How to change the password on the phone Xiaomi Redmi: step-by-step instructions

Modern smartphones store a huge amount of confidential information, from banking applications to personal correspondence, so protecting the perimeter device becomes a critical task for each owner. Standard factory lock often seems not reliable enough or simply uncomfortable in daily use, which encourages users to look for ways to upgrade it. In the Xiaomi ecosystem and sub-brands Redmi and POCO, the process of changing the access code is quite flexible, but has its own nuances depending on the version of the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS.

In this article, we will not only discuss in detail the standard procedure for replacing a digital pin code or a graphical pattern, but also address the issues of biometric security, which often comes in conjunction with the main password. You will learn how to properly configure complex combinations to protect your data from prying eyes, and what to do if access to the device has been lost. Understanding these mechanisms will allow you to feel more confident when using the gadget in public places or when it is lost.

Before we get to the front-line, it’s important to recognize the difference between unlocking a screen password and passwords for specific apps or hidden albums. Although Xiaomi’s security system seeks to unify this data, the user can set unique combinations for different levels of protection, creating a multi-level barrier for malicious actors. We’ll look at every aspect of the setup so you can choose the optimal balance between security and usability.

Preparation for changing the password and types of locks

Before you make changes to your security settings, you need to decide on the type of protection that will be most convenient and reliable in your situation. Modern Redmi smartphones offer a wide range of options, from a simple swipe to complex alphanumeric combinations. The choice of the specific method depends on how often you unlock the phone and what level of data privacy is stored on the device.

It is worth considering that changing the type of lock, for example, switching from a pattern lock to a complex password, may require entering the current access code to confirm the operation. This is a standard security measure that prevents unauthorized access to system settings. If you forget the current password, the procedure for restoring it will be radically different from a simple change, which we will discuss in the relevant sections below.

It is also important to check if your Mi Account is linked to the device, as in some scenarios, resetting or locking it will be the only way to get your phone back. Make sure you remember the login details or have access to the linked phone number and email. This is a critical step that is often ignored when you get into unpleasant situations.

• 🔐 pattern lock – connecting points in a certain order, convenient for quick input, but can leave traces on the screen.
• 🔢 PIN-code – four-digit or six-digit numeric code, classic and reliable protection option.
• 🔡 Alpha-digital password is the most complex combination of letters, numbers and symbols, providing the maximum level of cryptographic protection.
• 👆 Biometrics – Using a fingerprint or facial recognition that works in conjunction with a master password.

⚠️ Note: When changing the lock type, the system may require you to enter your current password. Make sure you remember the old code before starting the change procedure, otherwise access to the settings may be restricted.

Step-by-step: how to change the screen lock password

The process of changing the password in the MIUI and HyperOS shells is almost identical and takes no more than a minute. First, unlock the device and find the Settings app icon on your desktop, which usually looks like a gear, and in the menu that opens, you need to scroll down to the section responsible for security and privacy settings.

Depending on the firmware version, the item you're looking for may be called Passwords and Security or simply Security. Inside this section, you're interested in the option of Lock Screen or Device Protection, and clicking on it, the system will ask you to enter your current password, key or fingerprint to confirm your device administrator rights.

Once you have successfully logged in, you will have a lock type selection menu, where you can not only change your existing code to a new one, but also completely change the security method, such as switching from a pattern lock to a digital one. PIN-The system will prompt you to enter the new code twice to eliminate typos, and may also suggest you configure additional parameters, such as showing the password when dialing.

When creating a new password, try to avoid obvious combinations, such as 1234, 0000 or your date of birth. The complexity of the password directly affects the time it takes an attacker to access the brute-force method. If you choose a pattern lock, draw lines so that they do not leave noticeable fat marks on the display, which are easily read under certain lighting.

Set up biometric protection and smart unlock

Using biometrics greatly speeds up the process of accessing a smartphone, but it is important to understand that they are only a convenient addition to the main password. Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones support fingerprint scanners located on the side of the on or under the screen, as well as face unlock technology. These features are set up in the same password and security menu.

To add a fingerprint, you need to go to the appropriate subsection and follow the instructions on the screen, putting your finger to the scanner from different angles. MIUI allows you to save up to five different fingerprints, which is convenient if different people use the phone or if one finger is damaged.

Face unlocking uses a front-facing camera and artificial intelligence algorithms to recognize the owner. While convenient, it's worth remembering that this method is less secure than a fingerprint, since the owner's photo can theoretically be used to bypass protection. So biometric protection should always be duplicated with a strong digital or graphical password.

Password for hidden album and secondary space

Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers unique features to hide sensitive files and create an isolated environment for applications, known as Hidden Album and Secondary Space. Accessing these features often requires a separate password or a special pattern lock, which may differ from the main screen unlock password, which creates an additional layer of privacy for your data.

To change the password for the Hidden Album, you need to open the Gallery app, go to the Album tab, and pull the list down until the lock icon appears. Once you enter the current password in the settings menu, you can select the password change option. A similar procedure is applied to the Secondary Space, which actually creates a second user profile with its applications and data.

Remembering these additional passwords is critical, as standard Mi Account recovery methods may not work here or require complex manipulations. If you set a password for a hidden album, make sure it is unique and not used anywhere else, which will prevent access to photos and documents even if you unlock the main screen of the phone.

⚠️ Warning: Resetting your phone to factory doesn't always delete files from the Hidden Album unless a special cleanup has been done.Be sure to turn off the hidden album protection before selling the device and delete all the data inside it.

What to do if you forget the password from the phone Xiaomi

The situation when the user forgets the lock password is one of the most stressful, but solvable. PIN-The code, the Android system on Redmi smartphones will allow you to enter it incorrectly several times (usually 5 or 10), then offer recovery options.

Entering the wrong password multiple times can also activate the waiting timer, which increases with each attempt.This is a security mechanism that prevents automatic code selection. If you have access to the Internet on your device, you can try using the Google Find My Device service from another gadget to remotely reset the password, although modern versions of Android often require a complete data clearing to remove the lock.

If software methods don’t work, the only option is to completely reset the device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which will remove all data from the phone’s internal memory, including contacts, photos and applications, so it should only be used as a last resort.

1. Turn off the phone completely.


2. Press the Volume Up + Power button.




3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data.




4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

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If you often forget passwords, set up fingerprint unlock and be sure to write down the main one. PIN-code in a secure location, such as a paper notebook that is stored at home.

Frequent problems and their solution when changing the password

Users may experience a situation where the system refuses to accept the new password or the confirmation button is inactive, often due to security policy requirements if the device has corporate profiles or applications with administrator rights, in which case you need to check the device administrators settings in the security menu and revoke the rights of applications that block the password change.

Another common problem is time desynchronization or touchscreen errors that cause the pattern lock to be incorrectly entered even though the user is drawing the correct pattern, in which case it is recommended to wipe the screen, check for a protective film that may interfere with the accuracy of the input, and make sure that the time in the settings is set automatically.

If the fingerprint scanner that requires you to enter a password every time you unlock it stops working after you change your password, there may be a failure in the biometric module. Try to delete old prints and register them again. In rare cases, you need to update your firmware or reset your system settings, but not the data, to fix the software conflict.