My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)

I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a password that i did not have(?)

UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of warranty but would do it for a charge.

They gave no indication as to how much.

Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain control.

Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had provided masses of information proving my ownership.

A fortnight without it so far. :(

TIA

--
Mint 20.3, kernel 5.4.0-132-generic, Cinnamon 5.2.7
running on an AMD Phenom II X4 Black edition processor with 16GB of DRAM.

pinnerite <pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:

> My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>
> I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded
> a password that i did not have(?)
>
> UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of
> warranty but would do it for a charge.
>
> They gave no indication as to how much.
>
> Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain
> control.
>
> Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had
> provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>
> A fortnight without it so far. :(
>
> TIA

A Mi account was one method of authentication. You never created one?

https://xiaomiui.net/how-to-remove-mi-account-7606/

Who reset your phone? You make it sound like someone else did.

https://www.webcazine.com/17994/qa-miui-7-how-to-factory-reset-your-phone-without-entering-mi-password/

That has you do the reset.

I don't own Xioami, a company, not a phone. I don't own any of their
phones. The above is what I found in an online search.

On Thu, 1 Dec 2022 08:11:18 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:

> pinnerite <pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>>
>> I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a
>> password that i did not have(?)
>>
>> UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of
>> warranty but would do it for a charge.
>>
>> They gave no indication as to how much.
>>
>> Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain
>> control.
>>
>> Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had
>> provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>>
>> A fortnight without it so far. :(
>>
>> TIA
>
> A Mi account was one method of authentication. You never created one?
>
> https://xiaomiui.net/how-to-remove-mi-account-7606/
>
> Who reset your phone? You make it sound like someone else did.
>
> https://www.webcazine.com/17994/qa-miui-7-how-to-factory-reset-your-
phone-without-entering-mi-password/
>
> That has you do the reset.
>
> I don't own Xioami, a company, not a phone. I don't own any of their
> phones. The above is what I found in an online search.

I don't understand how after a factory reset you can be asked for a
password. :-?

On my phone (a Motorola), I only have the Google Password, the simcard
PIN, and the phone entry pattern. All of them, except the SIM card, are
erased with a factory reset. The entry pattern has to be created again,
new. The google password is asked for after you enter the account name,
and can be recovered.

The SIM card PIN can be reset if you have the PUK. The phone company
usually knows the PUK. It is printed in the original card holder.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

"Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:

> On Thu, 1 Dec 2022 08:11:18 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
>
>> pinnerite <pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>>>
>>> I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a
>>> password that i did not have(?)
>>>
>>> UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of
>>> warranty but would do it for a charge.
>>>
>>> They gave no indication as to how much.
>>>
>>> Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain
>>> control.
>>>
>>> Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had
>>> provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>>>
>>> A fortnight without it so far. :(
>>>
>>> TIA
>>
>> A Mi account was one method of authentication. You never created one?
>>
>> https://xiaomiui.net/how-to-remove-mi-account-7606/
>>
>> Who reset your phone? You make it sound like someone else did.
>>
>> https://www.webcazine.com/17994/qa-miui-7-how-to-factory-reset-your-
> phone-without-entering-mi-password/
>>
>> That has you do the reset.
>>
>> I don't own Xioami, a company, not a phone. I don't own any of their
>> phones. The above is what I found in an online search.
>
> I don't understand how after a factory reset you can be asked for a
> password. :-?

I guess it could just as for a password, and the server-side account
manager makes sure every Mi account gets a unique password. Might be
called password, but could be a pass phrase. Maybe a reset doesn't
change the username, so just a password is needed. I don't know how
they do it, either, especially since I don't have a Xioami phone, so I
cited their How-To article noting the password requirement (if you
created an account).

On 12/1/22 12:28 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
> "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 1 Dec 2022 08:11:18 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
>>
>>> pinnerite <pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>>>>
>>>> I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a
>>>> password that i did not have(?)
>>>>
>>>> UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of
>>>> warranty but would do it for a charge.
>>>>
>>>> They gave no indication as to how much.
>>>>
>>>> Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain
>>>> control.
>>>>
>>>> Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had
>>>> provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>>>>
>>>> A fortnight without it so far. :(
>>>>
>>>> TIA
>>>
>>> A Mi account was one method of authentication. You never created one?
>>>
>>> https://xiaomiui.net/how-to-remove-mi-account-7606/
>>>
>>> Who reset your phone? You make it sound like someone else did.
>>>
>>> https://www.webcazine.com/17994/qa-miui-7-how-to-factory-reset-your-
>> phone-without-entering-mi-password/
>>>
>>> That has you do the reset.
>>>
>>> I don't own Xioami, a company, not a phone. I don't own any of their
>>> phones. The above is what I found in an online search.
>>
>> I don't understand how after a factory reset you can be asked for a
>> password. :-?
>
> I guess it could just as for a password, and the server-side account
> manager makes sure every Mi account gets a unique password. Might be
> called password, but could be a pass phrase. Maybe a reset doesn't
> change the username, so just a password is needed. I don't know how
> they do it, either, especially since I don't have a Xioami phone, so I
> cited their How-To article noting the password requirement (if you
> created an account).

What if the password wanted was the one you gave when you created the
on-line account in order to report the problem? Nothing else makes any
sense.

--
Cheers, Bev
"If you expect to score points by whining, join a European soccer team."
--Demotivators poster

The Real Bev wrote:

> Nothing else makes any sense.

This is for The Real Bev and any other sentient adults on this newsgroup
(i.e., it's not an attempt to "help" the OP for reasons which will be told)

*Pinnerite === micky === concocted absurdities*

(if not literally in name, certainly in similar concocted absurdities).

BTW, to add useful technical value on the topic of warranties...

Apr 2021 I received a free Samsung A32-5G from T-Mobile
Free SIM card too
Feb 2022 T-Mobile replaced it because the USB-C slot went bad.
The old phone had to be brought to a T-Mobile store for
physical inspection & there I had to pay the $20 warranty fee
T-Mobile proactively credited ahead of time the $20 warranty fee
simply by me remarking that I shouldn't have to pay for it
Oct 2024 T-Mobile replaced _that_ A32-5G because it hung up
As before, the old phone had to be brought to a store for
physical inspection & there I had to pay the $20 warranty fee
T-Mobile proactively credited ahead of time the $20 warranty fee
simply by me remarking that I shouldn't have to pay for it

Three phones in toto, and I still haven't paid a dime for the phone or for
the warranty service.

Knowing this Pinnerite character, I assume he concocted the entire story.

Andy Burnelli wrote:

> Oct 2024 T-Mobile replaced _that_ A32-5G because it hung up
> As before, the old phone had to be brought to a store for
> physical inspection & there I had to pay the $20 warranty fee
> T-Mobile proactively credited ahead of time the $20 warranty fee
> simply by me remarking that I shouldn't have to pay for it

ooooooops.

Obviously that October 2024 is a typo since just last month T-Mobile gave
me the second replacement for that A32-5G without giving me _any_ trouble
other than to physically inspect the phone to ensure I didn't abuse it.

Despite the OP's wailings about being made to wait, the only wait period I
had was for T-Mobile to get the replacement phone shipped to the local
store (which was a few days, as I recall).

Funny story: T-Mobile support gave me the tracking number so I knew it was
in the store _before_ the store personnel did - which - actually caused me
time _in_ the store because they have a lot of paperwork they have to
process _before_ they can process the warranty exchange.

While it's clear I believe this pinnerite/micky/absurd thread is concocted,
and hence that's why it's so ridiculous what the op portends, there are
many out there who do not know the one super simple super important super
easy trick to get to the bits inside your phone WITHOUT having to interact
directly with the phone.

Once inside, depending on what the damaged phone situation is (e.g., is it
just the screen, or is it just the operating system, or whatever) you can
usually at the very least backup all your data and almost always you can
even reimage the phone (yes, without it asking for a password).

Sometimes you can just reboot it from there and often that makes it work.

I'm sure folks like Andy Burns and Frank Slootweg know what this super
simple super important trick is, but if others want to know, just ask.
--
Posted out of the goodness of my heart to disseminate useful information
which, in this case, is to still add technical value despite the troll
nature of this thread.

The Real Bev <bashley101@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 12/1/22 12:28 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
>> "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 1 Dec 2022 08:11:18 -0600, VanguardLH wrote:
>>>
>>>> pinnerite <pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>>>>>
>>>>> I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a
>>>>> password that i did not have(?)
>>>>>
>>>>> UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of
>>>>> warranty but would do it for a charge.
>>>>>
>>>>> They gave no indication as to how much.
>>>>>
>>>>> Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain
>>>>> control.
>>>>>
>>>>> Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had
>>>>> provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>>>>>
>>>>> A fortnight without it so far. :(
>>>>>
>>>>> TIA
>>>>
>>>> A Mi account was one method of authentication. You never created one?
>>>>
>>>> https://xiaomiui.net/how-to-remove-mi-account-7606/
>>>>
>>>> Who reset your phone? You make it sound like someone else did.
>>>>
>>>> https://www.webcazine.com/17994/qa-miui-7-how-to-factory-reset-your-
>>> phone-without-entering-mi-password/
>>>>
>>>> That has you do the reset.
>>>>
>>>> I don't own Xioami, a company, not a phone. I don't own any of their
>>>> phones. The above is what I found in an online search.
>>>
>>> I don't understand how after a factory reset you can be asked for a
>>> password. :-?
>>
>> I guess it could just as for a password, and the server-side account
>> manager makes sure every Mi account gets a unique password. Might be
>> called password, but could be a pass phrase. Maybe a reset doesn't
>> change the username, so just a password is needed. I don't know how
>> they do it, either, especially since I don't have a Xioami phone, so I
>> cited their How-To article noting the password requirement (if you
>> created an account).
>
> What if the password wanted was the one you gave when you created the
> on-line account in order to report the problem? Nothing else makes any
> sense.

I've seen where someone bought a used Xiaomi phone, but didn't have the
password for the prior owner, and they couldn't contact the prior owner.
I would try the reset process suggested by the webcazine article since
the OP didn't describe how he did a reset. Actually the OP said he
"wiped" the phone, not reset it. Not sure wipe is the same as reset.

VanguardLH wrote:

> I've seen where someone bought a used Xiaomi phone, but didn't have the
> password for the prior owner, and they couldn't contact the prior owner.
> I would try the reset process suggested by the webcazine article since
> the OP didn't describe how he did a reset. Actually the OP said he
> "wiped" the phone, not reset it. Not sure wipe is the same as reset.

The op is fabricating the situation in my humble opinion, where none of us
but the OP has ever experienced _anything_ remaining (let alone a password)
after a full factory reset.

However... and I bring this up for the group - not for the OP himself...

There is this concept of full system encryption.

Can you even factory wipe a phone with full system encryption enabled?

Andy Burnelli wrote:

> Can you even factory wipe a phone with full system encryption enabled?

The answer is yes so encryption isn't likely the Op's (contrived) problem.
<https://www.wired.co.uk/article/securely-wipe-android-iphone-hard-disk>

How to securely wipe an Android phone
If you haven't encrypted your Android device, a standard factory reset
isn't enough to ensure that your old files can't be recovered, particularly
if the phone is rooted. Rooting is a process that allows you to get root,
or highest level, access to the Android operating system code and is
similar to jailbreaking Apple devices. While that might come as a relief if
you've accidentally wiped your phone without backing up your treasured meme
collection, it's not particularly helpful from a security perspective.

To start with, if you've not already done so, encrypt your phone. Most
recent Android versions will have done this by default. Go to Security &
Location, Advanced, Encryption & credentials to check. *If encryption is*
*enabled, then a factory reset will indeed render your data irretrievable.*

However, older Android devices, from 2015 and earlier, were susceptible to
data-retrieval techniques even after a factory reset had been carried out.
If you've got one of these, enable encryption, factory reset the phone, and
then, for good measure, fill up its storage to ensure - as best you can -
that every cell of its solid-state hard disk has been written before wiping
it again. This isn't great for the disk, but security is our priority here.

Andy Burnelli wrote:

> Pinnerite === micky

AFAIK, they live on opposite sides of the Atlantic ...

Andy Burns wrote:

>> Pinnerite === micky
>
> AFAIK, they live on opposite sides of the Atlantic ...

I understand they may not be the same person but they both post garbage
that when you ask questions (to help them) their answers make no sense.

However... to the point of the different cultures across the pond with
respect to consumer-friendly cellular service warranty repair processes...

I've been in Europe many times where I've noticed the _culture_ of
"supporting" stuff in the USA is phenomenally better than in Europe.

My personal experience is specifically in terms of "returns" of consumer
purchased products, but not so much in terms of phone "warranty" exchanges.

Hence my only experience with cellular phone warranty replacements is, as I
had described in detail, that of the three USA companies (all of whom I've
had excellent warranty service from - although Verizon & AT&T upped my
contract date which I didn't appreciate - while T-Mobile has no contract).

However, with respect to warranty returns in Europe, I'm well aware of
court cases in Europe where some European companies complain that allowing
customers to return things is an unfair advantage American companies
provide which the German courts, in particular, have flatly denied saying
"Since when is customer service an unfair advantage?".

I could dig up the court case if you strongly disagree, and I don't know of
any particulars for where Pinnerite's warranty claims to originate but
almost everything he claimed in this thread made little sense to anyone.

The fact nothing ever makes sense, thread after thread of his, is
fundamentally his strong resemblance to the micky troll (IMHO).

BTW, as an aside, to _help_ the rest of the Android regulars, would you
kindly reply to this thread to answer the obvious questions that arose?
*Do you turn USB Debugging on the instant you get a new phone?*
<https://groups.google.com/g/comp.mobile.android/c/c8b0FRvALmo>

I was shocked at the response from one poster as I've been spending _years_
edifying these same people - and yet everything they believe is dead wrong.

I don't wish to chastise them. I wish to _teach_ them.

Maybe they'll understand how Android works with respect to that one
question if _you_ explain it to them instead of me?

The most important point I wanted to help them understand was:
USB debugging protects you when your screen is unresponsive
(when nothing else will)

A poster brought up a bunch of "supposed" reasons, which were flawed
in that I'm well aware that you are also well aware that...
a. While sideloading a new phone via adb (over USB or Wi-Fi) using
the USB debugging mode is convenient to add and remove apps
from a new phone, it's not required - so that's not the reason.
b. I don't know of any apps which _require_ usb debugging just to
install them (which someone suggested was the reason), however
some require usb debugging options (such as mock location apps).
c. As for apps not permitted on the Google Play Store requiring
USB debugging to sideload them, I don't know of any, and in fact
the aforementioned mock location apps are on the Google Play Store
(and they _require_ USB debugging to work properly).

The issue of the danger of leaving the switch on all the time that was
brought up, I guess does exist, as it sets all sorts of options you won't
ever need but I would weigh that against the danger of NOT leaving the
switch on all the time (which they don't realize yet what that is).

Plus, I guess we could run down and unset all those set switches.

But what I'm sincerely trying to _help_ them understand is the simple fact
that if their touch screen ever becomes unresponsive, USB debugging will
be the _only_ way to interact with their phone - but I'm sure they won't
believe it coming from me.

Maybe from you?

In comp.mobile.android, on Thu, 1 Dec 2022 10:43:00 +0000, pinnerite
<pinnerite@gmail.com> wrote:

>My xiaomi cellphone acquired a corruption. (Long story)
>
>I agreed to it being wiped but then could not get in when it demanded a password that i did not have(?)
>
>UK support after several tortuous exchanges told me it was out of warranty but would do it for a charge.
>
>They gave no indication as to how much.
>
>Is there a way that I can completely reinstall the OS and regain control.
>
>Apparently this problem is caused by additional "security" yet I had provided masses of information proving my ownership.
>
>A fortnight without it so far. :(
>
>TIA

Did you know that Xiaomi has user forums? I think they have different
ones for different phones, but for this sort of problem. I'm prettty
sure any answer you get in almost any of them will work for almost all
their phones. Does that mean you have to ask in each forum? I don't
know how that works.

On Fri, 2 Dec 2022 16:14:50 +0000
Andy Burnelli <spam@nospam.com> wrote:

> Andy Burnelli wrote:
>
> > Can you even factory wipe a phone with full system encryption enabled?
>
> The answer is yes so encryption isn't likely the Op's (contrived) problem.
> <https://www.wired.co.uk/article/securely-wipe-android-iphone-hard-disk>
>
> How to securely wipe an Android phone
> If you haven't encrypted your Android device, a standard factory reset
> isn't enough to ensure that your old files can't be recovered, particularly
> if the phone is rooted. Rooting is a process that allows you to get root,
> or highest level, access to the Android operating system code and is
> similar to jailbreaking Apple devices. While that might come as a relief if
> you've accidentally wiped your phone without backing up your treasured meme
> collection, it's not particularly helpful from a security perspective.
>
> To start with, if you've not already done so, encrypt your phone. Most
> recent Android versions will have done this by default. Go to Security &
> Location, Advanced, Encryption & credentials to check. *If encryption is*
> *enabled, then a factory reset will indeed render your data irretrievable.*
>
> However, older Android devices, from 2015 and earlier, were susceptible to
> data-retrieval techniques even after a factory reset had been carried out.
> If you've got one of these, enable encryption, factory reset the phone, and
> then, for good measure, fill up its storage to ensure - as best you can -
> that every cell of its solid-state hard disk has been written before wiping
> it again. This isn't great for the disk, but security is our priority here.

I appreciate the offers of help (and the self-righteous time wasters).

I have been through the usual routes Xiaomi User groups but the problem
was one of corruption.

the last thing i can remember doing before the 'phone became inoperable
was to download a sync program from the play store.

My recorded passcode was not recognise and the keyboard could only be
accessed by clicking on a key until it web=nt green, then double
clicking it. This had to be done for every character of the passcode.

Nothing worked so I asked my son-in-law for help. He specialises in
cyber-security. He tried every trick in the android book but failed. He
said he could wipoe it back to factory defaults and I agreed.

When it came up afterwards, it needed an access code.

I contacted techical support and emails went to and fro. After 10 days,
they accepted that I was the genuine owner but as the 'phone was out of
warranty (it is just over three years old), they demanded to see it. I
asked for a quote. They replied that they had to see it first. I wrote
that I only need an access code and askechow much can that cost? They
haven't responded.

I'll give it a couple more days and then reluctantly buy a Samsung S20.
The Xiaomi Mi9 i a terrific phone but "security" is a nightmare.

Alan

--
Mint 20.3, kernel 5.4.0-132-generic, Cinnamon 5.2.7
running on an AMD Phenom II X4 Black edition processor with 16GB of
DRAM.

On Thu, 1 Dec 2022 21:55:18 +0000
Andy Burnelli <spam@nospam.com> wrote:

> The Real Bev wrote:
>
> > Nothing else makes any sense.
>
> This is for The Real Bev and any other sentient adults on this newsgroup
> (i.e., it's not an attempt to "help" the OP for reasons which will be told)
>
> *Pinnerite === micky === concocted absurdities*
>
> (if not literally in name, certainly in similar concocted absurdities).
>
> BTW, to add useful technical value on the topic of warranties...
>
> Apr 2021 I received a free Samsung A32-5G from T-Mobile
> Free SIM card too
> Feb 2022 T-Mobile replaced it because the USB-C slot went bad.
> The old phone had to be brought to a T-Mobile store for
> physical inspection & there I had to pay the $20 warranty fee
> T-Mobile proactively credited ahead of time the $20 warranty fee
> simply by me remarking that I shouldn't have to pay for it
> Oct 2024 T-Mobile replaced _that_ A32-5G because it hung up
> As before, the old phone had to be brought to a store for
> physical inspection & there I had to pay the $20 warranty fee
> T-Mobile proactively credited ahead of time the $20 warranty fee
> simply by me remarking that I shouldn't have to pay for it
>
> Three phones in toto, and I still haven't paid a dime for the phone or for
> the warranty service.
>
> Knowing this Pinnerite character, I assume he concocted the entire story.

You do not know "this Pinneeite character".

Following my attempts to resolve the problem myself.
I decided that restoring it back to factory defaults, altough wiping
out much of my data was the only answer.

Upon rebooting I was asked for an authentication code. I din't have one.
UK technical support then tried to establish that I was the true owner.

I had the purchase invoice and emails to and from them in 2019
concerning a problem with their implementaion of Android. (They
corrected it with an upgrade).

I also had my account code but my password no longer worked.

At the end of 10 days of to'ing and fro'ing, they said because it was
out of warranty I would have to pay.

"How much?"
"Cannot tell you until we see the 'phone".
Too open ended.

I decided to approach Xiaomi's Global Support.
They were brilliant.

It also took a while.

I had to put my SIM card into a working phone so that they could flash
it to enable me to complete the recovery on-line. They provided clear
instructions that worked like a dream. Most of my data was recovered
from the Google Cloud but none of my 2022 pictures. Fortunately most of
them had been donloaded to my desktop.

What I did learn from this experience was that despite the amazing
people who give their time and expertise in helping others, I still find
know-all trolls who hide behind the veil of anonimity to flourish their
playground personalies.

Thank you to everyone that tried to help.

Alan

--
Mint 20.3, kernel 5.4.0-132-generic, Cinnamon 5.2.7
running on an AMD Phenom II X4 Black edition processor with 16GB of
DRAM.

On 12/12/2022 2:39 PM, pinnerite wrote:

<snip>

> What I did learn from this experience was that despite the amazing
> people who give their time and expertise in helping others, I still find
> know-all trolls who hide behind the veil of anonimity to flourish their
> playground personalies.

Usenet filters are your friend. Please don't respond to the trolls,
filter them out.

sms wrote:

> Usenet filters are your friend. Please don't respond to the trolls,
> filter them out.

*Pinnerite === micky === concocted absurdities*

The more the Pinnerite/micky trolls filter me out, the _better_ Usenet will
be because I won't waste my valuable energy trying to help them on their
always absurd concocted problem sets (where they never test out solutions).

I leave, you, Steve, and nospam out of my killfiles because while both of
you incessantly shill (you for Verizon, nospam for Apple), each of you does
add technical value to many thread topics.

Like any good electrical engineer, you get down to the details, much like
VanguardLH does, or Andy or a few others who add value to this newsgroup.

In fact, I admire that you've created your extensive frequently updated
Android/IOS comparison document, for example, but I am dismayed you never
fix the errors ... but at the same time, the errors in that document are
only in about 10% of the entries (where nospam claims they're all wrong -
and they're not - nospam just hates how poorly iOS fares when compared to
Android).

Other than the 10% in your document which is wrong (mostly due to you not
knowing the solutions you claim don't exist for Android phones), your
document is damn good - and - I dare say - the best there is out there.

Kudos to you.
I tell it like it is.