How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi smartphone if you forget your pattern lock or password

Forgetting your password or pattern lock from your Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a frustrating but fixable situation. Even if you've never unlocked an Android device, you can get your phone back in a number of ways, from a standard Mi Account reset to using engineering modes or a computer. The main thing is not to panic and try to guess the password dozens of times: after 5-10 failed attempts, the system can lock the device for 24 hours or even erase all data.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working unlock methods, including official (with data saved) and radical (with a complete reset). Note: the effectiveness of the method depends on the Redmi model, the version of MIUI and whether previously activated features like Find Device or debugging over USB. For example, on new devices (for example, Redmi Note 12 or Redmi K60) reset password through the Fastboot has become more difficult due to the enhanced protection of Xiaomi.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (at least 30-40% so that the phone does not turn off during the procedure).
• 📱 Model of your Redmi (find on the box or in the documents – this will help you to find the exact instructions).
• 💻 Computer availability (some methods will be required).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is if you have previously linked your device to a Xiaomi account.It works on most Redmi models (including the Redmi 9A, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi K50, etc.), but requires:

• 📧 Access to email or phone number linked to Mi Account.
• 🌐 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 Opportunities to enter a login / password from an account on a locked screen.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Choose the method of recovery: by SMS (if the number is attached) or via email.
3. Enter the confirmation code received by mail or in the message.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Warning: If after you enter the code, the system asks for an old password and you don't remember it, this method won't work.

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If the "Forgot Password?" button doesn't appear, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network or restarting your phone, sometimes with an unstable Internet.

2. Reset via Find Device (remote unlock)

The Find Device feature (similar to Google’s Find Device) allows you to remotely reset your password if:

• 📍 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 The function was activated in the Mi Account settings → Find Device.
• 📱 The phone is not off or discharged.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as the blocked Redmi.
3. In the menu, select your device and click Delete Data (or Erase Device).
4. Confirm action. The phone will be reset to factory settings, and the password deleted.

⚠️ Warning: This method erases all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. If your device had important files, try other ways first.

3. Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (full reset)

If previous methods didn't work, you have to hard-reset through recovery mode, which is a universal method that works on all Redmi models, but also erases all data, and before you start, make sure that there's no important information on the phone that isn't stored in the cloud.

Instructions for most Redmi models:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery Mode: For Redmi Note 8/9/10/11, Redmi 9/9A/9C: Power + Volume up. For Redmi K40/K50, POCO F3/F4: Power + Loudness up (hold 10-15 seconds). For older models (Redmi 5/6): Power + Volume up + Volume down.

From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Clear Data

Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After reset, you may need to enter data from Mi Account, which was attached to the phone. If you do not remember the username / password, the phone will become a "brick" (cannot be used.

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging by USB (USB Debugging) and access to a computer. This is rare, but if you have activated this feature before (for example, to install custom firmware), there is a chance to unlock Redmi without losing data.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB phone-on.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key (for the pattern lock) or rm /data/system/password.key (for the PIN/password)
4. Reboot the phone: reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 13/14 Android 12/13 This method may not work because of the increased protection, and in addition, to execute the su command, root rights are required, which are rarely found on Xiaomi stock firmware.

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ADB-Unlocking is the only way to save data on your phone, but it only works when debugging is enabled. USB and the presence of root rights.

5 Unlock via Fastboot and Mi Unlock Tool (for blocked Mi Accounts)

If the phone requires data entry from Mi Account after resetting via Recovery and you don’t remember it, you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool utility.This method is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader and requires:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📥 Installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Unlock Tool.
• ⏳ Time: The procedure can take anywhere from 72 hours to 2 weeks (due to Xiaomi restrictions).

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Start the program and log in to your Mi Account (if you forgot the data, restore them via mail).
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.

Mi Unlock Tool

Unlock

Xiaomi

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased and the warranty (if any) will be cancelled.In addition, Xiaomi can block the account if the procedure is carried out too often.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Redmi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Phone not included in Recovery: Hold the buttons longer (up to 20 seconds) or try another combination. On some models (Redmi Note 11) you first need to clamp the Volume up + Eating, and after vibration let go of Nutrition, continuing to keep Volume up.
• 🔌 The computer can't see the phone. Fastboot/ADB: Install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager or use the Mi Flash Tool program.
• 🔒 After the reset requires Mi Account: If you do not remember your account details, try to restore them via account.xiaomi.com. If the account is not yours (phone bought with hands), contact the previous owner or use the Mi Unlock Tool.
• ⚡ Phone runs out during procedure: If the device is turned off during reset via Recovery or Fastboot, plug it into charging for 10-15 minutes and then try again.

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the phone has custom firmware installed or activated the function Anti-Rollback (protection against rollback version). MIUI). In this case, unlocking may require intervention of the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions