How to unlock the graphical password from the Xiaomi phone

When you pick up a smartphone and the screen requires you to enter a forgotten combination of dots, it can disembark anyone. Owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco face this problem regularly, as the pattern lock is considered one of the most convenient, but also easily forgotten ways of protection. If you are trying to remember a picture and the phone reports an error, it is important not to panic and clearly understand what steps to take next.

There are several proven ways to restore access to the device, but the choice of method depends on the version of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS, as well as on the presence of a tied Mi-account. Modern versions of firmware have significantly increased security, so the old methods “through the call” or “through the camera” on new models do not work. In this article, we will discuss in detail the current algorithms of actions that will help you regain control of the gadget.

Before we get into action, we need to assess the risks. In most cases, especially if Find Device has not been activated in advance, the only solution is a complete data reset, which means that all photos, contacts and applications will be deleted if they are not synchronized with the cloud. So backup is a critical process that you should think about in advance, but even in the current situation, there is a chance of saving data.

Using a Mi Account to Restore Access

The most civilized and safe way for the developers of the MIUI shell is to use the unlock function through the account, which only works if the device is signed in to your personal Mi Account and the option “Find the device” is turned on. Usually, after five failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, a countdown timer and a button “Forgot the password” or “Forgot the pattern lock” appear on the screen.

By clicking on this button, the system will prompt you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account, which is not just a formality, but a serious mechanism for verifying the ownership of the gadget. If the data is entered correctly, the phone will suggest changing the way the screen is locked or completely disabling it. It is important to understand that for this step, the device needs an Internet connection, whether it is a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

⚠️ Note: If you enter the wrong password from your Mi Account several times in a row, the system may temporarily block the ability to log in from that device for security reasons.

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, successful authorization required a network connection to check the status of the lock. If the Internet is not available, this method will not work. It is also worth noting that on global versions of firmware, this feature may work differently than on Chinese builds, where integration with Xiaomi services is more profound.

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Make sure that the date and time on the device are set automatically, as time desynchronization can cause an error when checking the password by the Xiaomi server.

If the unlock button does not appear even after many errors, then the protection function was not activated in the security settings in advance, in which case you will have to move to more radical measures that require a complete cleanup of the device memory.

Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

The most common method when soft methods don’t help is to enter recovery mode or Recovery Mode.This is a special diagnostic mode built into the phone’s memory that allows you to maintain the system regardless of the main interface. To enter this mode on most Xiaomi smartphones, you need to turn off the device completely, and then pinch the button combination.

You usually need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while keeping the volume still. When a menu with several points appears on a black or blue background, the control is carried out by volume buttons (up and down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.

You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data in the recovery menu. Once you select this, the system will require confirmation, as this action is irreversible. Often, you need to type in the word "yes" or select "Confirm" to confirm. After completing the cleaning process, which can take several minutes, you should select Reboot or Reboot to System.

⚠️ After resetting via Recovery on modern versions of Android (8.0 and above), protection will work FRP. This means that when you first turn on the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced with the device before locking.

Note that on some new models with HyperOS shell or fresh MIUI 14/15, logging into Recovery may require you to enter a pattern lock or unlock password that you just forgot, a new security measure designed to prevent data theft, and it makes this method useless without knowing the code.

Unlocking through Google’s Find My Device service

If you can't access a Mi Account, but your smartphone was linked to a Google account and geolocated, you can use Google's official remote management service, which is effective if your phone is connected to the Internet, and you'll need a computer or other smartphone to log in to android.com/find.

If you log in to the same Google account that you use on the locked device, you'll see a list of your gadgets, and if you pick the right phone, you'll get a few options: Call, Lock, and Clear the Device. We're interested in the cleanup function, and when you activate it, all the data on the phone will be deleted, including the graphical password.

And it's important to note that the cleanup command will only be executed when the phone is out, and if the device is off or in an uncoated area, it will queue up and perform automatically when it's first connected, and this remote control is a powerful tool not only for unlocking, but also for protecting data when it's lost.

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Google Find My Device works even if the phone screen is turned off, the main condition is the presence of an active Internet connection at the time of receiving the command.

Use of Fastboot Mode and Computer

Fastboot is a low-level protocol designed to run and debug a device. On Xiaomi smartphones, you can enter this mode by pressing the volume button and the power button when the phone is off. Unlike Recovery, there is no button menu, and the image of a hare repairing an android indicates that you are ready to take commands.

To unlock through Fastboot, you will need a computer with drivers installed ADB Fastboot and special software, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or Resetting Utility FRP. If you connect your phone with a cable to your PC, you can try to send a command to clear the data partition. userdata.img.

fastboot devices


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fastboot erase metadata




fastboot reboot

However, modern versions of Bootloader downloaders are often “Locked” (locked). If the bootloader is locked, the commands to erase data can be ignored by the security system. Unlocking the bootloader is officially possible only through account binding and waiting for 168 hours, which is not always applicable in a situation with a forgotten password.

Using third-party software packages like the Mi Unlock Tool is formally designed to unlock the bootloader rather than reset the password, but in some cases, flashing the device completely solves the access problem.

Alternative methods and service centers

There are less common methods that can work on specific versions of software or older models, such as using an engineering menu through code set ##4636## or calling emergency services, but on current versions of Android, these vulnerabilities have long been closed.

If none of the software methods did not help, you need to contact the authorized service center Xiaomi. you need to have a document confirming the purchase of the device (check, invoice), and the gadget itself. Service employees have access to specialized equipment that allows you to reflash the phone or reset the lock at the hardware level.

Calling the service is a guarantee that the device will not experience the fatal changes that could happen if you misuse third-party software. However, it is a paid service if the case is not recognized as warranty (and password loss is usually not a warranty case). In some cases, it is easier and cheaper to replace the device if its model is no longer in the flagship segment.

⚠️ Beware of services that offer "remote unlocking" IMEI" 99% of the time, they're scammers who don't have real tools to bypass the protection of modern smartphones.

Prevention and adjustment of biometrics

To avoid a repeat of the situation in the future, mobile security experts recommend not relying solely on a pattern lock. Graphic patterns often leave traces on the screen and are easily peeked by others.

Fingerprint scanner or face unlock system (Face) ID) Xiaomi works instantly and doesn’t require memorizing complex combinations, but after restarting the phone, the system will still require input. PIN-Therefore, a reliable digital code written in a secure place (for example, in a password manager or a paper notebook) is mandatory.

Also don’t ignore the cloud sync settings. Regular backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud lets you not worry about losing photos and contacts in the event of an emergency reset. Set up automatic sync in the Settings menu → Mi Account → Sync so that your data is always on hand, even if the phone is unlocked only through formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)