Forgot the password from the Xiaomi phone: the complete guide to unlock

The situation where you pick up your Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco and realize you don't remember the security code is familiar to many, and it can happen after a long break in using the device, or simply because of a rush, when your fingers enter the wrong combination. A pattern lock or a digital pin is the main security barrier that protects your personal data from prying eyes.

But if the security system is too strict, it can block access even to the rightful owner. Current versions of the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS have several layers of protection, and you can't just unlock it. It's important to understand whether you forgot the password from the lock screen, from the Mi Account account, or the device just requires you to enter the code after you reboot.

In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from the simplest recovery methods to a radical reset. Don't panic if the phone says "too many attempts to enter." There is an algorithm of actions that will help to return access to the gadget, although in some cases you will have to sacrifice data for the functionality of the smartphone.

Why is your phone locked and what are the types of protections

The Android system that Xiaomi smartphones run on has several types of locks, and users often confuse them, which leads to unnecessary problems when unlocking. Screen lock is what you type in every day to log in to the menu. It can be a graphic, 4-digit or 6-digit PIN-code, complex password or fingerprint.

Separately, there is a Mi Account lock, and if you've been on a device search, you'll need to reset your device by resetting your username and password from an account you've previously linked to, which is an anti-theft mechanism that prevents you from using a stolen phone, and it's much more dangerous to forget your account password than it is to forget your screen password, because it can turn the device into a brick for an outsider.

⚠️ Attention: After 5-10 Incorrect attempts to enter a password, the phone is temporarily blocked for a while (from the 30 second 5 Do not try to guess the code by pumping during this period, the timer can increase to several hours.

Also worth mentioning is Safe Mode, which is sometimes accidentally activated by users clamping down buttons and thinking that the phone is broken or locked when third-party apps are not really working. Understanding the type of lock is the first step to successfully restoring access.

Unlocking methods without losing data

The most desirable scenario for any user is to unblock and save all photos, contacts and correspondence. Unfortunately, modern versions of Android (starting at 6.0 and up, and especially 10-14) have made security holes through which you could bypass the password almost impossible for the average user.

The first and most reliable method is to use Google or Xiaomi's Find Device feature. If the phone has internet and geolocation enabled, you can remotely send a command to unlock or reset your screen password. For Xiaomi devices, this works through the Mi Cloud cloud service. You need to log in from your computer or another phone, enter your Mi ID and select the unlock option.

The second option is only relevant for very old models or specific settings. If you have a Smart Lock enabled, the phone can unlock automatically when connected to a trusted Bluetooth device (such as a smartwatch or headphones) or when in a certain place (home).

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Smart Lock is set up in advance in the Settings menu → Passwords & Security → Advanced Settings → Smart Lock. If you haven’t enabled it before, this method won’t work.

The third method is older versions of MIUI, where Mi unlocked directly on the lock screen after repeatedly entering the wrong password, and the "Forgot Password" button appeared on the screen, which you could click on, you could enter your account details. In modern firmware, this feature is often deleted or unstable, but it is worth checking if it is: enter the wrong password 5 times and see if the corresponding notification appears.

Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the gentle methods didn't work, you'll have to resort to Hard Reset, which is a complete factory reset, and all the data stored in the internal memory (photos, videos, apps, notes) will be permanently deleted, and the data on the SD card is usually saved, but it's better to extract it before the procedure.

To enter Recovery Mode, Xiaomi smartphones use a combination of buttons. The phone must be completely off. Press both the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the menu appears.

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select). You need to find Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. After you choose, confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about the loss of data again. Confirm the reset.

After completing the process, which takes anywhere from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes, select Reboot → Reboot to System.The phone will reboot as new. On first turn on, it may require a Wi-Fi connection and a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synced earlier. This is Anti-Theft Protection (FRP).

Find My Device and Mi Cloud

If your phone is connected to the Internet, the most civilized way is remote control. Google Find My Device allows you not only to track your location, but also to reset or lock. Go to the service site from any device, log in under the same Google account as on a locked phone.

Similarly, Xiaomi's cloud works. Go to i.mi.com. If Find Device has been activated in your phone settings (Settings → Mi Account → Find Device), you'll see your device on the map. In the management menu, select the data cleanup option. This will remove the screen password along with all the content.

If you don’t remember it, recovery will become much more difficult and will require a support check.

Unlocking through ADB and debugging via USB

This method is only suitable for advanced users and only in one case: if before blocking the screen you managed to turn on USB debugging in the menu "Developers" and authorized the computer. If these conditions are not met, the method will not work.

You'll need a computer with ADB drivers installed and a platform-tool utility. Connect your phone with a cable to your PC. Open the command line in the ADB folder and enter a command to delete the file that stores the keys:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Or, for a digital password:

adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

Once you have completed the command, reset your phone. The lock should disappear and you can set a new password. On modern versions of Android, this file may be more secure, and simple deletion may not help, but it's worth trying. You can also try to type in the adb shell input text 1234 (where 1234 is your password), but this rarely works due to security constraints.

⚠️ Note: If you have not included the debugging USB Before locking, no software from your computer will unlock your phone without losing data.Beware of scammers promising "magic unlock" for money.

What to do if your phone requires a Mi Account after a reset

After hard reset_ You might come across an activation screen where the phone says, "This device is attached to..." That's protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection) and similar Mi Cloud protection.The phone requires you to enter a password from an account that was synced to the device before resetting.

If you remember your username but you forgot your password, restore access via Mi Account or Google from another device, and if the device is bought with your hands and the previous owner hasn't untied it, you'll have to look for it to unlock, and without that, you won't be able to use the phone.

In some cases, if the phone was purchased officially, the presence of a check and a box of IMEI-And the code can help you with Xiaomi's authorized service center, and they can unblock it by proving your ownership of the device, and it's almost impossible to get around this protection by software on new firmware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Main conclusion: Regular data synchronization with Mi Cloud and Google Photos is the only way to guarantee the preservation of information in case of problems with access to the device.