How to unlock your password on Xiaomi: the complete guide

The situation when a Xiaomi smartphone suddenly blocks access to the system is familiar to many users: you pick up a device, try to enter a familiar pattern lock or digital code, but the screen reports an error. Panic at such moments is a natural reaction, because there may be important contacts, work documents and personal photos inside the phone. However, before carrying the gadget to the service center, it is worth trying to solve the problem yourself.

MIUI and HyperOS have several layers of protection, each of which can be circumvented by knowing the correct algorithm. The methods vary in complexity and risk of data loss. Some methods allow you to save information, others require a complete reset. The choice of the specific path depends on whether synchronization was enabled, debugging mode is activated, and whether you remember the data from the Mi Account.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods of access restoration, not using third-party software of dubious origin, but focusing on the standard tools of developers and time-tested methods.

Using a Mi Account to Reset a Lock

The most civilized and safe way to get back to your phone is to use the manufacturer's Find Device feature, which only works if the locked smartphone has logged in to your Mi Account and enabled the search function, and the device needs an Internet connection, at least periodically, to receive commands from the server.

To start with, you'll need any other gadget with access to the network. Go to the company's official cloud service website. Enter the login and password from the account that was used on the locked phone. If the data is lost, first try to restore access to the account through the password recovery form using a linked phone number or backup mail.

Once you have successfully logged in, look for the Find Device section in your account, and the system will try to locate your gadget. If it's online, you'll see a map and a control panel. The options available include the Unblock or Erase Data button, and the second option will remove the pattern lock along with all the information on the device.

⚠️ Note: Using the remote erasure feature will result in the complete deletion of all files, photos and applications. After that, the phone will return to the “out of the box” state, but the locking of the screen will be removed.

This is especially effective when you don't remember the pattern lock, but remember the account information, it allows you to remotely initiate the reset process even if the phone's screen does not respond to touch, and the main condition is that the device must at least occasionally log on to get a command from the server.

Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If you can't access your account or your phone isn't connected to the Internet, the classic method is to reset the recovery menu, which is universal for all Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco models, and it doesn't require a computer or special cables, just physical buttons on the case.

The process starts with turning off the device completely. If the phone responds to presses, do it in the standard way. If the screen is not working or the system is getting stuck, press the power button for 10-15 seconds before vibration and shutdown. Then you need to get into the special Recovery Mode menu.

On the device turned off, press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while keeping the volume still. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu will open. The navigation here is carried out by the volume buttons (up / down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.

You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Newer versions of MIUI may require you to enter a specific confirmation code that is displayed on the screen, or confirmation through the account. If the system requires a password from the Mi Account, and you do not remember it, this method may not work without first unlocking through the server.

Select the Wipe All Data option and confirm the action. The formatting process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once complete, press Reboot to reboot. The phone will turn on as new, requiring initial setup.

Unlocking through Find Device

Find Device has its own nuances in different versions of firmware, and in some cases, even if the phone is offline, a reset command is queued up and executed as soon as the gadget is online, making it a reliable method for remote data protection.

It's important to understand the difference between deleting data and deleting locking. The service doesn't "remove" the password as it's used to, it initiates the device reset to factory settings. This means that the pattern lock will disappear along with the contents of the internal memory. The memory card (SD) may remain intact if you select the appropriate option, but the system data will be cleared.

If, after resetting, the phone requires you to enter a password from a previously synchronized Mi Account (anti-theft protection), this means that the Find Device function was active, in which case password entry is mandatory, and it is extremely difficult to circumvent this protection without account data and often requires flashing through the computer.

Using cloud services is a balance between convenience and security, and on the one hand, you can lose data, on the other hand, it is a guarantee that an unauthorized person will not get access to your information when you steal it.

Using ADB to remove lock files

For advanced users who have previously included USB debugging in the developer menu, there is a method through a computer that allows you to delete files responsible for storing access keys without completely resetting data.

You'll need a computer, USB-Cable and Platform Tools (ADB). Connect your phone to a PC. If you see a debugging permission request on your phone screen, you need to confirm that it's impossible to do it when the screen is locked. So it's relevant if the debugging has been authorized before and the computer has already had access.

Open the command prompt on your computer in the ADB folder and enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, you can try to delete the key files, and the path to them may vary depending on the version of Android.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the device previously enabled debugging USB And the computer was given permission. On modern versions of Android with updated security patches, access to system files through the Internet. ADB root-rights-free is often closed.

Once you've done the commands, reboot the device, and in some cases, it allows you to log in without entering a password or with any key you type, but you don't have to rely on this as the primary method, because it requires some pre-production.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the basic methods in a table, each method has its advantages and limitations, which depend on the specific situation and condition of the device.

As you can see from the table, it's rare to save data with a forgotten password. Modern Android security systems encrypt user data, and the key to this encryption is often the password itself or the pattern lock, without which data remains inaccessible even when memory is physically extracted.

If none of the software methods worked, there is an option to contact the service. Specialists can use professional equipment (boxes) for flashing, but this does not give a 100% guarantee of saving information. In addition, if the phone is blocked Mi Account, the service will require a purchase check to remove the protection.

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The most reliable way to get your phone back to working is to reset completely through Recovery, but it’s guaranteed to delete all your files.

Prevention of blocking and advice

The best way to deal with the problem is to prevent it. Check your security settings regularly. Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account. Write them down in a safe place or use a password manager.

Turn on Find your device in advance, not only will it unlock your phone, but it will also help you track your phone's location in case of loss or theft, and it's also helpful to back up important data periodically to the cloud or to your computer.

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Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or face) in conjunction with digital code, which will speed up access, but remember: after restarting the device, you will still need to enter the main password.

Don't set passwords that are easy to forget, but don't make them too simple (like 1234 or 0000). The best option is a complex pattern lock or a long digital code that you use regularly. Avoid patterns that are easy to peek from the outside.

If you plan to sell your phone, make sure to reset your settings through the menu (Settings → About Phone → Reset) by untiing your accounts beforehand, which will save the new owner from activation and theft protection issues.