Modern smartphones store a huge amount of sensitive information, from banking apps to personal photos, so the issue of protecting the device comes first. Xiaomi users often wonder how to change the access code to protect their data or simply combine a more convenient pin code. Owners of Redmi and POCO devices face similar challenges, since the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS have their own navigation features.
The password change procedure can be required in different situations, from standard rotation of security keys to cases when the user has forgotten the old code and tries to restore access. It is important to understand the difference between changing the password when you have access to the system and completely resetting the device when you lose data. In this article, we will discuss both scenarios in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of working with a Mi Account.
Before you start taking action, you need to be aware of the risks of data loss if you mishandle your security settings. Screen locking is the first line of defense, and it requires careful setup. Below are proven methods that will help you manage access to your gadget without going to a service center.
⚠️ Note: If you plan to change your password because you forgot your current one, keep in mind that without first linking to your Mi Account or Google account, your data may be lost irretrievably.
Why Regularly Change Your Lock Password
Many users neglect to change passwords using the same combinations for years, which is a serious security vulnerability. Attackers can pick up simple code, especially if the smartphone is often in crowded places or falls into the hands of strangers. PIN-A pattern lock or code significantly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.
Also, changing your password is necessary if you suspect someone may have seen you unlock your phone. MIUI has a Pocket Mode feature, but it doesn't replace a strong password. It's also worth updating your access data after installing apps from unknown sources that could theoretically intercept character input.
- 🔒 Improving the protection of personal data from prying eyes
- 🔄 Zeroing attempts to select code by attackers
- 🛡️ Protection against vulnerabilities associated with simple visual surveillance
- ⚙️ Synchronization with new corporate security rules (if the phone is working)
Ignoring these rules can lead to leaks of photos, correspondence and access to bank accounts. Biometric data such as a fingerprint or Face ID are convenient, but they must be duplicated by complex digital or graphical code, which is the code that the system requests after the device is rebooted.
Standard procedure for changing passwords through settings
The easiest and safest way to change the access code is to use the regular settings menu if you have current access to the system. This method is suitable for all models, whether it is the flagship Xiaomi 14 or the budget Redmi Note. You do not need additional tools, only care when entering new data.
To start, open the settings menu and find the security section. The path may vary slightly from firmware to firmware, but the logic remains the same. Go to Passwords and Security, where all the key security settings of the device are concentrated.
☑️ Preparation for password change
Next, select the type of lock you are currently using: pattern lock, PIN-The system will ask you to enter the current combination to confirm your rights. After successful authorization, the menu will open to select a new type of protection or change the existing code.
| Type of lockdown | Difficulty | Convenience | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock | Medium | High. | For everyday use |
| PIN-code (4-6 figure) | Low/Mediocre | Very high. | For quick unlocking |
| Password (mixed) | Tall. | Low. | For maximum data protection |
| Fingerprint/Face ID | Depends on the method. | Maximum. | As an addition to the main code |
Once you have entered a new password, the system will ask you to confirm it by re-entering it. Be careful: new versions of HyperOS may also need to confirm the action with a password from Mi Account, if the "Find Device" function is enabled.
Set up Mi Account password to restore
One of the most important features of Xiaomi's ecosystem is that it's not just a way to sync contacts, but it's also a way to restore access if you lock them, and if you forget your unlock password, it's often the Mi Account that's the only way to save data.
To set this option, go to the settings and click on the top plaque with your name or log in to your account. Make sure Find Device is activated, which allows you to remotely unlock your phone or erase data through the web interface if you forget the local code.
💡
Be sure to add a phone number and backup email to your Mi Account – these are the only ways to restore access if you forget your primary account password.
When you change your lock password, the system can automatically request confirmation through your account, which is a security mechanism that prevents the device from being stolen: even if the phone is reset to factory settings, it will not be possible to activate it without the Mi Account password (activation lock).
- 📧 Always use real email that you can access.
- 📱 Link the current mobile phone number to receive SMS
- 🔐 Write your account password to a secure location, separate from your phone.
- 🌐 Periodically check device activity in your account security settings
Ignoring the Mi Account setting turns a smartphone into a brick in case of access problems. Service centers often refuse to unlock without checks and a box if you can not restore access through the cloud. So two-factor authentication and up-to-date recovery data are critical.
What to do if you forget the lock password
When a user forgets the code, it's one of the most stressful things. If you can't unlock the screen, you can't change the password through the menu, and then there's very few options, and they depend on the device being prepared.
The first and most humane way is to use the Forgot Password or Forgot the pattern lock feature, which can appear on the lock screen after several failed typing attempts. However, this option only works if the phone is connected to the Internet and the corresponding recovery service has been set up before, and on modern versions of MIUI, this button often leads to the Mi Account login page.
⚠️ Warning: Trying to get a password using a pumpkin can cause the device to be temporarily locked for 30 seconds, 5 minutes, or even an hour.
If automatic recovery fails, the only option is a full Hard Reset, which will delete all user data: photos, contacts, apps and settings, the phone will return to the "out of the box" state, but the screen lock will be removed.
Can data be recovered after resetting?
To do the reset, you need to turn off your phone and enter Recovery mode. This is usually done by pressing the power button and the volume button. In the recovery menu (which is controlled by the volume buttons and confirmed by the power button), you need to select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data.
Resetting through Recovery Mode: step-by-step instructions
Recovery Mode is a low-level operating system built into the phone’s memory that allows you to perform administrative tasks such as resetting, updating firmware or cleaning cache, and uses this mode requires accuracy, as errors can lead to data loss.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, follow the following steps: Make sure the device is turned off. If the phone is on and locked, press the power button and hold it for about 10 seconds until the screen goes out, then immediately proceed to the next step.
Clutch the volume up + powerHold both buttons at the same time until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. Once you see the menu (usually a black screen with text), release the buttons. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and selection is done with the power button.
- 🔽 Choose a language (English/Russian) Volume buttons, confirm with food
- 🗑️ Go to the Wipe Data menu and confirm the choice
- ✅ Select Wipe All Data for a complete cleanup
- 🔄 Wait for the process to end and select Reboot -> Reboot to System
Once the phone is restarted, it will prompt you to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi. At this point, the device will request a password from a previously linked Google account or Mi Account (FRP — Factory Reset Protection: If you don't remember the passwords from these accounts, unlocking your phone will be extremely difficult.
💡
Hard Reset via Recovery is a radical method that deletes all data but is guaranteed to remove the screen lock password if you remember data from cloud accounts.
Frequent problems and ways to solve them
Users may encounter various technical difficulties when changing or resetting their passwords, such as not responding to button presses when logging in to Recovery. USB-cable before buttons are pressed - on some models this is a prerequisite.
Another common problem is the endless restart (bootloop) after a failed reset or update. If the phone is not behaving correctly after the password change procedure, the system partition may have been damaged, in which case you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process of data resetting or flashing.Discharge of the battery during the writing of system files can cause damage to the bootloader, which will require repairs in the service center.
Users also often confuse the screen unlock password with the Mi Account password. Remember, you can't reset your account password through your phone menu if you forget it. You need to use the recovery procedure on the official mi.com website or account.xiaomi.com from another device.
If none of the software methods works, and the phone writes "Device locked" with a timer, the theft protection may have worked, in which case the only legal way is to contact an authorized service center with documents confirming the purchase of the device (check, warranty card, box with IMEI).