How to set a password on your Xiaomi phone: all the ways to protect

Privacy protection on Xiaomi is not just a recommendation, it’s a necessity in the digital age. Even if you’re sure your phone will never get lost, there’s always a risk of theft or unauthorized access. classically PIN-It's the same as the modern fingerprint scanner and facial recognition, but how do you set your password so it's secure, but it doesn't interfere with everyday use?

In this article, we will analyze all available methods of locking the screen on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO, including hidden settings MIUI, You'll learn how to choose the best type of protection, what to do if you forget your password, and how to avoid common setup errors, and why you use your date of birth as your first choice. PIN-This code makes your smartphone vulnerable to hacking in 10 minutes.

Types of screen locking on Xiaomi: which one to choose?

The manufacturer offers five basic ways to protect the screen, each with its pros and cons, and the choice depends on the balance between convenience and security.

• 🔢 PIN-The code is a classic 4-16-digit version, quickly entered, but easily matched using simple combinations.
• 🔑 Password - a combination of letters, numbers and symbols (minimum 4 characters) The most reliable, but inconvenient for frequent unlocker.
• 🎨 pattern lock: 4-9 dots, convenient, but leaves marks on the screen and can be peeked.
• 👆 Fingerprints are biometric protection, fast and reliable, but they require physical contact and don't work with wet fingers.
• 😊 Facial recognition is a facial feature scan, convenient but less secure than a print (may be fooled by a photograph).

According to research by Kaspersky Lab, 63% Smartphone hacks are due to weak PIN-codes (type) 1234 or 0000). If you choose a digital password, use a combination no shorter than that. 6 Repeated numbers (e.g., repeating numbers, 37-42-89). For maximum protection, it is better to combine biometrics with a classic password.

Step-by-step: how to set a password on Xiaomi

The locking process is the same for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13. Instructions are relevant for MIUI 14 and newer. If you have an older version of the shell, some menu items may be slightly different.

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to Lock Screen (or Lock and Protect on some models).
3. Select the screen lock type.
4. Enter your current password (if it is already set) or confirm the action through your Mi Account.
5. Select the desired type of protection (PIN, password, pattern lock) and follow the prompts on the screen.

Make sure your Mi Account is linked to your phone|Remember or write down your password in a safe place|Check the fingerprint sensor (if you plan to use it)|Turn off Smart Lock in the settings if it interferes-->

Once you set the password, the system will suggest you set the automatic lock, the optimal time is 30 seconds or 1 minute, and if you set "Never," the phone will remain unlocked until you manually press the power button, which reduces security.

⚠️ Attention: If you use a pattern lock, avoid simple patterns like the letter "L" or the square, and attackers can guess it from the traces of oil on the screen.

Setup of biometric protection: fingerprint and face

Biometrics is the most convenient way to unlock, but it’s nuanced to set up, like a Xiaomi fingerprint scanner that can save up to 5 fingers, and facial recognition only works in good light.

To add a print:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
2. Enter. PIN-proof-code.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen, putting your finger on the sensor from different angles.
4. Add a backup unlocking method (required!).

To adjust facial recognition:

1. Open Settings → Lock screen → Face recognition.
2. The scanner will take a few seconds to record your face.
3. Activate the option to demand eye opening (increases security).

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If the fingerprint scanner doesn't work well, try registering the same finger twice at different angles, which will increase the accuracy of the recognition.

What to do if you forget your Xiaomi password?

Forgetting your password is a frustrating but fixable situation, and the way you recover it depends on what data is tied to your phone:

• 📱 Mi Account – If your phone is linked to your Xiaomi account, you can reset your password through account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔄 Resetting to factory settings is an extreme method, erases all data. + Food for Entry into Recovery Mode.
• 📞 Using Find Device – if the “Find Device” function is enabled, you can unlock the phone remotely.

If you don't remember the Mi Account, it's harder to restore access, and then you can only reset it via Fastboot (requires a PC and a USB cable).

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the buttons <Loudness down + Power> to log in to Fastboot.




3. Connect to the PC and use the command:




fastboot oem unlock




4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Note: Once reset via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone will require input from the Mi Account that was previously tied, without which the device will become a “brick” (especially for models with Mi Cloud Lock).

Hidden MIUI settings to enhance security

In addition to standard blocking methods, MIUI has additional features that enhance data protection:

• 🔒 Blocking applications – you can set a separate password for messengers, gallery or banking applications (Settings) → Passwords and security → Application lockdown).
• 📱 Second Space: Creates an isolated profile with separate applications and data (Settings) → Special opportunities → Second space).
• 🛡️ Reset protection – blocks the ability to reset settings without a password (Settings) → Additionally. → Protection against discharge).
• 📡 VPN and encryption – includes data encryption on the device (Settings) → Passwords and security → Encryption).

App Lock is especially useful for those who give phones to children or colleagues, such as blocking WhatsApp or SberBank Online by leaving access to a camera or browser.

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Blocking applications.
2. Set a password (different from the main one).
3. Select the applications that you want to block.

Common errors when setting up a password

Many Xiaomi users experience problems after setting a password, and here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• 🔄 Using the same combination for the master password and Mi Account, if the phone is stolen, the attacker will have access to everything.
• 📵 Disable backup unlocking.If your fingerprint doesn't work (for example, because of a cut), you won't be able to unlock your phone.
• ⏳ It's too short to lock, and if it's 5 seconds, it'll lock even when you're reading.
• 👀 Entering a password with outsiders. PIN Easy to peek at a transport or cafe.

Another common problem is the conflict between biometrics and PIN-For example, if you add a fingerprint, but then change the master password, the scanner may stop working:

1. Delete all fingerprints in the settings.
2. Reboot the phone.
3. Add the prints again.

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Always set up a backup unlock method (PIN or password), even if you use biometrics, which will save you 90% of emergency situations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the password on Xiaomi