How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter. Especially unpleasant when the device stores important data, such as photos, work correspondence or access to banking applications. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires a mandatory connection to iTunes, Xiaomi Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) have several alternative ways, from official to engineering.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven unlocking methods, including Mi Account recovery, Recovery Mode reset, ADB use, and even hardware solutions for damaged screen devices. Importantly, the effectiveness of each method depends on the version of MIUI (12/13/14/15), the smartphone model and the availability of backups. For example, one algorithm will run on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, and a completely different algorithm on the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 12.

Before you start, answer the key question: is your smartphone tied to your Mi Account? If so, the chances of unlocking without losing data are multiplied. If not, you'll have to take drastic measures. Now let's get to the details.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

Xiaomi’s most secure and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all devices with MIUI (except for Chinese firmware) and does not require technical skills, the main condition is that the smartphone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Algorithm of action:

• 🔹 On the lock screen, tap "Forgot password?" (on some models - "Forgot password?").
• 🔹 Enter the username and password from your Mi Account (the same as used in the Mi Cloud).
• 🔹 Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
• 🔹 Set a new one. PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If you have not previously linked a Mi Account or do not remember the login details, this method will not work, POCO F5) After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the option “Forgot your password?” may temporarily disappear – in this case, wait 24 hours or use alternative methods.

If you have a Chinese firmware (e.g. Xiaomi for the Chinese market), instead of Mi Account, you may need to enter a Chinese phone number, in which case you cannot unlock through your account without the help of an official service center.

2. Recovery Mode reset (hard reset)

When unlocking through Mi Account is unavailable, a hardware reset is left, called Hard Reset, which will delete all data on the device, including photos, apps and settings, but will return access to the smartphone, and is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models regardless of the version of MIUI.

Step instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔘 For POCO X3, Redmi Note 10: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery Mode

"Wipe Data"

"Clear Data"

"Confirm"

"Yes"

"Reboot"

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14/15 and the enabled "Device Protection" function after the reset may require data input from the Mi Account, which was previously associated. If you do not remember this data, the smartphone will turn into a “brick” – it can be unlocked only through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check.

A critical feature for Xiaomi with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra): after Hard Reset, a hardware lock bootloader can work, requiring unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If your Xiaomi has enabled debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking the device through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method saves data, but requires preliminary preparation: the smartphone should be unlocked bootloader, and on the PC – installed drivers Xiaomi and the other two. ADB Tools.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should display your device) adb shell su (if root access is required) rm /data/system/gesture.key (for a pattern lock) or rm /data/system/password.key (for PIN-code)
4. Reboot your smartphone: reboot

The unlocking process:

1. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account.
4. Follow the instructions of the program. The process can take up to 10 minutes.
5. After unlocking the bootloader, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool or use TWRP to reset the password.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi has introduced a restriction on unlocking the bootloader: after linking a new device to the account, you need to wait 7 days (on some models - up to 30 days.

5 Hardware methods (for devices with damaged screen)

If the smartphone screen is broken or does not respond to touch, but the device is turned on, you can try hardware unlock methods.They are suitable for Xiaomi with a working display (even if the sensor is not responding) and require additional equipment.

Options:

The easiest way is to connect. USB-mouse-wise OTG-Adapter. Many people don't know, but Android supports cursor control even on a locked screen:

1. Buy it. OTG-adapter (stands) ~100-200 ruble).
2. Connect the wired mouse to the smartphone.
3. Click on the password field and enter it (if you remember).
4. If the password is unknown, go to Settings via the notification bar (if available) and reset the lock.

For models with MIUI 14+ and damaged sensor, wireless screen transfer to PC via Scrcpy is also suitable. The utility allows you to control a smartphone from a computer, but requires the pre-enabled USB Debugging.

💡

If the smartphone does not respond to OTG-Mouse, check if the function is enabled "USB OTG" in hidden settings. On some models (e.g, POCO X3 NFC) It is disabled by default and requires activation through the engineering menu.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods fail, the last option is the official Xiaomi service center, which is the only legal way to unlock the device without losing warranty, but it has its own nuances:

What will be required to unlock:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (confirmation of purchase).
• 📄 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 📱 The device itself (even if it is not switched on).
• 🔑 Data from Mi Account if the account is linked.

Cost and timing:

• ⏳ 1-5 days – standard release period.

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial service centers often offer "unlocking through firmware" for 500-1000 rubles, but this is fraught with risk:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 🚫 Installation of unstable firmware.
• 🚫 The risk of brick (turning into a brick").

Before contacting the service, check whether your model is in the “list of locked” – some devices (for example, Xiaomi Mi 6X or Redmi 5 Plus) after reset require mandatory authorization through Mi Account, and without a check they can not be unlocked.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi