How to Recover Your Xiaomi Yi Camera Password: Official and Alternative Methods

Xiaomi Yi cameras have long been popular because of their combination of affordable prices and high quality shooting. However, even the most reliable devices can cause a headache if you suddenly forget the password to access settings or archive records, which is aggravated by the fact that the manufacturer did not provide a standard procedure for password recovery via email or SMS, as implemented in smartphones or social networks.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways to regain control of the camera, from official methods through the Mi Home app to hardware and firmware reset techniques. It’s important to understand that some of them can lead to the loss of all the data stored on the device, so start with the safest options. If your camera is synchronized with your Xiaomi account, the chances of a successful recovery without loss are much higher.

Before you start, make sure that the problem is the password, not the network connection or the software failure. Try rebooting the camera (turn off power for 30 seconds) and check if access has come up. If not, read on.

1. Recovery via the Mi Home app (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use the password reset feature via the official Mi Home app, which only works if the camera is tied to your Xiaomi account and has internet access.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone and log in under the same account that your camera is attached to.
• 🔍 Find your Yi camera on the list of devices. If it's not available, check if it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone.
• ⚙️ Slip on the camera icon, then go to Settings → Security → Password reset.
• 🔑 Follow the instructions on the screen. The system can request confirmation via SMS or email linked to an account.

If this didn’t work, it’s possible that the camera was tied to another account (for example, if you bought it with your hands), and then you’ll have to use alternative methods.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a used camera, the previous owner could not untie it from his account, in which case the official password reset is not possible - you will need a complete hardware reset (see section 4).

2. Reset password via web interface (for models with cloud support)

Some Xiaomi Yi models (such as Yi Home Camera 2/3 or Yi Cloud Dome) support remote control via the web dashboard. If your camera is connected to a cloud service, try restoring access via the browser:

1. Go to home.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your camera and open its settings.
3. Select the Access Management option → Password reset.
4. Confirm the action via email or SMS (if requested).

This method only works for cameras with an active cloud storage subscription, and if the subscription expires or doesn’t, the web interface will not provide a password reset option.

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Before resetting your password through the web interface, check if two-factor authentication is enabled in your Xiaomi account. If so, prepare backup codes or access to your linked phone number.

3. Use of alternative firmware (for advanced users)

If official methods have failed and the camera does not contain critical data, you can try to reflash it using custom firmware, which is suitable for Yi Hack-compatible cameras (for example, Yi Home Camera 17CN or Yi Dome Camera).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 Full control of the device, including deleting the password.
• 🛡️ Option to disable cloud binding to Xiaomi account.
• 🔄 Access to advanced settings (RTSP, ONVIF etc.).

Disadvantages:

• ⚠️ Risk of turning the camera into a “brick” if you make a firmware error.
• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if it is still valid).
• 🔌 You will need a microSD card and a computer.

Step-by-step:

Download firmware from the official repository [yi-hack.com](https://yi-hack.com)

Formatting a microSD card in FAT32

Copy firmware files into the root of the card

Insert the map into the camera off

Connect the camera to power and wait for the beep-->

After successful firmware, the password will be reset and the camera will receive a new web interface to customize.For detailed firmware guides for specific models, look for 4PDA or Xiaomi Community forums.

⚠️ Note: Custom firmware voids warranty and may disrupt some features (such as cloud storage or voice control.

4 Hard reset (hard reset) - last resort

If none of the previous methods worked, all that remains is a complete hardware reset, which removes all the data from the camera, including Wi-Fi settings, recordings, and account binding, and only use it if other options are exhausted.

Instructions for most Xiaomi Yi models:

1. Turn the camera off the power.
2. Find the RESET button on the case (usually it is recessed and requires a paper clip or toothpick).
3. Hold the RESET button and connect the power at the same time.
4. Hold the button for 10-15 seconds until you hear a beep or the indicator flashes.
5. Release the button and the camera will reboot in factory condition.

After reset, the camera will create a new Wi-Fi hotspot (usually with a name). Xiaomi_Yi_XXXX). Connect to it from your smartphone and set up the device again through the Mi Home app.

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Hardware reset is the only way to get back access to the camera if it was tied to someone else’s Xiaomi account and the previous owner did not untie it.

5. Recovery of password through Telnet/SSH (technical)

This method is only suitable for users with experience with network protocols, it allows you to access the camera file system and manually delete the file with the password. The risk of damage to the firmware is extremely high - use at your own risk.

Preconditions:

• 🌐 The camera is connected to your local network.
• 💻 You have a computer with Telnet installed or SSH-by the customer (e.g. PuTTY).
• 🔧 Debugging mode is enabled (if the camera was previously stitched with custom software).

Instructions:

1. Find out. IP-The camera address on the router (usually in the section) DHCP Clients).
2. Connect to Telnet: Telnet [IP_camera] 23 Login and password by default for many models: root / ismart12.
3. Go to the folder with configuration files: cd /home/app/config
4. Delete the password file (e.g. rm password.dat or rm miio.dat – name depends on the model).
5. Reboot the camera: reboot

After the reboot, the camera must request a new password. If access to Telnet is blocked, try flashing custom software first (see section 3).

6.Speaking to Xiaomi: When Nothing Helps

If you have exhausted all the technical methods, and the camera is still locked, you can contact official support Xiaomi.

• 📄 You have a check or a warranty card (even if the warranty has expired, support may go hand in hand).
• 🔗 The camera is tied to your account, but password reset is not working.
• 🛠️ You suspect a hardware malfunction (e.g., the camera does not respond to a reset).

How to properly make a request:

1. Specify the exact camera model (written on the sticker below).
2. Please include a photo of the check or box (if any).
3. Describe what recovery methods you have tried.
4. If the camera is attached to the account, specify the email to which it is attached.

Support contacts:

• 📧 Email: support@xiaomi.com (English).
• 💬 Online chat: via the official Xiaomi Support website.
• 📞 Phone: for Russia - 8 800 700 05 65 (toll free).

The timeframe for the request is 3 to 7 days, and in some cases, support may request a video showing the problem or a serial number of the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting the Xiaomi Yi password