How to open Xiaomi Redmi 4X if you forget your password, pattern lock or Mi Account

Xiaomi Redmi 4X (codenamed santoni) remains a popular budget smartphone even years after its release. But what if the device is locked because of a forgotten password, pattern lock or tied Mi Account? In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of unlocking, from simple reset to advanced methods using ADB and FRP bypass.

It is important to understand that some methods result in data loss, while others require prior preparation (e.g., enabled data). USB-We'll describe each option in detail so you can choose the best approach depending on the situation, unless the phone has been synced to the Mi Cloud and it doesn't have debugging enabled. USB, The chances of saving data are minimal – we will honestly warn you about this in advance.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most legal and safe method is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 🔗 The phone was synced with Mi Cloud (checked by the presence of a backup in the account).
• 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.
• 🔄 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled (to connect to Xiaomi servers).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap "Forgot your password?" (or similarly written).
2. Choose the method of recovery: via SMS or email.
3. Enter the confirmation code received.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

If you don't have a password, try entering the wrong password 5 times in a row, and you should get a recovery prompt, which doesn't cause data loss, but only works with a stable Internet connection.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has been previously on FRP (Reset protection, after unlocking via Mi Account, you may need to re-enter account data after rebooting.

2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

Hard Reset is a radical way to delete all data from your device, including passwords and accounts.

• 🔐 You don’t remember the data from your Mi Account.
• 📱 The phone's off. USB-debugging.
• 🔧 You don’t care about the data on the device (photos, contacts, messages).

How to reset:

1. Turn off the Redmi 4X with a long press of the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power Button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume and power buttons), select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Select Reboot to reboot.

Once reset, the phone will turn on in a “out of the box” state. If the Mi Account was previously tied, you will need to enter its activation data (this is FRP-locking, the circumvention of which is described below).

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable if the phone is debugging over USB and has access to the computer, the advantage is that you can delete the password file without completely resetting.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Platform-tools file (downloaded from Android developer site).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 4X to your computer and confirm your trust in the device (if you request it).
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Delete the file with the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the lock should disappear. If not, try repeating the command or using an alternative method.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Password files may be stored in other folders (e.g, /data/system/locksettings.db). In this case, you will need to remove the entire catalogue. /data/system/, tantamount to a dump.

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypasses Redmi 4X

If after Hard Reset the phone requires you to enter the Mi Account data with which it was synced earlier, this means that it worked. FRP-There are a number of ways to get around it:

Method 1: Wi-Fi settings (for MIUI 8-9)

1. On the welcome screen, connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go back and tap on the "Add Network" line (or "Other Networks").
3. In the network name field, enter any text, highlight it and select "Share".
4. Select "Settings" (or "More") from the menu (share).
5. The phone settings will open – go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to turn on the developer mode.
6. Return to the additional settings → For developers and include USB-debugging.
7. Connect your phone to your PC and remove FRP via ADB: adb shell am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login/adb shell am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login.LoginActivity

Method 2: Through SIM-card MIUI 10+)

• 📱 Put it in. SIM-map.
• 🔄 On the activation screen, click "Emergency Call" and dial ##4636##.
• 🛠️ In the testing menu, select “Phone Information” and hold “Phone Number” until the copy menu appears.
• 🔗 Select Settings and disable Factory Reset Protection manually.

5. Unlock via Fastboot (for firmware or unlocking the bootloader)

If previous methods have failed, you can try unlocking Redmi 4X via Fastboot mode.

• 🔓 Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader) for subsequent firmware.
• 📥 Custom recaveri installations (TWRP) block-by-lock.
• 🔄 Firmware official or custom firmware "from scratch".

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Fastboot installed and Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📄 Firmware for Redmi 4X (for example, official MIUI or TWRP).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Down + Power button to log into Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and check the connection command: fastboot devices
3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): fastboot oem unlock Attention! This will result in a complete data reset.
4. TWRP (if needed): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
5. In TWRP, reset via Wipe → Format Data.

Once the firmware is installed, the phone will turn on without locking, but all data will be lost, a method recommended only for advanced users, as improper actions can lead to a device "breakdown".

💡

Before unlocking the bootloader, link your Mi Account to your phone at i.mi.com, which will speed up the unblock confirmation process.

6. Alternative ways and useful tips

If none of these methods worked, try the following options:

Before you try radical methods, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30-50%).
• 📶 Availability of a backup of data (if the phone reacts even slightly to the connection to the PC).
• 🔍 Version MIUI (This depends on the choice of method).

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 4X firmware MIUI 12+ Many of the "holes" to bypass the lock are closed. If the phone was updated through the air, the chances of successfully unlocking without losing data are minimal.

💡

The most reliable way to unlock without losing data is to use a tied Mi Account. If the account is not tied or forgotten, the only guaranteed option is Hard Reset, followed by FRP bypass (if required).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi 4X