How to unlock a pattern lock on Xiaomi if you forgot it: a step-by-step guide

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi's smartphone is a situation that even experienced users face. PIN-If you have a code or a password, it seems easy to remember, but that's what's often a cruel joke: your brain automates your finger movement, and you start to panic when you try to enter the key manually. MIUI technically.

It is important to understand that the methods of unlocking depend on the firmware version, the phone model (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3, Mi 11 Lite, etc.) and whether functions like Find Device or Mi Account have been previously activated. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods - from the most secure (without loss of data) to radical (full reset), and you will learn how to avoid locking in the future and what to do if the phone requires confirmation of an account after a reset.

Warning: some methods require pre-preparedness (e.g., linking a Xiaomi account or enabling debugging over USB).If you are reading this article after blocking, skip such sections and move on to universal solutions.

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (the most reliable way)

If your Xiaomi has a Mi Account attached (even if you don’t remember it!), the chances of getting back access are as high as possible, and this method works on most models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO F3, and Mi 10T, if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔒 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore them).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot the password? (or Forgot pattern? on English firmware).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and account password. If you don't remember, click Forgot your password? and follow the recovery instructions.
4. After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and on some models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro with custom firmware), the option may not be available.

2. Use of the “Find Device” function (remote unlock)

Find Device, Google's equivalent of Find Device, not only allows you to track your phone, but also unlock it remotely.

• 🌍 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔗 Find Device feature was included in Settings → Mi Account → Find Device.
• 📧 You have access to the email linked to your Mi Account.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. In the list of devices, select blocked Xiaomi.
4. Click Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
5. Confirm the action via email or SMS.

After that, the pattern lock will be reset and the phone unlocked, and it is important that some firmware (for example, MIUI 13+) after remotely unlocking, you will need to enter the password from Mi Account on the first turn on.

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If Find Device is disabled but your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, you can try turning it on via the phone. ADB-Teams (see section 4).

3. Reset the pattern lock through Recovery mode (without loss of data)

If previous methods didn’t work and USB debugging was enabled before locking, you can try resetting the key via Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9, POCO M3 and Mi A3 (the latter requires an additional step with fastboot).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination Volume up + Power before the appearance of the Mi logo (on some models – Volume up + Volume down + Power).
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option).
4. Go to Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache and confirm the action.
5. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the key is stored in the cache of the system. MIUI (14+) This may not work, and a full reset will be required (Section 5).

Store 30-40% of battery charge

Connect your phone to charge (recommended)

Prepare original USB-cable

Download Mi Flash Tool (for models with a locked bootloader)-->

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone was enabled debugging by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 taps to unlock the developer options → For developers → Debugging by USB), you can delete the file with the pattern lock via ADB. This method is suitable for models based on Android 9-13, including Redmi Note 11 and POCO X4 Pro.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands: adb devices (should display your device).
3. Enter the commands alternately: 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 reboottings.

After the reboot, the phone will unlock, but you will need to reconfigure the pattern lock or PIN. If the commands do not work, try replacing gesture.key with password.key or pattern.key (depending on the version of MIUI).

5. Full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If no other method has worked, the radical solution is a complete reset, which will delete all data on the phone, including photos, messages and apps, but will return access to the device, which works on all Xiaomi models, from the Redmi 4X to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Recovery menu appears.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some models – Factory Reset).
4. Confirm the action (you may need to enter a password from Mi Account after resetting!).
5. Wait until it is finished and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Phones with a blocked bootloader may receive a request for data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked after a reset. If you do not remember them, restore access via account.xiaomi.com before resetting!

6.Blocking bypass through Xiaomi service centers

If independent attempts were unsuccessful, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔐 Phones with a locked bootloader and a tied Mi Account, the data from which is lost.
• 📱 Devices for warranty (self-dumping can cancel it).
• 💻 Models with damaged firmware (for example, after a failed update).

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or box from the phone (to confirm possession).
• 🆔 Passport (some centers require a passport).
• 💳 Payment for services (from 500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the model).

Service centers use special software to reset the lock without losing data (in some cases), but on File-Based Encryption (FBE) phones, even they won’t be able to save files — they’ll need a full reset.

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Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia can be found through the website mi.com/ru/service. Avoid “grey” workshops – they may use illegal methods that will damage your phone.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future: 5 tips

To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock, follow these guidelines:

• 🔑 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock - it is more difficult to forget, and enter is no less convenient.
• 📧 Link Mi Account and enable Find Device (even if you don’t plan to use it).
• 🔄 Regularly back up through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🖥️ Put the debugging on. USB (in case of emergency access through ADB).
• 📝 Write your key or password to a secure location (e.g. Google Password Manager or KeePass).

It's also useful to know:

• On Xiaomi phones with MIUI 12+, you can configure emergency information (emergency call tab on the lock screen), where you specify a spare email or phone.
• If you use Smart Lock (unlocking to trusted devices or locations), check its settings in Settings → Screen Lock → Smart Lock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi