When a Xiaomi smartphone suddenly stops responding to touch or requires a forgotten password to be entered, it can be taken by surprise at any time. Often users confuse concepts, calling the lock screen itself or the touchscreen that has stopped functioning properly “keyboard”, in this article we will discuss in detail what to do if the device is blocked, and how to restore access to the system without losing important data.
There are many reasons why the lock screen can behave unpredictably, from software firmware failures to accidental activation of parental controls or handheld access mode. It is important not to panic and consistently check all possible solutions to the problem. We will look at both software methods and hardware methods of forced reboot.
Before you start radical measures, such as a full reset, you should try to use regular access restoration tools. In most cases, the problem lies in a stalled interface process or a temporary conflict of touchscreen drivers. The right sequence of actions will help save your photos and contacts.
Diagnostics of the problem: screen or keyboard?
The first step is to determine the exact nature of the malfunction, if it is a physical Bluetooth keyboard connected to a tablet or a tablet. TV-The Xiaomi Mi Box, the algorithm of actions will be different from the situation with the locked screen of the smartphone. In the case of the touch screen, there is often a “dead zone” where the touchscreen stops reading the clicks, or the interface completely freezes.
To test the sensor, you can run the diagnostics engineering menu, which is a hidden part of the system that allows you to test individual iron modules, and if the test shows a touchscreen error, the software methods may not help, and you need to contact the service center.
⚠️ Warning: If the smartphone screen cracked or liquid was spilled on it, attempts to actively unlock can aggravate the situation, causing a short circuit.
Often users experience a false sense of locking when the "In pocket" mode is on, in which the top of the screen does not respond to touch, simulating a breakdown, just unlock the power button device and check the proximity sensor to rule out this factor.
Basic methods of unlocking the screen
If the device simply does not respond to the input of a password or pattern lock due to the freeze of the interface, the most effective way is forced reboot, which allows you to clear the RAM and restart the system services responsible for data entry.
To perform a hard reboot on most Redmi and Poco models, you need to press the power button and hold it for 10-15 seconds. In some cases, you need to simultaneously clamp the power buttons and increase the volume. The device must vibrate and show the manufacturer's logo.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Once you turn on your phone, try to enter the password again. If the problem was caused by a temporary system failure, access should be restored. In case the screen continues to ignore touching in certain areas, you can try calibrating the sensor through special applications or engineering menus.
Use of Xiaomi and Google services
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are deeply integrated with cloud services, which allows you to remotely control the device. If you forget the unlock password, but the phone has activated the Mi Account account and enabled the “Find the device” function, you can reset the lock through the browser.
Go to the official website of Xiaomi cloud service from a computer or other smartphone. Sign in with the same account that was used on the locked device. From the control menu, select your device and find the option to unlock the screen.
Google Find My Device provides a similar service, which allows not only tracking the location of the gadget, but also performing remote data cleanup, which automatically removes the lock of the screen, but it is worth remembering that this method will lead to the complete deletion of user files.
What to do if the internet on your phone is off?
Resetting settings via Recovery Mode
When software methods and cloud services are not available, the only option is to enter Recovery Mode Recovery mode, which allows you to reset to factory settings (Wipe Data), which completely removes the forgotten password and all user data.
To enter recovery mode on the device turned off, press both the power button and the volume button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume. The menu uses volume buttons to navigate, and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the Recovery menu, select a language (usually English), then go to Wipe Data and confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The process can take a few minutes. Once complete, select Reboot to restart the system.
| Entry method | Button combination | The result | Data retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery Mode | Power + Vol Up | Reset menu | No (complete removal) |
| Fastboot Mode | Power + Vol Down | Firmware mode | Depends on the action. |
| Safe Mode | Holding "Off." on screen. | No third-party apps | Yes. |
| Hard Reset (button) | Specific to the model | Resetting settings | No. |
⚠️ Note: After resetting via Recovery Mode, the system will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced.
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Recovery reset is a last resort that is guaranteed to remove the lock, but results in a complete loss of all data on the internal drive.
Safe mode and debugging by USB
If the screen is blocked due to a conflict of the installed application (for example, a virus miner or a buggy launcher), it will help to start in safe mode. In this state, only system applications are loaded, which allows you to remove malicious software.
To enter Safe Mode, call the off menu on the screen. Press and hold your finger on "Stop" or "Reset." The screen will prompt you to go to Safe Mode. Confirm the action.
For advanced users who have had pre-bugging on USB in the developer settings, there is the possibility of unlocking through a computer using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) tool. By connecting the phone to a PC, you can send a command to delete the file with the lock key.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyThis method requires ADB drivers on your computer and the appropriate access rights, and if USB debugging was not activated before locking, this method, unfortunately, will not work.
Prevention and adjustment of biometrics
To avoid problems with forgotten passwords in the future, it is recommended to set up biometric unlock.The fingerprint scanner or Face ID facial recognition system on Xiaomi work quickly and conveniently.
Regularly back up your important data in the cloud or on your computer. Sync with Mi Cloud allows you not only to save contacts and photos, but also remotely manage your device in critical situations.
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Write down the complex unlock password and save it in a safe place (such as a paper notebook or password manager on another device).
You should also check the relevance of your Mi Account information periodically. If you change your phone number or email, be sure to update this information in the security settings so you do not lose access to device management.