Forgot the password to protect personal data Xiaomi – what to do and how to unlock the phone

Introduction: Why Xiaomi is blocking data access

Forgetting the password to protect personal data on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it is not a hopeless one. The company deliberately complicates the unlocking process to protect user data from unauthorized access. A security password (sometimes called the Privacy Password or App Lock Password) blocks access to applications, files, settings, and even the entire system after a reboot. PIN-Lock screen code is a separate security layer that works when you try to change critical settings or after resetting settings.

The main problem is that Xiaomi does not provide an official way to reset this password through the service center – all manipulations must be carried out by the user himself. Moreover, the wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data or even “bricking” of the device. In this article, we will discuss all working methods of unlocking, from the simplest to the most radical, taking into account the models of Redmi, POCO and the flagship series of Mi/Xiaomi.

Before you start, make sure you have access to a Mi Account tied to your phone, which will make it much easier, and if you don’t have an account or don’t remember the login details, you’ll have to use alternative methods, some of which will require a PC, USB Type-C cable, and special tools like the Mi Flash Tool or ADB.

Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account (if the phone is connected to the Internet)

The most reliable and official way to use a linked Mi Account is to use a Mi Account, which works if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to mobile internet or Wi-Fi;
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore access);
• 📱 The device was not reset to factory settings.

Instructions:

1. On the data protection password entry screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the password protection.

If the system requests additional verification (such as an old password or PIN) and you don't remember it, try entering 0000 or 1234 — sometimes this works on old firmware. If not, move on to the next method.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, unlocking through the account will not be possible. IMEI) Calling for support for Xiaomi.

Method 2: Reset password through Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If you don’t have access to Mi Account, but your phone isn’t locked at the lock screen level, you can try resetting your password through Recovery Mode, which is suitable for devices on MIUI 12-14 and doesn’t require a PC connection.

Important: don't confuse this with a full reset (Wipe Data)! We only need to delete the password protection, not all the data.

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power + Volume combination up and hold it for 10-15 seconds until the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available), then go to Wipe & Reset (or Chinese firmware).
4. Select Wipe All Data (not Wipe Cache!).
5. Some models will have a Reset Lock Screen Password option, select it. If you don't have one, interrupt the process (see spoiler below).

Once the reset is successful, the phone will reboot and the data protection password will be deleted, but if you used Wipe All Data, all applications and settings will be reset to factory.

💡

If the phone doesn’t come into Recovery, try Power + Volume up + Volume down (for some POCO models).

Method 3: Unlock via Fastboot (PC required)

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll need to use Fastboot mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, but requires a computer, USB cable, and ADB/Fastboot drivers installed. Importantly, this method will result in a complete data reset, including photos, messages, and apps.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS;
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high-quality);
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Tools and Mi Flash Tool;
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down until the screensaver with a rabbit and the inscription Fastboot appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the folder with ADB Tools and type in the command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
4. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked): fastboot oem unlock On the phone, confirm unlock (if a request appears).
5. Flush the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool: Launch MiFlash.exe; Select the folder with the unpacked firmware; Press Refresh, then Flash; Wait for completion (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12 and later), unlocking the bootloader may require a 72-hour wait after the account is tied.

Method 4: Unlocking through EDL Mode (for advanced users)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader.It works at the Qualcomm processor level, so it is suitable for most Xiaomi smartphones (except models on Mediatek, for example, Redmi 10C or POCO M4).

The advantage of the method: you can flash the phone without unlocking the bootloader, but there are risks:

• 🔧 Authorized is required EDL-Accounting (or evading vulnerabilities);
• 💥 Possible brick (breakdown) of the device in case of error;
• 📵 Loss of all data is guaranteed.

Instructions (simplified):

1. Download firmware in.mbn format (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver.
3. Transfer the phone to EDL Mode: Turn off the device; Press the Volume up + Volume down and connect to PC; Device Manager should have a record QHSUSB_BULK.

Mi Flash Tool

QFil

This method is recommended only for advanced users, and for beginners it is better to contact the service center, as errors in the EDL can make the phone inoperable.

💡

EDL Mode is the only way to unlock Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, but it requires deep technical knowledge and is risky for the device.

Method 5: Calling for Xiaomi Support (Official Way)

If all previous methods have failed or you are afraid to risk data, the official path remains to appeal to Xiaomi.

• 📄 You have documents on the phone (check, warranty card, box with a phone number) IMEI);
• 🔒 The phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account (for example, after buying from hand);
• 🛠️ Device warranty (but unlocking may void warranty).

How to proceed:

1. Contact support via: Official website: mi.com/support; Chat in the Mi Community app; Mail: support@xiaomi.com (English).

• IMEI phone (written on the box or under the battery)
• Photo of the check or guarantee card;
• Photo of the box with the serial number.
• Wait for a response (usually 3-7 days).

Support may offer:

• 🔑 Reset the Mi Account binding to the device;
• 📥 Send a special firmware to unlock;
• 🏢 Send to an authorized service center.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was stolen or bought from hand without an account being detached, Xiaomi support will refuse assistance, EDL), But they may be illegal in your country.

What to do if nothing helps: alternative solutions

If all methods are exhausted, but the phone is still locked, consider the following options:

1. Flashing through third-party tools

There are informal utilities like XiaomiTool V2 or Mi Unlock Tool that automate the unlocking process, but they require:

• 🖥️ Windows PC;
• 🔌 Unlocked loader;
• 🛡️ Disabled antivirus (false positives are possible).

2. Bypassing the lock through ADB (for some firmware)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try to delete the password through ADB:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

This method works rarely and only on older versions of MIUI.

3. Sale of the telephone "as is"

If unlocking is not possible and the data on the phone is not critical, you can sell the device as locked (specifying the reason), and there is a demand for such phones on platforms like Avito or OLX - they are bought for parts or firmware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi's password protection