The forgotten graphical password on Xiaomi is a situation that many users face, especially when the device stores important data such as contacts, photos, work correspondence or access to banking applications. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to unlock, and not all of them require a complete reset.
In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including official (via Mi Account and Find Device) and technical (via Fastboot, Recovery or ADB). Each method is suitable for different scenarios: from situations where you have a backup to cases where the phone is completely locked.
Before you start, make sure you have:
- 🔌 Charger (the battery must be charged at least 30 times%).
- 💻 Computer with Xiaomi drivers installed (for methods) Fastboot/ADB).
- 📱 Access to another phone or email (to restore your Mi Account).
- 🔧 USB-cable (original or high quality).
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The easiest and most secure method is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:
- 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.
- 🔄 Find Device is enabled on the phone (located in Settings). → Mi Account → Find Device).
- 🌐 There is a stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
Instructions:
- On the locked screen, tap “Forgot Password?” (or “Forgot Pattern?” on English firmware).
- Select “Login via Mi Account” and enter your login/password.
- Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Follow the system instructions for resetting the pattern lock.
If you don't have a password, try entering the password incorrectly 5 times in a row - it should appear. Some firmware (MIUI 12 and later) may require a Wi-Fi connection.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled Find Device or do not remember the data from Mi Account, this method will not work.
2.Use of Recovery Mode (without loss of data)
If Mi Accounts don’t help, but you remember PIN-code SIM-You can try to bypass the lock through Recovery Mode. MIUI 10–14 and does not require a PC connection.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
- Go to Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache and confirm the action.
- Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → System.
After rebooting, the graphical password may reset, but the data will remain intact. If this method does not work, move on to more radical ways.
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On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1), you need to select Mount /system instead of the Wipe Dalvik Cache, and then restart.
3. Reset via Fastboot (complete data cleanup)
Fastboot is a good way to do this if other methods don’t work, but you need to reset your settings completely. All data (photos, messages, apps) will be deleted, POCO mi.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot from Android SDK.
Instructions:
- Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
- Connect the device to a PC. Install the drivers if the system requests them.
- Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the archive with the firmware and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
- In the program, click “Select”, specify the path to the folder with the firmware, then “Refresh” (your device should appear).
- Select the “Clean All” mode and click “Flash”.
It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot in the factory state.
⚠️ Note: On models with a locked boot loader (Redmi Note) 10S, POCO X3 Pro) before the firmware you need to unlock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi website. This takes up to 72 hours!|Download the correct version of the firmware (Fastboot)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Connect the original USB-cable|Disable the antivirus (can block the Mi Flash Tool) --> 4. Unlock through ADB (for experienced users) If the phone is debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can delete the file with a graphic password through ADB. This method saves data, but requires pre-configuration: ⚙️ Debugging by USB was activated prior to blocking. 🔌 The phone is recognized by the computer in mode ADB. Instructions: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot If the commands are executed without errors, after the reboot, the graphical password will be reset. MIUI (13+) You may need to use the adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1 ⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and encrypted FBE (File-Based Encryption: This method won’t work – the data will be blocked even after the password files are deleted. 5. Service center Xiaomi: when nothing helps If all of the listed methods did not give a result, you can contact the official service center: 🔒 Phones with Bootloader blocked and Mi Account disabled. 📱 Devices on MIUI 14+ hardware-encrypted. 💼 Corporate smartphones with security policies. What to do: Find the nearest service center on Xiaomi's website. Bring your purchase document (checks, warranty card) and passport. Check the cost of the service - unlocking without loss of data can cost you from a single user. 1 500 before 5 000 The service center uses special equipment (Mi Authorized Tool), which allows you to reset your password without completely flashing it. However, the warranty for such repairs is only valid when you contact the official centers. What if the phone requires an old password after reset? Sometimes, after a reset via Fastboot or Recovery, the system requests the previous one. PIN/This is related to Factory Reset Protection (FRP). To get around her: 1. Connect to Wi-Fi. 2. Enter the Mi Account that was tied before the reset. 3. If you don't remember your account, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.Comparison of unlocking methods MethodSave data Required PCDifficulty Suitable for Mi Account ✅ Yes. ❌ No. ⭐ All models with Find Device Recovery Mode enabled ✅ Yes. ❌ No. ⭐⭐ MIUI 10–13, without Fastboot encryption ❌ No. ✅ Yes. ⭐⭐⭐ All models (requires unlocking Bootloader) ADB ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Only if the debugging is on USB Service centre ✅ Yes* ❌ No. ⭐⭐⭐ Any models (paid) * In some cases, data may be lost. FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data? Yes, if: You have a Mi Account tied and active with Find Device. USB (ADB). The device for MIUI 10-12 without hardware encryption (MIUI 13+) smartphone-wise FBE (for example, Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50) retention. What to do if you forgot your username/password from Mi Account? Restore access through the official page: account.xiaomi.com. You will need: phone number or email associated with your account. SMS/If your account is not restored, please contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (checks, IMEI). Why does the phone ask for an old password after a Fastboot reset (FRP) — To get around: Connect to Wi-Fi. Enter the Mi Account that was tied before the reset. If you don't remember, restore it (see previous question (MIUI Global, you can skip FRP, plug-in SIM-map and wait SMS How to unlock Xiaomi if the screen is broken and you can’t see the graphical password? In this case: Connect your phone to your PC via USB Try to control the mouse (if it is included) USB Debugging. Use it. ADB to delete password files (see section 4). If the screen does not respond, run the device through Fastboot (section 3). AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro) sometimes helps flashlights — you can see the markup of the pattern lock. Can you unlock Xiaomi without a computer? Yes, but there are few options: Through Mi Account (section 1). Through Recovery Mode (section 2) — will not work on all models. SMS-Teams (only for older Android 5-7 models) on newer smartphones (MIUI 12+) Without PC, unlocking is almost impossible. 💡If the phone is enabled data encryption (FBE), The only reliable way to unlock without losing files is to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of ownership of the device.