The situation when the screen of a smartphone turns into an impregnable fortress due to forgotten code is familiar to many Xiaomi owners. Panic at such moments is a natural reaction, because important contacts, photos and access to banking applications are stored inside the device. However, modern security systems Android installed on top of the shell MIUI or HyperOS are designed to make it as difficult as possible to access outsiders, which sometimes creates problems even for legitimate owners.
There are several proven methods of access recovery, the effectiveness of which depends on the version of the operating system and the preset settings of the device. Some methods allow you to save data, others require a complete reset. It is important to act consistently and coolly so as not to aggravate the situation by blocking the Mi Account.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to unlock, from standard Google features to engineering techniques, how to use remote control, what to do with a forgotten pattern lock, and how to avoid losing personal files at a critical time.
Using a Mi Account to Remotely Unblock
The most civilized and safe way to return access to the device is to use the cloud service Xiaomi Cloud. If the smartphone was signed in to the Mi-account and enabled the function "Find the device", you can delete the password remotely, you need to go to the official website of the service from any other gadget with access to the Internet.
Once you enter your credentials, you will have access to the map and control menu, and it is important to find the option “Device Lock” or “Change password” here. The system will prompt you to enter a new code that will replace the forgotten one. Once you confirm the actions on the site, the new password will sync with the smartphone, and you can enter it on the lock screen.
It is worth noting that this method only works if there is an active Internet connection on the locked phone, and if the device (offline), the command will not be executed until the network appears.
- 🔑 Make sure the device is active with the “Find Device” function in the Mi Account settings.
- 🌐 The method requires a stable connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
- 📱 The new password must be entered on the lock screen, not in the settings menu.
⚠️ After three failed attempts to enter an incorrect password through the cloud service, the account may be temporarily blocked for security reasons.
The effectiveness of this method depends on prior preparation, and if you have never set up synchronization, this path will be closed, and you will have to resort to more radical measures.
What to do if you forget the password from the Mi-account?
Google Find My Device Resets
An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard device search feature, which works at the Android operating system level and is often more effective, as it is automatically linked to a Google account when you first turn on your phone. Go to android.com/find and log in.
The service interface allows not only to track the location of the gadget, but also to execute the command "Clear the device." Unlike the Mi Cloud, there is no option to simply change the code - the system will force Factory Reset (reset to factory settings), which means the complete loss of data not stored in the cloud.
Once the operation is confirmed, the phone will restart and all user data will be destroyed, leaving only the system partition, which is ideal when you need to access calls urgently or if the data is of no value.
It’s important to understand that once reset via Google, the device will be protected by FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which means that when you first set up the phone, you will need to enter the username and password from the Google account that was synced earlier, without this data, the phone will remain a “brick”.
| Parameter | Mi Cloud | Google Find My Device |
|---|---|---|
| Data retention | Maybe (password change) | No (full reset) |
| Requirement | Entrance to Mi Account | Log in to a Google account |
| Working without a network | No (waiting to be connected) | No (team in line) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Low. |
Unlocking through the Recovery Mode menu
If the remote methods didn't work, you're left with a local reset via the Recovery Engineering Menu, which is a low-level mode built into the phone's memory. To log in, you have to turn off the smartphone completely, and then you have to pinch the key combination. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up button and the Power button.
Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, keep the volume up. You'll see a menu with English text. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You'll need to find the Wipe Data item and select Wipe All Data.
The system will request confirmation, usually you need to select Confirm. Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new. This method bypasses the on-screen password, as it runs before the operating system boots.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (Starting at 12.5 and above, you may need to enter a password from your Mi Account to confirm a reset in Recovery, even if you don’t remember the screen unlock code.
Some users try to use Fastboot mode for flashing, but it's a more complicated path, requiring a computer and an unlocked bootloader.For a normal password reset, Recovery mode is the optimal and secure solution.
Use of the Smart Lock function
Smart Lock is a handy Android option that allows you to keep your device unlocked under certain conditions. If you have set this feature up in advance, the phone can open without a password when you connect to a trusted Bluetooth device (such as headphones or smart watches) or when you are in a specific geo-fence.
Try connecting your phone to a previously paired headphone or smartwatch. If the security settings say “Unlock via Bluetooth devices,” the screen can unlock automatically. It’s also worth checking the “Safe Place” option – if you’re at home, the phone can let you in without a code.
This method doesn’t always work, as it depends on a variety of factors: whether Bluetooth is on, whether the geolocation is active, whether the phone has been rebooted (after a Smart Lock reboot, it often requires you to enter the primary password at least once), but it is worth trying, since this is the only chance to save data without resetting.
- 🎧 Connect a trusted Bluetooth device that was previously used with your phone.
- 📍 Move to a place that could be defined as “Home” or “Work».
- 👤 Check the Facial Recognition or Fingerprint option if they have been configured as an alternative.
If neither option works, then the security level of the system is high and there are no alternative routes to enter, in which case you will have to put up with the need for a complete reset.
Specifics of unlocking Xiaomi with MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS
With the release of new versions of MIUI 13, 14 and the latest HyperOS, Xiaomi has significantly increased security measures, and now, when trying to reset via Recovery or after flashing, the system can lock the device, requiring you to enter a password from the Mi Account, which was synchronized before locking.
This is done to protect against theft: even if an attacker steals a phone and tries to reset it, he can't use it without the owner's account. For an honest user who forgets the password, this creates an additional complexity. If you can't remember the password from the Mi Account, it's a must-do step before resetting the phone.
Waiting helps in some cases. After several failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, a timer or a button “Forgot your password?” may appear on the screen.
💡
If your phone requires a Mi Account password after a reset and you don't remember it, don't try to guess endlessly -- your account will be locked for 24 hours. Use recovery via email.
It’s also worth considering that some global firmware versions (Global ROMs) may have different restrictions than the Chinese versions (China ROMs), and Chinese versions often have more aggressive lock policies and pre-installed services that are harder to get around.
Prevention and backup
To avoid such problems in the future, you need to set up a backup system. Xiaomi offers a built-in tool called “Mi Cloud”, which automatically saves contacts, messages, notes and call schedules. Set up automatic sync right now while you have access to the phone.
Also, use Google Photos to save your media files, which will allow you to simply log in to your account on a cleaned phone if you reset completely, and all the photos will come back from the cloud, and don't neglect the ability to write important passwords into a paper notebook or a special password manager.
Regularly creating local copies on your computer is also a good habit: plug your phone into a USB and copy the DCIM, Download and Documents folders to your hard drive. It takes a couple of minutes, but it will save you at a critical moment.
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Regular sync with the cloud is the only way to ensure that you do not lose data when you lock your device.
Remember that modern smartphones are complex computers, and security of data is more important than ease of access, and understanding encryption will help you take passwords more seriously.