Forgetting your smartphone password is a difficult situation, but it can be remedied, especially if we are talking about Xiaomi devices, where the manufacturer has provided several official ways to restore access, the main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system can lock the device for 24 hours or even require a reset to factory settings.
In this article, we will look at all the current unlocking methods for modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS), from the simplest solutions using a Mi Account to radical measures like flashing through Fastboot. Importantly, the effectiveness of the method depends on the firmware version, the phone model and whether the synchronization functions were previously enabled.
We warn you right away: if the phone activated FRP (Factory Reset Protection), after resetting via Recovery, you will need to enter a login and password from the associated Mi Account. Without this data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device - up to contacting the service center.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:
- π± The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
- π Find Device has been activated in the settings
- π You remember the login (email/phone number) and password from Mi Account
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot password?" (or "Forgot password?" on English firmware).
- Select the option "Unblock through Mi Account".
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
- Confirm the unlock through SMS-code (will come to the tied number).
If you don't have a "Forgot Password?" button, try entering any password 5 times in a row, and then the system will suggest alternative ways to log in.
β οΈ Note: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password but havenβt updated it on your phone, unlocking may not work).
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled in Mi Account, prepare backup codes or access to an authenticator application (e.g. Google Authenticator) in advance.
2.Use of the "Find Device" function
If the phone is connected to the Internet but the Mi Account unlock button is not on the screen, you can use the web version of Find Device, which works even if the phone is turned off (assuming it has been online in the past 24 hours).
Step-by-step:
- Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
- Sign in with the same Mi Account as on the locked device.
- Select a locked phone from the menu (if multiple devices are tied).
- Click on "Unlock Device" (Unlock Device).
- Confirm the action via SMS or email.
After that, the password on the phone will be reset, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will remain in place. Importantly, the feature only works if the phone has the option "Settings β Mi Account β Find Device" enabled.
What if the Device canβt see the phone?
3. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)
If previous methods have failed, you will have to resort to a hard reset via the Recovery menu, which removes all data from the phone, including photos, messages and installed apps. Use it only as a last resort!
How to log in to Recovery and make a reset:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
- Hold the keyboard: π For most models Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Loudness up + Nutrition π For older models (up to) 2019 Volume upwards + Loudness down + Nutrition
Mi
Recovery
Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
"Wipe Data"
"Wipe All Data"
"Reboot"
After the reboot, the phone will require you to enter data from Mi Account if it was previously activated. FRP-Without this data, it will be impossible to use the device.
β οΈ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12) After resetting through Recovery, entry may be required PIN-code SIM-- cards, even if the phone is unlocked. PUK-code from the operator, if you do not remember PIN.
4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The method via Fastboot is suitable if:
- π§ You have access to a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
- π₯ You can download the official firmware for your model
- π Bootloader is unlocked on the phone (if not, the method will not work)
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your computer.
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Miui Downloads website (choose the Fastboot version).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
- Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
- Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and execute commands: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the phone) fastboot flash all name file firmware.tgz
- Wait for the process to be completed (10-15 minutes) and restart your phone: fastboot reboot
This method completely reinstalls the firmware, deleting all data. If the Bootloader is locked, it is impossible to unlock it without losing data - official permission from Xiaomi will be required (the procedure takes up to 72 hours).
Download ADB/Fastboot tools|Install drivers for your model|Download the official firmware (Fastboot)|Prepare. USB-cable (original)|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Check if Bootloader is unlocked (if not, the method will not work)-->
5. Bypass locking through Safe Mode (if a third-party launcher is installed)
A little-known method that works if a third-party launcher is installed on the phone (for example, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher), in which case you can temporarily disable the standard MIUI blocker.
Instructions:
- Press the power button before the off menu appears.
- Tap and hold the βPower offβ button until a Safe Mode login request appears.
- Confirm the transition to safe mode.
- After downloading, go to Settings β Applications β Application Management.
- Find the Screen Lock app and clear its data ("Clear Data").
- Reboot the phone.
After that, the password will be reset, but all the data will remain in place.The method does not work on all models and requires that the phone be unlocked at least once after the last restart.
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If none of the methods worked, you can contact the official service center.
- π Phone locked after failed password attempts (message "Device locked. try later").
- π± The screen requires you to enter Mi Account data, but you do not remember them.
- π§ Phone not turned on after failed reset via Recovery.
What you need to unlock in the service:
- π Checks or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
- π Passport or other document confirming possession.
- π§ Access to the email linked to Mi Account (if confirmation is required).
The cost of unlocking in informal services can reach 3-5 thousand rubles, while in official centers Xiaomi procedure is often free (if there is a guarantee). EDL β This can cause a memory module to break (especially on models with a UFS 3.1).
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Official service is the only legal way to unlock a phone with activated FRP-protection if you do not remember the information from the Mi Account.
7.How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:
- π Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional unlocking method.
- π Write your password in a secure location (such as Google Keep or Google Keep). 1Password).
- π Regularly sync data with Mi Cloud (photos, contacts, messages).
- π Activate the βFind Deviceβ function in the Mi Account settings.
- π± Set up a Smart Lock to automatically unlock in secure locations (home, work).
We also recommend you to enable the option βPassword Backupβ in Settings β Google β Manage Google Account β Security. This will allow you to recover passwords from applications even after resetting your phone.
| Unlocking method | Is the Internet required? | Whether data are retained | Difficulty | It works on FRP. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account (on screen) | β Yes. | β Yes. | β | β No. |
| Find Device (i.mi.com) | β Yes. | β Yes. | β | β No. |
| Recovery Mode | β No. | β No. (remove everything) | ββ | β οΈ Requires a Mi Account |
| Fastboot | β No. | β No. (remove everything) | βββ | β οΈ Requires an unlocked Bootloader |
| Safe Mode | β No. | β Yes. | ββ | β No. |