How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

The situation when the owner forgets the digital code or the pattern lock to log in is one of the most common problems in the operation of smartphones. Modern devices Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are equipped with powerful security systems that are designed to protect personal data from outsiders, but sometimes become an obstacle for the owner of the gadget. If you are faced with a lock screen, do not panic, since there are several proven algorithms of action.

Depending on the version of the MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS, as well as the status of the Mi Account, the methods of access recovery can vary significantly. Some methods allow you to save photos and contacts, while others require the complete deletion of user data for security. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to reset your password on Xiaomi using official tools and special recovery modes.

Before you start taking action, it is important to understand that attempts to select code are limited by the system. After a few incorrect inputs, the phone may temporarily lock or require confirmation through a Google account or Mi Account. Full resetting is a last resort, but often it is the only working solution for forgotten access data.

Use Find Device for remote resetting

The most civilized and safe way, provided by the manufacturer, is to use the cloud service Mi Cloud. To successfully implement this method, you need to log in to Mi Account on the locked device, and also enable the function "Find device" and activate the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). If these conditions are met, you can unlock remotely from any other gadget.

The process starts with visiting the official website of the service through a browser on a computer or other smartphone, you will need to log in using the same Mi Account that is associated with the locked phone, after logging in, the map will display the location of your device, and several options will appear in the management menu, among which we are interested in the cleaning function.

  • πŸ“ Go to i.mi.com and log in to your profile.
  • πŸ“± Select a locked device from the list of available gadgets.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Click the β€œErase Device” button to delete your password.
  • πŸ”„ Wait for confirmation of the operation and restart of the smartphone.

Importantly, this procedure will result in the complete removal of all data from the phone’s internal memory, including photos, contacts and apps. However, this is the only official way to bypass the lock screen without losing warranty and violating the integrity of system files. Once the process is complete, the phone will return to factory settings, and you can configure it again.

⚠️ Warning: If the device was not enabled by the Internet or the Find Device function was deactivated, this method will not work.

πŸ“Š Have you ever had a screen lock on Xiaomi?
Yeah, I forgot my password.
No, I always remember the code.
Blocking your Google account
Until there was a problem.

Reset with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If remote access is not possible, a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level environment built into the firmware that allows you to perform system operations regardless of the operating system state, and enters this mode with a combination of physical buttons, making the method available even with a completely broken touch screen.

To enter, you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then you need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to keep the volume until the main Recovery menu appears. The navigation in this menu is carried out by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is made by the power button.

You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data on the list of options, and the system will request confirmation of your actions several times, as this is a critical operation, and after confirmation, the process of formatting the data partition will begin, during which the forgotten screen lock password will be deleted.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist before resetting via Recovery

Done: 0 / 4

It is worth considering that on new versions of the firmware MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, after resetting through the receptacle, the device can request confirmation of the owner. This is protection against theft: if the phone was stolen and reset, an attacker will not be able to use it without entering a password from the Mi Account that was synchronized earlier.

Unlocking the lock with Google Find My Device

An alternative for devices deeply integrated into Google’s ecosystem is Find My Device, which is effective if your smartphone is logged in to a Google account, geolocated and has Internet access, and while the service’s functionality changes periodically, it remains a powerful device management tool.

To use this method, go to android.com/find from any available device and log in to the same Google account. The system will try to locate the phone. From the management menu, select the option β€œClean the device.” As with Mi Cloud, this will result in complete deletion of data, including the lock password.

ParameterMi CloudGoogle Find My Device
Required accountMi AccountGoogle Account
The Necessity of the InternetI'll be sure.I'll be sure.
Data retentionNo (full reset)No (full reset)
Difficulty activatingLow.Low.

This method is especially useful if you do not remember the data from the Mi-account, but remember exactly the login and password from Google, since it is Google account that is often the primary one when activating Android devices. However, as in previous cases, data recovery after such a procedure is impossible without a prior backup.

What is FRP Lock?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a security mechanism that prevents you from using your device after you reset your settings without confirming the Google or Mi Account that was installed on it. This protects your data in the event of a phone being stolen.> Unlocking by USB Debugging (ADB) For advanced users who have had pre-enabled USB debugging in the Developer menu, there is a technical way to reset your password without losing data. This method requires a computer, ADB drivers installed, and basic command line knowledge. The effectiveness of the method depends on the Android version and the security level of the specific method, which is stored in the file that sends the code. To do this, connect your smartphone to your PC, open the console ADB and type a command to delete the system key file. If the access permissions allow, the system will ignore the old password the next time it boots. /data/system/gesture.key In some cases, you may also need to delete password.key or locksettings.db. Once you have completed the command, you need to restart the device. On the lock screen, you can enter any arbitrary code or swipe anywhere, and the phone unlocks. Unfortunately, on the modern versions MIUI With data encryption enabled, this method often doesn't work without root rights, because the key file is protected by system access rights. However, for older models or devices with custom firmware, this can be a salvation. ⚠️ Attention: Careless use of commands ADB It can cause unstable system operation or "bricking" of the device if the wrong system files are deleted. MIUI The interface and logic of the security system change significantly from version to version. MIUI 10-11 They often encountered the possibility of resetting via Mi Account directly on the lock screen after many incorrect input attempts. MIUI 12, 13, 14 And HyperOS, the security policy has been tightened, and now when you try to reset through Recovery or Find Device, it's almost guaranteed that you'll need to enter your Mi Account password when you first set up after you reboot. This is done so that even physical access to the phone does not allow the attacker to access the data after formatting. If you don't remember the password from the account, recovering access becomes extremely difficult. It's also worth noting the differences in how you log in to Recovery. On some Redmi and POCO models, the combination of buttons may differ: sometimes you need to connect the charger before you press the buttons so that the recovery menu is activated correctly. On flagship models, you can log in through the update menu if the phone responds to touch partially. What to do if nothing helps In situations where neither of the software methods has worked, or if the device is blocked by IMEI due to loss with confirmation of ownership, only the service remains when you apply for the service when you purchase the specialized service. There are also paid software tools from third-party developers that allow bypassing. FRP The use of such software carries risks: you may encounter viruses, identity theft or permanent breakdown of the phone software, and warranty service in the event of interference of third-party software will be canceled. If the phone is found or bought from the hands and blocked by the previous owner, it is almost impossible to unlock it legally, in which case the device becomes unusable, reminding the owner of the importance of linking devices to personal accounts and remembering passwords. πŸ’‘The only guaranteed way to avoid access issues is to regularly back up and store passwords in a trusted password manager.Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will my phone reset if I enter the wrong password 10 times? Usually after 5-10 If you don't try, the phone is temporarily locked for a few seconds or minutes, and the data reset is not automatically reset, it's a protection against accidental clicks, but if you have enabled the "Erase data after" function. 10 When you try to "try" in security settings (rarely activated by default), the data can be deleted. Can you unlock the phone without losing photos and contacts? Without knowing your current password or fingerprint, unlocking a modern Xiaomi smartphone without losing data is almost impossible. Android encryption systems tie encryption keys to a user's password. Resetting a password always means resetting encryption keys, which makes the data unreadable. What is a Mi Account and why does it ask for a password after a reset? Mi Account is a Xiaomi ecosystem account. After resetting the settings (Hard Reset) the protection is triggered FRP (Factory Reset Protection). The phone requests a password from an account that was synced to the device before the reset to confirm that the device is owned by its legitimate owner, not the one who found or stole it. Will flashing the phone help remove the password? Official flashing through the Mi Flash Tool usually requires an unlocked bootloader, and unblocking the bootloader requires access to the phone's menu. Unofficial flashing methods can remove the password, but they are complex, require special knowledge and can lead to a loss of warranty.