Where to find passwords on Xiaomi: search, reset and restore access

Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where they need to remember or restore stored credentials, which can be a forgotten graphical key, a Wi-Fi password that needs to be passed to guests, or, most critically, data from a Mi Account blocking the device, and understanding where the system stores this information is key to solving the problem.

In the Android ecosystem, which is the basis of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, authentication data is dispersed across multiple secure storages. Unlike older versions of the operating system, modern smartphones encrypt stored passwords in an isolated partition of memory, access to which is only possible through system settings or with superuser rights. Below we will discuss in detail all possible search and recovery scenarios.

Before you start active resetting or hacking, it is important to determine the type of lock. An error in choosing a method can lead to complete data loss or locking of the device by the manufacturer's server. Data security is a priority of the system, so some recovery paths will only work if there is pre-synchronization.

Search passwords in Google Password Manager

The most universal and often ignored storage is Google's built-in service, and if you've ever agreed to save data when you log in to apps or Chrome, the desired character combination is already in the cloud. It doesn't require third-party programs to access it.

Open your smartphone settings and search for the word “Passwords” or manually navigate the Settings path → Google → Autocomplete → Autocomplete from Google. This is the main array of stored data. Click on “Google Password Manager”, you will see a list of all sites and applications for which credentials are saved.

To view a specific password, the system will require proof of your identity, which can be fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or entering the current screen unlock pin, a standard procedure for protecting sensitive information from prying eyes.

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Use the password export function in Google Manager to back up all data in CSV format, but keep this file in a safe place as it is not protected by encryption.

The manager interface allows you not only to view, but also edit or delete outdated entries. If you change your password on a site but you have an old one on your phone, this is where you can make the most of the changes to make autocomplete work properly in the future.

Restoring access to Mi Account

The most difficult case is the loss of data from Mi Account, which is the central security node of the device, and if the phone is locked by the activation screen and requires login and password input, and you don't remember them, standard bypass methods will not work because of the Anti-Theft system.

The only legal way to restore access is to use the official reset procedure on i.mi.com. You will need access to a linked phone number or backup email. Go to the site, enter your ID and click Forgot Password.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't have access to your linked phone number and email, it's almost impossible to restore your account through official support.

The recovery process may require you to enter a code from an SMS or answer a secret question. After successfully changing a password on a site, you need to wait from 15 minutes to 24 hours before entering new data on a locked device, which is the time it takes security servers to update statuses.

It's important to distinguish between the Mi Account password and the lock screen password. These are different levels of protection. Resetting one doesn't affect the other, but without the Mi Account password, you won't be able to fully use the device after a full Hard Reset.

Where to find a Wi-Fi password on Xiaomi

A common question users ask is, "Where do you see the Wi-Fi password that your phone is already connected to?" In modern versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, this feature is natively built in and does not require root rights. This is convenient when you need to connect a new gadget or laptop to the network.

Go to Settings. → Wi-Fi. Click on the active network name or the arrow to the right of the active network, and the screen will show you the details of the connection, and at the bottom of the screen you'll see the information. QR-code for fast connection of other devices.

Under QR-The code often (but not always, depending on the firmware version) contains a text password. If there is no text, just take a screenshot of the screen from the firmware version. QR-Then open this screenshot through the built-in scanner. QR-The camera recognizes the code and shows the password in text form.

• 🔹 Open the settings of wireless networks.
• 🔹 Choose an Active Connection.
• 🔹 Click "Share" or look under QR-code.
• 🔹 Use a scanner to read the data.

This only works for networks that the phone has previously connected to, so if the network is hidden or data has been deleted from the phone's memory, it can't be restored in this way, and then you need access to the router.

Resetting the pattern lock and screen pin code

If you forget the password to unlock the screen, things get complicated. For security reasons, manufacturers have removed the ability to simply reset through a Google account (a method that worked on Android 4-5).

To do this, you'll need access to Recovery mode. Turn off your phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or recovery menu appears.

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and select with a power button. Select a language (if available), then click Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm action. The phone will clear the memory and restart.

⚠️ Warning: After the reset, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced (FRP Lock).

There are specialized PC tools like Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, but they require pre-enabled USB debugging. If debugging has been turned off (and by default it is turned off), these methods won't work. The only way out is to remember your credentials.

Application passwords and second space

The MIUI shell offers unique privacy features, Application Protection and Second Space, which can be set up with separate passwords or graphical keys other than the main one. Where can I find them?

The application protection password is stored in the system security profile. If you forget it, try entering the wrong key 5 times. The screen will show the link "Forgot the password." The system will suggest answering the check question you asked when you installed, or using the Mi Account to reset.

The second space is actually the second user profile inside the same phone. To log out or delete, you need to know the password from the main space. If you forget the password to log in to the second space, the easiest way to delete this profile completely is through the main profile settings: Settings → Second space → Delete.

It is important to understand the difference between local protection and cloud protection. Mi Account data is the easiest to recover, since it does not depend on the physical condition of the phone. Local passwords (screen, applications) are tied to the device and if it is damaged, it can be lost forever.

Using ADB commands for advanced users

For those who prefer the command line and have USB debugging enabled, there is the option of controlling some security settings via a computer.This requires installing Xiaomi USB Driver drivers and the SDK Platform Tools platform.

Connect your phone to your PC, select File Transfer mode, and confirm debugging on your smartphone screen. In the computer command line, type in the adb device command to make sure the device is visible. If all is correct, you can reset certain settings, although modern versions of Android limit this functionality.

adb shell pm clear com.android.settings

This command can reset settings, but on newer versions of Android 10-14 it is often ineffective at removing screen locks due to enhanced security protocols.However, it can help if the problem is caused by a software settings failure rather than a forgotten password.

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ADB is only effective if USB debugging has been enabled beforehand. On devices without this setup, the method is useless.

Don't download dubious programs from the Internet that promise to "hack any Xiaomi in 5 minutes," at best they will be useless, at worst they contain viruses, official tools are safer and more reliable.

Prevention and backup

So that Xiaomi passwords don't catch you off guard, it's important to do regular prevention, set up automatic synchronization of sensitive data with the cloud, not just for contacts, but also for notes, voice recorders and passwords.

Use third-party password managers like Bitwarden or KeePass if Google’s built-in tools don’t seem flexible enough to allow you to access a database even without the internet and from any device.

• 🔸 Write down critical passwords on paper and store them in a safe.
• 🔸 Set up a backup email for all accounts.
• 🔸 Check the relevance of the phone number in your profile regularly.
• 🔸 Do not disable the "Find the device" function without emergency.

Remember, security is a balance between convenience and security: passwords that are too complex are hard to remember, passwords that are too simple are easy to crack, and two-factor authentication whenever possible.