How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Poco Smartphones: From Mi Account to Hard Reset

Introduction: Why Poco blocks access and what to do

A forgotten password on Xiaomi Poco is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics, especially after a long period of non-use of the device or after a MIUI update, when the system requires you to enter an old password to verify your identity. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking is tied to an Apple ID, Poco has several alternative ways to restore access, from official methods through Mi Account to technical bypasses through Fastboot.

The main problem: on the Poco X3 Pro, Poco F3 and later, after 5 failed password attempts, the security activates, locking the device for 30 minutes, and after 10 attempts, forever before reset. This means that "password selection" will not work here. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided legal unlock methods that do not require contacting the service center. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, with an indication of the risks and limitations of each.

Importantly, if your Poco is tied to a Mi Account, the chances of recovering access without losing data are much higher, and if you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie your account, radical measures will be required, read about them in the section on EDL Mode.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

This is the most reliable and recommended way Xiaomi, if you remember the data from your Mi Account. It works on all Poco models (including the Poco X6 Pro and Poco F5) and does not require technical skills.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password? (or Forgot password on English firmware).
• 🔑 Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
• 📧 Enter the email or phone number associated with your account.
• 🔢 Confirm your identity through SMS-code.
• 🔓 Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the error "This device is not linked to the account" appears after entering data from Mi Account, then the previous owner did not log out of the profile. In this case, official unlocking is possible only through the Xiaomi website with the provision of a purchase check.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ All data on the phone is saved (photos, messages, applications).
• ✅ It works even when it's off. USB-debugging.
• ✅ Does not require a computer or special programs.

Method 2: Reset password with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If you don't remember Mi Account data or your phone isn't connected to the Internet, the only official way to unlock it is to hard-reset it via Recovery Mode, which removes all data from your device, including photos, contacts and installed apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Poco with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume combination upwards for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: On Poco models with MIUI 13+ After Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was tied to the phone before the reset. FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you don't remember your account details, your phone will turn into a brick".

Alternative to bypass FRP (power users only):

Method 3: Unlocking through ADB (for users with USB-debugging)

If your Poco previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 taps to unlock the developer menu), you can reset your password via your computer using Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Instructions:

1. Connect Poco to your computer via USB-cable (original!).
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Mac/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (to display your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: On Poco with MIUI 14 and later, this method may not work due to the system's enhanced protection:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

It runs the password change menu directly.

1. Install the latest version of Platform Tools.

2. switch USB mode to File Transfer in the notification curtain.

3. disable the antivirus (it can block) ADB).-->

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If USB-debugging is disabled, but you have access to Fastboot Mode, you can try to reset the password through the modified firmware boot.img. This method is suitable for Poco models F3, Poco X3 Pro and others with unlocked bootloader.Risk: possible loss of warranty and locking the device if the error!

Step-by-step:

• 🔌 Connect Poco to PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power). + Loudness down).
• 💻 Download the modified boot.img for your model.
• 📥 In the command line, run: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot reboot
• 🔓 After rebooting, the password will be reset, but you will need to re-assign the Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Poco) X5, Poco F5 And now, this method will result in a hard-brick without recovery:

fastboot oem device-info

If Device unlocked: false is the answer, unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (it takes 7-15 days to wait).

Method 5: Password bypassing via EDL Mode (extreme case)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash a device at a low level, even if it is locked or "bricked." This method is used in service centers and requires special equipment (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008) and firmware. Risks: loss of IMEI, locking Xiaomi account, failure of the NFC module or camera.

When to use EDL Mode:

• 🔄 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
• 🔒 Password is forgotten and Mi Account is not tied or blocked.
• 🛠️ Previous methods (ADB, Fastboot) didn't work.

Instructions (for experienced users only!):

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (instructions here).
3. Transfer Poco to EDL Mode: Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until Qualcomm appears in the Device Manager. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Mi Flash Tool

clean all

💡

EDL Mode is a nuclear bomb to unlock, only use it if other methods have failed, and you are prepared for the possible loss of functionality of the device.

What to do if nothing helps: contact the service

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. The official service Xiaomi. you will need a purchase check or a box with IMEI. The cost of unlocking is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (depending on the model).
2. Unofficial services: They can offer unlocking via EDL or flashing, but the risks are high, from loss of warranty to complete failure of the device, the average price is 1,000-2 500 rubles.

Illegal methods (through EDL or IMEI substitution) can result in the device being blocked in the Xiaomi database.