Modern smartphones store a huge amount of personal information, from banking applications to private photos, so protecting access to the device becomes the number one priority for each owner. If you are thinking about how to change the password in Xiaomi Redmi 5, then you are exercising reasonable caution or faced with the need to update the login data after buying a gadget from hand. The process of changing the access code in the shell of MIUI, which is based on this popular budgetary, implemented logically enough, but has its own nuances that it is important to consider so as not to block the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for changing security data, from standard PIN change through settings to complex procedures for restoring access if the old code is forgotten, learn about the differences between the types of locks, such as a pattern lock, digital password and mixed version, and understand how to properly configure biometric protection in conjunction with the new code.
The Redmi 5, released a few years ago, is still widely used for its reliability, but the software requires careful attention, especially when it comes to logging in and unlocking your screen. We will look at not only standard scenarios, but also situations where the system requires confirmation through Mi Account or Google account. Understanding these mechanisms will help you avoid unpleasant surprises and losing access to your own gadget at the most inopportune time.
Types of screen locks in MIUI
Before you start changing the code directly, you need to decide what type of protection you want to use, because it depends on the level of security and convenience of daily use of the smartphone. The MIUI shell offers several options, each of which has its own technical features and application scenarios. Choosing the wrong type of lock can lead to the fact that you either will be constantly irritated due to the complexity of input, or, conversely, make the device too vulnerable to outsiders.
The most common option is digital. PIN-It's a balance between input speed and reliability, although it's easy for an attacker to go through simple combinations like "1234" or "0000" without any special equipment. A more complex option is an alphanumeric password, which requires entering characters from different registers, which greatly complicates the task of hacking, but takes more time with each unlock.
The pattern lock remains popular among users who prefer visual images over numbers. However, on screens with a diagonal of 5.7 inches, like the Redmi 5, greasy fingers can sometimes leave noticeable traces on the matrix, which can theoretically restore the picture.
- 🔢 PIN: Quick input 4-6 The numbers are optimal for everyday use.
- 🔑 Complicated password: combination of letters and numbers, maximum protection of important data.
- ✍️ pattern lock: Finger connection, convenient for those who do not remember numbers.
- 👆 Fingerprint: Biometric protection that requires a backup password.
⚠️ Note: When choosing a pattern lock, try not to use simple geometric shapes (letters, corners), as fatty traces on the screen can give your combination to outsiders.
It is important to understand that regardless of the type of system you choose, you will always need to enter your primary password after you reboot your device or after 72 hours of downtime.This is an Android security protocol that cannot be circumvented without losing data, so forgetting the primary access code is strongly discouraged.
Standard password change through settings
If you have full access to your smartphone interface and you know the current unlock code, it takes no more than a minute to replace it, which is a standard method that developers have in place to routinely update security data, and you first need to unlock the screen and find the Settings app on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear.
In the menu that opens, you should scroll down to the section that handles the device's personal settings. In different versions of MIUI, it may be called differently, but most often the item you're looking for is in the category Passwords and Security or simply Security. Inside this section, you should find a submenu called Device Protection or Screen Lock, where all access settings are stored.
☑️ Checking before changing password
Once you log in to the lock menu, the system will ask you to confirm your rights by requesting your current password or fingerprint. Then you will see a list of available lock types where you need to select the desired option (for example, change the PIN to the password). After choosing the type of protection, you will see a field to enter a new code, which you must enter twice to confirm to eliminate the input error.
In some cases, the system may suggest that you link a new password to your Mi Account, which is a useful feature that allows you to restore access in case you forget the code, but it requires an active Internet connection. If you do not want to link the account, you can skip this step, but then the responsibility for the safety of the code lies entirely with you.
| Parameter | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Length of PIN | Number of digits in the code | Minimum 6 digits |
| Difficulty | Presence of letters and symbols | Use a mix of symbols |
| Time to lockdown | Downtime before the protection is activated | Right away or 1 minute. |
| Password visibility | Displaying symbols when entering | Insert for verification |
After a successful change, the system will automatically apply the new settings, and the next unlocking of the device will require a new combination. If you used a fingerprint, it will continue to work, but as a backup method, a new password will be requested.
Use of fingerprint and face ID
Modern smartphones, including Redmi 5, offer convenient alternatives to manual code entry, with fingerprint scanning leading the way, not only speeding up access to the system, but also increasing overall security, as biometrics are unique. However, many users mistakenly believe that setting up a fingerprint allows you to completely abandon the password, which is a gross misconception.
In fact, biometrics in Android and MIUI work in conjunction with the main locking method: you can't activate the fingerprint scanner or facial recognition if you don't have a digital or graphical password set, and biometrics is just a handy key for everyday use, while the master password remains the master key you need after a reboot or a system crash.
To adjust your fingerprint on Redmi 5, go to the Settings -> Additional -> Fingerprints menu. The system will ask you to apply your finger to the scanner on the back several times, gradually remembering the pattern of papillary lines. It is recommended to add several fingerprints, for example, with the thumb of your right and left hand, so that unlocking is comfortable in all situations.
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Add the fingerprint of the index finger of the hand you normally hold your phone to speed up unlocking in everyday scenarios.
Face ID is a front-facing camera that is software-based, but it's convenient, but it's less secure than a fingerprint scanner because you can fool the system with a high-quality photo, so you shouldn't rely solely on Face ID to protect sensitive data, especially if you have a simple password as a backup.
⚠️ Attention: The fingerprint scanner on Redmi 5 is located on the back. Make sure the scanner area and your fingers are dry and clean, or the recognition speed may slow down.
What to do if you forget your password
The situation of a user forgetting a password previously set is one of the most stressful, but solvable. If you can't remember the combination to log in, the standard path through the settings is closed, and you have to resort to more radical measures. It's important to understand that modern versions of Android, for security reasons, do not allow you to simply reset your password without losing your personal data unless you have pre-synced.
The first thing you should try is to enter the password incorrectly several times. After 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system can offer a recovery option through a Google account or Mi Account if the device is connected to the Internet. On the lock screen, a link may appear "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your pattern lock?", clicking on which will redirect you to the login page. By entering the login and password from the account to which the smartphone is attached, you can set a new access code.
If the Internet recovery is unavailable or the account is not tied, the only way to return access to the device is a full reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all user data: photos, contacts, apps and messages, returning the phone to the "out of the box" state. To perform the reset on the Redmi 5 turned off, you need to pinch the combination of the buttons "Loud up" and "Power" simultaneously.
Risks of resetting through Recovery
Once you enter the Recovery menu (which is controlled by volume and power buttons), you must select Wipe Data or Clear User Data. Confirm the action, and the cleaning process begins. Once completed, the phone will restart, and you can reset it with a new, more secure password.
- 🔄 Google Find My Device: Remote reset via Google site, requires internet enabled.
- 📱 Mi Account: Unlocking through Xiaomi website if phone was tied.
- 🛠️ Hard Reset: Physical button reset, deletes all data.
- 🔓 ADB Command: a sophisticated method for advanced users with debugging enabled.
Set up Mi Account for Protection
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers a powerful device protection tool through its Mi Account service. Linking a smartphone to this account creates an additional layer of security known as “Activation Lock,” which means that even after a full Hard Reset, the phone will require you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account it was previously associated with.
To set up this feature, go to Settings -> Mi Account and log in to your profile or create a new one. In the security section, make sure that Find Device is activated, which will not only lock your phone when you lose it, but also remotely change your password, lock your screen or erase data through the web interface on your computer.
Using Mi Account is especially important if you plan to sell the device or transfer it to another person, in which case you need not only to reset the settings, but also to log out of the account in the settings menu so that the new owner can activate the phone under his data, otherwise the device will remain a “brick” for the new user without access to your account.
Two-factor authentication for your Mi Account is not to be neglected, which ensures that even if someone learns your password, they can’t access device management without a code from an SMS or authenticator application. Two-factor protection is the security standard for any digital service today.
Frequent problems and their solution
During the operation of Redmi 5 users may experience various software failures associated with locking, for example, touchscreen may stop responding in certain areas, making it impossible to enter a pattern lock. In such cases, it is recommended to temporarily switch to the PIN code through the emergency call menu (if there is such an option) or connect to the PIN code. USB-mouse-wise OTG-password-input.
Another common problem is the endless cycle of requesting a password after a system update, which can be due to conflicting encryption files. The solution is often to clear the Dalvik Cache cache through Recovery mode, which does not affect personal data, but corrects system errors. If the persists problem, you may need to flash the device.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires a password from Mi Account after a reset you don't remember, it's officially almost impossible to restore access.This is anti-theft protection, so never link someone else's accounts.
Users also sometimes complain that the fingerprint is no longer recognized after a software update, which helps to remove old fingerprints from memory and write them back, and if that doesn't help, it may be the hardware part of the scanner's plume that requires you to go to the service center.
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Regularly updating your MIUI system will close security vulnerabilities, but always back up your data before you update.