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

Forgotten password on Xiaomi is a bad situation, but it is solvable. Even if you don't remember the pattern lock, PIN-You can get your phone back without going to the service center. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to reset to factory settings, including methods through Recovery Mode, Fastboot, Mi Account, and even using a PC.

It’s important to understand that resetting will delete all data from the device — photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If Xiaomi has synced with Mi Cloud, some information (such as contacts or notes) can be restored after authorization, but local files that are not stored in the cloud will be lost irretrievably if there was no backup.

Before you start, check if one of the simple options is right:

• 🔄 Try entering possible password combinations (dates of birth, simple sequences like 1234 or 0000).
• 📱 If the lock screen has an emergency call button, sometimes through it you can access the settings (relevant for older versions). MIUI).
• 🔑 Check if your Google account is linked to your device – some models will have a recovery option after 5 failed attempts.

1.Reset via Recovery Mode (no PC)

The most versatile method, which works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models. It does not require a computer - only the device itself and a charged battery (at least 30%).

The manual is suitable for smartphones based on MIUI of any version, including the latest updates in 2026, except for devices with a locked bootloader, but in this case, you usually can not even go to Recovery.

Steps to enter the recovery mode:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button (or the combination Power + Volume up, if the device is getting stuck).
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (usually in English or Chinese).

The following is dependent on the Recovery version:

• 📱 Standard menu (MIUI Recovery 3.0/4.0): Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → confirm.
• 🔧 Chinese version (with characters): the third item on top is usually responsible for the reset. Confirm the selection by pressing the power button.
• ⚙️ TWRP (Custom Recovery: Go to Wipe → Format Data → enter.

Charge your phone at least 30 times%|Backup of important data (if available)|Prepare. SIM-re-activation card|Make sure you know the data from the Mi Account (if tied)-->

Once confirmed, the smartphone will start the cleaning process, which will take 1-3 minutes. Upon completion, select Reboot or Reboot to System, the device will restart in factory condition.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro) POCO X3 NFC) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter data from Mi Account if it was previously linked»!

2.Reset via Fastboot (using PC)

If you have a blocked login to Recovery Mode (for example, because of a damaged firmware) or no recovery menu, you can use Fastboot mode. ADB/Fastboot USB Type C cable (or Micro USB cable for older models).

Suitable for all Xiaomi devices including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark, but does not work on smartphones with a locked bootloader (unless it was unlocked earlier via the Mi Unlock Tool).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools on your PC (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off your smartphone and press Power + Volume down to enter Fastboot Mode (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the smartphone will be in factory condition. If the fastboot erase userdata command does not work, try an alternative option:

fastboot format userdata

This method is more reliable than Recovery resetting, but requires minimal technical skills. If the commands are executed with errors (for example, FAILED: remote: unknown command), the bootloader is likely blocked.

3 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If Xiaomi has a Mi Account attached, you can try unlocking the device via i.mi.com.This method only works when you are actively connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network) and if the Find Device feature has been enabled in the settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account you have linked to your phone.
2. In the Devices section, select a locked smartphone.
3. Click Find Device → Unlock (or Erase Device for a full reset).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔓 No physical access to the phone (can be done from another device).
• 📡 It works even if the smartphone is turned off, but was connected to the network in the last 24 hours.
• 🔄 Allows not only to reset the password, but also to track the location of the device.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ It does not work if Find Device has been disabled in the settings.
• ❌ Requires memorized data from Mi Account (email and password).
• ❌ On some models, after a remote reset, it may be necessary to re-authorize at the first inclusion.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, do not try to restore access through third-party services - this violates the Xiaomi user agreement and may lead to the blocking of the account. Instead, contact Mi Account support with proof of device ownership (check, box, etc).

4. Reset via EDL mode (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that allows you to reflash your smartphone even with a damaged system, which is used by service centers and requires special equipment (EDL cable) or knowledge of commands to log in through ADB.

The method is suitable for:

• 🔧 Brick Recovery (devices that are not included or downloaded only in Fastboot).
• 📱 Bypassing Mi Account lock (if you have forgotten your account details but can confirm your device ownership).
• ⚡ Custom firmware ROM (LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the combination Volume up + Volume down + Power (on some models – Volume up + Power with USB cable connected).
3. The screen will remain black, but the PC will identify the device as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (can be checked in Device Manager).

Further action will require:

• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (official firmware program for Xiaomi).
• 📁 Firmware in.tgz or.zip format for your model (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔌 USB-Type C cable with data support (not all charging cables are suitable!).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without an authorized account, it can lead to a blocking IMEI This method is recommended only to experienced users or in service centers.

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If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact an authorized service center Xiaomi. the cost of unlocking through EDL there is about 1000-20000 rubles (2026), which is cheaper than buying a new phone due to a firmware error.

5. Alternative methods (for older models)

On Xiaomi smartphones released before 2018 (for example, Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Redmi Note 4) sometimes work alternative methods of reset, which are no longer relevant for new devices.

Ways that may work:

If your model is released after 2019, these methods will likely not work due to Xiaomi’s tightening security policy.

6. What to do after the discharge?

After a successful factory reset, the Xiaomi smartphone will be like a new one — it will require initial setup.

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile, and without the Internet, you can't go through the activation phase.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (if previously associated) and this is a must to unlock the bootloader and access the Mi Cloud.
3. Restore data from a backup. If it was created through Settings → Additional → Backup, select the recovery option when you first turn on.
4. Update your firmware. Go to Settings → About Phone → Update your system and install the latest version of MIUI.
5. Set up the lock again. Use a strong password or fingerprint, but write it down in a secure location (for example, in a password manager).

If after reset, the phone requires you to enter data from Mi Account, but you do not remember them:

• 📧 Try to restore access via the recovery form (access to email or phone will be required).
• 📄 If recovery does not help, contact the service center with purchase documents.

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After the reset, be sure to disable the old Mi Account in the settings (if you are selling a phone) or create a new one if you have forgotten the data from the previous one, which will prevent the device from being blocked for the new owner.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset