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How to Reset M1 Card to Factory Default Password
Understanding M1 Card Default Passwords
When purchasing a new M1 card (also known as MF1 or S50 card), all sectors are protected by the factory default password: 12 hexadecimal “F” values (FFFFFFFFFFFF). This initial password grants full access to read/write data across all 16 sectors (0–15). However, if you’ve modified any sector’s password and forgotten it, the original default password cannot be restored directly – the card becomes permanently locked unless you know the updated credentials.
When Can You Reset the M1 Card to Default Password?
You can only revert to the default password if the sector’s authentication key remains unmodified. Follow these steps to verify and reset the card:
Step-by-Step Guide to Restore M1 Card Default Password
Tools Required:
- A compatible RFID reader/writer (e.g.,Fongwah S9-CU-00-00)
- Fongwah SDK and Demo Software (download here)
Procedure:
- Download the SDK & Demo Software
- Visit our Support Page to download the SDK package for S9-.
- Install the software and ensure your device is connected.
- Initialize Communication
- Launch the demo program and establish a connection with the reader.
- Place the M1 card on the reader’s scanning area.
- Load Authentication Keys
- Navigate to the “Password Settings” tab.
- Select “Load Default Keys” to input the factory password (12F).
- Scan All Sectors
- Click “Read All Sectors” to test access to sectors 0–15.
- Successful readout: All sectors still use the default password.
- Authentication error: Indicates a modified password in that sector.
- Reset Modified Passwords
- For locked sectors, manually enter the custom password (if known) to regain access.
- Navigate to “Write Password”, input the default 12F key, and save changes.
FAQ
Q: Can I recover a lost custom password?
A: No – M1 cards lack a password recovery feature. Always back up credentials.
Q: Does this method work for all M1 card types (S50, MF1)?
A: Yes, provided the reader supports ISO 14443-A standards.