The situation where Xiaomi or Redmi suddenly blocks access to the system is familiar to many users: you take a phone to answer a call or check a message, but the screen requires you to enter code that you have forgotten, which causes panic, especially if the device stores important data and time to find a solution is short, but modern methods of access restoration allow you to solve the problem even without deep knowledge of programming.
Before we go to radical measures, it's important to understand why the lockdown happened, whether it was a child accidentally entering the wrong code, a touchscreen malfunction, or you just changed your pattern and didn't remember the new one. Depending on your smartphone model and the version of the MIUI shell, the algorithm of actions may differ slightly, the main thing is to stay calm and try the methods below consistently.
There are several layers of protection, from a simple pattern lock to a complex biometrics and Mi Account. If standard password entry does not help, the system will offer recovery options that are often ignored by users in a hurry. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways, from the most gentle to the complete reset through the engineering menu.
Standard methods of recovery through the lock screen
The very first and obvious step, often overlooked in a stressful situation, is to use the built-in recovery features available right on the lock screen, after five failed attempts to enter a pattern lock or a pattern lock. PIN-The system usually offers alternatives on older versions of Android and MIUI This could be a Forgot Password button that would call a field to enter your Google or Mi Account details.
If you have Mi Account activated and the Internet is connected, you can see the unlock option through it, which requires you to enter the username and password from the account to which the phone is linked, which allows you to unblock without deleting personal files, which is a huge advantage. However, on newer versions of the shell, starting with MIUI 12 and above, this feature is often canceled for security purposes, and the system immediately goes to the wait timer or offer a reset.
⚠️ Attention: After 10-15 Failed attempts to enter a password, the phone can be blocked on 15, 30 minutely 12 Do not try to guess the code indefinitely, as this can lead to automatic deletion of data or complete locking of the device.
It’s also worth checking if an external Bluetooth gadget that was previously marked as a trusted device is connected to the phone.In some security configurations, having a smart bracelet or watch in range can automatically unlock the screen, allowing you to get into the settings menu and change your password.
Use of Mi Account and Find Device
If a standard lock screen doesn’t offer a chance of recovery, a cloud service from the manufacturer comes to the rescue, and Find Device allows you to remotely control your smartphone if you have Internet access and Mi Account authorization enabled on it, one of the few legal ways to get around the lock without losing files, although in practice it is more often used for remote resetting.
To use this method, you'll need a computer or other smartphone, and you'll need to go to the official Xiaomi cloud service website, enter your credentials, and select a locked device from the list. The interface offers several actions: location, signal, lock and clear, and we're interested in the ability to control access.
- 🔑 Change password: In some cases, the service allows you to install a new lock screen remotely, replacing the forgotten code.
- 📍 Location: Useful if the phone is not on hand but online.
- 🗑️ Remote Cleanup: A radical method that will delete all data but remove screen lock.
It is important to understand that to work this way, the phone must be turned on and have an active connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network. If the device is turned off or in aeronautical mode, commands from the server will not be executed until the moment of connection.
What if two-factor authentication requires a phone code?
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When soft practices are exhausted, the only guaranteed option is a full reset via the recovery menu, a process known as Hard Reset that will return the phone to factory status, with all user data, including photos, contacts and apps, permanently deleted, so this step is resorted to when saving information is no longer a priority.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then you need to pinch a certain combination of buttons. On most Xiaomi models, this is a combination of the Volume+ button and the Power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
Once you download the Recovery menu, you can use volume (up/down) and power (select) buttons to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Newer versions of MIUI may require you to confirm the action by entering the word "yes" or selecting a specific menu item, such as Wipe All Data.
| Model/Series | Button combination | Features of the menu |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi Mi 9 / 10 / 11 | Volume + + Nutrition | Touch control or buttons |
| Redmi Note 8 / 9 / 10 | Volume + + Nutrition | Requires confirmation of Yes |
| POCO X3 / F3 | Volume + + Nutrition | English-language menu |
| Xiaomi with Unlocked Bootloader | Volume + + Nutrition | Fastboot mode available |
The cleaning process takes between seconds and a couple of minutes. Once it's done, the phone will automatically reboot. The first turn on will take longer than usual, as the system will reconfigure itself, and be prepared to re-enter your Google account and Mi Account to verify ownership.
Unlocking through Google’s Find My Device service
The Google ecosystem is an alternative to Xiaomi’s proprietary tools, and if a locked device has logged in to a Google account, geolocation enabled, and internet access, you can use Find My Device, a method similar to Xiaomi’s cloud service but operating at the Android operating system level.
Go to google.com/android/find from any other device and log in with the same account used on the locked phone. The service will try to locate the gadget. From the control menu, select the option "Erase Device".
This command will force the deletion of all data from internal memory, including the forgotten screen lock password, and it is important to note that after this procedure, the phone may require the entry of a password from a Google account (FRP Lock - Factory Reset Protection), a security mechanism that prevents the use of stolen devices.
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If the phone is in sleep mode and the screen is off, the cleanup command will only be executed when the device comes out of sleep and connects to the network. Don't expect an instant reaction if the phone is in your pocket.
Specifics of unlocking different versions of MIUI
The MIUI shell is constantly updated, and with each version, security algorithms change. What worked on MIUI 10 or 11 may not be useful on MIUI 13 or 14. Understanding these differences will help avoid unnecessary action and time wasted.
On older versions (before MIUI 11), there was a vulnerability or feature that allowed you to unlock your phone through your Mi Account right from the lock screen after many failed attempts. In newer versions, this feature was removed.
- 📱 MIUI 12 and later: Emphasis on biometrics and strict account binding. Password reset without data loss is virtually impossible without pre-built backups.
- 🔒 Data security: In modern versions, data is encrypted with a key derived from the lock password, so it is technically impossible to simply "erase the password" by saving the data - without the decryption key, it will remain unreadable.
- ⚙️ Engineering menu: Attempts to log into the engineering menu via a set of codes (e.g. ##6484##) from the lock screen in new firmware blocked.
Users of new models, such as Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12, should immediately configure unlocking by fingerprint or face, as it is extremely difficult to restore access to the complex alphanumeric password in these devices.
⚠️ Warning: There are paid services and programs that promise to unlock Xiaomi without data loss. 99% of the time, it’s a scam for new models. Data encryption doesn’t allow you to bypass a password without a key that’s stored in a secure memory area.
Prevention of blocking and backups
To avoid the “forgetting your password” situation from taking you by surprise in the future, you need to prepare your device in advance. The best protection against data loss is regular backup. Xiaomi offers a built-in tool to create backups in the Mi Cloud cloud or on your computer.
It is recommended to set up automatic synchronization of contacts, photos and notes, in which case, even if you have to do Hard Reset, you will lose only the installed applications and system settings, but personal data will remain safe, you should also write complex passwords to a safe place or use password managers available from other devices.
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Regular sync with Mi Cloud and Google Photos is the only way to ensure the safety of data when you need to reset your password.
Another important aspect is linking your phone number and backup email to your Mi Account, which will make it easier to restore access to your account if you forget your password, and don't ignore security issues when you sign up, they can be a lifesaver at a critical moment.
It’s also helpful to check the fingerprint scanner and Face ID periodically. Make sure the alternative unlock methods work correctly, and add a few fingerprints (like thumbs of both hands) to have a backup entry option.