How to remove the password on Xiaomi: all ways to unlock

The situation when the owner forgets the access code to his own device, happens much more often than you think. In a hurry, users install complex combinations that after a week or two are forgotten, and the smartphone turns into a “brick”. On devices of the Xiaomi brand, the security system is built on Android, but has its own unique features related to the shell of MIUI and binding to accounts.

There are several proven methods to return access to the gadget, but it is important to understand that in most cases you will have to sacrifice personal data. Modern encryption protocols do not allow you to simply “disable” the protection without losing information if you do not have a pre-created backup. Below we will discuss in detail all the current methods, from standard to more complex, requiring work with the system menu.

Using Mi Accounts for Remote Resetting

The most civilized and safe way, provided by the manufacturer, is to use the cloud service Mi Cloud. If your device was signed in to Mi Account and enabled the function "Find the device", then unlocking it will take only a couple of minutes. You do not need a computer or third-party programs, just any other gadget with Internet access.

To start the procedure, you need to go to the official website of the cloud service through the browser. Enter your credentials, after which the system will offer a list of all associated devices. Select the desired device from the list, and in the management menu, find the option “Unlock” or “Reset the screen password.” The system will warn that all data will be deleted, but you will regain control of the device.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the smartphone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the gadget is in “air mode” or discharged, the remote command will not be executed until the communication appears.

Once you send the command, the device automatically restarts and resets, and if Find the Device wasn't activated in advance, it won't work, and then you'll have to resort to more radical measures, which we'll look at later.

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Always enable Find Device immediately after you buy your phone – this is the only way to restore access without losing data in the event of a lock.

Resetting through Google account

The second option that can help if the service from Xiaomi did not work is standard tools from Google. On older versions of Android (below 5.0), there was the possibility of resetting a password through a tied inbox, but in modern realities this method has transformed into a “Find a device” function from the search giant.

Go to Google Find My Device and log in to the account that was the main one on the locked phone. If the device is online, you'll see three options: Call, Lock, and Clear. We're interested in cleaning, which is actually a complete factory reset.

It is important to understand the difference between a simple lock and a complete deletion of data. The Lock feature only allows you to set a new temporary password over the old one, but on modern versions of MIUI this often requires pre-setting, so complete data cleanup remains the only guaranteed way to unprotect through Google.

• 🔑 Make sure your phone is on the internet (mobile or Wi-Fi).
• 🔑 Google Accounts must be the primary account on your device.
• 🔑 The geolocation function must be active to determine the location.

Once the operation is confirmed, the erasure process will begin, and the smartphone will reboot, and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as if you had just bought it from a store.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

If online methods are not available, you'll have to use a physical button combination to enter recovery mode, which is universal and works even if the phone is completely offline, and you'll need to turn off the device and pinch a specific key combination to enter the Recovery menu.

On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to press the volume button ("Loudness +") and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the menu appears. Navigation is done with the volume buttons, and selection is done with the on button.

From the menu, select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. The system will ask for confirmation several times, requiring you to press Confirm. This is done to protect against accidental taps in your pocket. Once you complete the process, select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset via Recovery, the system will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced (FRP), It is difficult to get around without the owner’s data.

The process takes between 2 and 10 minutes depending on the amount of memory, and do not interrupt it or remove the battery if it is not removable, so as not to damage the file system.

Unlocking through computer and ADB

For advanced users, there is a USB debugging method, but it has one critical condition: Debugging mode must be already enabled in the developer’s settings before locking. If this is the case, a computer with the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) package installed will be able to unblock without losing data.

Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable. Open the command line on your computer in the ADB folder and type a command to check the connection. If the device is displayed, you can try to delete the file that stores password hashes. However, on modern versions of Android and MIUI, this file is often protected by superuser rights, so the method does not always work.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

If the command is successful, just reboot the device or turn off the screen and turn it on again, the lock must disappear, otherwise the system will give an access error, and you will have to use the method of complete reset.

Comparison of password resetting methods

So the choice of method depends on the situation: whether the Internet is on, whether the account is known, whether there is a computer at hand, and to structure the information, we have prepared a comparative table that will help you quickly navigate the available options.

As you can see from the chart, most of the ways you do this are data loss, and that's the price you pay for security, and if you've had sync enabled, you can easily restore contacts and photos once you've logged in.

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The most reliable way is through the buttons, as it works even when the touchscreen is completely broken or there is no network.

What to do if your phone requires an account after a reset

Once you have a hard reset, you'll have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activated, and the phone will require you to enter the username and password of the Google account, which was the last one on the device, and it's a protection against thieves who could steal the phone, dump it, and use it.

If you remember your data, just enter it. If you forget your account password, you'll have to restore access through Google's site from another device, and without entering the correct data, you won't get into the system by any standard means.

There are workarounds for older versions of MIUI and Android, but they are constantly closed by security updates. Attempts to use third-party programs to bypass FRP can lead to final failure of the software. The best solution is to restore access to the account officially through the Google Restore form.

• 🔒 FRP It is activated only after forced discharge.
• 🔒 To disconnect, you need the Internet to check data.
• 🔒 Change your Google account password 24 hours before unlocking.

Be careful when buying used phones: be sure to check if the previous owner’s account is reset before transferring money.

Preventing blocking in the future

To prevent this from happening again, you need to be safe in advance. In Xiaomi's security settings, you can add additional unlocking methods, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition, and biometrics work faster and more reliably than remembering numbers.

It is also recommended to write complex passwords to a secure location or use password managers synchronized between devices. Regularly backing up to Mi Cloud or Google Photos ensures that even with a full reset, you do not lose important points.

Use Smart Unlock if available in your model, which allows you to keep your phone unlocked in trusted places (like your home) or when connected to certain devices, which reduces the frequency of password input.

⚠️ Warning: Don't set too simple passwords like "1234" or "0000," but don't make them so complex that you'll forget in an hour.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)