How to erase all data from Xiaomi if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Especially unpleasant when the device stores important data: photos, correspondence, documents or access to accounts. Unlike the iPhone, where the unlock procedure is strictly tied to the Apple ID, on Xiaomi Android devices there are several official and informal ways to reset the password, but all of them lead to one thing: complete deletion of data from internal memory.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods for resetting your password to Xiaomi in 2026, including working through Recovery Mode, using Mi Account, Fastboot commands, and even low-level tools like ADB. It’s important to understand that none of the ways you can guarantee file safety is a physical limitation of Android security. But if your goal is to restore the phone to work, these instructions will help you do it as quickly as possible and without the risk of “bricking” the device.

Why you can’t just guess your password or reset it through Google

Many users try to bypass the lock through standard Android mechanisms, but on Xiaomi it is almost impossible.

• 🔒 The number of attempts is limited: after 5-10 wrong passwords, the system locks the device for 30 seconds, a minute, and then offers to reset the data.
• 🚫 No “Forgot Password” feature, unlike older versions of Android (before). 5.0), modern Xiaomi MIUI 12/13/14 Do not support password reset via Google account.
• 🔐 Mi Account binding. Even if you remember the Google password, it will require confirmation through Mi Account, a separate procedure with a phone number.

Another common myth is that you can connect your phone to your PC and delete the password file. In practice, this doesn't work: starting with Android 6.0, lock data is stored in an encrypted /data partition, and access to it without a password is closed at the hardware level, the only way out is a complete reset.

⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has Find My Device enabled, a Recovery reset may block the phone additionally – you will need to enter data from Mi Account after the reboot!

Method 1: Recovery Mode Reset (works on 90% of models)

The most versatile method is the use of Recovery Mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13 and others. The main condition is that the phone must turn on (albeit with a locked screen).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (if it does not respond, press the Power + Volume Up for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to log in to Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume Up. For older devices (until 2018): Power + Volume Up + Volume Down.

Recovery

Wipe Data

Confirm the reset – the phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 2-10 minutes).

After the reboot, you will get a clean Xiaomi with factory settings, but be prepared for the additional step: if you previously had a Mi Account attached, the system will ask you to enter a username and password for activation.

Is the phone completely off (not in sleep mode)

Is the battery at least 30% charged?

Is there access to the Mi Account (if linked)

Is important data (photos, contacts) stored in the cloud?

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Method 2: Using Mi Account (official method)

If you remember the data from the Mi Account (Xiaomi account), you can reset the screen lock password through the website, which works even if the phone is turned off, but requires:

• 📱 Linking the device to the Mi Account.
• 🌐 Accessing the Internet on another device (PC, tablet, second phone).
• 📧 Access to an email or phone number linked to an account.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your blocked Xiaomi.
3. Click Find Device → Delete Data (Erase Data).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

The process can take up to 30 minutes. Once complete, the phone will automatically restart in factory condition, and the advantage of this method is that you don't have to physically interact with the device, but it only works when the smartphone has an active Internet connection (for example, if it's connected to Wi-Fi).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA) For Mi Account, you need to confirm it through the Mi Security app on another device, without which you can't reset your account.

Recovery|Mi Account|Fastboot/ADB|Talked to the service center |Never blocked the phone-->

Method 3: Fastboot and commands for power users

If Recovery Mode is not available (for example, due to corrupted firmware), you can use Fastboot mode. This method requires a computer with drivers installed and basic knowledge of working with the command line, suitable for Xiaomi models on Qualcomm chips (most modern devices).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Fastboot utility (part of Android) SDK Or Mi Flash Tool).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat will appear on the screen).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed - you can continue.
4. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will be like new. This method doesn't bypass Mi Account binding, so if an account was linked, its data will be required to activate.

Method 4: ADB (only if USB debugging was enabled)

This method is only suitable if you have enabled USB debugging in the developer settings before blocking, otherwise it will not work, but if debugging is active, you can reset the password without losing data (rare case!).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed – continue.
3. Delete the password file: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once the screen is rebooted, the lock should disappear, but this method does not work on all firmware — in recent versions of MIUI, password data is stored in encrypted form, and deleting it can lead to a reboot cycle.

⚠️ Note: If after completing the commands ADB The phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, You'll have to do a full reset on Fastboot or Recovery, and the risk is about 20 percent, so use this. ADB Only if you are confident in your actions.

Method 5: Contacting the service center (guarantee cases)

If all of the above methods did not help or you are afraid of damaging the phone, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 📄 Warranty phone (reset via Recovery may void warranty).
• 🔧 The connector is damaged. USB buttons (cannot be entered into the Fastboot/Recovery).
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten (the service can help with access restoration).

What will be required for the application:

The cost of the service in informal services is 1-3 thousand rubles, in official services - free of charge under warranty. However, be prepared for the fact that the data will still be erased: even in service centers Xiaomi do not have tools to bypass the lock without resetting.

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Before visiting the service center, take a screenshot of the IMEI phone (on the box or under the battery if removable) to speed up the identification process and help avoid fraud (replacement of components).

What to do after reset: data recovery and setup

After successfully resetting your password, you'll get a clean Xiaomi with factory settings to get your phone back on track:

1. Set up Mi Account: If you have previously linked your account, log in with the same data. If you forgot your password, restore it through the recovery page.
2. Restore data from backup: If you used Mi Cloud, go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud and select backup. For Google Account: when you first set up, select Restore from Google Drive.

Install critical applications

• Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp – their backups are stored in the cloud).
• Banking applications (re-association of cards is required).
• Two-factor authenticators (Google Authenticator, Authy – without them, access to some services will be lost!).