How to unlock Xiaomi screen if you forget your password or pattern lock

A blocked Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter: you entered the wrong password too many times, forgot the pattern lock after the update MIUI, Do you have a lockdown after resetting? Don't panic: 90% of the time, you can unlock your desktop without going to the service center.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to unlock for Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO (From simple solutions through Mi Account to advanced methods using Fastboot and EDL-We'll pay special attention to data preservation, and you'll learn where you can do without resetting to factory settings, and when it's inevitable.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (must be at least 30% – when discharged during unlocking, the device can turn into a “brick»)
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for methods with authorization via Mi Account)
• 💻 Access to a computer (required for Fastboot and EDL)

If you were trying to unlock your phone and you saw "This device is locked" or "Mi Account locked," that's a separate account-link story, and we've dedicated a separate section to that.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the desktop: 7 main reasons

A screen lock on Xiaomi rarely happens by itself, usually as a result of a user's actions or system failures.

• 🔢 Repeatedly entering the wrong password / pattern lock – after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system locks the device for 30 seconds, a minute or forever (depending on the version) MIUI).
• 🔄 Resetting Mi Account without detachment – if you made Hard Reset via Recovery and your phone was tied to your account, you’ll get a request for authorization.
• 📱 Update MIUI with errors - after a failed update, unlocking on a fingerprint or face can "fly" and leave only the PIN-code you don't remember.
• 👶 Children or relatives have changed their settings, a classic situation where a child places a new pattern lock to play».
• 🔧 Failure of the fingerprint/facial recognition sensor – the system can block alternative input methods, leaving only the main password.
• 🚨 Activate the Lost Device mode – if you have enabled this feature in Mi Cloud and forgot your account password.
• 📦 Buying a used phone with a tied account – the previous owner did not untie the device from his Mi Account.

It is important to understand the true reason for the lock so as not to waste time on inefficient methods. For example, if the phone requires entering a username / password from Mi Account after a reset, it is useless to try to get around this through Fastboot - you will need an official unlock from Xiaomi.

⚠️ Note: If you see a message "This device is bound to a Mi Account" in English, it means that the phone is linked to the previous owner's account. IMEI). Contact Xiaomi with documents.

To diagnose the problem more accurately, answer the question:

Unlocking with Mi Account: When it works

If your Xiaomi is linked to your Mi Account and you remember your username and password, this is the easiest way to get back access.

• 📱 You forgot the unlock password, but remember the account details.
• 🔄 The phone is locked after the update MIUI.
• 👤 Device requires authorization after resetting settings.

Step-by-step:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot password?" (or similar in Russian - "Forgot password?").
2. Select the option "Unlock with Mi Account".
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Get it. SMS or a confirmation code letter.
5. Enter the code and follow the instructions on the screen.

If the button "Forgot password" is not:

• Try entering any password 5 times – sometimes after that the unlock option appears through the account.
• Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or mobile internet (if locking allows).

⚠️ Note: If you don't remember the Mi Account password, don't try to guess it many times. After 10 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be blocked for 24 hours?»).

What to do if your Mi Account is not tied?

If you've never signed up for an account or linked it to your phone, this method won't work. Go to the following methods (Fastboot or Hard Reset).

Unlocking through Fastboot: for advanced users

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 You don’t remember your password or have attached your Mi Account.
• 📱 You have access to a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 🔧 You are prepared for possible data loss (in some cases, it can be saved).

This method will require:

• 💻 Computer running Windows (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or quality).
• 📦 Archive with utilities: Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear on the screen).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Win + R → enter cmd).
5. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears) - continue. If not, install the drivers.
6. To unlock without losing data, type: fastboot oem unlock Attention! on new models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) This method may not work – you will need official unlocking of the bootloader.
7. If you want to reset your settings (with loss of data), use: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will be unlocked, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will be deleted.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (by default on all new Xiaomi), the fastboot oem unlock command will not work. You will need: Apply for unlock through the official website. Wait 7-14 days (the application period). Repeat the procedure using the Mi Unlock Tool.

Alternative method for data storage:

If you managed to log in to Fastboot, but the command fastboot oem unlock did not work, try to delete only the file with the password (does not work on all models):

fastboot erase gesture.key


fastboot reboot

This command deletes the file with the pattern lock, but leaves the rest of the data intact.Risk: on some firmware, this can lead to a reboot cycle.

💡

Unlocking through Fastboot is the most versatile method, but it requires preparation. If the bootloader is locked, you can't do without official unlocking.

Hard Reset with Recovery: A Radical Solution

If other methods didn’t help or you didn’t need data on your phone, you’ll be resetting to factory settings via Recovery mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, but deletes all user data without recovery.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu in Chinese/English.

Instructions for discharge:

• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 🔍 Find the "Wipe Data" option (or "Clear Data").
• 🗑️ Select "Wipe All Data" (full reset).
• 🔄 Confirm the action (usually you need to select "Confirm" or "Yes").
• 🔙 After completion, select “Reboot” to restart.

The phone will reboot and offer to configure it as new.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi) K40) After resetting via Recovery, you may receive a request for Mi Account data entry if the phone was linked to the account, in which case you can not unlock the device without a login and password.

What happens if Recovery does not open?

If, after pressing, the volume is up + The phone vibrates, but the menu does not appear:

• Try another cable (sometimes the phone doesn't recognize charging and doesn't turn on).
• Connect the charger and wait 10-15 minutes – the battery may be completely discharged.
• Try the combination Loudness down + Power (on some models this leads to Fastboot, from where you can go to Recovery with the fastboot reboot recovery command).

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If the phone asks for an old password after reset, try entering any character set (e.g. 123456) - sometimes the system skips this step.

EDL-The mode: the extreme method for "bricks»

If your Xiaomi:

• 🧱 Turned into a brick (not included, hangs on the logo).
• 🔄 I got stuck after a failed update.
• 🔓 Does not respond to other unlocking methods.

— stays in the regime EDL (Emergency Download Mode is a service mode that allows you to flash your phone directly without locking.

Warning: The method requires technical skills and can permanently disable the device if you do not do the right thing. Use it only if other methods have not worked.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (important!).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (you can download it on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm drivers (for most Xiaomi models).
• 🔧 Test Point (for new models – you will need to close contacts on the board).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Close Test Point (contacts on the motherboard) or use a deep battery shutdown (on some models it is enough to pin the Volume up). + Loudness down + Power 10 seconds).
3. Connect your phone to your computer, it should be defined as Qualcomm. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Install Qualcomm drivers (if not installed).
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
6. Wait until it's finished (10-15 minutes).

On new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) to enter the EDL required:

• Disassemble the phone and close Test Point (contacts on the board).
• Use an authorized cable (e.g. Xiaomi) EDL Cable).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL may result in: loss IMEI (The phone will not catch the network, damage to the modem partition (requires repair in the service), loss of warranty (if the device is guaranteed, contact the service center).

If you are not sure of your abilities, it is better to consult specialists. EDL in service centers - from 1000 to 3000 rubles (depending on the model).

How to unlock Xiaomi without losing data: 3 little-known ways

If you need to save photos, contacts, and messages, try these methods before resetting to factory settings.

1. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been activated debugging USB, You can delete the file with the password through ADB:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




reboot

Conditions:

• 📱 Debugging by USB must be activated before blocking.
• 💻 You need root rights (most Xiaomi doesn’t have them by default).

2.Use of the “Find Device” function (Mi Cloud)

If your phone is connected to the Internet and linked to your Mi Account:

1. Go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in under your account.
3. Select the locked device.
4. Press "Unlock" (Unlock).

Restriction: This only works if the phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

3. Unlocking through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

On some models (Redmi 9, POCO X3) You can boot in Safe Mode and delete the password:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to “Switch off” – you will be prompted to go to Safe Mode.
3. Confirm and wait for the download.
4. In Safe Mode, delete the password in the settings (Settings) → Screen locking).

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode has disabled all third-party apps, but system settings (including password) can be changed.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If you have tried all the methods, but your phone remains locked:

• 📞 Contact the official Xiaomi service center (addresses on the site mi.com).
• 💰 The cost of unlocking: from 500 to 2000 rubles (depending on the model and the reason for blocking).
• ⏳ Time: 1 day to a week (if you need to unlock through Xiaomi).

💡

You can save data when unlocking only if the phone is tied to Mi Account or debugging is enabled. USB. In other cases, you will have to accept the loss of information.

How to avoid blocking in the future: 5 tips

To avoid having to deal with a blocked Xiaomi, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use the backup. PIN-code - in the screen lock settings (Settings) → Lockdown and protection → Additional settings) can be added to the spare PIN.
• 📧 Link Mi Account – even if you don’t use the cloud, your account will help unlock your phone.
• 📱 Put the debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap the version → return to additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔄 Make regular backups through Mi Cloud or Google Account.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Set up Family Sharing – If children use the phone, limit the ability to change your password.

What not to do:

• ❌ Install unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader.
• ❌ Try to unlock your phone through suspicious programs (risk of virus infection).
• ❌ Enter a password at random – after 10 unsuccessful attempts, the phone can lock forever.

If you often forget passwords, use password managers (like Google Password Manager or Bitwarden) to store backups. PIN-codes and graphic keys.

Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi