Forgetting your smartphone password is a bad situation, but it's not a bad one. Especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi budget model. 5A, And it's still popular with users, and unlike new devices with biometric authentication, unlocking through the Internet is a very important way to do this. PIN-The code or pattern lock on this device requires knowledge of alternative methods, and fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, from official (via Mi Account) to technical (using the use of the Mi Account). ADB or Fastboot).
Itβs important to understand that not all methods are equally secure. Some will result in complete data loss, others will require proof of ownership of the device. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock the Redmi 5A in 2026, including those that work without being tied to a Xiaomi account.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method by the manufacturer is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:
- π± The device was tied to Xiaomi account before being blocked.
- π Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- π Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
After 5 failed attempts to enter the password on the screen will appear button Forgot the password?. Click on it and follow the instructions:
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
- Confirm your identity via SMS or email (the code will come to the specified contact).
- Create a new unlock password.
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If the Forgot Password button doesn't appear, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or restarting your smartphone. Sometimes the problem is with no Internet connection.
β οΈ Note: If you are buying a Redmi 5A handheld and the previous owner did not untie his account, this method will not work. In this case, you will need to reset via Recovery Mode (see next section).
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If Mi Account is not available, the only reliable way to unlock the device is to hard reset to factory settings, which deletes all data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, but returns access to the smartphone.
Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 5A:
- Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery Mode menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
- After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot.
Disable your Google Account (if linked) via the web version of Google Find My Device|Save your device IMEI (on the box or under the battery)| Charge your smartphone at least 50% |Prepare a backup of important data (if accessed via PC)
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β οΈ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 5A After the reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously linked (FRP-If you do not remember this data, the smartphone will remain locked, in which case you will need to contact the service center.
Resetting through Recovery Mode doesn't always go smoothly. If the device hangs on the Mi logo after the reboot, try:
- π Reset again.
- π Connect the charger (sometimes helps with a discharged battery).
- π₯ Fastboot Smartphone (Method for Power Users).
3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)
If the Redmi 5A has USB debugging enabled and you have access to your computer, you can try resetting your password via the Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a technique that requires minimal technical skills and only works if you meet two conditions:
- On the smartphone, the option of debugging over USB was previously activated (Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β 7 times press to unlock the developer menu).
- The computer has drivers for Xiaomi and an installed ADB utility.
Step-by-step:
- Get Redmi on board. 5A PC-only USB-cable.
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key
rm /data/system/password.key
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
rebootAfter the reboot, the password will be reset, but there may be problems with the Touch ID or the pattern lock, in which case you will need to reset through Recovery Mode.
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
4.Using Fastboot for firmware (extreme case)
If none of the previous methods worked, the firmware is left over via Fastboot, which is suitable for power users and requires:
- π₯οΈ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers.
- π¦ Official firmware for Redmi 5A (You can download it on the official website).
- π§ Mi Flash Tools for the Mi Flash Tool.
Algorithm of action:
- Turn off your smartphone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the device to the PC.
- Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
- Wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).
Yes, repeatedly.|Yeah, once.|No, but I want to learn.|No, and no planning.|I don't know what that is.-->
β οΈ Note: Fastboot firmware deletes all data and may result in a device blink (completely inoperable) if the wrong version of the software is selected. 5A They're code-named riva, make sure you download the correct version!
| Unlocking method | Conditions required | Loss of data | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | Linked account, Internet | No. | β |
| Recovery Mode | Access to the recovery menu | Yes. | ββ |
| ADB | Debugging by USB, PC | Partially. | βββ |
| Fastboot | Firmware, Mi Flash Tool | Yes. | ββββ |
| Service centre | Device documents | Maybe. | βββ |
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If you don't succeed in your own unlocking, you just have to go to an authorized Xiaomi service center, which is the safest, but also the longest way.
- π Checks or warranty card (proof of purchase).
- π Passport of the owner.
- π± The device itself (preferably with the original box).
Service centers can offer two options:
- Flashing with data storage (in rare cases, if technically possible).
The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the region and the complexity of the work, and in some cases, the service may refuse to unlock if the device is listed in the database of stolen.
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The official service is the only legal way to unlock if the smartphone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untidy the Mi Account.
6. Alternative methods (with caution!)
There are dozens of magical ways to unlock Redmi 5A, from third-party software to secret codes, most of which either don't work or carry risks.
1. Secret codes of the engineering menu
Some users try to type in codes like ##3646633## or ##7780## to reset their settings. On Redmi 5A, these codes either don't work or open a menu that won't help you reset your password. Don't waste your time.
2 Unlocking programs (Dr.Fone, iMyFone)
Third-party utilities like Dr.Fone or iMyFone LockWiper promise to reset the password without losing data.
- π° They're paid (from 30).$ unlockable).
- π‘οΈ There is no guarantee that they will work on Redmi. 5A last-fixed.
- π¨ Risk of installing malware on a computer.
3. FRP bypass through bugs
On older versions of Android (7.1 Nougat, which runs Redmi 5A), there were ways to bypass Factory Reset Protection (FRP) through vulnerabilities in settings.
- After resetting via Recovery at the Wi-Fi setup stage, go back.
- Start Google Assistant with a voice command and open settings through it.
However, most of these methods are already closed in current versions of MIUI. You can try them, but the chances of success are minimal.
7.How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:
- π Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint) as a backup option.
- π Write it down. PIN-code or pattern lock to a secure location (e.g., an encrypted file on a PC).
- π Regularly back up your data via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
- π Link Mi Account to Google Account or Phone Number to Restore Access.
- π± Donβt buy Xiaomi without first resetting your tied account.
If you often forget passwords, consider using a password manager (like Bitwarden or KeePass) that stores all your codes encrypted and syncs between devices.
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Redmi 5A can set up automatic deletion after 10 failed password attempts. To disable this feature, go to Settings β Lock and Protect β Delete data and deactivate the option.