

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods don’t work (or you’re afraid to take risks), the only legal way to unlock your phone is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center.

• 📄 Document of purchase (check, invoice, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 IMEI phone (can be found on the box or via the command *#06# on the locked device).

What the service will do:

1. Check the phone database (whether it is in theft).
2. Reset the binding to the Mi Account through internal tools Xiaomi.
3. The phone is stitched with official firmware (if required).

⏳ Timing and cost:

• ⏱️ Unlocking time: 1 to 5 working days.
• 💰 Cost: 1,000 to 3000 ₽ (Depends on the model and region).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied his Mi Account, the service center can refuse to unlock without proof of legal acquisition, in which case only the search for the original owner or the purchase of a new device remains.

💡

Contacting the service center is the only official way to unlock, guaranteeing the safety of the warranty and the absence of risks of “filling” the phone.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to reset Xiaomi without a Mi Account password, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 "The phone is not determined in Fastboot/EDL": Check the cable (use the original one). Install Xiaomi or Qualcomm drivers manually. Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔒 "After reset, you need to use Mi Account again: If your phone was blacklisted, contact the service. EDL Clean All and Lock (in the Mi Flash Tool).
• ⚡ "Phone shut down during firmware": Connect to charge and repeat the process. If it doesn't turn on, bring it to the service (possibly damaged firmware).

📌 Advice for used phone buyers: Before buying Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO Check your hands:

• Is the previous owner’s account untied (ask to reset with you).
• Is there a phone in the blacklist (check by IMEI on imei.info).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions