How to reset Xiaomi to factory settings if you forgot your password: 3 working methods

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that even power users face. Screen locking protects personal data, but if you can't remember the combination, the device turns into a brick. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to reset to factory settings without knowing the password. In this article, we will analyze all the current unlock methods for Redmi, POCO, Mi and other brands of models, from a standard reset via Recovery to using Mi Account and Fastboot mode.

It's important to understand that resetting will delete all data from the device — photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If your smartphone has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, some information (such as contacts or notes) can be restored after unlocking. But local files without a backup will be lost forever. So before starting the procedure, make sure that there are no other ways to remember the password — perhaps you wrote it in a notebook or sent it to yourself by mail.

In this guide, we will not address the questionable “life hacks” like bypassing a lock through an engineering menu or connecting to a PC using ADB – most of them either do not work on new versions of MIUI or require an unlocked bootloader.

1. Reset via Recovery Mode (without PC connection)

The most versatile reset method is the use of Recovery Mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5, Mi 11/12/13 and others, the main condition is physical access to the device and the ability to turn it off.

This is suitable for smartphones with a locked and unlocked bootloader, but some models (such as the POCO X3 Pro or Redmi K50) may require confirmation of your Mi Account after a reset, which we will discuss in the next section.

• 🔄 Turn off your smartphone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds). If the device does not respond, wait for the battery to completely discharge.
• 🔧 Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds). For older devices (until 2018): Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.
• 📱 The Mi logo and the Recovery menu in Chinese/English will appear on the screen, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔍 Find Wipe Data (or Chinese) and confirm the choice. Then select Wipe All Data.
• ✅ After the process is complete (it will take 1-3 minutes), select Reboot or to restart.

If you reset your smartphone and you want to enter your Mi Account password, go to the second method. If the lock screen is gone, congratulations, the device is unlocked! Now you can configure it as new.

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially Chinese) may call the Wipe Data item a different name, such as Factory Reset or Erase All. If you are not sure, take a picture of the menu and use an interpreter.

2 Unblocking through Mi Account (if an account is linked)

If, after resetting via Recovery, the smartphone requests data from Mi Account, this means that the device has activated the Mi Cloud Lock function (anti-theft protection), in which case you will need access to the account that was associated with the phone. If you forget the password from the account, restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com.

The procedure for unlocking through Mi Account looks like this:

1. On the lock screen, select Forgot password? or Forgot password?
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (depending on your security settings).
4. After successful authorization, the smartphone will offer to create a new password or PIN-code.

If you do not remember your account information, try to restore access:

• 📧 Go to the recovery page and specify your email or phone.
• 🔑 Confirm your identity through a backup email or SMS.
• 🔄 If you had two-factor input enabled, use backup codes (if you saved them when you set up).

On models with a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO C31) after 5 failed attempts to enter the Mi Account password, the device can lock for 72 hours, in which case you only have to wait or contact the service center.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, you will not be able to unlock it yourself.

3. Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If the smartphone does not respond to buttons or menu Recovery is not available, you can use the Fastboot mode. This method requires a connection to the computer and installed Xiaomi drivers, but is suitable for devices with damaged firmware or “hung” screen.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fastboot-install).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Archive with Mi Unlock utility (to unlock the bootloader, if required).
• 🔧 Xiaomi Drivers (you can download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode. A hare in a hat will appear on the screen.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (its serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. Run the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the smartphone will be reset to factory settings. If you request a Mi Account password, use the second method in this article.

4.What to do if nothing helps: contact the service

If all of these methods fail, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Smartphone requires Mi Account password, but you don’t remember data and can’t restore access.
• 🛠️ The device does not turn on or hangs on the logo after resetting.
• 📄 The smartphone was bought from hand, and the previous owner did not untie the account.

To unlock the service will need:

• 📋 Check or warranty card confirming the purchase.
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 Box from the device (preferably, but not necessarily).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock, and in some cases (for example, when theft) unlocking may not be possible by law.

⚠️ Note: Do not contact unofficial services that promise to “bypass Mi Account in 5 minutes.” Often these “masters” use illegal methods that can damage the firmware or lead to complete loss of functionality of the device.

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Before visiting the service center, take photos of the serial number (on the box or under the battery if removable) and IMEI (dial *#06#) to speed up the process of checking the device.

5. How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid being in this situation again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition in addition to a password, which will make it easier to unlock if you forget. PIN.
• 📝 Write passwords in a secure location (e.g., Google Password Manager or Google Password Manager) 1Password).
• ☁️ Enable sync with Mi Cloud to back up your data so you can recover contacts and photos after resetting.
• 🔄 Regularly create local backups through Settings → System system → Backup.

We also recommend disabling Find Device in your Mi Account settings if you plan to sell or transfer your smartphone, which will save the new owner from unlocking problems.

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Even if you don’t plan to sell a smartphone, linking to a Mi Account can make it harder to reset your account access backup codes regularly and keep them separate from your device.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When resetting Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and consider the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Smartphone not included in Recovery: Check the button combination (some models have different buttons); plug the charger in - maybe the battery is dead. If the screen doesn't respond, try holding the buttons for 20 to 30 seconds.
• 🔌 Computer doesn't see device in Fastboot: Install drivers manually (download from official website). USB-Disable the antivirus, it can block the connection.
• 🔒 After reset, you need an old password: This means that the smartphone has been encrypted. Try entering the last password you use. If you don't remember, you only have to reset through Mi Account or service center.

Another common mistake is to interrupt the reset process, and if you take out the battery or turn off the smartphone during Wipe Data, it can damage the firmware, and then the device will not turn on, and you will need to flash it over the Fastboot or EDL-The job (and that’s a job for professionals).

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