Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones often face the need to change the access code, which may be due to the desire to strengthen the protection of personal data or simply change the usual pin code to a more complex one. MIUI operating systems and the new HyperOS offer flexible tools to manage the security of the device.
In this guide, we will discuss in detail how to change your password, log in to your Mi Account, and what to do if you forget your old code. It is important to understand the difference between your screen unlock password and your account, as the recovery procedures are radically different. Follow the instructions carefully so that you do not block your gadget.
Before making any changes, make sure you have access to the current unlock method. If you plan to change your password because you suspect a hack, it is also a good idea to check active sessions on cloud services. The security of your data depends on the complexity of the character combination you choose.
Types of passwords and levels of protection in MIUI
Xiaomi’s security system provides multiple layers of protection, and users can choose a pattern lock, PIN-A numeric code or a full-fledged alphanumeric password, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of convenience and resistance to selection.
Mi Account is a cloud service that links your device to your email address, and the password protects your phone from theft, and allows you to remotely locate or block the gadget, and the password from Mi Account cannot be changed in the phone's settings menu without entering the old code, which requires a browser.
There's also a second-space password and an application protection password, which works independently of the main lock screen, and they create an additional barrier to access sensitive photos, files, or banking applications, and they don't need to be confused with the main unlock code, because they're different security mechanisms.
How to change the screen unlock password
To change the code you unlock your smartphone, you need to go to the appropriate settings section. Usually the path looks like Settings → Passwords and security → Device protection. In some versions of firmware, this item may be simply called “Screen Lock”.
The system will ask you to enter your current password or key, which is a mandatory security measure that confirms that the owner is accessing the settings, and after successful authorization, you will be asked to select a new type of lock and enter the new combination twice to confirm.
☑️ Password change algorithm
When choosing a new type of lock, pay attention to the warnings of the system, for example, when switching from a pattern lock to a pattern lock. PIN-The old key will be deleted, and if you have a face unlock or a fingerprint set up, it will continue to work, but the backup method will be the new digital code.
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Use combinations that are easy to remember but hard to guess by others, avoiding birth dates or sequences like 1234.
Change the password of the Mi Account
Mi Account management is primarily done via a web interface or cloud service menu, and if you remember your current password and want to update it, the easiest way to do so is through a browser on any device, by going to the official Xiaomi security site.
In the phone settings, the path often goes through Settings → Mi Account → Security. Here you can change your password if you are logged in. The system will require you to enter the confirmation code that came via SMS to the linked number, or the code from the authenticator application if two-factor protection is enabled.
It's important not to confuse this password with the screen unlock code. Mi Account is your digital passport in the brand ecosystem. When selling a phone, it's the exit from that account and the password change that ensures that the new owner doesn't get access to your cloud photos and contacts.
What to do if you don’t have access to your phone number?
Configure the password of the second space
Second Space allows you to create an isolated environment on your phone that looks like a new smartphone, requiring a separate password or fingerprint to log in, and you can set it up in the Settings → Second Space menu.
When this function is activated, the system will suggest creating a unique password that can be made different from the main one, so that when you enter a specific pin code, the phone opens immediately in the second space, which is a convenient way to hide personal data from prying eyes.
To change this password, you need to be inside the Second Space itself, go to its settings and select the lock password change location, the logic is the same as in the main profile: enter the old code, then twice new.
Protection of individual applications with a password
MIUI and HyperOS have an integrated App Protection feature that allows you to put an additional barrier to running specific programs, such as WhatsApp, a gallery or bank clients, and this option is located in the Security app (a green zipper icon).
When you first set up, you'll be asked to come up with a special password that matches the screen unlock password for convenience, but you'll want to choose a unique code, and you can also set up fingerprint unlock for instant access.
If you forget this specific password, you can reset it through the check question you asked when you installed it, or through your Mi Account, and without it, the app will remain locked even if the phone itself is unlocked.
| Type of protection | Wherever | Difficulty of discharge |
|---|---|---|
| Lock screen | Settings → Passwords | Medium (requires old code) |
| Mi Account | Settings → Mi Account | High (requires email/phone) |
| Second space | Settings → Second Space | Medium (requires access inside) |
| Application protection | Security Annex | Low (can be reset via Mi ID) |
What to do if you forget your password
The problem with the forgotten password unlock screen is the most difficult to solve. Modern versions of Android and Xiaomi shells do not allow you to simply reset the code without losing data. If you do not remember the combination, the only way to return access to the phone will be a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset).
⚠️ Note: Reset via Recovery Mode will remove all photos, contacts and apps from the phone's internal memory. SD-The card may be saved, but it is better to remove it before the procedure.
To do the reset, you need to turn off your smartphone and pinch the button combination, usually Volume Up + Power. In the Recovery menu, you select Wipe Data. After the reboot, the phone will ask you to enter the password from Mi Account and Google account that were synchronized earlier, this is anti-theft protection.
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The only way to remove a forgotten screen password without losing data is to log in via Mi Cloud if the Find Device feature has been activated in advance.
Recommendations for Creating Strong Passwords
The security of your device depends on the complexity of your password: simple sequences like 0000 or 1234 are picked up by attackers in seconds, you should use combinations of numbers and letters, and avoid obvious dates.
Use the following rules to create a strong password:
- 🔒 Minimum length PIN-The code should be 6 digits, not the standard 4.
- 🔑 Use at least 5 dots for a pattern lock and avoid simple geometric shapes.
- 🔐 alphanumeric password must contain letters of different regroves and special characters.
Changing passwords regularly is a good habit, but don't do it too often to remember the combination. If you tend to forget codes, use biometrics (print or face) as your primary method, and keep a complex password in your mind as a backup.
⚠️ Warning: Don't write passwords into notes on your phone or in a file called "Passwords" on your desktop. If the phone is stolen, the attacker will have access to everything at once.