Forgot the password for Xiaomi Redmi 8: all working ways to unlock in 2026

Introduction

Forgetting your smartphone password is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi 8, which is still popular due to its balance of price and functionality. Unlike newer devices with biometric authentication, fingerprint or face unlocking is not always available here, and users often rely on the ability to access the device. PIN-It's a code or a pattern lock, and it's easy to forget them after a long break in use.

The main problem is that blocking MIUI does not allow you to simply reset your password through standard settings. Xiaomi’s security system is built so that without proof of ownership (through Mi Account, SMS or other methods), it is difficult to unlock your phone. But there are workarounds, both official and alternative. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including those that work without binding to a Mi Account and with minimal data loss.

It's important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, a hardware reset via Recovery Mode will erase all data, and unlocking through Find Device will require an active Internet connection, so first we evaluate which method is right for you, depending on whether you remember the username / password from Mi Account, whether debugging is enabled over USB and whether there is a backup.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is to use a linked Mi Account, which works even if you don't remember the password from the lock screen, but remember the login details.

1. On the Redmi 8 lock screen, enter any password 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot your password?” appears.
2. Slip on this label – the system will redirect you to the Mi Account login page.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, and then the password.
4. After successful authorization, the phone will prompt you to create a new password or pattern lock.

If you don’t remember this, try to restore access to Mi Account via account.xiaomi.com, which requires email or SMS access (depending on the registration method).Please note that two-factor authentication (if enabled) can complicate the process – you will need code from the Google Authenticator app or backup keys.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, it will not officially be possible to unlock it. EDL-mode (see section 5), but this voids the warranty and requires special equipment.

Pros: does not require data reset, works on any Redmi 8 with MIUI 10 and later. Cons: if the account is not tied or forgotten login data, the method is useless.

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If the linked email or phone number is no longer used, try to restore access through Xiaomi's support service.This will require a purchase check or a box from the phone with IMEI.

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote unlock)

Find Device, which is similar to Google's Find Phone, not only tracks the location of Redmi 8, but also manages it remotely, including resetting your password.

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in Mi Account settings.
• 📱 You have access to another device (PC, tablet, smartphone) to log in to your account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the control panel, select Redmi 8 blocked (if multiple devices are linked to your account).
3. Click on "Delete Data" or "Unlock Device" (depending on the MIUI version).
4. Confirm the action – the phone will reboot and reset the password.

This does not erase user data, but requires that the phone be online. If the Internet is turned off, try connecting to Wi-Fi via the emergency call menu (type ##4636## and select "Wi-Fi Testing" - it does not work on all firmware).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (in the security settings) → Encryption, remote password reset can cause file loss, in which case it is better to use the methods from sections 3 or 4.

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (hard reset)

If the previous methods didn't work, you'll have to reset hardware through recovery mode, which will erase all the data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for Redmi 8 on any version of MIUI.

Step-by-step:

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Make sure the battery is more than 30%.

Prepare. SIM-map PIN-code (if the phone requests it when switched on)

Have a backup of important data on hand (if any)-->

1. Turn off the Redmi 8 completely.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. In the recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese), then "Wipe Data" or "Clear Data".
4. Confirm the reset by selecting "Wipe All Data".
5. After the process is complete, click Reboot – the phone will restart and prompt you to configure as new.

Some Redmi 8 firmware may require you to enter a password from Mi Account after reset (FRP protection).If you do not remember your account details, you will have to use FRP bypass methods (see section 6) or contact the service center.

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Recovery Mode reset is the most reliable way to unlock, but it erases data completely. Use it only if other methods have failed or you already have a backup.

4. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

If Redmi 8 was included in the debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password without losing data through the command line, USB-cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better than the one that came with the kit).
• 🛠️ Installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the Android Studio website).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further. If not, install the drivers or enable debugging (via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version, tap 7 times, then return to Additional → For Developers).
3. Enter the commands in turn: 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 reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

If the commands don't work, try an alternative way by deleting the gatekeeper.password.key file (relevant to MIUI 12+).

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB If you don't have any, the commands won't work. On Redmi 8, you can get root through unlocking the bootloader (see Xiaomi's official manual), but this voids the warranty.

5. Unlock through EDL-mode (for advanced)

If all previous methods fail, hardware unlocking via EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode is left, which requires special equipment such as an authorized EDL cable or boxing (e.g. UFi Box, Miracle Box) and is suitable for cases where:

• 🔒 Phone locked off Mi Account after reset.
• 📵 No access to Mi Account and debugging USB switched off.
• 🔧 You need to flash your phone from scratch (for example, after a failed update).

A brief guide (requires experience!):

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (for Redmi 8, these are usually points next to the battery) or use an authorized one. EDL-cable.
3. Connect the phone to your computer, and it will be identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Using the Mi Flash Tool program, flash the official firmware (you can download it on the official website).
5. After the firmware, the phone will restart in clean condition.

This method voids the warranty and can lead to a device breaking down if you do not do the right thing. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact Xiaomi’s service center.

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Before running your firmware through EDL, check the CPU version of your Redmi 8 (Snapdragon 439 or 632). A firmware and hardware mismatch can put your phone out of order.

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) bypass after discharge

If you reset Redmi 8 via Recovery Mode, but after turning on the phone requires data input from Mi Account, which you do not remember – this is the first time you have a phone. FRP-It's on all devices with locks. MIUI, If you had an account attached before the reset, you can get around it in a number of ways:

Method 1: TalkBack (powered by MIUI 10-12)

1. On the welcome screen, turn on TalkBack (clip two fingers on the screen for 3 seconds).
2. From the TalkBack menu, select "Settings" → "Settings reset."
3. Confirm the reset - after the reboot, the FRP will be disabled.

Method 2: Mi Assistant (for MIUI 13+)

• 📱 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi on the settings screen.
• 🔄 Go back and tap the email field 5 times until the Help menu appears".
• 🔗 Select "Mi Assistant" and follow the instructions for the roundabout FRP.

If these methods do not work, you will need to run firmware through EDL (see section 5) or contact the service. Be careful: many FRP crawlers on the Internet contain viruses or require payment for non-working instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 8