Forgot the screen unlock combination on Xiaomi or Redmi?pattern lock is a handy alternative PIN-It's easy to forget, especially if you rarely unlock your phone. MIUI There are several ways to disable this protection without resetting to factory settings. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of removing a pattern lock through system settings, including hidden Xiaomi features that not all users know about.
It's important to understand that the procedure differs depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS) and the device model. For example, on Poco F5 with Android 13, the path to security settings may differ from the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 12.5. We'll look at universal solutions, as well as nuances for specific firmware versions. If you've tried to enter the key more than 5 times and saw the message "Try again in 30 seconds," don't panic - it's standard match protection and can be circumvented by legal means.
Why the pattern lock may not be turned off through settings
Before we get to the instructions, letβs see why the standard Settings path β Lock screen β Lock type may not work. Here are the main reasons:
- π Mi Account is connected to the device β Xiaomi requires you to enter a password from the account to change the security settings.
- π± Custom firmware installed β informal builds (e.g. Pixel Experience) can block access to system settings.
- π Update MIUI The scoring is after the scoring (for example, the scoring). MIUI 13 on HyperOS may be limited.
- π€ User profile is limited if the phone is used in Child-friendly mode or corporate profile.
If you encounter one of these issues, the standard way to disable the key will not work. In such cases, alternative methods will be required, which we will describe below. For example, for devices with a tied Mi Account, there is a workaround through Settings β Accounts β Mi Account β Delete the account, but it is not available on all models.
Method 1: Disable the pattern lock through the basic MIUI settings
This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices with official firmware. Suitable for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS.
- Unlock your phone in any way you can (fingerprint, face recognition, or other devices). PIN-code, if they're configured).
- Go to Settings β Lock screen (on some models, the path may look like Settings β Passwords and Security β Lock screen).
- Select the screen lock type or lock screen protection.
- Enter the current pattern lock (if requested) or confirm the action through your Mi Account.
- In the list of available options, select No or Swipe (fingerwire).
- Confirm the changes by clicking Ready or Save.
If you require a password from your Mi Account at this point, but you donβt remember it, use the recovery instructions at the end of the article. Some devices (e.g. Redmi Note 11) may have a security alert that says youβre not safe, ignore it if youβre sure youβre up to it.
βοΈ Preparation for key disabling
Method 2: Use of Recovery Mode
If you can't unlock your phone in the standard way, but remember the data from your Mi Account, try resetting the pattern lock via Recovery Mode. This method doesn't cause data loss, but requires proof of identity.
- Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
- Press the Power Button and Volume Up (Loudness Down on some models) simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (donβt be afraid β itβs not a complete reset!).
- Next, go to Wipe Lock Settings or Delete Lock Data (the name may vary).
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
- Once enabled, enter your Mi Account details to confirm ownership.
This method works on MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS, but may not be available on older firmware versions (before MIUI 12). If there is no Wipe Lock Settings option on the menu, then your model does not support this feature, in which case move on to the next method.
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
Method 3: Reset the pattern lock via ADB (for advanced users)
If previous methods failed and USB debugging was enabled before locking, you can delete the pattern lock via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires a computer and minimal technical skills.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original or high quality).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
- After rebooting, the pattern lock will be reset, but may need to be entered PIN-password or code from your Mi Account.
If the su command is not working, then the device does not have root rights, in which case try an alternative without su:
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
rebootβ οΈ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact Xiaomi Service Center.
Comparison of methods of disabling the pattern lock on Xiaomi
To choose the best way, compare them by key parameters:
| Method | Unlocking required | Loss of data | Difficulty | Suitable for MIUI/HyperOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Through settings | Yes (print/PIN) | No. | Low. | All versions. |
| Recovery Mode | No (but you need a Mi Account) | No. | Medium | MIUI 13+, HyperOS |
| ADB | No (I need to debug on the USB) | No. | Tall. | All versions. |
| Reset to factory | No. | Yes (full) | Low. | All versions. |
As you can see from the table, the safest method is through MIUI settings, but it requires prior unlocking. If you don't remember any unlocking method (print, PIN, Mi Account), there's only a full reset that will delete all the data. For how to back up before reset, read the next section.
π‘
If you often forget the pattern lock, set up a backup PIN-code β Lock screen β This will unlock your phone even if you forget the main key.
How to avoid blocking in the future: tips for setting up security
To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock again, follow these guidelines:
- π Set up a backup. PIN-code - it will help unlock your phone if you forget the pattern lock. β Lock screen β Reserve password.
- π± Use Smart Lock β the feature automatically unlocks the phone in trusted places (for example, at home or at work). β Passwords and security β Smart Lock.
- βοΈ Link your Mi Account, which will allow you to restore access to the device even after you reset. Make sure that the email and phone in the account are up to date.
- π Write the key to a secure location, such as Google Password Manager, 1Password) or on paper (keep separate from the phone).
Also, look at face/fingerprint authentication settings. On Xiaomi, they often work in parallel with the pattern lock, but can be disabled separately. To check their status, go to Settings β Passwords and Security β Fingerprint or Face Recognition.
β οΈ Note: If you use a corporate profile (for example, through Microsoft Intune), the administrator can block the ability to disable the pattern lock. IT-department.
Restoring access to Mi Account to unlock
If the system requires data entry from your Mi Account but you donβt remember it, use the official recovery procedure:
- Go to account.xiaomi.com from another device.
- Click Forgot Password? and enter the linked email or phone number.
- Confirm your identity via SMS or backup email.
- Create a new password and use it to unlock your phone.
If you do not have access to the email/phone associated with your account, please contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership (check of purchase, box from the device, etc.) and the processing time is 1 to 5 business days.
π‘
The pattern lock on Xiaomi is tied to the Mi Account, so turning it off often requires proof of identity.If you don't remember your account details, restore them before the phone is unlocked.