Modern smartphones store huge amounts of sensitive information, so reliable screen protection becomes not just an option, but a necessity. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often choose a pattern lock as the most convenient and quick way to lock, but over time there is a need to change it, this may be due to the desire to improve security, use a more complex pattern or simply change habits.
The process of changing the access code in the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS is quite simple and takes only a couple of minutes. It is important to understand that to change the existing password, you will need to know the current unlock code. If access to the device is lost, the procedure will be radically different and require a complete data reset, which we will also discuss below.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the regular methods of changing the pattern lock through the system menu, consider the nuances of working with the Mi Account account and discuss actions in critical situations. Competent setting of security parameters will allow you to be confident in the safety of personal photos, correspondence and banking applications.
Preparation for changing the lock password
Before making changes to your security settings, make sure the device is charged and stable. Although the key change procedure does not require much power, suddenly turning off your smartphone when you write new settings can lead to a software failure.
You will need to remember the current graphic or digital picture. PIN-Android system based on the code MIUI It requires proof of identity before making any changes to the security sections. If you plan to complicate the password, think ahead with the new combination so that it is not too obvious, but still memorable.
It’s also worth checking if you have a Google and Mi Account activated, and having a cloud-based connection is critical to re-accessing if you forget a new key right after you install it, a kind of insurance that you can’t ignore.
☑️ Checking before changing the key
Note the operating system version. The settings interface may be slightly different on older versions of Android 10 and the latest Android 14, but the logic remains the same for all models of the brand. If you have a third-party launcher installed or have made deep changes to the system, the standard path to settings can be changed.
Step-by-step replacement instructions through settings
The main and most secure method of changing the pattern lock is to use a regular settings menu, which does not require a connection to the computer and eliminates the risk of data loss. First, unlock the smartphone screen using the current password, and find on the desktop icon of the Settings application, which usually looks like a gear.
In the menu that opens, you have to scroll down to the Passwords and Security section, and in some firmware versions, this item can be simply called Security or be inside the Submenu Additional, and this is where all the device access control tools, including biometrics and encryption, are concentrated.
⚠️ Warning: Once logged in to the security menu, the system may require you to enter the current unlock password again.This is a standard check procedure to prevent the changed access non-sank.
Then you select Device Protection or Screen Lock, and you will see a list of available methods: Fingerprint, Face Recognition, Pin Code, and pattern lock. Click on the current active method to see the control options. You will be asked to enter the old code first, and then enter or draw a new one twice.
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When creating a new pattern lock, avoid simple geometric shapes such as the letter “L” or “Z”, as there are often fatty traces on the screen that an attacker can guess the password.
Once the new combination is successfully entered, the system will confirm the change. Now, every time the screen is turned on, the smartphone will request this new pattern. It is recommended to immediately check the health of the phone by locking the power button and trying to unlock it in a new way.
Set up complexity and additional parameters
Xiaomi’s system allows you to flexibly configure not only the key itself, but also the terms of use. In the passwords and security menu, you can find the lock settings section, where you hide important options. Here you can set an automatic lock timeout, for example, 1 minute or 5 minutes after the screen is turned off.
The special feature is the Lock in the pocket, which when activated, the proximity sensor prevents accidental tapping and unlocking when the phone is in the bag or pocket, which improves security, but can sometimes interfere if the case covers the sensor.
Also worth considering is the possibility of enabling password display, which allows you to see characters or lines you type when you type, which is convenient for checking the correct type, but reduces privacy when using your phone in crowded places.
- 🔒 Data Encryption: Make sure that the device encryption is enabled, which is often activated automatically when the first password is set.
- 👁️ Notifications on the locked screen: Set up to hide the content of messages before unlocking.
- ⏱️ Time to lock: Set the minimum possible interval for maximum protection.
For users who are important for maximum security, the option of blocking when changing is available. SIM-If someone tries to extract your SIM and insert theirs, the phone will require a pattern lock or password from Mi Account, making the device useless to the thief.
Using Mi Accounts to Manage Access
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is closely integrated with its own cloud service, and linking the device to Mi Account opens up additional control options, and using i.mi.com’s web interface, you can not only track the location of your phone, but also remotely lock or erase data from your device.
If you forgot the pattern lock but remember the account password, you have a chance to regain access without losing data, although in recent versions of Android this is becoming more difficult.Security is gradually tightening, and remote unlocking now often requires pre-configuring trusted devices.
It’s important to update your Mi Account password regularly and use two-factor authentication, which will protect your account from being hacked, even if someone recognizes your pattern lock on their phone and tries to sync data on another device.
| Mi Account function | Description | Necessity of the network |
|---|---|---|
| Searching device | Definition of geolocation on the map | Required. |
| Remote lockdown | Blocking the screen with a new message | Required. |
| Erasure of data | Full reset to factory settings | Required. |
| Backup | Saving Contacts and Photos in the Cloud | Required (Wi-Fi) |
Don’t neglect Find Device, which can be turned off by default to save traffic, and activating it at a critical moment may be the only way to regain control of the gadget or at least protect personal data from prying eyes.
What to do if you forget your current key
The fact that users forget their pattern lock is one of the most common reasons for using the services, and unfortunately, current Android security standards do not provide for a simple “forgot password” button that would allow them to reset the lock without losing information, as was the case with older versions of the system.
If you typed the wrong image several times, the system will suggest waiting a certain time (from 30 seconds to several hours), after the fifth or tenth attempt, a button may appear "Forgot the password" or "Forgot the pattern lock", clicking on it will require entering the username and password from the Google or Mi Account account, which were previously synchronized with the device.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet at the time of entering the wrong password, the recovery function through the account will not work.
If you can't remember your account, the only way out is to completely reset your device to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which completely deletes all user data: photos, contacts, apps and settings, and returns the phone to the "out of the box" state.
To perform the discharge, it is necessary:
- 📴 Turn off the smartphone completely.
- 🔘 Clutch the button combination Volume Up + Eating at the same time.
- 📱 Wait for the Mi or Redmi logo to appear and release the power button while still holding the volume.
- 🛠️ In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (erase data) and confirm the action.
What happens after the data dump?
Alternative methods and biometrics
The pattern lock is not the only way to protect. Today's Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with advanced biometrics modules. A fingerprint scanner built into the power button or under the screen provides high levels of security and convenience. Unlocking occurs in a fraction of a second and does not require memorizing complex combinations.
Face Unlock is also a popular option, but many mid- and low-end models use software-based recognition. 2D-A picture that is less secure than 3D-It can be fooled by a high-quality photograph of the owner.
A combined approach is recommended: biometrics for everyday unlocking and a strong graphical or digital password as a backup method. Password will still need to be entered after the device is restarted or if the biometrics fail five times in a row.
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Biometric data is stored in a secure processor module and is not transmitted to servers, which makes its use secure, but having a backup password is strictly mandatory.
Remember to periodically wipe the fingerprint sensors and the front camera for proper recognition systems. Pollution can significantly reduce the speed and accuracy of unlocking, causing you to more often resort to entering a pattern lock.