Requires to enter the lock password Xiaomi when restarting: reasons and solutions

You turned on or rebooted your Xiaomi smartphone, but instead of the usual screen, you had to enter a lock password — even though there was no lock password before? — This is a situation familiar to many owners of the brand’s devices, especially after MIUI updates or emergency shutdowns. In 90% of cases, the problem is solved without going to the service center, but it is important to act correctly so that you do not lose data or lock the phone forever.

The reason for this behavior lies in the MIUI protection mechanisms: the system can request a password after a hardware reset, firmware update, or if unauthorized access is suspected. For example, if the battery is completely drained, and when turned on, the smartphone does not recognize the owner, it requires proof of identity. In this article, we will analyze all possible scenarios, from basic unlock methods to radical measures if the password is forgotten.

Warning: If you have not previously set up a backup in Mi Account, some methods will result in the deletion of all data on the device, so try to remember the password first or use official recovery methods.

Why Xiaomi requires a lock password after a reboot

The requirement to enter a password when you turn on or reboot is not a failure, but a planned security feature in MIUI.

• 🔄 After the firmware update: New versions MIUI can reset some security settings, including fingerprint and face recognition.
• 🔋 After the battery is completely drained: If the smartphone is turned off due to 0% charge, the system may require a password to confirm the owner.
• 🔧 After Hard Reset: Even if you reset your settings via Recovery, you will need to enter your old password when you first turn on.
• 🛡️ When Mi Account Protection is Activated: If the device is enabled by Xiaomi Account Reference, confirmation may be required after the reboot.
• 📱 When connecting to a new device (e.g., via Mi Share): The system sometimes requests a password to confirm trust.

In most cases, you just need to enter the lock password (the same one you use to unlock), but if you forget it or never set it, you have to use alternative methods.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a smartphone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device without its data.

How to unlock Xiaomi if you need a password after rebooting

Start with the simplest methods. If they don't work, move on to the more radical ones.

Method 1: Entering a standard lock password

Try entering first:

• 🔑 Password from the lock screen (if you set it).
• 📱 PIN-code SIM-Cards (sometimes the system accepts it as a backup).
• 🔢 pattern lock if it was the main method of unlocking.
• 🆔 Password from Mi Account (if the device is linked to the account).

If you forgot your password but remember Mi Account, try resetting it through the official website:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Log in to your account.
3. Select Device Management → Find the device.
4. Click Unlock the screen (if the feature is available for your model).

Method 2: Unlocking with Mi Account (if tied)

If your smartphone is linked to your Xiaomi account, you can remotely unlock it:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot your password? (if you have such an option).
2. Enter the email and password from Mi Account.
3. Confirm the unlock via SMS or email.

If you forgot your password? no, try:

• 📧 Log in to Mi Account on another device and send an unlock command.
• 📱 Connect your smartphone to your PC and use Mi PC Suite (if supported by your model).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO F3) After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the device will be locked for 24 hours!

Method 3: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If other methods don't work, you'll have to reset to factory settings, which will delete all the data, but unlock the device.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models:

1. Turn off your smartphone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) the path may be different:

Recovery → Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache → Back → Wipe Data

Table: Compatibility of unlock methods with Xiaomi models

If your model is not specified, focus on the year of release: devices in 2020 and later usually support unlocking through Mi Account, and older models (until 2019) may require a reset via Recovery.

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If the smartphone again requires a password after resetting via Recovery, this means that Mi Account protection is activated, in which case you will have to enter the account data to which the device is associated.

What to do if you forget your Mi Account password

If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, you can restore access in the following ways:

• 📧 Recovery via email: Go to account.xiaomi.com. Click Forgot password?. Enter the email linked to your account. Follow the instructions in the password reset letter.
• 📞 Recovery via phone: On the Mi Account login page, select Restore via SMS. Enter the phone number associated with the account. Confirm the code from SMS.

Appeal of support

If you don’t have access to email and phone, contact Xiaomi support via:

• 🌍 Official website: mi.com/support.
• 📧 Email: support@xiaomi.com.
• 📞 Telephone (for Russia): 8 800 775-64-26.

To confirm account ownership, support may request:

• 📄 Check or purchase document.
• 📅 Date of last activity in the account.
• 🔧 IMEI devices (you can find out through a box or sticker under the battery).