How to put a password on Xiaomi: all ways to lock the screen

Protecting your personal data on a Xiaomi smartphone starts with the right lock setting, and even if you think you have nothing to hide, a password or pattern lock will save you from accidental access by children, colleagues or intruders. In this article, we will analyze all available methods of protection - from the classical PIN-code to the fingerprint scanner and face recognition.

Modern Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 13 Pro+, Xiaomi 14 Ultra or POCO X6 Pro) support up to 5 types of lock, but their settings are hidden in different menu sections. We will show where to find these options, how to activate them and what to do if you forgot your password.

1. How to put PIN-code or password on Xiaomi

The most universal way of protection is numerical. PIN-It works on all Xiaomi models, including the budget Redmi. A2+ The main advantage: even if biometric sensors fail (for example, at low temperature), you can always unlock the phone.

To set the password:

Open the Settings. → Passwords and security.
Select Screen Lock (on some firmware – Lock screen Protection).
Add a lock on the screen.
Enter. PIN-code (minimum 4 digits) or password (minimum 4 characters, including letters).
Confirm it by re-entering.

A warning will appear on the screen to link your Mi Account, which is a must to restore access when you lose your password, and if you skip this step, unlocking your phone after resetting will be almost impossible without a service center.

Make sure your phone is 30%+ charged.

Link your Mi Account (email/phone)

Remember or write down your password in a safe place

Check the power button (it is used to lock)-->

pattern lock: pros and cons

A graphical key is a connection of dots on the screen in a certain order, which many Xiaomi users choose for convenience, but the method has serious drawbacks:

⚠️ The tracks on the screen, and the dirty display shows which dots were connected more often.
⚠️ Limited number of combinations: 389,112 possible options (vs. 10,000 for 4-digits) PIN).
✅ Quick unlock, suitable for those who do not want to enter numbers.

To set the pattern lock:

Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Screen Lock.
Select the pattern lock.
Draw the pattern twice to confirm.
Come up with a spare. PIN-code (required!).

Tip: Avoid simple patterns like the letter "L" or the square. Use diagonal lines and skip dots, so the key is harder to come up with. For example, connect dots 1 → 5 → 7 → 3 → 6.

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If you are afraid to forget the pattern lock, take a screenshot of the pattern on another device and store it in an encrypted archive.

3. Fingerprint setting (Fingerprint)

Fingerprint scanner is available in all Xiaomi mid-range and premium segments (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro, Xiaomi 13T).This is the fastest and most reliable way to unlock, but it requires pre-setting the main password (PIN or pattern lock).

How to add a print:

Install. PIN-code or password (see section 1).
Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
Enter the current password for confirmation.
Put your finger on the scanner 6-8 times, slightly changing the angle.
Name the print (for example, "Indicative right") and save.

You can add up to 5 fingerprints (useful for unlocking with different fingers or for family members) on new Xiaomi models, the scanner works even with wet or dirty fingers thanks to ultrasonic technology.

Xiaomi model	Type of scanner	Max. Number of prints.	Support for wet fingers
Redmi Note 12	Optical (under the screen)	5	❌ No.
Xiaomi 13 Pro	Ultrasonic.	5	✅ Yes.
POCO F5	Side (in the power button)	5	❌ No.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra	Ultrasonic 3D	5	✅ Yeah (even with cream)

Fingerprint | Face recognition |PIN-code |pattern lock |I'm not putting anything-->

4 Face Unlock (Face Unlock) on Xiaomi

Face Unlock technology is available on most Xiaomi front-facing cameras (e.g. Redmi 12, Xiaomi 13 Lite) and is convenient but less reliable than a fingerprint because:

⚠️ It only works in good lighting.
⚠️ It can work on a photo (on budget models).
⚠️ Does not work with glasses or masks (on some firmware).

How to set up Face Unlock:

Activate the main password (PIN/pattern lock).
Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Face Recognition.
Follow the instructions on the screen: Keep your phone at eye level, turn your head slowly.
On some models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70) the option to Require Password after reboot is available – turn it on for security.

Important: on cheap smartphones (Redmi) A1, POCO C50) Face Unlock is only used for face unlocking. 2D-The flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) use an infrared scanner that is harder to fool.

How to cheat Face Unlock on Xiaomi budget?

On models without an IR scanner (e.g. Redmi 9A), it is enough to show the phone a high-quality photo of the owner from the screen of another smartphone, so we do not recommend using Face Unlock as the only way to lock on cheap devices.

5. Additional security settings

In addition to locking the screen, Xiaomi has hidden features to enhance protection:

🔒 Application Blocking: You can password the Gallery, Messages or Settings through Settings → Passwords and security → Application lockdown.
📱 Second space: Creates a separate desktop with other applications and data (good for work) Configures to Settings → Special facilities → Second space.
🚨 Regime. SOS. When you press the power button five times, the phone sends a message with coordinates to trusted contacts. → Passwords and security → Emergency. SOS.
🔄 Autolock. Adjusts the time to lock the screen (from 5 seconds to 30 minutes) in Settings → Screen. → Sleeping mode.

The Smart Block feature (in some firmware) is particularly useful, and it automatically locks the screen when the phone is on the table with the screen down or in your pocket. It turns on Settings → Display → Smart Block.

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Even if you use biometrics (print or face), always set up a spare one. PIN-Without it, you can't unlock your phone after you reboot or reset.

6 What to do if you forget your password on Xiaomi

If you forget your password or graphical key, there are a few ways to recover – but they only work when you pre-link your Mi Account:

Reset via Mi Account: On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password?. Enter the username and password from your Mi Account. Confirm the reset via SMS or email.
Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced): Turn off the phone, pinch Volume down + Power to log in to Fastboot. Connect to your PC and use the command: fastboot oem unlock ⚠️ It'll erase all the data!
Contact the service center: If you do not have a Mi Account, only an official service will help (you will need a check or a box to confirm ownership).

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 10C, POCO M5) A Fastboot reset can block the bootloader, in which case the phone will turn into a brick without the ability to recover.

If your phone is locked after you buy it, check it through Mi Verify, which may be blacklisted (stolen or unpaid).

7. How to remove the password on Xiaomi

If you decide to disable screen lock (such as at home), do so through the settings:

Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Screen Lock.
Enter the current password/key.
Select No (or Swipe to unlock the swipe).
Confirm the action.

On some firmware (MIUI 14+), the system will require you to enter the password again for security, and after disabling the biometric data (fingerprints, face) will be saved, but will stop working.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling your password will make your phone vulnerable to data theft, and if you sync accounts (Google, Mi, WhatsApp), they can be easily hacked through an unsecured screen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about passwords on Xiaomi

Can I put different passwords on SIM-lock-screen?

Yes, it's two independent passwords. SIM-The card is installed through the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Lockdown SIM-cards, and the screen password is in the Passwords and Security section.

Why is the fingerprint scanner not working after the MIUI update?

After major updates (e.g., from MIUI 13 to MIUI 14), sensor data is sometimes reset. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint and add the fingerprint again. If it doesn't work, check for dirt in the scanner area (on models with a subscreen sensor).

How to turn off the password requirement when turning on the phone?

This feature can't be turned off completely -- it's for security. But you can reduce the inconvenience: Use biometrics (fingerprint or face) -- they fire automatically when you turn on. Set a simple PIN (4 digits) instead of a complex password. Some models (Xiaomi 12T and later) have the option to unlock when you connect to a trusted Wi-Fi network (in Smart Lock settings).

Can I hack a pattern lock on Xiaomi?

In theory, yes. There are programs like Android Pattern Unlock that pick up patterns from the tracks on the screen. In practice, complex patterns (with gaps in dots) take longer to pick up. After 5 wrong attempts. MIUI require PIN. The newer models (Xiaomi 14) have brute force protection – after 10 attempts, the phone is locked for 1 minute. PIN-code (in the lock settings, you can select both options).

Why doesn’t Face Unlock work in the dark?

Xiaomi's budget models (like the Redmi 10) use a conventional front-facing camera without backlighting, so in the dark, facial recognition is turned off. Flagship devices (Xiaomi 13 Pro) are equipped with an infrared scanner that works in all lights. Solutions: Turn on the light or use a fingerprint. Some firmware helps increase the brightness of the screen to the maximum before unlocking.