How to Remove Files from a Locked Xiaomi Phone: From Mi Account to ADB

A locked Xiaomi smartphone is not a sentence for your data, even if you forget the pattern lock, PIN-Mi Account code or password, the chances of returning photos, videos, documents and contacts remain high, the main thing is to act systematically and avoid common errors that can lead to complete data loss in a hard reset.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to extract files from locked devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From official methods using the Mi Account to technical tricks ADB And Fastboot. We'll focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI (from 12 before 14) and chip-sized models Qualcomm/Mediatek. If the phone doesn’t respond to touch, but is determined by a computer, you still have a chance!

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most legal method is to use a linked Mi Account.

• 🔹 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔹 You remember the username/password from Mi Account (or you can restore it)
• 🔹 The device has not been reset via Fastboot before.

After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the system will offer the option "Forgot your password?" Click on it and follow the instructions:

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
2. Confirm your identity via SMS or backup email.
3. Create a new unlock password.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, official unlocking is not possible without the consent of the previous owner.

On Xiaomi 12/13/14 models with MIUI 14, additional verification by SMS may be required after unlocking via your account. If the message does not arrive, check:

• 📶 Network availability (reboot router or switch to mobile Internet)
• 🕒 Time on the phone (incorrect date blocks the sending) SMS)
• 📱 Reference number in the settings of the Mi Account (via the web version of account.xiaomi.com)

2. Recovery of files via Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If you don't have access to Mi Account, but your phone is responding to power buttons, try booting into Restore Mode. On most Xiaomi models, this is a combination:

Power button + Volume up

In the Recovery menu, select Connect with MiAssistant (in Russian firmware - "Connect to PC").

• 📁 Copy files to your computer via Mi PC Suite
• 🔄 Update the firmware without reset (if available) OTA)
• 🔧 Install a patch to bypass the lock (requires an unlocked bootloader)

To copy files:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable.
2. Start Mi PC Suite (download from the official website).
3. In the program, select “Data Recovery” → “Data Recovery”.
4. Mark the categories you want (photos, contacts, messages) and click Export.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ Connect with MiAssistant can be disabled by default. If the item is not in the menu, go to the method with the ADB.

3. Use of ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful tool for working with the phone file system directly.

• 🔓 The phone has unlocked the bootloader (Bootloader Unlocked)
• 🖥️ There is access to PCs with installed Xiaomi drivers
• 🔌 USB-debugging was enabled before blocking (in the developer settings)

If the conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. Install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (power button + volume down).
3. Open the command line in the adb folder and type: adb shell su cp -r /data/media/0/ /sdcard/backup/
4. Copy files from phone to PC: adb pull /sdcard/backup/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\

For models with Mediatek (e.g., Redmi Note 10/11), an additional command may be required to mount the partition:

adb shell mount -o rw,remount /data

Bypassing a lock via TWRP (for advanced users)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to gain full access to the file system even if the phone is locked.

• 📱 Devices with unlocked loader
• 🔧 Models supporting installation TWRP (Xiaomi Mi 9, Redmi K20 Pro, POCO F3 etc.)
• 💾 Phones that were previously included OEM Unlock in the settings

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the official.img TWRP file for your model from twrp.me.
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode and connect to the PC.
3. Install. TWRP The command is fastboot flash recovery. twrp-3.7.0_9-0-davinci.img (Replace Davinci with the encoding of your model).
4. Boot to TWRP (Power button + Volume up) and select Mount → Enable MTP.
5. Connect the phone as a flash drive and copy the files to the computer.

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP model MIUI 12+ Before the procedure, check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info Search for Device unlocked: true.

5. data extraction through a memory card (if installed)

If you have a removable memory card (microSD) on your phone, the chances of saving files increase, even if the screen is locked.

• 📷 Photos and videos saved on the map remain available.
• 🎵 Music and documents can be extracted through the card reader.
• 📞 Contact and SMS not stored SD-default-card.

To copy the data:

1. Remove the memory card from your phone (use the SIM tray paper clip).
2. Put it in the card reader and connect it to the computer.
3. Check the folders: DCIM (Photo/video), Download (downloads), WhatsApp/Media (messenger).

On Xiaomi models with a hybrid slot (such as the Redmi Note 10S), the memory card can be formatted as internal storage.

• 🔒 Data encrypted and inaccessible without unlocking the phone.
• 🔧 Try connecting the card to another Xiaomi phone with the same Mi Account.

💡

If the memory card is not readable, try scanning it with PhotoRec, a free utility for recovering deleted files, which works even with formatted media.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (guarantee cases)

If the independent attempts failed, the official service center of Xiaomi can help - but with reservations:

• 📄 You will need a document confirming the purchase (check or warranty card).
• 🔐 If the phone is linked to someone else’s Mi Account, unlocking is not possible.
• 💰 Cost of service - from 1,500 to 5,000 ₽ (Depends on the model and complexity).

What can be done in the service:

• 🔧 Reset the screen lock with data storage (only for some models).
• 📥 Extract files through specialized software (for example, UFi Box).
• 🔄 Reflash the phone with backup of user data.

Addresses of authorized Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Please clarify before your visit:

• ✅ Do they support unlocking for your model.
• ✅ Is there a risk of data loss when resetting.
• ✅ Whether a pre-recording is required.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services often offer “unlock in 5 minutes” through exploits in the Internet MIUI. This could lead to: 🚫 Blocking Mi Accounts for Suspicious Activity. 🔄 Automatic data reset after update. 💀 Loss of warranty (if the device is new).

7 Extreme measures: hard reset (if nothing worked)

If access to data is not critical, and most importantly, to return the phone to working condition, it remains hard reset.

• ❌ Delete all files, applications and settings.
• ✅ Unlock the screen and reset the password.
• 🔄 It will bring the phone back to factory settings.

How to perform the reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Navigation with Volume buttons).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

On newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12), a reset via Recovery may require a password from Mi Account.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

💡

If the phone requires an old password after reset, it means that Factory Reset Protection (FRP) has been enabled, which can only be bypassed through a Mi Account or specialized software (for example, Mi Account Remove Tool).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi