The situation when the owner of the Xiaomi smartphone forgets the password, PIN-The code, or pattern lock, is one of the world's most stressful mobile devices. MIUI, They are designed to protect the user’s personal data from prying eyes as much as possible. That’s why standard reset methods often involve completely deleting information, which becomes a disaster if the device has not been set up automatic backup.
But it’s too early to despair, as there are proven ways to access or bypass a device while keeping important photos, contacts, and correspondence. The success of an operation depends on the version of the operating system, whether you have a Mi Account, and how you pre-set up certain features. In this article, we’ll go through the technical details of each method so you can choose the most suitable one for your case.
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly understand what type of lock you are faced with, as this determines the next algorithm of actions. Modern models of Redmi Note and Xiaomi Mi can use biometrics, complex passwords or standard graphics keys, and each of them has its own vulnerabilities.
It’s important to be aware that not all methods are lossless, especially on newer versions of Android, where encryption has increased significantly, but it’s worth trying using the time-tested tools and system loopholes that we’ll talk about later.
Using the Find Device feature from Xiaomi
The most reliable and standard way to unlock the device is to use the cloud service Find Device, which is built into the shell MIUI by default. To successfully apply this method, you need to log in to Mi Account on the locked smartphone, turn on the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) and activate the search function of the device itself in the security settings.
If all the conditions are met, you will need access to another device with Internet access to go to the official website of the service. Once you log in under the same account as on the locked phone, the system will offer several options, including removing the lock screen.
- 🔑 Open your browser on your PC and go to i.mi.com.
- 🔑 Enter the login and password from your Mi Account.
- 🔑 Select a locked device from the list of available gadgets.
- 🔑 Click the Unlock Device button in the control menu.
⚠️ Note: After using this feature, the screen lock will be removed, but the data may remain, however, in some versions. MIUI The system will require re-authorization in your Google or Mi Account when you first download it.
It is worth noting that this method does not work on all versions of the firmware, since security policies are constantly updated. If the unlock button is inactive or the service says that the device is offline, try sending a command remotely and waiting for the phone to connect to the network.
The method of bypassing through Google Account
On devices with Android version below 7.0, the classic method of resetting a password through a Google account often works. PIN-code until the system offers an alternative method of entry.
After five unsuccessful attempts, a countdown timer and a button “Forgot the pattern lock?” or “Forgotten” will appear on the screen. PIN-By clicking on it, you can log in using the Google account that was previously linked to the device.
This is especially true for older Redmi models, which are still used as second phones or given to children. On modern versions of Android, the feature is often hidden or removed entirely by developers for security reasons.
What if the “Forgot Password” button does not appear?
Unlocking through debugging via USB and ADB
For more advanced users who have pre-installed USB debugging in the developer menu, there is a powerful command line tool called ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to interact with the system at a deep level and delete files responsible for storing lock keys.
To implement this method, you will need a computer with installed drivers. ADB and USB-When you connect your phone to your PC, you need to enter a special command that will delete the gesture.key or password.key file from the system directory.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyOnce you've done the command, you need to reboot the device, and it's important to understand that this method only works if the phone has been paired with a computer and permission to debug has been issued, and without this step, the computer will simply charge the device without access to the file system.
- 💻 Connect your smartphone to your computer via the original cable.
- 💻 Open the command line in the folder with installed ADB.
- 💻 Enter the adb device command to check the connection.
- 💻 If the device is displayed, execute the command to remove the keys.
⚠️ Attention: Misuse of commands ADB It can cause system instability or loss of access to certain functions, so check the syntax of input commands carefully.
💡
Use only original or certified USB cables, as cheap analogues often don’t provide a stable connection for data transfer, limited to charging only.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods
The best way to choose depends on the specific situation, the model of the device and the presets, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you estimate the chances of success for each method.
| Method | Conditions required | Risk of data loss | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find Device | Internet, Mi Account | Low. | Low. |
| Google Account | Android < 7.0, Google account | No. | Low. |
| ADB Command | Debugging by USB, PC | No. | Tall. |
| Safe Mode | Third-party lock-in app | No. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, having pre-training greatly increases the chances of keeping information, and if none of the gentle methods are suitable, there is a last option that is guaranteed to remove the lockdown, but will require victims.
💡
The most effective and safe method for modern Xiaomi devices is to use the cloud service Find Device, provided an active Internet connection.
Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If none of these methods worked, and data access is critical, or the data has already been synced to the cloud, you'll have to resort to a full reset, which will return the phone to factory status by removing all user files, apps and settings.
To enter Recovery Mode recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, you need to turn off the device and press the combination of power and volume buttons. In the open menu, the volume button selects the Wipe Data item, and the power button confirms the action.
- 🔄 Turn off the smartphone completely.
- 🔄 Press the power button and volume button"+" simultaneously.
- 🔄 Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the power button.
- 🔄 Select a language and go to the Wipe Data menu -> Wipe All Data.
Once the cleaning process is complete, the phone will reboot and you will see the screen of the initial setup, where you will need to enter the password from the Google account or Mi Account that was tied to the device before the reset, which is a protection against theft (FRP Lock).
⚠️ Note: After resetting your settings via Recovery, the device may require proof of ownership of a Google account that was previously synced.Make sure you remember the login details or the phone will remain locked.