How to unblock Xiaomi: all ways to unlock the smartphone

Forgot your Xiaomi password and can't unlock your phone? The situation is familiar to many - especially if the device has been idle for a long time or has been purchased by hand. Fortunately, there are several official and informal resetting methods that work even without access to your Mi Account. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, including bypassing the pattern lock, PIN-code and fingerprint, taking into account the features of the firmware MIUI 14/15.

It’s important to understand that some methods require pre-training (e.g., enabled debugging over USB or a linked Google account), while others are only suitable for older models. We’ll note the risks of each method, from data loss to possible device lock via Find My Device. If you’re looking for a solution for a particular model (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X5), there’s a method compatibility table at the end of the article.

1. Standard reset via Mi Account (official method)

The safest way to unlock is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all Xiaomi models if:

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account that was tied to the phone.
• 🔄 The phone was not reset to factory settings via Recovery (otherwise you will need to confirm the old account).

To unlock the phone:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased with hands and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to contact the seller or use alternative methods (see section 3).

After successful authorization, the system will offer to create a new password or pattern lock. On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra), after 5 failed attempts to log in through Mi Account, the device will be locked for 24 hours.

2 Unblocking through Google Account (for Android 9 and below)

If your Xiaomi has Android 9 Pie or older firmware installed, you can use Google’s Smart Lock feature, which only works if you meet three conditions:

• 🔗 The phone was linked to a Google account before being blocked.
• 📶 Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔐 On the lock screen, the field for entering email is displayed (if it is not available, the method will not work).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter any password 5 times until the message Forgot the pattern lock? or Forgot pattern? appears.
2. Select Sign in through Google Account.
3. Enter the email and password from the account that was synced to the phone.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

On MIUI 12+ (Android 10 and later), this method doesn’t work — Google has removed support for unlocking through the account due to security vulnerabilities. However, on older models (Redmi 5/6, Mi A1/A2), it remains relevant.

3. Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (full reset)

Hard Reset is a radical unlocking method that erases all data on your phone, including passwords, photos and apps.

• 🔄 You don’t remember your Mi Account or Google data.
• 📱 The phone is not connected to the Internet (no Wi-Fi or SIM-map).
• 🔧 You don’t care about your device data (or it’s stored in the cloud in advance).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power + Volume combination up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if required), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Confirm.
5. After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13/14 After Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was tied to the device before the reset. This is Factory Reset Protection. If you don't know the username/password, the phone will turn into a brick».

There are special programs to bypass FRP-blocking after a reset (for example, Mi Account Unlock Tool), but they require an unlocked bootloader and ADB skills.

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password through your computer using ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method works MIUI 10–14, but requires prior preparation:

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

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

After resetting, the password will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 with File-Based Encryption, this method will not work - after removing the keys, the phone will ask for a password when downloading, in which case only a complete reset will help (section 3).

If USB debugging has not been enabled in advance, it is useless, leaving only the hardware methods (section 5) or the call to the service center.

💡

If you regularly forget passwords, turn on the Smart Lock feature in Xiaomi settings (in the Security menu). → Lock settings: This will unlock the phone over a Bluetooth device, location or facial recognition without input. PIN-code.

5. bypass Mi Account via EDL Mode (for tech-savvy)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone at a low level, bypassing all locks, and it works even if:

• 🔒 Phone locked through Mi Account after reset.
• 🔧 The boot loader is locked (Bootloader Locked).
• 📱 The device does not turn on (for example, after a failed update).

Unlocking will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm Driver HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for new models).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the cable to your computer.The phone should be defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (.tgz format).
4. Press Refresh, then Flash.
5. Wait until the firmware finishes (10-15 minutes).

On models with a MediaTek chip (for example, Redmi 10A or POCO C40), instead of the Mi Flash Tool, SP Flash Tool is used, and to enter EDL Mode, you need to close the test points on the board.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL It can permanently damage the phone (for example, damage the partition). EFS s IMEI). If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service center.

💡

EDL Mode is the only way to bypass Mi Account on a locked phone, but it requires technical knowledge and risks building a brick on the device if it makes a mistake.

6. Alternative methods: service centers and legal life hacks

If none of these methods worked, there are three options:

1. The official service center of Xiaomi. to unlock will require confirmation of purchase (check or warranty card), in some cases, you can request the data of the previous owner (if the phone used), the cost of the service is from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles.

The answer comes within 3-7 days.

FRP bypass programs.

Some models have utilities like FRP Hijacker or Mi Account Bypass Tool, but they often contain viruses and are unstable.

If the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, the device is legally considered not fully your property - some of the functions (for example, software updates) can be blocked, in which case the only way out is to negotiate with the seller to remove the binding.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi