How to unlock Xiaomi if you forget the security code: official and alternative methods

The forgotten security code on Xiaomi is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Whether you have entered the wrong PIN too many times, bought a used device with a locked screen, or just don't remember the password after a long break in use, solutions exist. But it's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. Some can lead to complete data loss without the possibility of recovery, others to software failures.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to bypass the lock, starting with official tools from Xiaomi to technical techniques for experienced users. Particular attention will be paid to the models of Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and Mi 11/12/13, where the procedure may differ due to the versions of MIUI.

If your phone is locked after failing to enter the code, it might say, "Device locked. Try again in 60 minutes," or suggest you enter a Mi Account. This is Xiaomi's standard security that makes it harder to access the device, but even then, there are ways out, you have to work systematically.

Before you start, answer two questions:

1. Is your phone account linked to Mi (remember your login/password)?
2. Is USB Debugging enabled on the device (in Developer Settings)?

The answers depend on what methods are right for you.

1.Official method: Unblocking through your Mi Account

The most reliable and legal method is to use a Xiaomi account tied up, which works on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the latest Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO X5 Pro models. The main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

If after 5 wrong attempts to enter the code on the screen appeared a field for entering the email - you are in luck.

• 📧 Enter the email associated with the Mi Account and the password.
• 🔑 If the password is forgotten, click "Forgot the password?" and restore access via mail or SMS.
• 📱 After successful authorization, the system will offer to create a new PIN graphical.

What if the account entry field does not appear?

1. Connect the phone to charge and wait for the network to appear (signal indicator in the status bar).
2. Reboot the device with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds).
3. Repeat trying to enter the wrong code 5 times – the system should offer an alternative input.

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If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, try inserting it. SIM-card with active Internet in the second slot - sometimes this speeds up the appearance of the authorization window.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) after 10 failed attempts, it may take a 48-hour waiting period before re-entering the account.

2 Unlocking through Find Device (Mi Cloud)

If the phone is linked to a Mi Account but the input field does not appear on the lock screen, you can use Find Device (formerly Mi Cloud), which works even if the device is not currently connected to the Internet, but requires you to pre-configure Find Device in your security settings.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as on the locked device.
3. From the menu, select “Find the device” → find your Xiaomi in the list.
4. Click "Unlock the device" and confirm the action SMS-code.

After 5-10 minutes, the phone should unlock automatically (provided it is connected to the Internet). If the device is offline, the command will be executed on the first connection to the network.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has "Reset Protection" enabled (in Settings) → Google → Security, Find Device may not work, and you may need to reset via Fastboot (see Section 4).

3. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If previous methods have failed and phone access is urgent, a hard reset via Recovery Mode remains, which will remove all data from the device, including photos, messages and installed apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for most Xiaomi models:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
5. After reset, select Reboot to reboot.

On some models (e.g. POCO X3 Pro), the button combination may differ:

• 🔄 Nutrition + Loudness up + Loudness down (for older devices).
• 🔄 Only Loudness up. + Food (for new models with new models) MIUI 14).

Turn off the phone from charging|Make sure the battery is charged at least 30 times%|Prepare. SIM-Internet card for setting up after resetting|Record your Mi Account details (if tied)

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What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?

• The first item on top is "Reset" (rebate).
• The second item is “Wipe Data” (data erasure).
• The third item is “Connect with MI Assistant” (for PC connection).

⚠️ Note: Devices with locked bootloader (e.g., official firmware for Europe) may require authorization via Mi Account after reset, even if you don't remember it).

4 Unlocking via Fastboot (for power users)

The Fastboot method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or if you are willing to unlock it, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Suitable for Xiaomi models based on Qualcomm processors (Snapdragon) and Mediatek (Helio/Dimensity).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📦 Utilities. ADB and Fastboot (download from Android site).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, you will need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB drivers and connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the device is off).
2. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type: fastboot devices Make sure that the device is determined (its serial number will appear).
3. For password reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot.

If the bootloader is locked, first unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool:

• Download the utility from the official website.
• Sign in under your Mi Account (should match your phone account).
• Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions.

5. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods don't work, you can try less common solutions, which are suitable for individual models or versions of MIUI, so check their accuracy before using them.

Method 1: Emergency Call bypass (for older versions of MIUI)

• 📞 On the lock screen, click "Emergency call".
• 🔢 Enter #4636## (test menu).
• 🔄 If the menu is open, go to Usage Statistics and try running Settings through the top notification bar.

It works on MIUI 8-10, the patch is closed on the new versions.

Method 2: Use of ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If USB debugging was previously enabled on the phone, you can try resetting your password via ADB:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

Important: You need root rights that are not available on all devices.

Method 3: Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek)

For Mediatek processor devices (like Redmi 9A/9C), you can use the SP Flash Tool to flash it back, a tricky and risky method that can turn a phone into a brick if you make a mistake.

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Alternative methods often depend on the MIUI version and device model. Before applying, check whether the method is up to date for your firmware.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Check the cable and port USB. Install drivers manually through Device Manager. Disable driver signatures in Windows (use bcdedit command for this). /set nointegritychecks on in cmd on behalf of the administrator).
• 🔒 After the reset requires an old Mi Account: This means that the bootloader is locked. Unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool. If you do not remember the account, contact Xiaomi Support with proof of ownership of the device (check, box).
• ⚠️ The device stuck on the logo after the reset: Log in to Fastboot and flash the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Use the official firmware for your model from the site MIUI Downloads.

If none of the methods worked, and the data on the phone is critical, contact Xiaomi Service Center. In some cases, engineers can unlock the device without losing data (if there is proof of purchase).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions