How to erase all data from Xiaomi phone if you forget your password

When access to a smartphone is blocked, it is always not in time. The owner of the device may face login problems after a firmware update, accidental lock, or simply because he has not used a pattern lock for a long time. For the MIUI operating system installed on Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices, data security is a priority, so standard methods of bypassing the lock without losing information are often not available to the average user.

The only reliable way to regain control of the gadget in most cases is to completely reset the settings to the factory.This process, known as Hard Reset, permanently deletes all user information, including photos, contacts, apps and most importantly, the forgotten password lock screen.

There are several proven methods of access recovery, depending on the device model, the Android version and the presence of a linked Google or Mi Account. Some methods require a connection to a computer, others can be performed solely by the buttons on the case. In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms that will help you solve the lock problem.

Preparation for discharge procedure and precautions

Before proceeding with active unlocking actions, you need to assess the current state of the device and the risks.If the phone is on and you see the lock screen but can not log in, make sure that the battery is charged at least 50-60%.

Also worth remembering is the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security feature, which requires you to enter a login and password from an account that was synced to the device before the reset, and if you don't remember that, access to the phone can be lost even after you successfully delete the screen password.

⚠️ Note: The complete reset process deletes all personal files. If you have synced with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud enabled, some of the data can be restored after authorization.

Owners of modern Xiaomi 13, 14 or Poco F5 models should be especially careful, as the new versions of the HyperOS and MIUI 14 shells have enhanced security protocols. In some cases, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account directly into the Recovery menu if the Find Device feature was active to confirm a reset operation.

Reset via the Recovery Menu (Hardware Keys)

The most common and versatile way to unlock is to use Recovery Mode, which is built into the phone's firmware and is available even when the operating system is locked, and doesn't require a working touchscreen or display image to log in, but a physical button response is enough.

The login process can vary depending on the model. Most modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones require you to turn the device off completely, then press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi logo appears, and then the power button can be released while keeping the volume still.

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button confirms the choice of item. On some touchscreen-enabled models, you can use touch in this mode. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. The Wipe All Data option is selected from the submenu that opens.

• 🔘 Hold the volume up. + Power on a phone turned off.
• 🔘 In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) or go straight to Wipe Data.
• 🔘 Confirm the action by selecting Confirm or OK.
• 🔘 Wait for the process to complete and select Reboot.

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If the Recovery menu doesn't appear, try connecting your phone to the charger before you press the buttons, which is a prerequisite for entering recovery mode on some models.

After the reset confirmation, a countdown timer (e.g., 10 seconds) may appear on the screen to prevent accidental pressing, the system will warn that all data will be destroyed, the phone will automatically restart after the procedure is completed, the first start can take from 3 to 10 minutes, as the system will reconfigure the files.

Method Two: Remote reset via Find Device

If the buttons are difficult to physically access or not working, you can use the cloud service, which is effective only if the locked phone has been turned on the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) and activated the Find Device function. Xiaomi devices use the Mi Cloud service, and for pure Android – Google Find My Device.

To start, you need to log in to the official website of the service from any other device (computer, tablet or phone friend). In the case of Xiaomi, the site address is i.mi.com. You need to log in under the same Mi Account that was used on the locked smartphone. If you forget your account password, you will have to restore it through the Forgot Password form before starting the procedure.

Once you log in, select your device from the list of available gadgets, and the control menu will show you several options: "Sound", "Lost Mode" and "Erase Data", and we are interested in the last item, and when you click on it, the system will send a command to the phone, which forcibly initiates a reset.

Importantly, once you've done the command, the phone has to reboot itself and start the cleanup process. If the device is out of the network at that point, the command will be executed as soon as it's online. This method also allows you to remotely lock the device or display a message on the screen, but it's the reset that you need to remove the password.

Method Three: Using ADB for Advanced Users

For users who previously enabled on their device mode Debugging by USB (USB Debugging, there's a possibility of resetting through a computer. This method requires drivers. ADB (Android Debug Bridge and basic command line skills: It doesn't require a Recovery login, but only works when you have a PC connection installed.

First, you need to connect the phone to the computer through the original USB-If you see a request for debugging permission on the lock screen, unfortunately, this method will not work, because you can't press "Allow." If you've already been allowed access, open the command line (CMD) PowerShell on your computer in the tool folder ADB.

Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the list shows the serial number of the device, then the connection is established. --wipe_data or, depending on the version of Android, you may need an adb reboot recovery command, after which the reset is performed through the Recovery menu, but with confirmation from the PC.

adb shell am start -a android.settings.SECURITY_SETTINGS

Note that on current versions of Android 11/12/13/14 and MIUI 12-14 shells, ADB’s password reset capabilities are severely limited for security reasons. Often the system requires confirmation of action on the phone’s screen itself, making this method useless when the display is locked, but it remains relevant for older models.

Mi and Google Account Problem After Reset (FRP)

Once you successfully execute Hard Reset and reboot your phone, the next step is the initial setup. This is where FRP comes into effect. The system will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, and this is done to protect against theft: if a thief steals the phone and dumps it, he will not be able to use it without the owner's data.

Xiaomi owners face dual protection. In addition to Google, the device can request a password from Mi Account if the Find Device feature was enabled in the Mi cloud settings. The message will read: "This device is locked" with a requirement to enter a username and password. Without this data, it is almost impossible to unlock the phone legally.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone from hand and it requests someone else's account, you can only return access by contacting the previous owner. FRP through third-party programs is often temporary or is a fraud.

If you forget your Google account password, you can restore it through Forgot Password on any other device by clicking on accounts.google.com. However, if you don’t remember either the login or the associated phone to recover, the device may become unusable, requiring an authorized service center to check for ownership.

What to do if standard methods do not help

In rare cases, none of the above methods work, and this may be due to software errors, damage to the Recovery partition, or specific firmware bugs, such as the volume button may be physically faulty, making it impossible to enter recovery mode in the standard way.

There is an alternative method of logging into Recovery via ADB with the adb reboot recovery command, but it, as mentioned, requires debugging enabled. You can also try using special firmware packages for flashing, such as the Mi Flash Tool. This tool allows you to download the official firmware in Fastboot mode (the volume and power button is clamped when you connect to a PC) and completely rewrite the system.

The process of firmware running through Mi Flash is more complicated and risky. Wrong firmware version or interruption of the process is guaranteed to bring the phone down. In addition, this method often requires an unlocked bootloader, which, paradoxically, cannot be unlocked on a locked phone.

• 🔧 Try using another one. USB-cable USB 2.0 on a computer.
• 🔧 Make sure that you have Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers installed on your PC (depending on the processor).
• 🔧 Check the possibility of entering Fastboot mode (repaired hare) by clamping Volume Down + Nutrition.

If software methods are exhausted, there is a hardware solution left, and some models have the ability to reset certain contacts on the board (Test Point) through the circuit, which requires disassembling the phone and having soldering skills, which is an extreme measure that should be applied only in specialized workshops.

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The most reliable way to avoid FRP problems is to remember your Google and Mi Account details, and check your sync regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)