How to reset Xiaomi smartphone to factory settings without a password: all working methods

Introduction: Why does Xiaomi smartphone require a password to reset?

Forgotten password, pattern lock or PIN-Xiaomi code is a problem that thousands of users face every day, and the manufacturer deliberately complicates the process of resetting settings without authorization: it is part of the Mi Account protection system tied to the device. Even if you’re trying to return your phone to factory settings through a standard menu, the system will require you to enter your account password or unlock your screen.

The reasons for this policy are obvious: Xiaomi is fighting theft and unauthorized access. However, for legitimate owners who lost login data, it turns into a headache. Fortunately, there are legal workarounds, from using Recovery mode to tools like ADB or Fastboot. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of resetting Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO without password, taking into account the features of MIUI 12-14 firmware.

⚠️ Important: factory reset removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If the phone is encrypted (by default on most models after the phone is installed). MIUI 12), it will be impossible to recover information after resetting.

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without computer)

The most versatile way is to use the built-in recovery mode (Recovery Mode), which works on all Xiaomi models released after 2016, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4 and Mi 11 Lite. The main condition is that the device must be installed official firmware MIUI (castomy builds can block this method).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English and Chinese)
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Data on older versions).
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
6. After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) K50, POCO X5 Pro) Recovery may require you to enter a password from Mi Account. If you do not remember your account details, proceed to the next method.

2.Use Mi Account to Unblock

If you have a Mi Account attached to your phone, but you have forgotten the lock screen password, you can use the Find Device feature, which works only if:

• 📶 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Find the device has been activated in the settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device tab.
3. Your smartphone will be displayed on the map – click on it.
4. In the management menu, select Delete Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed (may take up to 30 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After a remote reset, the phone may require a re-authorization to the Mi Account on the first turn on. If you do not remember your account details, the device will turn into a “brick” (lock Mi Cloud Lock).

3. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is password-locked and Mi Account is not tied, then Fastboot mode is the option.This method requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool. It is suitable for models with a bootloader unlocked, but can work on locked devices (with restrictions).

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (For the Mi Flash Tool).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📥 Archive with official firmware for your model.
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Volume down + Power.
2. Connect the device to your computer. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Unpack the firmware archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
6. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

Critical information: On models with a locked bootloader (e.g., the 2023 Redmi Note 12 Pro+), this method can result in the Mi Cloud Lock being blocked if the account was not untied in advance.

💡

Before using Fastboot, check the bootloader lock status with the command

fastboot oem device-info

Device unlocked: false

Xiaomi official tool

4. Bypassing locking through ADB (for Android 7–11)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try to reset your password through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method works MIUI 9-12 and requires pre-setting, but allows you to bypass the lock without losing data (in some cases).

Conditions:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB It was activated before the phone was blocked.
• 🖥️ Computer installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 The phone is connected to the PC and is recognized in ADB (Checked by Adb Devices Command).

Password reset commands:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key # for pattern lock




rm /data/system/password.key # for PIN/password




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 Android 12+ This method may not work because of the system's enhanced security, and after rebooting, the phone may require you to enter an old password to decrypt the data.

5. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, the last option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone locked by Mi Cloud Lock (requires proof of purchase).
• 📱 The device does not respond to buttons or does not turn on.
• 🛠️ On the phone installed custom firmware with damaged Recovery.

What will be required to unlock:

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the model and type of lock. On devices with Mi Cloud Lock, the process can take up to 7 days (a request to Xiaomi to untether).

💡

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the Mi Account, it is legally impossible to unlock it, the only way out is to buy a new device or find a seller to unblock the account.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to reset Xiaomi without a password, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common ones and how to solve them:

1.The phone is not included in Recovery Mode

Reason: Wrong combination of buttons or a discharged battery.

Solution: Try alternative combinations:

• 🔋 Loudness up + Loudness down + Meals (for food) POCO F1, Mi 8).
• 🔌 Connect the charger and try again in 10 minutes.

2.Recovery requires Mi Account password

Reason: Mi Cloud protection is activated on the device.

Solution: Use the method with Fastboot or contact the service center.

3 ADB does not see the device

Reason: There are no drivers or USB debugging is not enabled.

Solution: Install ADB-Drivers and check the debugging status with the adb device team.

4.After reset, the phone asks for the old password

Reason: The encryption data is stored in /data.

Solution: Repeat the reset via Fastboot with a full clean (Clean All)

FAQ: Answers to popular questions