A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation many users face. Unfortunately, standard unlocking methods (via Mi Account or factory reset) don’t always work: the first requires access to email, and the second deletes all data. The device’s firmware remains one of the most reliable ways to remove the password, but it’s important to act carefully to avoid turning the phone into a brick.
In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of firmware for resetting passwords on Xiaomi, including official and custom solutions, you will learn what tools you will need, how to avoid errors and what to do if something goes wrong. Special attention will be paid to models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro, etc., where the process is complicated by additional protection measures.
⚠️ Warning: Smartphone firmware will void warranty and may cause data loss. If File-Based Encryption is enabled on the device, file access after password reset will be impossible without additional manipulations.
Before you start, check if your model fits the methods described.Some newer devices (Xiaomi 13/14 series) require authorization via the Mi Unlock Tool, which makes the process more difficult for inexperienced users.
1. Firmware Preparation: What You Need to Know Before You Start
Xiaomi’s password removal firmware isn’t just about downloading a new version of MIUI; you’ll need to unlock the bootloader, choose the right firmware, and use specialized tools. A mistake at any stage can make the phone inoperable, so preparation is half the success.
The first thing you need to do is to determine the device model and the version of MIUI, and you can do this even on a locked phone.
Check the status of the loader:
- 🔓 Unlocked – you can sew custom recovery (TWRP) and any firmware.
- 🔒 Blocked – Official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool (for older models) or workarounds will be required.
⚠️ Warning: Anti-Rollback devices (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) have an older version of the firmware MIUI This will cause permanent damage to the communication module. Always use the firmware of the same or newer version than the current one!
2.Official method: firmware via Mi Flash Tool
The most reliable way to flash Xiaomi to reset your password is to use the official Mi Flash Tool, which is suitable for most models, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If your phone is new (released after 2021), you will first have to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of waiting for new accounts).
Step-by-step:
It takes 5-10 minutes, and when you reboot, it's like new, no password, no user data.
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is in error?
3. Alternative method: firmware via TWRP (for unlocked bootloaders)
If the bootloader is unlocked, you can use custom recovery TWRP to flash the modified firmware or simply reset the password through file deletion.This method saves some of the data (unless you use a full reset).
Advantages of the method:
- 🔧 Support for modified firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience).
Instructions:
⚠️ Attention: On devices with encryption FBE (All Xiaomi on Android 10+) Deleting these files will result in loss of access to internal memory after restarting, in which case a complete reset via Format Data will be required. TWRP.
4. Firmware through EDL-The mode (for blocked phones)
If the bootloader is locked and the Mi Account is unbound or unavailable, the firmware is left via EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which works even on newer models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 12), but requires special hardware or paid services.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- 🔌 USB-TypeC Cable (Original, Undamaged).
- 💾 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (can be found on forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
- 🛠️ Software for firmware: Mi Flash Pro, QFil or EDL Tool.
How to log into EDL:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the cable to the PC.
- The device manager should have a record of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
Next, run the phone through the selected program. This method is risky: if the device fails, the device may stop turning on. On new models (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), EDL is often blocked by the manufacturer, and an authorized Xiaomi account is required to unlock.
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If the phone is not identified in EDL, try using testpoint, which is the circuit-closing device on the motherboard, and this will require you to disassemble the device and find a circuit for your model (see 4PDA).
5. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?
The choice of firmware method depends on the phone model, bootloader status and your experience. Below is a table comparing the main methods:
| Method | Requires unlocking of the loader | Data retained | Difficulty | Suitable for new models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Flash Tool (Fastboot) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (full reset) | ⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes (with unlocking) |
| TWRP (delete password files) | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Partially (without). FBE) | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ No (locking on new ones) |
| EDL (Qualcomm) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes (with the risk of lockdown) |
| Mi Unlock Tool + reset | ✅ Yes, 720 hours waiting) | ❌ No. | ⭐ | ✅ Yes. |
For most users, the best option is the Mi Flash Tool after unlocking the bootloader. If the phone is new and the bootloader is locked and the Mi Account is not tied, only EDL (but with high risk) remains.
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On MediaTek devices (like Redmi 10C), firmware via SP Flash Tool can be an alternative to EDL. However, it requires an auth file from Xiaomi, which is difficult to obtain legally.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
Even if you follow the instructions accurately, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them:
1. Fastboot error: error: Command failed
- 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (Use the back port on the PC).
- 🔄 Reinstall Fastboot drivers manually through Device Manager.
- 📥 Download the firmware again - the file could have downloaded with errors.
2. the phone does not turn on after firmware (bootloop)
- 🔄 Try flashing again with the Clean All and Lock option in the Mi Flash Tool.
- 🛠️ If the firmware doesn’t help, check the version compatibility. MIUI Your model (maybe you have the wrong version).
3. This device is locked in Mi Flash Tool
⚠️ Note: If after firmware the phone is stuck on the logo MI For more than 10 minutes, don’t disconnect it from your PC – wait for the process to complete or forcefully restart it to Fastboot (Voice Down) + Power) and repeat the firmware.
7.How to recover data after resetting a password
If you flashed your phone through the Mi Flash Tool or TWRP with a complete reset, the data will be lost.
Recovery methods:
- 📱 Backups: If you previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud, restore contacts, photos and notes through your Xiaomi account.
- 💾 Recovery software: Use DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver to scan internal memory (only if you haven’t had a full formatting).
- 🔧 ADB Backup: If it was activated before the lock USB Debugging can be used to extract data through ADB pull (but this is a rare case).
On devices with FBE encryption (all Xiaomi on Android 10+), data recovery without a password is impossible - even specialized services will not be able to decrypt files.
Prevention for the future:
- 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is easier to remember.
- ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google.
- 📝 Write your password in a secure location (for example, in Bitwarden’s password manager).