How to open a personal folder on Xiaomi, if you forgot your password: working methods 2026

Forgetting the password from the personal folder on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it’s fixable. Unlike locking the screen, where there are few options to unlock, there are several proven ways to return access to hidden files.

The personal folder (Private Folder or Second Space depending on the version of MIUI) is protected by a separate password, pattern lock or fingerprint. If you forget the combination, the system will not offer standard prompts like recovery by email. However, the manufacturer has provided backup mechanisms, and experienced users have found workarounds. In this article, all the current methods for 2026, from official to technically complex, with step-by-step instructions and risk warnings.

Recovery of access through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore them).
• 🔄 The data synchronization function was activated in the settings.

To unlock the folder:

1. Open the Settings app → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Scroll down and select Data Recovery.
3. In the backup list, find the latest by date and click Restore.
4. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account.

If there is no backup, try an alternative way:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Personal folder.
2. Click Forgot Password? (Forgot Password?)
3. Select Restore through Mi Account and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync or changed your Mi Account password, this will not work, and it is not available on custom firmware devices (for example, LineageOS).

2. Password reset via Second Space (for MIUI 12 and later)

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi introduced Second Space, a separate user profile with its own settings and apps, and a personal folder can be linked to that space, and sometimes its password can be reset through it.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Special Features → Second Space
2. Enter the password from the main space (if requested).
3. Go to Second Space Settings → Security → Personal folder.
4. Click Remove Password or Reset.

If Second Space is not activated, try creating it:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Special functions → Second Space.
• 📱 Click Create Second Space and Follow the Tips.
• 🔑 After creation, check if access to the personal folder has appeared in the new space.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) After creating Second Space, a personal folder can be duplicated. Deleting a password in one space does not always reset it in another.

Check out the MIUI version (should be 12+)

Make sure Second Space is not blocked.

Connect the device to charge (the process can take 5-10 minutes)

Make a backup copy of important data-->

3. Unlock through TWRP Recovery (for advanced users)

If the official methods do not work, the technical bypass through custom recovery – TWRP. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP, but allows you to delete the file with the password manually.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. In the main menu, select Advanced → File Manager.
3. Cross the path: /data/system/users/0/ Find the files: private_folder.xml or second_space_password.key
4. Delete the files found (swipe for confirmation).
5. Reboot the device (Reboot System).

After rebooting, the personal folder should open without a password. If there are no files, try searching in:

/data/data/com.miui.privacyguard/

⚠️ Note: Delete system files through TWRP It can lead to data loss in a personal folder or unstable work MIUI. Before the procedure, make a full backup through Nandroid Backup in TWRP.

4.Reset to factory settings: Last chance

If no method works, then you'll have to reset hard, which will delete all the data on the device, including the password from the personal folder, but the files inside the folder will also be erased.

• 📵 You don’t have any important data in your personal folder (or it’s backed up).
• 🔧 Other methods have failed or are not available.
• 📱 The device is not tied to Mi Account (otherwise you will need to enter a login after resetting).

How to reset:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
5. Reboot the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after the reset, you may need to enter data from Mi Account, even if the account was not previously used.If you do not remember the username / password, the smartphone will turn into a brick".

💡

Remove before resetting SIM-card and memory card, on some models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After Hard Reset, external storage formatting takes place.

Alternative methods: cheating the system

If you don't want to risk data, you can try to trick a system into exploiting its vulnerabilities, which don't work on all devices, but sometimes they do:

Method 1: Change of date and time

1. Open Settings → Additional settings → Date and time.
2. Turn off Autodetermination and manually set the date to 1-2 years ago.
3. Reset the device.
4. Try opening a personal folder – sometimes the system resets the password when time synchronization fails.

Method 2: Remove MIUI Updates

If your personal folder stopped opening after the system update, try rolling back:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → Remove the latest update.
3. Confirm the action and restart the device.

Method 3: Using the second Xiaomi device

If you have another Xiaomi smartphone with the same Mi Account:

1. On the second device, open Settings → Mi Account → Cloud.
2. Find a backup of your personal folder and export it.
3. Transfer files to the locked device via Mi Share or Bluetooth.

💡

Alternative methods only work on devices with MIUI 11-13, and on newer versions (MIUI 14+), most loopholes are closed.

6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If self-unblocking attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.The service is paid, but specialists have access to utility utilities that can reset the password without losing data.

What you need to know before your visit:

• 📄 Bring a document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card) with you).

The addresses of the service centers can be found on the official website:

https://www.mi.com/ru/service/center/

Advantages of using the service:

• ✅ Data security (in most cases).
• ✅ Official guarantee for the work performed.
• ✅ Possibility of diagnosing other malfunctions.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ High cost compared to independent solution.
• ❌ Risk of failure if the device with root rights or custom firmware.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock a personal folder, users often make critical errors that lead to data loss or complete lockdown of the device.

Error 1: Repeatedly entering an incorrect password

After 5-10 failed attempts, MIUI can block access to a personal folder for 24 hours or delete its contents altogether. On some models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50) after 15 failed attempts, the folder is automatically cleared.

Mistake 2: Using third-party hacking software

There are a lot of offers online for "password crackers for Xiaomi." Most of them are:

• 🦠 Contain viruses or spyware.
• 🚫 They don’t work on new versions. MIUI.
• 💸 Payment for the "full version".

Error 3: Reset via Fastboot without backup

Commands like fastboot erase userdata erase all data, including your personal folder, and if you don't back up your files through Mi Cloud or TWRP, your files will be lost forever.

Mistake 4: Ignoring the Mi Account Account

On devices with MIUI 13+, you need to confirm via Mi Account after reset, and if you forget your account information, your smartphone will be locked.

• Restore your password via https://account.xiaomi.com.
• If your account is not yours (for example, the device is purchased by hand), contact the previous owner.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions