Why put a password on Xiaomi and what are the risks without it?
Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi line) store a huge amount of personal information, from photos to banking applications. Without protection, even a short-term loss of a phone can turn into data leakage, fraud or blackmail. Statistics show that 68% of smartphone thefts lead to unauthorized access to the accounts of the victim in the first 24 hours.
But not all users know that Xiaomi can install not only standard PIN-The code, but also a pattern lock, fingerprint, or even face scan (on supported models), and some locking methods (such as the Mi Account password) work even after resetting, saving data when the device is lost. In this article, we will analyze all methods of protection, from basic to advanced, taking into account the features of the system. MIUI 14/15.
It's important to understand that the type of password you choose depends on your habits, and if you often hand over your phone to your colleagues to view your photos, the pattern lock will be more convenient. PIN-But for maximum security (for example, when storing cryptocurrency wallets), it is better to combine PIN + biometrics.
How to set a password on Xiaomi: a comparison of methods
On Xiaomi smartphones, there are 5 main types of screen lock, each of which has its own pros and cons.
| Password type | Level of security | Convenience | Support for models | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PIN-code | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | All models. | Minimum 4 digits, maximum 16. You can use letters on some firmware. |
| pattern lock | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | All models. | It's easy to peek at the tracks on the screen. Minimum length is 4 dots. |
| Password. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | All models. | It requires a minimum of 6 characters, supports letters, numbers and special characters. |
| Fingerprint. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Models with sensor (starting with Redmi Note 5) | It only works with a PIN/password, and you can add up to 5 fingerprints. |
| Face scans. | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Models with an IR camera (Mi 10 and newer) | Less reliable than a print. It doesn't work in the dark on budget models. |
Critical error of many users: using date of birth or simple combinations (1234, 0000) as a PIN-It takes less than 10 minutes to crack this password with specialized software. PIN, Avoid obvious sequences and use at least 6 digits.
For maximum protection, we recommend combining methods.
- 🔐 Basic Password: A complex combination of 10+ symbolism + figure + signage).
- 👆 Biometrics: Fingerprints for quick unlocking in everyday situations.
- 🔒 Mi Account: Linking the device to the account for remote locking in case of loss.
Step-by-step: how to set a password through the MIUI settings
It takes less than a minute to set a password on Xiaomi, if you know the right path on the menu. The instructions are relevant for MIUI 12/13/14/15 and all modern models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.).
☑️ Preparation for password setting
- Open Settings (the gear icon on the home screen or in the application menu).
- Go to the Passwords and Security section (on some firmwares – Screen Lock and Passwords).
- Select Screen Lock. The system can request the current password (if already installed) or PIN-code SIM-map.
- Click Add Password (or Change Password if it was previously used).
- Select the type of lock: 🔢 PIN: Enter 4-16 digits. 🔤 Password: minimum 6 characters (recommended 8)+ letter-and-numeral). 📊 pattern lock: swipe your finger at 4-9 points.
Confirm the new password and press Ready. The system may ask you to enter it again for verification.
Activate the option to Show notifications on the locked screen if you want to see messages without unlocking.
Once you have a password set, the system will suggest adding a fingerprint or face scan (if the device supports it), and we recommend setting up biometrics right away, which will speed up unlocking in everyday use.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from your Mi Account, you can reset it only through the official website account.xiaomi.com. Without access to the email or phone associated with the account, it will be impossible to restore access - this is a security measure against hacking.
How to add a fingerprint or face scan
Biometric unlocking is convenient, but it has limitations, like a fingerprint doesn't work with gloves, and a facial scan can fail in bright sun, but these methods make it much faster to access a phone. Let's see how to set them up.
Adding a fingerprint
To do this, your device must have a physical or subscreen sensor, and all models starting with the Redmi Note 5 and Mi 8 support this function.
- Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Fingerprint.
- Enter the current one. PIN-proof-code.
- Press Add Fingerprint and follow the instructions on the screen. The system will ask you to put your finger on the sensor from different angles.
- After a successful scan, name the fingerprint (for example, "Indicative Right") and save it.
You can add up to 5 fingerprints (useful for unlocking with different fingers or for family members). Some models (POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T) support unlock when touching - the phone unlocks immediately after touching the sensor, without pressing the power button.
Setting up a face scan
Face Unlock technology is available on models with an IR camera (for example, Mi 10, Mi 11, Redmi). K40). On budget devices (for example, Redmi) 9A) less reliable 2D-Scanning that can be fooled by a photo.
- Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Face Scanning.
- Enter. PIN-proof-code.
- Click Add Face Data and position the phone at eye level. Follow the prompts on the screen (turn your head left/right for the phone to be used). 3D-scan).
- After a successful scan, activate the Quick Unlock option if you want your phone to unlock immediately after recognition.
⚠️ Note: Facial scanning on Xiaomi without an IR camera (e.g. on the Redmi Note 8) uses only the front camera and is vulnerable to being tricked by a photo!
💡
If the face scan doesn’t work in the dark, try turning on the screen light option in the Face Unlock settings, which will improve recognition but shorten battery life.
How to Link a Mi Account to Remotely Lock
Mi accounts are not just a way to sync data, but they're also a powerful security tool, so if you lose your phone, you can use your account to:
- 📍 Track the location of the device (if device search is enabled).
- 🔒 Lock your phone remotely, even after resetting your settings.
- 🧹 Delete all data (useful for theft).
To link the account:
- Go to Settings → Mi Account (or Accounts and Sync → Mi Account).
- Sign in if you are not already logged in or create a new account.
- Activate options: 🔄 Synchronization of data (for backup). 📍 Search for the device (for tracking) GPS).
In the Security section of the account, enable Device Locking – this will allow you to lock the phone through the i.mi.com web interface.
Important: Without a linked Mi Account, resetting your settings to Xiaomi via Recovery will delete all data, including the lock password.With an account, the phone will remain locked even after the reset - this protects against theft.
What to do if I forget my password from my Mi Account?
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Many users experience problems when setting a password on Xiaomi. Consider the typical errors and their solutions:
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| You can’t set a password – the button is inactive. | No Internet connection or problems with Xiaomi servers | Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile. Reboot your phone. |
| After setting a password, the phone asks for it too often. | The option “Blocking when falling asleep” or “Frequent blocking” is enabled | Open Settings → Lock screen → Autolock and select “In 5 minutes” or “Never”. |
| Fingerprints are unrecognizable. | Sensor is contaminated or fingerprint is added incorrectly | Wipe the sensor with an alcohol napkin, remove and add the fingerprint again, applying your finger at different angles. |
| Facial scans don't work in the dark | No IR camera (on budget models) | Use an alternative unlock method or turn on screen highlighting in Face Unlock settings. |
| Forgot the password and the phone is locked. | No linked Mi Account or backup PIN | Reset your settings via Recovery (the data will be deleted) or use the “Forgot password?” feature on the lock screen (if you have a Mi Account). |
Another common mistake is using the same password to lock the screen and Mi Account, and if an attacker picks it up, they will have access to all the data, including cloud backups. Always use different passwords!
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If you sell or transfer your phone to another person, be sure to untie your Mi Account and reset the settings to factory settings, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device due to the account lock.
Additional security measures for Xiaomi
Set a password is only the first step. For full data protection on Xiaomi, we recommend setting the following options:
- 🔐 Encryption of the device: included in Settings → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials. Encrypts all the data on the phone (may reduce performance on weak models).
- 📱 Secure folder: Hidden storage for photos and files (available in Files) → Secure folder requires a separate folder. PIN.
- 🔄 Two-step authentication for Mi Account: enabled at account.xiaomi.com under Security".
- 🚨 Sign-in Notifications: Mi Account may send alerts when trying to sign in from a new device.
- 📵 Lockdown SIM-maps: install PIN-code SIM In Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Lockdown SIM-map.
For owners of phones with MIUI 14/15, Private Mode is available, which allows you to hide notifications from certain applications on the lock screen, to activate it:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → On the lock screen.
- Select Hidden Notifications and add apps that should not show content on a locked screen (such as messengers or email).
If you use public Wi-Fi frequently, turn on the VPN in settings (Settings → Connections → VPN) to protect your data from being intercepted on insecure networks.