How to change the password on Xiaomi: all the ways for smartphones and smart devices

Why it’s important to change your passwords on Xiaomi regularly

Xiaomi smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from photos and correspondence to bank card data and geolocation. Device password is the first and main barrier between your data and potential attackers. Even if you are sure that no one knows your current code, cybersecurity experts recommend updating it every 3-6 months.

This is especially true for owners of shared devices (such as a family tablet) or those who actively use Mi Account to sync data. In 2023, researchers discovered a vulnerability in older versions of MIUI that allows you to bypass the lock screen through ADB - a password update closes this loophole.

In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios: from a standard change of the lock password to restore access to the Mi Account and reset the settings if you forget the current code. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 and all models of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO smartphones (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5).

How to change the locking password of the screen

The most common case is that you remember your current password and you want to update it, and it takes less than a minute, but it requires attention to detail, and the important thing is, if you use a fingerprint or facial recognition, you have to reset it once you change your password.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15:

1. Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
2. Select Screen Lock.
3. Enter your current password, PIN or pattern lock.
4. Click Change the lock password.
5. Select the new password type: PIN (4-6 digits), Password (letters + numbers) or pattern lock.
6. Enter the new code twice and confirm.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 13 Ultra), the system can request additional confirmation through the Mi Account. This is a standard security measure - don't be afraid if you see such a window.

Make sure your phone is at least 20% charged.

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi or mobile network

Remember or write down a new password in a safe place

Check that you have access to the linked email in your Mi Account.-->

⚠️ Note: If you use Smart Lock (automatically unlocked in trusted places), after changing the password, you will have to reconfigure trusted devices and locations. → Google → Security → Smart Lock.

Change your password to Mi Account (Xiaomi account)

Mi Account is a single account for all Xiaomi services, from cloud storage to branded apps, and if you forget your account password or want to update it for security reasons, you can do it from your smartphone or through your website.

Method 1: Through phone settings

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Slip on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Security → Password.
4. Enter the current password, then a new one (minimum 8 characters, with capital letters and numbers).
5. Confirm the changes via SMS or email.

Method 2: Through the website (if you don’t have access to the phone):

1. Open account.xiaomi.com in your browser.
2. Log in with the current data.
3. Go to Profile. → Security → Password.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (request confirmation via email or SMS).

⚠️ Note: If you have enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) In Mi Account, you need code from an authenticator application (like Google Authenticator) to change your password, and without it, it will be extremely difficult to restore access, you will have to contact support with confirmation of your purchase of the device.

Once a month

Every 3-6 months

Only if I forgot.

Never changed.-->

What to do if I forget the lock password

The situation is unpleasant, but not hopeless. Xiaomi provides several official ways to unlock, but their effectiveness depends on what features were configured in advance. email/Phone, chances of access recovery are high.

Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account (Internet required)

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot your password.
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm the unlock via SMS or email.
5. Set a new password for the screen.

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If you're not syncing with Mi Account, you'll have to use Fastboot, which deletes all the data from your device!

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to a PC with the Mi Flash Tool installed.
4. In the command line, run: fastboot oem clean_all Then fastboot reboot.

How to change the password in Xiaomi apps

Many Xiaomi branded apps (e.g. Mi Home, Mi Fit, Xiaomi Cloud) have their own login systems, often tied to Mi Account, but sometimes require a separate password, and let's figure out how to update them.

1. Mi Home (smart home)

• 📱 Open the Mi Home app.
• 👤 Slip on the avatar in the upper right corner.
• ⚙️ Select Account Settings → Security → Password.
• 🔑 Enter your current and new password (minimum 8 characters).

2. Mi Fit (fitness bracelets)

• 🏃 Go to Profile. → Settings → Account.
• 🔒 Select Change Password.
• 📧 Confirm the changes via email or SMS.

3. Xiaomi Cloud (cloud storage)

• ☁️ Open the Settings. → Xiaomi Cloud.
• 👤 Click on the profile icon.
• 🔐 Choose Security → Password.

💡

If you use the same device to control your smart home (Mi Home) and fitness trackers (Mi Fit), set up the same password for all services, which will make it easier to access and reduce the risk of locking yourself up when you forget.

How to Create a Strong Password for Xiaomi

A weak password is like an open door for hackers. According to Kaspersky, 23% of Xiaomi users in 2023 were phished because of simple codes like 123456 or qwerty.

• 🔢 Use 12.+ Mi Account characters (minimum 8, but the longer the better).
• 🅿️ For the lock screen, avoid birth dates, repeating numbers (1111) or simple patterns.
• 🔤 Combine upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols: for example, Tr0p!c@l_X1@0m1.
• 📱 Do not use the same password for your Mi Account and lock screen.
• 🔄 Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.

Check your password with services like Kaspersky Password Checker, which can be used if it's broken in less than 100 years.

To generate complex passwords, use managers like Bitwarden or 1Password, and they not only come up with strong code, they also store it encrypted, and don't keep your passwords in your notes or SMS!

💡

Never share a Mi Account password, even with Xiaomi support. The official service will never ask for it to solve problems.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when changing their passwords, which then turn into problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

1. Forgetting the email attached. You can't restore Mi Account without access to the mail. Always make sure that the email is active and you have access to it.
2. They use the same password for all services, and if they hack one account, they can access all the data, and each service (Mi Account, Mi Home, banking apps) has a unique password.
3. Do not log out before selling your phone. Before transferring the device to another person, be sure to perform Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out and reset to factory settings.
4. Ignoring security updates. Older versions of MIUI (below 14) had vulnerabilities that allowed you to bypass locking. Regularly update firmware through Settings → About Phone → System Update.

Another common mistake is to turn off the encryption in the developer settings, which makes the phone faster but makes it vulnerable to attacks. To check if encryption is enabled, go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Encryption.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions