Xiaomi smartphone suddenly gets blocked due to forgotten PIN-The code, pattern lock or password, is one of the most stressful for the user. Owners of Redmi and Poco devices often face the fact that the system is protected. MIUI It requires input that you can't remember on the go. MIUI HyperOS and have multiple layers of protection, which complicates the task, but makes it solvable with the right knowledge.
There are several proven ways to restore access to the system, but the choice of method depends on whether the Mi Account was linked to the device and whether the device search function was enabled. Some methods allow you to save personal data, while others require a complete reset to factory settings. Understanding the differences between these approaches will help avoid losing important photos and contacts.
In this article, we will discuss all the current options, from simple methods of recovery through the cloud to advanced tools like ADB. It is important to act consistently and not panic, since chaotic attempts to enter a password can only increase the lock time or lead to a complete locking of an account.
Using a Mi Account to Unlock the Screen
The safest and easiest way for Xiaomi ecosystem developers to use the Forgot Password feature, available directly on the lock screen, works only if the device has pre-signed in to the Mi Account and turned on the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi).
Click on the "Forgot Password" or "Forgot the pattern lock" button, and the system will redirect you to the login page in the browser or built-in window. You will need to enter the login (phone number or email) and password from your Xiaomi account. Once you have successfully logged in, the server will check the access rights and allow you to reset the current lock screen.
⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the phone is not connected to the Internet or if you do not remember the password from the Mi Account, in the latter case, you will first have to restore access to the account through the site.
It’s worth noting that in newer versions of the HyperOS shell and newer MIUI builds, this feature can be hidden or require additional verification via SMS. This is done in order to improve security so that an outsider can’t access your device just by knowing the password from your cloud account.
Resetting settings via Recovery Mode
If access via an account is not possible, the only solution is to force resets through a recovery menu known as Recovery Mode, which removes all user data, including photos, contacts and apps, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery charge is at least 30-40%.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone and press a certain combination of buttons. On most Xiaomi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up and the power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo or menu appears in English/Chinese.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and choose with a power button (or touch if the screen is responsive). You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data, then select Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to press Confirm several times.
⚠️ Note: After resetting via Recovery on modern Xiaomi, you will definitely need to enter a password from the Mi Account that was synced with the phone earlier).
The cleaning process can take 2 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of memory and the speed of the processor.Do not interrupt the process or remove the battery (if it is not removable), as this can damage the file system.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese?
Unlocking with Google Find My Device
An alternative for devices integrated into Google’s ecosystem is Find My Device, which is effective if the phone is geolocated and logged in to a Google account. It also removes data completely, but sometimes bypasses screen locks faster than Recovery.
You will need access to a computer or other smartphone. Go to the official Google Find My Device website and log in to the same account that was used on the blocked Xiaomi.
In the device management interface, select the option to Clear the device (Erase Device). After confirming the command, once the locked phone goes online, it will receive a reset signal. The screen will go out, and the device will restart, starting the initial setup process.
| Method | Data retention | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi-account | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No (for entry) | Medium |
| Google Find | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| ADB Command | Depends. | No. | Tall. |
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If the phone is off and does not catch the network, remote reset commands will only be executed after it is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
Use of debugging by USB and ADB
For advanced users who have had pre-enabled debugging USB (USB Debugging) in the developer menu, there is the option to delete the lock key file through the computer.This method does not require a data reset, but only works on older versions of Android (roughly before the version of Android). 6.0-7.0) or on devices with unencrypted storage.
You'll need to install ADB drivers on your computer and connect your phone with a cable. Once connected, open the command line (CMD) or terminal on your PC. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the debugging confirmation window appears on your phone screen and you were able to press OK (which is difficult when you lock), move on to the next step.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
adb rebootThese commands delete files that store the hashes of a pattern lock or password. Once reboot (adb reboot), the phone can let you log in without entering a password or allow you to set a new one. On modern versions of MIUI with encryption enabled, this method is unfortunately ineffective, because a system without a password will not mount the data partition.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to use ADB A locked phone with encryption enabled can cause a cyclic reboot (bootloop) if system files are corrupted in the process.
Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
If the software doesn't work, you have "heavy artillery" -- Fastboot flashing -- low-level, engineer-friendly mode that lets you record images of the system directly into your phone's memory. USB-cable and downloaded firmware (file with.tgz extension) is for your model.
Download the official Mi Flash Tool from the developer's website. Download the phone to Fastboot mode (usually pressing Volume Down and power when the device is off). Connect the phone to your PC, install Fastboot drivers if they don't stand up automatically.
In Mi Flash Tool, choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder. At the bottom of the window, select clean all mode to avoid file conflicts. Press Flash and wait until the process is completed, which can last up to 5-10 minutes. Successful firmware is confirmed by green "Success".
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Fastboot mode is the last frontier of recovery, which allows you to reanimate even the “bricks”, but requires accurate firmware selection for a specific model.
Frequent questions and problems after resetting
After the reset or unlock procedure, users often face additional security issues. Android and the MIUI shell have security mechanisms that are activated after a sudden change in the state of the device, and understanding these mechanisms will help avoid panic.
One of the common problems is that you need to enter a Google account that was synced earlier, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) function. If you don't remember the password from your Google account, it will take time to restore access through the process of restoring an account on the Google site.