Graphic password on Xiaomi: how to put, change and reset the lock pattern

Introduction: why you need a graphical password on a Xiaomi smartphone

A pattern lock is one of the most convenient ways to protect a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone from unauthorized access. Unlike a PIN- code or fingerprint, the lock pattern combines ease of use with visual memory. You just swipe your finger across the screen, connecting the dots in a predefined sequence, and the phone unlocks in a fraction of a second.

But there's a downside to this: if the pattern is too simple (like a straight line or an "L"), it's easy to peek at or guess. And if you forget the combination, it's harder to unlock than when you use the PIN- code. In this article, we'll go into detail on how to put a graphical password on Xiaomi, customize it to your needs, and what to do in emergency situations, from reset to restore access.

It’s important to understand that the procedure may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12, MIUI 14, or HyperOS) and the smartphone model, but the overall algorithm has been the same for many years, and we’ll look at the generic steps that will suit most of the brand’s devices.

Preparation: What to Know Before Setup a Graphic Password

Before you start installing a pattern lock, make sure your Xiaomi smartphone meets a few basic requirements:

• 📱 Version MIUI is at least 9. On older firmware, the interface of settings may differ, and some features (e.g., pattern backup) may not.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 20%, which will prevent the device from suddenly shutting down during setup.
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (preferably over Wi-Fi) is required to synchronize the Mi Account, which will be useful when you restore access.
• ✍️ A stored PIN- code or password. The pattern lock is always installed over another unlock method (e.g., a digital code). This is a security requirement MIUI.

If you're setting up a lock for the first time, the system will suggest you choose the primary method of protection. The graphic password cannot be set as the only way to unlock it, you'll need a backup PIN or password, so that you can log in even if you forget the pattern.

⚠️ Warning: If you haven't previously linked your Mi Account to your phone, do so before you set your graphical password. Without a linked account, it's extremely difficult to reset the pattern when you lose it, you'll need to completely reset your lost data settings.

Step-by-step: how to put a graphical password on Xiaomi

Now, to the main thing, you need to install the pattern lock.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the desktop or in the application menu).
2. Scroll down and select the Lock Screen section (in some versions of MIUI – Lock and Protect).
3. Slip on the line Screen Lock Type (or Password & Security → Lock Type in HyperOS).
4. Enter the current one. PIN-code or password (if already installed).
5. Select the Pattern option (or the Graphic Password in older versions).
6. A 9-dot grid will appear on the screen. Swipe your finger across the screen, connecting at least 4 dots (more) and repeat the pattern twice for confirmation.
7. Click Ready or Confirm.

The system may suggest adding a backup PIN- code (if it is not already available) or linking Mi Account to restore access.

If you want to make the pattern more reliable, avoid obvious combinations:

• 🚫 Simple letters (C, M, Z).
• 🚫 Straight lines or diagonals.
• 🚫 Popular symbols (heart, arrow, star).

⚠️ Warning: On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro) after 5 failed attempts to enter the pattern, the system temporarily blocks unlocking for 30 seconds. If you forget the password, do not try to guess it by brute force - this will only make the situation worse.

How to Change or Delete a Graphic Password on Xiaomi

If you're bored or you don't think it's reliable enough, you can change it or you can turn it off.

1. Go to Settings → Lock screen → Screen Lock type.
2. Enter your current graphical password (or backup PIN).
3. To change the pattern, select the Pattern and go through the adjustment procedure again.
4. To remove your graphical password, select another blocking method (such as a PIN or Password) and confirm the changes.

If you want to completely disable the screen lock, select the option No or Swipe (swipe).However, we do not recommend this - without protection, your data will be vulnerable to theft or accidental access.

On HyperOS models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path to settings may be slightly different: Settings → Password and security → Type of screen lock.

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If you often forget passwords, write backup PIN- code in the password manager (like Google Password Manager or KeePass) or on paper stored in a safe place. Don't save it in notes on your phone!

What to do if you forget your graphical password on Xiaomi

The situation of forgetting the lock pattern is familiar to many. Fortunately, Xiaomi has several ways to restore access, from simple to radical. Let's take them in order:

Method 1: Unlocking through backup PIN- code

If you set up your graphics password with a backup PIN, after 5 failed attempts to enter the pattern, the system will prompt you to enter it. Just click on the Forgot the pattern button that appears? or Reserve PIN and enter the digital code.

Method 2: Recovery with Mi Account

If there is no backup PIN but the phone is linked to your Mi Account, follow these steps:

1. After several failed attempts to enter the pattern, a button will appear: Forgot your password? (or Restore access).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

This only works when you have a stable Internet connection, so if your phone has a mobile Internet connection and Wi-Fi disconnected, use another method.

Method 3: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote)

If your phone is lost or stolen and you want to lock it or erase your data, do the following:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other device.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. Select the device from the list of devices.
4. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.

This method will completely remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Method 4: Hard Reset (total reset)

If no other method has worked, it will only be a hard reset to factory settings, which will remove all data from the phone, so only use this method if the device does not have important information or you have made a backup.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press and hold the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Some models (e.g., POCO F3 or Redmi 9T) may require additional confirmation via Mi Account even after a reset. This is a feature called Mi Cloud Lock, which protects the device from theft. If you don't remember your account details, it will be impossible to unlock your phone without contacting a service center.

Additional security settings for graphical password

To make the pattern lock even more reliable, use the additional features of MIUI:

• 🔒 Hiding notifications on the lock screen. Go to Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen and select Do not show content.
• 🕒 Autolock. Set minimum time to automatically lock the screen: Settings → Lock screen → Autolock (recommended 15-30 seconds).
• 📱 Double tap to wake up. Enable this feature in Settings → Lock screen → Double tap to wake up to quickly check notifications without unlocking.
• 👁️ Fingerprint scanner. Add fingerprint as an additional unlocking method: Settings → Password and security → Fingerprint.

Also, look at the Smart Blocker feature (Settings → Applications → Smart Blocker) that allows you to block individual applications with a password or pattern even if the main screen is unlocked, which is useful if you give a phone to children or colleagues, but want to hide access to banking applications or correspondence.

A new feature on HyperOS devices, Private Mode, allows you to create a separate secure profile with your own apps and data, to enable it:

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Private mode.
2. Set a password or pattern to log into a private profile.
3. Add apps that should be hidden in the main profile.

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Use a combination of graphic password + fingerprint + private mode for maximum protection of confidential data.

Frequent errors and problems with the graphic password on Xiaomi

When using a pattern lock, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common and ways to solve them:

If after setting a graphical password, the phone started to slow down or react slowly to touch, try:

• 🔄 Reset the device.
• 🧹 Clear the cache in Settings → Applications → Application Management → Settings (three dots) → Clear the cache.
• 📉 Disable animation: Settings → About Phone → Version MIUI (tap 7 times to turn on Developer Mode, then in Settings → Additional → For Developers, reduce the animation scale to 0.5x).

On some models (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12) after installing HyperOS, the graphical password option may disappear, in which case update the firmware to the latest version or use alternative blocking methods (PIN or password).

FAQ: answers to popular questions about graphical password on Xiaomi