How to change the password on the phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: all the ways

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is still a popular smartphone due to the reliability and flexibility of the MIUI firmware. However, many users face the problem: how to change the password if the old one is forgotten, the phone is locked after unsuccessful attempts to enter or need to update the protection? In this article, we will analyze all the current methods - from a standard change through settings to an emergency reset via Mi Account and even bypassing the lock without losing data.

It is important to understand that the procedure depends on the version of MIUI (on Redmi Note 5 it is usually 10-14), the type of lock (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint) and attachment to the Xiaomi account. For example, if you forgot the password, but remember the username from Mi Account, unlocking will take 5 minutes.

We won’t offer universal “magic” solutions, instead we’ll go through each method in detail with the nuances of the Redmi Note 5, including possible errors (such as Couldn’t verify device when reset via Mi Account) and how to fix them. At the end of the article, you’ll find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions, including data recovery after a reset.

1. Standard password change through settings

If you remember your current password and your phone is unlocked, you can change it in a few steps. This method works on all versions of MIUI for the Redmi Note 5, but the path in the menu may vary slightly.

Open the Settings app (cog icon) and go to the Lock Screen and Password section. The system will request the current password, pattern lock, or PIN-After confirmation, select the type of new lock:

• 🔢 PIN-4–16 digits (recommended for safety and convenience).
• 🔑 Password – combination of letters, numbers and symbols (maximum protection).
• 🎨 pattern lock – a pattern of 4-9 points (less reliable, but convenient).
• 👆 Fingerprint - only paired with PIN/Parolem (on Redmi Note) 5 scanner).

Once typed, enter the new password twice and confirm.The system may suggest linking email for recovery - don't ignore this step, especially if you haven't previously set up Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: If you use a Smart Lock, you will have to reconfigure it after you change your password. Also check if Delete Data is enabled after 10 failed attempts in Settings. → Additionally. → Confidentiality.

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If you plan to sell Redmi Note 5, before changing your password, disable the binding to Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account. This will save the new owner from activation problems.

2. Reset password via Mi Account (if the current one is forgotten)

If you forget your password but your phone is tied to your Xiaomi account, you can restore access via Find Device, which works even when your screen is locked, but requires:

• 📧 Access to email/phone linked to Mi Account.
• 🌐 A stable Internet connection on your phone (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Enabled Device Search in Settings (activated by default).

Instructions:

1. On a PC or other phone, go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Redmi Note 5 blocked from the device list.
3. Press Unlock the device. → confirm the action through SMS/email.
4. Set a new password on your phone (notification will come).

If you want to enter your old password after unlocking, reboot it. In rare cases, a Couldn't verify device error may occur, meaning that the device is not tied to your account or disconnected from the network.

Check your phone's Internet connection | Make sure you're logged in to the correct Mi Account |Reboot Redmi Note 5 in Recovery mode (press Power + Volume Up) and select Reboot | If your phone isn't tied to your account, use the Fastboot method (section 4)

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⚠️ Warning: After unlocking via Mi Account, all data on the phone will be saved, but the call history and the phone will be deleted. SMS (peculiarity MIUI). Photos, contacts and apps will remain intact.

Once a month | Once every six months |Only if I forget |Never change-->

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you can try resetting your password via Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 10-12 and allows you to save user data, but requires pre-activation of debugging over USB (if not enabled, the method will not work).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume Up buttons before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Connect with MIAssistant (use volume buttons for navigation, Power for confirmation).
4. Connect your phone to a PC with the Mi Unlock Tool installed.
5. Sign in under the same Mi Account as on your phone (if tied).
6. Select Unlock and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will be unlocked, but you may need to re-assign the account. If MIAssistant does not recognize the device, check:

• 🔌 Cable USB (Use the original from Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Drivers installed ADB and Fastboot on PC.
• 🔄 Mi Unlock Tool (should match the version) MIUI phone-on).

⚠️ Attention: On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 14 After Unlocking Through MIAssistant, Factory Reset Protection May Work (FRP). In this case, you will need to enter a login / password from the last Mi Account used.

4.Full reset via Fastboot (last resort)

If all previous methods fail, you get a hard reset via Fastboot, which deletes all the data on your phone, including photos, apps and settings, but it's guaranteed to unlock the device. Use it only as a last resort!

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux and administrator rights.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (do not use extension cords!).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi Note 5 (Global Stable version recommended).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi Flash Tool + ADB drivers.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\).
3. Turn off your phone, press Power + Volume Down to log in to Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC, open the Mi Flash Tool and select the firmware folder.
5. Click Refresh → Clean All → Flash.
6. Wait for the finish (5-7 minutes) and restart the phone.

Once reset, the phone will look like new, you'll need an initial setup, and if you have an Anti-rollback check error, you're trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on the phone, so you can download the same or newer version of the firmware.

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Fastboot reset is the only way to unlock Redmi Note 5 if you have forgotten your password, no Mi Account binding, and USB debugging is disabled. However, this method erases all data without recovery!

5. bypass the pattern lock without reset (for experienced users)

If the Redmi Note 5 has a pattern lock installed and other unlock methods are not suitable, you can try to bypass it through ADB. This method works only when USB debugging is enabled and requires access to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: 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 reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, and if the adb device command does not show your phone, it means:

• 🔌 Debugging by USB Not enabled (must have been activated before blocking).
• 🔄 Drivers. ADB Not installed (download Platform Tools).
• 🔒 Phone locked at bootloader level (requires unlocking via Fastboot).

⚠️ Note: This method only works on MIUI 10-11. On newer versions (MIUI 12+) the settings.db database is protected and the key is bypassed ADB impossible.

6. Data recovery after password reset

If you had to make a hard reset, you can return the data in several ways - depending on whether backups were turned on.

Recovery methods:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: If sync is activated, contacts, notes, and photos (if uploaded to the cloud) will automatically recover after logging in to your account.
• 📱 Local backup: If you created a backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, connect your phone to your PC and copy the backup file from the folder MIUI/backup/.
• 🔧 Recovery software: You can use DiskDigger or Recuva to retrieve photos and videos from internal memory (root rights required).

To recover via Mi Cloud:

1. After the reset, log in to the same Mi Account.
2. Go to Settings → About Phone → Recover and Reset → Restore from the Cloud.
3. Select the last backup and wait until it is completed.

If you don't have backups, try Dr.Fone (paid) or PhotoRec (free), and keep in mind that the chances of recovery depend on how much data was written to your phone after the reset - the sooner you start, the better.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you change or reset your password on Redmi Note 5, users often face typical problems.

• 🔄 Phone not visible in Mi Unlock Tool: Check if Fastboot is on. If not, press the Power. + Volume Down Repeatedly.
• 🔒 Device locked error: So your account is not tied to your phone or Device Search is disabled.
• ⏳ Waiting. 72/168 Watches in Mi Unlock: On Older Versions MIUI (before 12) After the account was attached, you had to wait. 3–7 Now this requirement is canceled, but if an error occurs, update the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 After the reset asks for the old password: This means that the reset was performed incorrectly (for example, via Recovery without clearing the data.

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the phone has activated reset protection (FRP), in which case contact the service center Xiaomi with documents confirming the purchase, they will be able to unlock the device officially.

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On the Redmi Note 5 with MIUI 14, most of the password-bypassing holes are closed. If the phone is not tied to the Mi Account and USB debugging is disabled, the only legal way to unlock is to reset via Fastboot with loss of data.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions