Forgot your Xiaomi password or want to update it for security? In this article, you will find all the current ways to change the password on the brandβs smartphones, from the standard procedure through settings to emergency unlock methods. We will look at options for MIUI 12, 13 and 14, as well as the features of working with and without Mi Account.
It's important to understand that the procedure varies depending on the situation: if you remember the current password, it will take 2 minutes to change; if you forgot, you will have to use backup methods, including factory resets; in this article, we also discuss how to avoid locking the device if you fail to type, and what to do if the phone requires an old password after updating the firmware.
All instructions are tested on Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T and POCO X5 Pro models with the latest MIUI 14.0.5 updates. If your model is older (e.g. Redmi 9A or Mi 10T), check the firmware version in Settings β About Phone β MIUI version β some menu items may be slightly different.
1. Standard method: change password through settings
This is the easiest method if you remember your current password or PIN-Suitable for all modern Xiaomi smartphones MIUI 12 and later: the procedure takes no more than 3 minutes and does not require an Internet connection.
Go to Settings β Passwords & Security β Screen Lock. The system will request the current password, which is a measure of protection against unauthorized changes. After successful authentication, select the lock type (PIN, Password or pattern lock) and follow the on-screen prompts.
- π’ PIN-code: minimum length - 4 digits (recommended 6)+ safe).
- π Password: must contain at least one letter and number, the minimum length is 6 characters.
- π¨ pattern lock: connection 4+ Do not use simple patterns like "L" or "Z").
If you choose a pattern lock, the system will suggest you create a backup PIN in case you forgot the pattern. Don't miss this step - without a backup code, unlocking the phone will be harder.
β οΈ Note: When changing the type of lock (for example, with the PIN Password: old data is erased. If you used a password to encrypt files or applications (such as Gallery or Notes), access to them may be lost.
Check the battery charge (minimum 30%)
Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for synchronization of Mi Account)
Remember your current password or keep it on hand.
Open the βSettingsβ in advance so as not to waste time searching.-->
2. change the password through Mi Account (if you forgot the current one)
If you don't remember the lock screen password, but you've linked the device to your Mi Account, you can reset the lock via the website, which only works when you're actively connected to the Internet and you've enabled the "Find Device" function in your settings.
Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in to your account. In Devices, select your locked smartphone and click Find Device β Unlock. The system will send a command to your phone, after which you can set a new password.
- π Condition 1: The phone must be connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
- π Condition 2: Battery level - at least 15%.
- π Condition 3: Last activity in Mi Account β no later than 30 days ago.
If unblocking through the site didn't work, try using the official Mi Cloud app (available for Android and iOS).The action algorithm is similar, but sometimes the app handles requests faster than the web version.
β οΈ Note: After unlocking via Mi Account, all data on the phone will be deleted, unless previously disabled function Save data when unlocked (available on the phone). MIUI 14).
Once a month
Six months
Only if I forgot.
Never change.-->
Reset password via Recovery Mode (without Mi Account)
If you haven't tied Mi Account or forgotten your Mi Account data, you'll only have a hard reset through Recovery Mode, which removes all data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps installed. Use it only as a last resort!
To log in to Recovery Mode, turn off your phone, then press the button combination:
- π± For most models: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10-15 seconds).
- π§ For older devices (e.g., Redmi) 4X): Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.
From the recovery menu, select Wipe Data β Wipe All Data (manage volume and power buttons). Once reset, the phone will reboot and you can configure it as new.
| Xiaomi model | Combination for Recovery | Support for Fastboot |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 | Volume up + Nutrition | Yes. |
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro | Volume up + Nutrition (hold 20 seconds) | Yes. |
| Redmi 10A, POCO M4 Pro | Volume up + Nutrition | No. |
| Mi 11 Lite | Loudness down + Nutrition | Yes. |
Important: Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked to the device after a reset via Recovery, a measure of theft protection called FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
What to do if you ask for an old Mi Account after a reset?
4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The Fastboot method is suitable if the standard reset didnβt work or the phone didnβt boot.Youβll need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (original to avoid connection issues).
Algorithm of action:
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
- Connect to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices If the list is empty, install drivers again.
- Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot
This way bypasses FRP-The lock, but may not work on new models MIUI 14 due to enhanced protection, and after the procedure, you may need to flash the device again.
β οΈ Attention: The wrong commands in Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center. The cost of unlocking through Fastboot in official Xiaomi centers starts from 1500 rubles.
π‘
Before using Fastboot, back up the persist partition with the fastboot backup persist command. This will help restore the IMEI and serial number after the reset.
5. Features of changing the password on different versions of MIUI
The process of changing your password may vary depending on the firmware version, and the key differences for popular versions are as follows:
- π± MIUI 14: Added option Biometric authentication (face) + fingerprint) as an alternative to password; when you change password, the system proposes to update the biometric data.
- π MIUI 13: The screen lock menu has a password history section that saves the last 3 combinations used (available only with the Mi Account attached).
- π‘οΈ MIUI 12.5: Password protection is enhanced β after 5 failed attempts, you need to wait 30 minutes or unlock through Mi Account.
MIUI 14 also features Emergency Access, which allows you to temporarily unlock your phone through a trusted device (such as Mi Band or another Xiaomi smartphone with the same Mi Account). To activate it, go to Settings β Passwords and Security β Emergency Access.
| MIUI version | Max. Attempting to enter a password | Blockage time after exceeding | Support for biometrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 14 | 5 | 30 minutes / unlock with Mi Account | Face + print |
| MIUI 13 | 5 | 15 minutes. | Only a print. |
| MIUI 12.5 | 10 | 5 minutes. | Print. |
π‘
On MIUI 14, when you change your password, the internal storage encryption key automatically updates, which can result in you losing access to the encrypted folders in the Gallery or Files if you don't remember the old password.
6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When you change your password, you often have some common problems, and here are the most common ones and the ways you can solve them:
- π "Failure to change password" (Error 20): Occurs when an unstable Internet connection. Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile Internet.
- β³ "Waiting 24 hours after reset: If you mistype your Mi Account password several times, the system blocks attempts. The solution is to wait until unlocked or to seek support with proof of device ownership.
- π΅ "Phone doesn't respond to commands in Fastboot: Check the cable (try the original from Xiaomi) and ports USB. On some PCs, you need to disable the driver signature.
Another common mistake is losing access to apps after changing passwords, which occurs when apps (like WhatsApp or Banking) are protected with an old password, to avoid the problem before changing passwords:
- Open Settings β Applications β Permissions β Special Access β Application Protection.
- Remove all applications from the protected list.
- Change your password.
- Protect your apps again with a new password.
β οΈ Note: On phones with corporate profiles (such as those installed via Microsoft Intune), changing your password may result in blocking work applications. IT-department.
7. How to Create a Strong Password for Xiaomi
A weak password is one of the main reasons for smartphone hacking, and follow these guidelines to protect your data:
- π’ Length: Minimum 8 characters for password, 6 digits for PIN.
- π€ Difficulty: Combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters (for example, T7#pL9@m).
- π« What to avoid: Dates of birth, repeating numbers (1111), simple sequences (123456).
- π Update: Change your password once in a while 3-6 months.
Use password managers (like Bitwarden or KeePassDX) to generate strong passwords, which automatically create and store complex combinations, and if you're afraid to forget your password, write it down on paper and store it in a safe place (but not on your phone!).
MIUI 14 has a feature called Password Check in Security Settings, which analyzes your password and suggests improvements. To use it, go to Settings β Passwords and Security β Device Security Check.
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Use a mnemonic phrase to remember a complex password, such as taking the first letter of each word from a favorite quote: "I remember a wonderful moment..." β Yapchm1825! (add numbers and a symbol for complexity).