How to change the screen lock password on Xiaomi: from PIN-pre-print

With a modern smartphone storing a huge amount of sensitive information, reliable access protection is a priority for every Android device owner. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO users often wonder how to change a standard pattern lock to a more complex digital code or, conversely, make it easier to unlock. Data security depends on the complexity of the combination you use daily.

Shell interface MIUI HyperOS offers flexible customizations that allow you to tailor your security to your needs, so you can combine different authentication methods, add biometrics, or set time limits. It is important to understand the difference between an unlock password and an access code. SIM-The map is different because it has different levels of protection.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm for changing the security combination, consider the nuances of working with forgotten passwords and evaluate the reliability of various methods. Properly configuring this parameter will save your personal photos and correspondence in the event of loss of a gadget. Changing the lock password does not delete data if you remember the current access code.

Types of locks and their reliability in MIUI and HyperOS

Before you start settings, you need to decide on the type of protection that will be most convenient and safe for you. Xiaomi offers a wide range of options, each of which has its own technical features, the choice depends on how critical the information in your device and how often you plan to unlock it.

The most common method is the pattern lock, but cybersecurity experts say it is not reliable enough, and fatty traces on the screen can give off the trajectory of the finger, which will allow the attacker to choose a combination. PIN-code or a complex mixed combination (numbers and letters) provide a much higher level of protection.

• 🔒 pattern lock: Finger connection, convenient but leaves traces on the display.
• 🔢 PIN-code: a sequence of 4 or more digits, a classic and reliable method of protection.
• 🔣 Complicated password: combination of letters, numbers and symbols, maximum protection against brute-force attacks.
• 👆 Biometrics: Fingerprint scanner or facial recognition, fast but requires a backup password.

⚠️ WARNING: Using simple combinations like “1234,” “0000,” or a graphical key like the letter “L” makes your device vulnerable to poke selection in seconds.

It's worth noting that biometrics like Face ID or fingerprint are not a full password on Android, but are a convenient way to enter the main digital or graphical code, which is why when you reboot your smartphone, the system always requires you to enter the backup password you set initially.

Step-by-step: how to change the lock password

The process of changing the access code in the MIUI and HyperOS shells is standardized, but the menu item names may vary slightly depending on the firmware version. First, make sure the device is charged so that the process does not interrupt at a critical stage. All changes take effect immediately after confirmation.

You'll need to go to the main settings menu and find the security section, which is usually at the top of the list or inside the "Advanced" tab. The interface may differ on different models, but the logic remains the same for all Xiaomi smartphones.

Once you log in to the Lock screen, the system will ask you to enter the current security code, which is a mandatory procedure for verifying the identity of the owner, and if you do not remember the current password, you will not be able to move to the step of creating a new one in the standard way, you will need a complete reset of the device.

Select the desired type of lock from the list you have suggested. If you move from the pattern lock to the numbers, the system will warn you to change the format. Enter the new combination twice to confirm, then the old code will cease to work, and the login will be carried out according to the new rules.

Setup of biometric protection and Face ID

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced biometrics modules that significantly speed up access to the system, setting up a fingerprint scanner or facial recognition occurs in the same menu where the password changes, which allows you to create a multi-level security system.

To add a fingerprint, click on the appropriate item in the security menu, you will be asked to apply your finger several times to the scanner (in the screen or under the display) so that the system remembers the pattern of papillary lines, and it is recommended to add an alternate finger in case the main one is damaged or contaminated.

Face ID on most Redmi and Xiaomi models uses a front-facing camera to create a two-dimensional image. This is convenient but less secure than a fingerprint, as protection can be bypassed with high-quality photography. Use facial unlock only in combination with a strong digital password.

⚠️ Note: Biometric data is stored in a secure partition of memory and is not transferred to the servers of the company. However, if you change your phone, you will have to reconfigure the biometrics.

Smart locking and trusted devices

Android has a useful Smart Lock feature that allows you to automatically turn off your password request in a secure environment, which is true when your phone is at home or connected to your personal gadget, such as a smartwatch or fitness bracelet.

Activation of this feature is in advanced security settings. You can add "Safe Spaces" (using GPS) or "Trusted Devices" (using Bluetooth). While the smartphone "sees" the trusted device, the screen remains unlocked, saving time.

It's important to understand that Smart Lock does not cancel your password completely, but only temporarily suspends your request. When you restart or after 4 hours of downtime, the system will still require you to enter the main code, which is a compromise between convenience and security.

What to do if you forget the lock password

Unfortunately, Google and Xiaomi's security policies do not provide an easy way to restore access without losing data unless backups have been made.

There are several scenarios: If your phone has an Internet connection and a Mi Account or Google Account enabled, you can try remote unlocking via Find Device, but on newer versions of MIUI, this feature often requires that the device be pre-linked to the account and have an active connection.

The most effective, but radical, method is Hard Reset, which requires turning off the phone and clamping the button combination (usually Volume Up + Power). From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data.

💡

Before resetting, make sure you remember the username and password from Mi Account and Google Account tied to the phone. After the reset, the device will request this data to confirm ownership (FRP protection).

Once the procedure is complete, the phone will return to the “out of the box” state, all contacts, photos and apps will be deleted if they were not synced to the cloud, and restore data from the Mi Cloud or Google Drive backup when you first set up.

Frequent questions and problems when changing your password

Users often face unusual situations where the system behaves in an unpredictable way, such as the password change button may be inactive, or the phone may require a password from Mi Account when trying to change security settings.

Sometimes, after updating the firmware, old passwords may stop working or require too much input, in such cases, it is recommended to check whether the "Password Request" function is enabled in the lock screen settings, and make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly.

💡

Regular password change and the use of biometrics in conjunction with the PIN-code create the optimal balance between the security of your data and the usability of the Xiaomi smartphone.