Xiaomi’s modern smart gadgets, whether the Mi Band fitness trackers or the full-fledged Mi Watch, have become an integral part of the digital lifestyle of millions of users. However, like any high-tech device, they can face software failures, locks or forgotten passwords.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible locking scenarios and how to solve them. You will learn how to restore access to the device if you have forgotten the screen unlock code, how to untie the watch from the old account when buying from your hands, and what to do if the device is “locked” in a particular region. It is important to understand that the methods of solving the problem are radically different depending on the type of lock: this can be screen protection, binding to a cloud service or software restriction of the region.
Chinese versions of devices often have restrictions on working with European accounts, while global models can be blocked when changing owners without prior detachment. We will consider both software methods of resetting through the Mi Fitness or Zepp app, and hardware methods of rebooting that will help bring the gadget back to life.
Types of locks on Xiaomi smart watches
The first step to solving this problem is to diagnose it correctly, because users often confuse different kinds of restrictions, which leads to the use of incorrect methods of "treatment." In practice, there are three main types of locks, each of which requires a different approach. PIN-a code or pattern lock that you install yourself to protect your personal data.
The second type is the Mi Account Lock, which is activated automatically if the device has enabled the Find Device feature and it has been reset to factory settings without prior decoupling, in which case the gadget will require you to enter the username and password from the account that was synchronized with the last watch.
⚠️ Warning: If you bought a watch with your hands and it requires someone else's Mi Account, it's almost impossible to return it to work without the previous owner.
The third option is regional locking, which is typical of devices imported from China, which may not connect to European servers or require a change of region in the application, which is sometimes perceived by users as blocking functionality, and understanding the differences between these states is critical to choosing the right algorithm for action.
Resetting the forgotten screen unlock password
If you've installed PIN-If you have a code or a pattern lock on your Mi Watch or Redmi Watch, but you forget it, the only way to restore access is to completely reset the device. MIUI for Watch or Wear OS The reset procedure will delete all the data accumulated on the clock since the last synchronization.
To perform the reset directly on the device, if the touch screen responds to the presses but does not let the menu, you can try calling the recovery menu. On many models, this is done by holding the side button for a long time. If the screen is locked and does not respond, a forced reboot often helps, followed by entering Recovery mode.
- 🔑 Press and hold the side button for more than 15 seconds before the logo appears.
- ⚙️ In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data or Factory Reset.
- ✅ Confirm the action if the system requires you to enter a password you have forgotten, this method will not work and you will need to reset through the application.
If you can't log in through the watch menu, use the connected app on your smartphone. In Mi Fitness or Zepp, you need to find the device in the list, go to the settings and select the option to delete or break communication.
☑️ Checklist before resetting password
Unbinding Mi Account and Deleting Account
The biggest problem is blocking through Mi Cloud, and if you have purchased a used device or just changed your phone but don't untidy your watch, the security system will perceive the setup attempt as unauthorized, and you need to have access to the account to which the device is tied to for normal untied.
The procedure is done via a web interface or an app. Go to the official i.mi.com website or the Mi Fitness app settings. In the device management section, find your watch and select the command "Delete device" or "Unplug", only after that you can reset the settings on the watch itself.
| Uncoupling method | Conditions required | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Through the app | Access to a smartphone and account | High (data on the clock is deleted) |
| Through the website | Login and password Mi Account | High-pitched |
| Service centre | Purchase check or box | Complete system reset |
If the previous owner is unavailable and the watch is blocked by his account, it will not be legally unlocked. Xiaomi has implemented strict protection against theft. The only exception is to submit a purchase check to an authorized service center, where engineers can unblock it by verifying ownership.
What to do if the check is not saved?
Unblocking regional versions (China vs Global)
Many users buy Chinese versions of the Mi Band or Mi Watch because of their low cost, but face restrictions when connecting.The device may refuse to work with the region of Russia or Europe in the application.
For devices running Zepp (formerly Amazfit and older Mi Band), it is enough to change the region in the profile app to China, and then the tracker is successfully synchronized, but for new models using Mi Fitness, the situation is more complicated.
Newer Chinese versions of the watch often require that the region in the Mi Fitness app also be set to China.If you want to use the app's Russified interface but the watch is Chinese, you may need to flash it or use third-party utilities to change the firmware region, which is a risky operation.
⚠️ Note: Change of firmware region (e.g. with CN On Xiaomi watches, it often results in loss of warranty and possible "bricking" of the device when errors occur.
There is a method of “unlocking” through modified versions of applications that allow you to bypass the region check, but using such programs violates the user agreement and can lead to the blocking of your Mi Account. Officially (supported) way is using global versions of devices designed for your market.
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When buying a device, always check the label on the box.A version labeled "Global Version" or "Global ROM" will have no connection issues in your area.
Hard Reset (Hard Reset) via Recovery
If the software methods don't work, and the clock is stuck, doesn't respond to touch, or constantly reboots, you need Hard Reset, which returns the device to a factory state at the file system level, and is effective against most software failures.
For most Mi Watch and Redmi Watch models, the algorithm is the same: you need to turn off the device completely (if it reacts) or wait for the battery to drain, then, when it is turned off, press the side button and hold it until the vibration or logo appears.
In some cases, you need to double-press, a short press to turn on, and immediately after the logo appears, a long hold on the button. If a menu with a choice of language or Recovery, Wipe Data items appears on the screen, use a touchscreen or a button to navigate.
- 🔄 Make sure the clock is at least 50% charged so the process doesn’t stop.
- 👆 Use the Long-Button Method" (20-30 seconds) for forced entry into re-establishment mode.
- 🗑️ Select the Wipe Data option -> Wipe All Data is a complete cleanup.
After the process, which can take a few minutes, the device will reboot, and you will see the welcome screen, as when you first turn on, and if you request an old account again, then FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection is active, and you will not be able to log in without a password.
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Hard Reset is a last resort, it fixes software bugs, but it doesn't remove the Mi Account protection if the device was tied before the reset.
Prevention of blockages and frequent errors
To avoid the need to unlock in the future, you should adhere to simple rules of operation. Most of the problems arise from inattention of users when selling devices or updating software. Regular synchronization of data with a smartphone will not lose important statistics in the event of a reset.
It is a common mistake to ignore system notifications to update. Outdated software may contain bugs that cause cyclical reboots that users mistakenly mistake for blocking.
Also, keep in mind the connection stability: If the watch is permanently losing touch with the phone, it can go into standby mode or lock to save energy. Check the power saving settings on your smartphone and give the Mi Fitness or Zepp app permission to work in the background.