How to remove the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones: from simple ways to radical

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi is one of the most common problems users face. According to service center statistics, one in five people ask to unlock their phone for this reason. Fortunately, there are several formal and informal methods of unblocking that do not require deep technical knowledge. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways from recovery through a Mi Account to using Fastboot mode and tools like ADB.

It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on the version of MIUI, the Redmi model (for example, Note 10 Pro or 9A), as well as whether the phone is tied to the Xiaomi account and whether debugging is enabled via USB. Some methods lead to complete loss of data, so before you start trying to unlock, assess the risks. If the phone stores critical files, it is better to contact the service center – specialists will be able to extract data even from a locked device.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.It works on all Redmi models (including Redmi 12, Note 11, K50, etc.) if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the device.
• 🔄 Find Device is activated in the settings.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the “Forgot your password?” button (or a similar label at the bottom of the screen).
2. Select the option “Login through Mi Account”.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the system’s prompts to create a new pattern lock.

If you don't have a "Forgot Password?" button, try entering the wrong key 5 times in a row, after which you should get a prompt to restore through your account. On some firmware (for example, MIUI 13 and later), this method may not work due to tightening security policies.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can block login attempts after several failed attempts (brute force protection).

2. Reset the pattern lock via Find Device (remotely)

If the phone has Find Device enabled, you can unlock it remotely via a web browser, which is suitable for Redmi models on MIUI 12 and later, but requires:

• 🌐 Access to the Internet on your phone (even if it is blocked).
• 📍 Enable geolocation (not necessarily, but speeds up device search).
• 🔗 Linked Mi Account with Administrator Rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your Redmi.
3. Click “Find the device” and then “Unlock”.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
5. Wait for a notification of successful unlocking (can take up to 5 minutes).

After that, the pattern lock will be reset, but all data on the phone will be saved. If the "Unlock" option is not available, then the Find Device feature is disabled in the phone settings.

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Before using Find Device, check if you have changed your Mi Account password since your last phone sync. If you have, first update your account information on another device (tablet or PC).

3.Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode

If the previous methods didn’t work, the radical method is Hard Reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but is guaranteed to unlock, and is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi 9C, Note 8 Pro and K40.

Instructions for entering Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For Redmi 5/5A/6/6A: Power button + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi

Recovery

«Wipe Data» → «Wipe All Data»

Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Once reset, the phone will reboot to the “out of the box” state, you will need to reconfigure it, including the binding of the Mi Account. If the phone was encrypted (the Encrypt Phone option in the security settings), after reset, you may need to enter the old password to decrypt the data - in this case, without a factory password, access to the files will be impossible.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (such as Note 7 and later) may require data input from a tied Mi Account to activate the phone after resetting via Recovery».

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can delete the pattern lock through the command ADB. This method works for MIUI any version, but requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (CMD) and type in: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
3. After rebooting, the pattern lock will be reset.

If USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, this method won't work. Also, on some firmware (MIUI 14+), the path to lock files may be different.

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB If you are not sure about your actions, consult a specialist.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB Tools (e.g. from developer.android.com)|Enable USB debugging on your phone (if possible)|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable-->

5.Using Fastboot Mode and Firmware

If none of these methods work, you just have to flash your phone through Fastboot, which is a good way for power users to use it, and you have to:

• 💻 Computers with Mi Flash Tool installed.
• 📄 Official firmware for your Redmi model (you can download it on the official website).
• 🔧 Unlocked loader (Bootloader).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
2. Connect to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices
3. Download the firmware in.tgz format and unpack it.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and click Refresh.
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is run through Fastboot, all data will be erased and the phone will return to factory settings. If the bootloader is not unlocked, the firmware will fail, and official permission from Xiaomi will be required (the procedure takes up to 72 hours).

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods do not work, you can try less well-known options:

• 📞 Call to locked phone: Call your Redmi from another phone, take the call and, without completing it, quickly go to the settings (sometimes this allows you to bypass the lock screen). MIUI 10–12.
• 🔄 Firmware rollback: If the pattern lock appears after the update, try rolling back to the previous version MIUI via Fastboot.
• 🛠️ Service centers: Official Xiaomi centers can unlock the phone on documents (passport) + check), but the service is paid (from 1000 to 3000 rubles).

Some forums recommend using programs like Dr.Fone or iMyFone LockWiper, but we don’t recommend them — they often require payment, do not guarantee the result and may contain malicious code.

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If the phone was bought with hands, there is a risk that the previous owner did not untie his account Mi. In this case, unlock the device without his data is almost impossible – you will have to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi