How to activate a Xiaomi device if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that even power users face. Especially frustrating when a device is locked after a reboot or update, and access to data is critical. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones have unique security mechanisms that make it difficult to unlock without losing data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to activate a device, from official methods through Mi Account to technical solutions using Fastboot or Hard Reset mode. It is important to understand that not all methods will save your data: some lead to a complete reset, we will also explain how to minimize risks and what to do if the smartphone is tied to the account of the previous owner.

Before you start, check if one of the simple options is right: you may be using a pattern lock or a pattern lock. PIN-code, not password, or the device is unlocked through a fingerprint (if the feature was configured in advance.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

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

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore access).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

If the conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (depending on your security settings).
5. Create a new password to unlock the screen.

If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try entering the wrong password 5-10 times in a row - the system may offer alternative ways to sign in. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), this method only works with an active Internet connection.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone was purchased from hand and tied to the account of the previous owner, unlocking through the Mi Account is impossible without his consent.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

Hard Reset is a radical method that resets the device to factory settings, removing all data, including the password.

• 🔒 You don’t remember the data from your Mi Account.
• 📵 The device does not connect to the Internet.
• 🔧 You don’t care about your smartphone data (or it’s hidden).

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi 10, POCO F4, Mi 11):

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery Mode menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot.

On some devices (such as the POCO M4 Pro), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese, in which case, look for items with characters (clear data) and (reboot).

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader after Hard Reset, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account to activate!

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 You have unlocked the bootloader (if not, the method will not work).
• 💻 Access to a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📂 You are ready to download the firmware for your model.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
3. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools and execute the command: fastboot oem clean_all For new models: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp
5. Reboot the device with command: fastboot reboot

This method removes FRP-Factory Reset Protection and resets the password but does not guarantee data security. Some devices (such as Xiaomi 13) may require additional unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool.

4.Use of the "Find Device" function

If your smartphone has Find Device enabled, you can unlock it remotely via Xiaomi’s website, which works even if the device is not currently connected to the Internet (the command will be executed the next time you connect).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select a locked smartphone.
3. Click Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 It does not work if the Find Device function has been disabled in the settings.
• 🔄 Requires an active Internet connection on a smartphone (at least a short-term one).
• 🔒 After unlocking, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account.

💡

If your smartphone is connected to Wi-Fi but you don’t know the password, try bringing it to a familiar hotspot (such as at home or work).

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods do not work, you need to contact an authorized service center.

• 🔐 The device is tied to someone else's Mi Account (buying with hands).
• 🛠️ Screen or buttons are faulty (you can't enter a password physically).
• 📄 You need to save the data, but resetting it yourself will delete it.

What will be required for the application:

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and complexity of the work, in some cases, the service center may refuse to unlock if the device is listed in the database of stolen or linked to another account without proof of transfer of rights.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial service centers often offer a “bypass” of Mi Account through firmware, but this violates the warranty conditions and may result in the device being locked through a device. IMEI. Xiaomi’s official centers do not provide such services.

Alternative methods (with data risk)

If standard methods don't work, you can try less obvious solutions that are suitable for power users and can cause data loss or system damage.

Method 1: Bypassing the Safe Mode

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 9 or POCO X3), you can download to Safe Mode and delete the files that are responsible for blocking:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to turn off power until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
3. In Safe Mode, try uninstalling the LockScreen app (if there is root access) or resetting the lock screen settings.

Method 2: Use ADB (USB debugging required)

If USB debugging was previously enabled, you can try to delete password files via ADB:

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

This method does not work on all versions of MIUI and can result in a reboot cycle.

💡

The most reliable way to avoid unlocking problems is to link the device to the Mi Account and regularly create data backups through the Mi Cloud or third-party services.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi