Forgot the password from Xiaomi Redmi 4X: what to do and how to unlock

The situation when you pick up your Xiaomi Redmi 4X And you realize that you don't remember a pattern lock or a digital code, which is familiar to many people, and the lock screen is a powerful shield that protects personal data from outsiders, but it also becomes an insurmountable barrier for the owner in case of forgetfulness. You should not panic at this moment, since the Android operating system and shell are not necessary. MIUI There are several scenarios for restoring access.

Before we go to radical measures, we need to be clear about the risks. In most cases, especially on modern firmware versions, unlocking a device without knowing a password means completely erasing user data. This is a security measure implemented by developers so that a stolen phone can not be simply reflashed and used. However, if you are prepared in advance or have access to accounts, the chances of getting the device back into working condition are very high.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all available methods for bypassing locks for the Redmi 4X. We will look at both software methods through the built-in features of Google and Mi Account, and hardware reset via the Recovery menu. It is important to follow the instructions consistently so as not to aggravate the situation and not to lock the device permanently.

Preparation for the unlocking procedure and risk assessment

The first step before any manipulation is to evaluate the situation, and you need to understand what type of lock is installed: a pattern lock, PIN-If you're talking about biometrics, you can just type in the backup password you set up when you set up the scanner, and if you forget the master password, you'll have to take a more determined approach.

It is critical to check whether your Xiaomi Redmi 4X is connected to the Internet. Many remote unlock methods, such as using Google Find My Device or Mi Cloud services, require an active connection to the network via Wi-Fi or mobile data. If the screen is locked, look at the top status bar: having 4G/LTE or Wi-Fi icons suggests that remote methods may work.

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If your phone is not connected to Wi-Fi, try inserting it. SIM-card with active tariff and mobile Internet enabled so that the device can contact the authorization server.

You also need to prepare a computer with access to the network. In some cases, you will need to log in to your personal account through a browser. Make sure you remember the login and password from your Mi Account and Google account. This is the data most often requested by the security system after resetting, and without them the phone will turn into a “brick” due to the activation of FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

Unlocking the Google Find My Device

The easiest and safest way to do this, which doesn't require a data reset, is if you have pre-enabled geolocation and location services on your device. Google provides a powerful tool to manage your device remotely, and you'll need any other smartphone or computer to do this.

Go to the official website of the service android.com/find and log in to the same Google account that is associated with the blocked Redmi 4X. If the device is online and geolocated, you will see its location on the map. The control menu on the left or top will have three main functions: "Call", "Block" and "Clean the device".

We're interested in locking, and if you click on it, it will suggest you enter a new password to replace the one you forgot, and once confirmed, the new character combination will be applied to the phone, but it's worth noting that on recent versions of Android, the remote password change feature is often replaced by a forced reset, as Google is strengthening security measures.

• 🌐 Open the browser and go to the site android.com/find.
• 🔑 Log in to the Google account linked to your phone.
• 📱 Select your Redmi device 4X list.
• 🔒 Select the Lock option and set a new code.

⚠️ Warning: If the device is offline, the command will not be executed instantly. It will be applied automatically as soon as the phone goes online.

Use of Mi Cloud and Find Device

Xiaomi smartphone owners often neglect to create a Mi Account, but in a situation with a forgotten password, it can be a salvation.Mi Cloud service has a built-in device search feature similar to Google, but with deeper penetration into the MIUI system. If your Redmi 4X was enabled the Internet and activated Mi Account, this method has a high chance of success.

Go from your computer or other phone to i.mi.com. Enter your Mi Account login and password. Once you have successfully logged in, select Find Device. The system will try to locate your gadget. If you have succeeded, you will have a control menu available where you can choose to lock or clear.

The Mi Cloud interface allows not only to lock the screen with new code, but also to remotely erase data in some versions of the firmware, which is actually a reset but initiated through the cloud, which is convenient if the buttons on the phone itself do not work or the sensor does not respond partially.

It's important to understand the difference between a forgotten screen password and an account lock. If you reset your phone through Mi Cloud, it will still ask you to enter the Mi Account password when you first turn on. This is anti-theft protection. So make sure you remember the Mi Account data, not just the lock screen.

• 🔍 Go to the portal i.mi.com.
• 🆔 Sign in to your Mi Account.
• 📍 Click on the "Find Device" icon».
• 🗑️ Select “Wipe Data” for a full reset or “Lock” for a password change.

Resets via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu

If remote methods are not available, the Internet on your phone is turned off or you do not remember passwords from accounts, the only proven option is Hard Reset via the Recovery menu. This is a forced reset of all settings to factory. Data (photos, contacts, apps) will be irretrievably deleted, but the phone will return to the state “from the store”.

To enter recovery mode on the Xiaomi Redmi 4X, you need to run a button combination. First, the phone needs to be completely turned off. If it does not respond to a long press of the power button, you can remove the battery (if the design allows) or wait for the battery to discharge, although on the Redmi 4X the battery is not removable, so you will have to wait or use the combination to force the restart.

Once you get to the Recovery menu (usually a black screen with text and orange/blue elements), the control is done by the volume buttons (up-down) and the power button (select). You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data item. In newer versions of MIUI, you may need to confirm the action by entering the word "yes" or selecting a specific subitem "Wipe All Data".

The cleaning process takes from 30 seconds to several minutes, and when completed, the system will prompt the device to restart (Reboot -> Reboot to System), the first turn on will be long, as the system adjusts the files again.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset via Recovery, the phone will be sure to ask for a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced. FRP.

FRP (Google Account Verification)

Once you've done Hard Reset, you might come across an activation screen where the phone will ask you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously on that device, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) mechanism. If you remember the password, just type it in. If you forget the password from your Google account, things get complicated.

For Redmi 4X, which runs on Qualcomm processor and older versions of Android, there are specific workarounds, one of which is using TalkBack. When you try to enter a password on the activation screen, you can try to activate the voice assistant (often done by triple tapping or swiping with two fingers) to call the settings menu.

However, given that security patches regularly close these vulnerabilities, there is no universal “bypass” button, often requiring a Wi-Fi connection and the use of special devices. APK-files or computer utility for resetting FRP. Owners are advised to try to restore access to a Google account through a computer using the “Forgot Password” feature on Google’s website, and only then enter new data into the phone.

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Resetting FRP without account data is possible only with the use of specialized software on the PC, as vulnerabilities in Android are constantly closed.

If you bought your phone with your hands and you don't know the previous owner's accounts, it's almost impossible to unlock it legally, so the only way out is to contact the service center with a check to confirm that the device is not stolen.

Using ADB to delete password files

For advanced users who had “Debugging by” on their phone in advance USB» (USB Debugging, there is a method of removing files that store password hashes through a computer.This method allows you to reset the screen lock without losing data, but it only works on older versions of Android (up to the time of the debugging). 6.0-7.0), Which is exactly what Redmi is about. 4X.

You'll need to install ADB drivers on your computer and connect your phone with a cable. Once you run the command line in the ADB folder, you'll need to enter a command to obtain superuser rights and delete key files. The main files responsible for blocking are in the /data/system/ directory.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Once these commands are executed, the device needs to restart, and when turned on, the phone can ask for any graphical key or password, after which the lock should disappear, and it is worth noting that this method often does not work on new security patches, since the system requires confirmation of root rights, which the average user does not have.

• 💻 Install. ADB PC-driver.
• 🔌 Connect the phone with a cable USB.
• ⌨️ Enter gesture.key and password.key file removal commands.
• 🔄 Reboot the device with the adb reboot command.

⚠️ Attention: Method C ADB It only works if previously allowed debugging USB The computer was given access to the device, otherwise the phone would only charge.

Frequent Questions and Problem Solving (FAQ)