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

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can not unlock the phone? the situation is familiar to many: the smartphone asks for a pattern lock or PIN-And the code, and you don't remember the combination. Fortunately, there's a solution -- a full factory reset, but it's important to understand that it's going to delete all the data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If the phone was linked to the Mi Account, after the reset, you may need to enter a login and password for activation.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to reset Xiaomi without a password: through Recovery mode, using Fastboot and remotely through Mi Cloud. Each method works on different models (Redmi Note 10, POCO X3, Mi 11, etc.), but has its own nuances. For example, new devices with MIUI 14+ may require additional authorization, and we will also tell you how to avoid blocking after a reset and what to do if the phone requires an old password even after a hard reset.

⚠️ Note: If the Find My Device feature is enabled on the phone, a reset via Recovery or Fastboot may result in the Mi Account being blocked.

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without computer)

The easiest way to reset Xiaomi is to use the built-in Recovery mode, which is available on all models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO F3 and Mi 11 Lite. The main advantage is that you do not need a computer or special programs. However, after a reset, the phone can request data from the Mi Account if sync was previously enabled.

To enter Recovery:

• 🔄 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
• 🔧 Hold the Loud up. + Power and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
• 📱 On the screen, select the language (usually English or Chinese), then tap Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
• ✅ Confirm the action by swipe or press Confirm.

It takes 2-5 minutes. Once you reboot, the phone will look like new, but it may require you to enter data from Mi Account. If you can't remember your account password, use the instructions below.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi Note 11) will have a "This device is locked" error after reset via Recovery, which means that the phone is tied to Mi Account, and you need to enter a username / password to unlock it. If you do not remember the data, you will have to contact Xiaomi support.

2. Reset via Fastboot (from computer)

If Recovery Mode is not available (for example, the phone does not respond to buttons) or requires a password, you can use Fastboot Mode.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but you will need a computer with drivers installed. ADB And Fastboot. USB-cable (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with fastboot and type:

fastboot devices

(If the device doesn’t show up, install Xiaomi drivers.)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Once the commands are executed, the phone will restart and begin the reset process, which bypasses the system-level locking of the password, but does not remove the binding to the Mi Account.

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If the fastboot device command doesn’t show your phone, try using another one. USB-port or cable, and check if debugging mode is on. USB In the developer settings (if the phone still responds to touch).

Remote reset via Mi Cloud (if synchronization is enabled)

If the phone has activated Find My Device and is connected to the Internet, you can reset it remotely via the Mi Cloud website, which only works if:

• 🔗 The phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
• 📱 Synchronization with Mi Account is enabled.
• 🔒 Remember the username and password from Xiaomi account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your phone from the list of devices.
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

The reset will start within 5-10 minutes if the phone is connected to the Internet, and after completion, all data will be deleted, including the lock password.

• 🚫 Phone's off or discharged.
• 🌐 No connection to the network.
• 🔐 Sync with Mi Cloud disabled.

4.What to do if after resetting the phone requires an old password

Sometimes, after a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, Xiaomi asks you to enter a password from your previous Google account (FRP-It's a security guard against theft, and it's legally impossible to circumvent it:

If your phone requires a Mi Account:

• 📧 Enter the login and password from the account that was linked to the phone.
• 🔑 If you forget your password, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
• 📞 If your account is not yours (the phone is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner.

If your phone requires a Google account (FRP):

• 🔍 Enter the email and password from the last Google account that was on the phone.
• 🔄 If you don’t remember the data, try to restore access through accounts.google.com.
• ⚠️ Attention: Use of “travelers” FRP" This can lead to a device being blocked, and Xiaomi does not officially support such methods.

5.How to avoid locking after reset: tips for the future

To avoid problems with the next reset, follow these guidelines:

✅ Untie unnecessary accounts:

• 📱 Before selling your phone, delete all Google and Mi Account accounts in the settings.
• 🔄 Reset before transferring the device to a new owner.

✅ Synchronize the data:

• ☁️ Enable backup in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Cloud.
• 📲 Save contacts and photos on Google Drive or on your computer.

✅ Remember the passwords:

• 🔐 Use password managers (such as Bitwarden or 1Password).
• 📝 Write your Mi Account and Google data to a safe place.

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If you buy Xiaomi with your hands, always ask the seller to do a reset on your hands and check that the phone doesn’t require an old password after the reboot.

6. Frequent errors and how to fix them

When resetting Xiaomi, users often face problems, and here are the most common solutions:

If none of these methods worked, it could be that the phone has custom firmware installed or a bootloader blocked, and that would only help if you went to a Xiaomi service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions