Reset Xiaomi to factory settings without a password: proven methods

The situation when the smartphone Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco is locked and the password from the screen or account is forgotten is quite common, PIN-In such cases, the only way out is a complete reset that will return the device to its original state.

This process will completely remove all user information, including photos, contacts and apps, but will allow access to control the gadget.It is important to understand that modern Android security systems, especially the MIUI shell, have several layers of protection, so the standard method may not work without prior preparation.

In this guide, we will discuss all the current ways to reset Xiaomi if you forgot your password using built-in recovery tools and special download modes. You will learn about the nuances of working with Recovery Mode, the features of unlocking through Fastboot and how to bypass the locking of an account if it is activated.

Preparation of the device before the discharge procedure

Before you start taking drastic measures, make sure the device is ready to overwrite system partitions.If the phone is still touch-responsive or capable of charging, do basic checks. Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%, as a sudden power outage during formatting can damage the bootloader.

If you have the ability to interact with the interface or connect to your computer, try to back up important data. Once you run the Wipe Data command, file recovery will be impossible without a previously created backup.

⚠️ Warning: The reset process is irreversible. All files stored in internal memory will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard means.

It is also worth checking whether the debugging is included. USB. If you have previously activated this feature in the Developer Menu, you have an additional, more flexible management tool through the developer menu. ADB-In a completely locked screen, this method is rarely used.

Hard Recovery Method Recovery Mode

The most common way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use a built-in recovery menu, which works even when the operating system is not booting or accessing it is blocked, and a combination of physical buttons on the device body is used to enter this mode.

You'll need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears. Once the logo appears, release the power button, but keep the volume down until the main Recovery menu appears.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. Next, the system will offer a confirmation of action, often requiring you to select Wipe All Data.

Once confirmed, the formatting process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage, the phone will automatically restart when completed, and the first run may take longer than usual, as the system creates new configuration files.

Using Fastboot Mode for Flashing

If the standard recovery menu is unavailable or blocked, you can use Fastboot mode, which allows you to interact directly with the device without bypassing the operating system, and is most often used for flashing through the computer, but is an important diagnostic tool in itself.

To enter Fastboot mode on the device turned off, you need to simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT in orange, in which state the phone is ready to receive commands from the PC.

To perform a reset via your computer, you will need the installed Xiaomi USB Driver and the Mi Flash Tool utility or the ADB/Fastboot platform. By connecting the phone with a cable to your PC, you can send a partition cleaning command.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

These commands will force the user partition and cache to be cleared, however, it is worth noting that on modern versions of MIUI with a locked bootloader, some commands may be restricted by the manufacturer for security reasons.

The specifics of unlocking Mi Account and Google FRP

Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with two levels of protection against theft: Mi Account and Google protection (FRP). After performing a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, the first time you download the device will require you to enter a password from the account that was synced earlier.

If you forget your Mi Account password, you can only restore access through the official i.mi.com website using a linked phone number or email. Without this step, your phone will remain locked even if you successfully execute Wipe Data.

The same thing happens with a Google account, where if you've synced your phone, you'll need to enter the login and password from the Google email that you used on your device before you dumped it, which is a theft protection that you can't get around with simple formatting.

⚠️ Note: Attempts to bypass the Mi Account lock or FRP using third-party software can lead to complete inoperability of the device ("brick") or disruption of banking applications.

Resetting through service codes and debugging

There is a lesser-known method that can work if the screen responds to taps, but you can't get into the settings menu due to a forgotten lock password (in some older versions of Android). USSD-commands or use of engineering menus.

Try dialing ##4636## or ##7780##. The second code is designed to reset the settings to factory settings. However, on modern MIUI firmware, these codes are often disabled or require a password confirmation that you just forgot.

A more effective method is using Google’s Find Device feature, where if the internet and geolocation were turned on on on the locked phone, you can go to android.com/find from another device.

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Use the "Clean Device" feature in Google Find My Device, which will remotely send a command to reset even if the phone is locked, provided that there is internet.

When you log into a Google account associated with your phone, select your device and click the "Clean Device" button, which initiates a remote Factory Reset, after which the phone will restart and request login details.

Possible problems and solutions

When you reset, you often encounter errors, like the phone might hang on the Mi logo after you reboot, which is called a bootloop, and if it does, you need to repeat the process of logging in and resetting Recovery.

Sometimes the system writes "Update failed" or "Can't verify update" when trying to reset, which can mean corrupting system files or attempting to roll back to an older firmware version, in which case only flashing through the computer using the official Recovery ROM firmware helps.

If the phone requires a password after reset, and you do not remember it, the only solution is to restore access through Google or Mi services. Attempts to reflash modified images (Custom ROM) to bypass the protection require an unlocked bootloader, which is impossible without a password from the account, if it was not previously unlocked.

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A successful reset does not remove the link to the accounts.The device will still require the owner's authorization to protect against theft.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)