Owners of modern devices often face the need to improve the level of protection of personal data. Changing the password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a basic procedure that is recommended immediately after buying a gadget or if you suspect a leak. Modern shells MIUI and the new HyperOS offer flexible settings to adapt the screen lock to the individual habits of the user.
Many users mistakenly believe that a standard pattern lock provides sufficient protection, but a digital combination or a complex alphanumeric password makes it much harder to hack a device using matching methods. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to change access codes, as well as the important nuances of restoring access to an account.
The process of changing the data to unlock it takes only a few minutes, but it requires care. Remember or write the new code in a safe place, as resetting a forgotten password without a Mi Account associated often leads to complete loss of data. Below are proven algorithms for actions for various versions of the firmware.
Preparing for changing security data
Before you make changes to your system settings, you need to make sure that the device is stable. If the smartphone is discharged, the process can be interrupted, which will cause the interface to freeze. Charge the battery to at least 20-30% to have time to enter complex combinations and check the biometrics.
It’s also worth checking if you have a Mi Account activated, and in modern firmware versions, security is tightly integrated with the company’s cloud services, and not having an account linked can block the ability to remotely unlock or search for a device in the event of a loss.
☑️ Preparation of the device for setting
It is recommended to remember the current access code in advance. Android in conjunction with the shell Xiaomi to confirm the change of password always requires the entry of the old value. This is a security mechanism that prevents the change of settings by unauthorized persons who have received temporary access to the unlocked phone.
Instructions: change the password to unlock the screen
The main method of protecting personal information is in the settings menu, and the path to it may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same. Open the Settings app and find the section responsible for device security.
In most current models, the path is: Settings → Passwords & Security → Device Protection. If you have HyperOS installed, the menu can simply be called Passwords. Click on Device Protection or Screen Lock to see the current method.
The system will request the input of the current PIN-After successful authorization, you will be asked to select a new type of lock:
- 🔒 pattern lock – connecting points in a certain order.
- 🔢 PIN-code is a short digital combination (usually 4-6 figure).
- 🔡 Password – combination of numbers and letters, the most reliable option.
- 👆 Pattern is an alternative name for a pattern lock in some localizations.
Once you have chosen the type of protection, you need to enter the new code twice, and be careful when you type it, because visually masking the symbols (stars) can be confusing, and once confirmed, the system will apply the changes instantly.
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Use a password that is at least 8 characters long, including letters of different registers and numbers, which will make brute-force code selection almost impossible.
Setting up a password for a Mi Account
The Mi Account password is used for logging into cloud services, the GetApps app store, and the Find Device function, which is not changed on the phone menu, but via a web interface or security application.
To change your data through your browser, go to the official id.mi.com website. Sign in to your profile using current data. In the Security section, select the option to Change your password. You will need access to your linked phone number or backup email to receive the confirmation code.
If you're on the smartphone menu, go along the path: Settings → Mi Account → Account Security. Here you can not only change your password, but also update your phone number, link backup email, which is critical to restoring access in the future.
| Parameter | Unlock password | Mi Account password |
|---|---|---|
| Where it's stored | In the memory of the device | On Xiaomi's servers |
| What do you need? | Entrance to the phone menu | Cloud Login and Services |
| Shift frequency | At the request of the user | When data is compromised |
| Recovery | Reset via Mi Account | Through SMS or Email |
Regularly changing your account password reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your photos and contacts stored in the cloud. Don’t ignore the notifications that you need to update your data if they come from Xiaomi’s security team.
Using biometrics instead of passwords
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones are equipped with advanced scanning modules, using fingerprint or facial recognition to minimize the need for frequent password entry, but the digital code cannot be completely replaced with biometrics – it is required for initial unlocking after rebooting.
You can configure biometrics in Passwords and Security → Unlock by fingerprint. The system will offer several times to apply your finger to the scanner (in the screen or on the side edge) to create a digital cast. HyperOS offers an accelerated password entry function through the fingerprint.
⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure part of the memory of the processor and is not transmitted to the servers. However, if the sensor is damaged or the system is seriously malfunctioned, the only way to log in is a digital password.
It is recommended to add a few fingerprints if you often wear gloves or use protective glass, which impairs reading, and you can also adjust the unlock on the face, although this method is considered less safe than a finger scan.
What to do if you forget your password
It's not uncommon for a user to forget an access code, and if a device is connected to the Internet and linked to a Mi Account, you can use the remote unlock function. Go to i.mi.com from another device, log in to your account and select Unblock.
This method will only work if the lost or locked phone has been activated in advance, otherwise you will have to perform a full reset to access the data.
Consequences of Recovery Reset
Turn off your smartphone to perform the reset. Then press the Volume Up + Power button combination (on some models Volume Down + Power) before the logo appears. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. After the reboot, the phone will be as new.
Additional protection measures in MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi’s shells offer features that go beyond standard Android, such as Second Space, which allows you to create an isolated environment with a separate password, which is convenient for hiding confidential files from prying eyes even if the phone is unlocked.
The app lock feature is also available, and it allows you to install an additional one. PIN-A code or fingerprint to log into specific programs, such as Gallery, Messages or Banking Applications, can be found on the way: → Annexes → Lock applications.
- 🛡️ Hiding the content of notifications on a locked screen.
- 🔐 Automatic locking during extraction SIM-map.
- 📵 Remote blocking via web interface.
- 📸 Hidden photo of the face with incorrect password entry.
Activating these features creates layered protection, and even if an attacker learns the master password, access to critical data will remain closed. MIUI Security.
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The complex use of screen password, Mi Account and application locking creates an almost insurmountable barrier to data theft.