How to Reset All Data From Xiaomi Phone If You Forgot Your Password: The Complete Guide 2026

Forgot your Xiaomi password and can't unlock your phone? It's a nasty situation, but it's solvable. Even if you've never set up a backup or tied up a Mi Account, there are a few formal and informal ways to get your device back, and the key is to understand that a full hard reset will remove all the information from your phone: photos, contacts, messages and installed apps.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods, including resetting via Recovery Mode, using Mi Account, ADB and Fastboot commands, as well as alternative options for devices with an unlocked bootloader. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so if the phone is already locked, start reading right away.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset, the phone will return to factory settings, and if the device has enabled Find My Device, you may need to enter your Mi Account data even after reset, a measure of protection against theft that is legally impossible to circumvent.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 At least 50% battery charge (to avoid switching off during the process).
• 📱 Model of your Xiaomi (reset method may be different for Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi 13 Ultra).
• 🔑 Having data from your Mi Account if it was linked.

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without computer)

The most versatile way is to use Recovery Mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 12T, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

To enter Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power button + volume button and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (may be in Chinese or English).

In the recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection.

• 🔹 Select Wipe Data (or on Chinese firmware).
• 🔹 Confirm the choice of Wipe All Data (delete all data).
• 🔹 Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
• 🔹 Reboot your phone via Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On some models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro with firmware) MIUI 14) after reset, you may need to enter Mi Account data if Find My Device was previously activated!

Turn off phone | Press Power + Volume Up| Wait for Recovery menu | Select Wipe Data | Confirm reset-->

2. reset via Mi Account (if an account is linked)

If you have an authorized Mi Account on your phone, you can try unlocking your device through Xiaomi’s official service, which only works if:

• 📌 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 📌 Find My Device has been activated in the settings.
• 📌 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find the locked phone.
3. Select the option Find the device → Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone is not displayed on the site, it means:

• 🚫 The device is not connected to the Internet.
• 🚫 Find My Device has been disabled.
• 🚫 Mi Account was not linked to the phone.

⚠️ Warning: After remotely unlocking, the phone may require re-entering the Mi Account password the next time you turn on. If you forget it, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.

💡

If your phone is not connecting to Wi-Fi due to a lock, try inserting it. SIM-A card with active mobile internet, sometimes it helps you establish a connection to unlock through your Mi Account.

3. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is not available (for example, due to a damaged firmware), you can use Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot and USB-TypeC cables.

Preparation:

• 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power) + Volume Down with the phone switched off).
• 📂 Open the command line in the folder with fastboot.

Discharge commands:

fastboot devices

(checks that the phone is connected)

fastboot erase userdata

(deletes user data)

fastboot erase cache

(clears cache)

fastboot reboot

(Resets device)

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) after the command fastboot erase userdata may require additional unlocking of the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool!

4. ADB reset (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password through ADB This method is suitable for devices that are not yet fully locked (for example, if you remember a pattern lock but forgot). PIN-code).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and type: Adb devices (should display your device).
3. Enter the command to delete the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 This method may not work because of changes in the structure of the system files, and then you'll have to use Fastboot or Recovery.

5. Alternative methods (for unlocked bootloader)

If your Xiaomi bootloader unlocked, you can use custom firmware or utilities like TWRP to reset, a method that is suitable for power users and requires:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (checked by the command fastboot oem device-info).
• 🖥️ Computer installed TWRP Or OrangeFox Recovery.
• 📄 Backup of data (if it is important).

Steps:

1. Install TWRP Recovery with Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
2. Download to TWRP (press Power + Volume Up after installation).
3. Select Wipe → Format Data (enter yes to confirm).
4. Reboot to the system.

⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP) on devices with a locked bootloader will result in a knock (completely inoperable) of the phone.

💡

Resetting via TWRP is the only way to save data to internal memory (photos, videos) when unlocking if the bootloader is already unlocked.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If neither method works, there are two options:

• 🔧 Contact the Xiaomi service center. to unlock you will need a confirmation of purchase (check or box with a box of cards). IMEI). The cost of the service - from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.

⚠️ Note: Buying “unblocks” on third-party sites (such as offers like “remove Mi Account for 500 rubles”) is a scam. Xiaomi does not provide official ways to bypass account binding after a reset if the phone was in Find My Device mode.

If the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, it is legally impossible to return access, in which case only the flashing with complete loss of data or contacting the service remains.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset