How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone if you forget the screen lock password: all working ways

Forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that even power users face.One wrong click when changing PIN-You get a code update, you accidentally upgrade your system with an outdated pattern lock, or you just have a long break from using your phone, and you're face to face with your screen locked. ID Xiaomi smartphones offer several alternative ways to restore access, but each has its own nuances, from data loss to the risk of turning the phone into a brick».

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, from official (via Mi Account) to technical (via Fastboot and Recovery). Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 12-14, where the manufacturer has tightened security measures. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, a tied Mi Account or enabled debugging over USB), so read carefully before you act.

If you're looking for a way to get around lockdowns without losing data, we'll give you a quick warning: these are the only methods that work when you're under strict conditions. In 90% of cases, unlocking leads to a phone resetting to factory settings. But don't worry, we'll show you how to minimize the risks and get back files even after you reset.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all models, including the latest Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5, but only if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Mi Account was tied to device prior to lockdown.
• 📧 You remember the login (email/phone number) and account password.

If the conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Choose the recovery method: by SMS or email. Some models may require CAPTCHA input.
3. Enter the data from the Mi Account and confirm the login.
4. Follow the system's hints for resetting the lock password.

Important: If the phone is not connected to the network, connect it to the charger and wait for the icon to appear Wi-Fi/The network is in the top panel. MIUI 14 may require input PIN-code SIM-Maps for activating mobile Internet.

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If you don't remember the Mi Account password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com from another device. Use the linked email or phone number.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13+ And the Find Device function enabled after 5 failed attempts to log in to Mi Account, the phone can be locked for 24 hours, in which case you just have to wait or use alternative methods.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (no Mi Account)

If your Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the next option is a hard reset through Recovery Mode, which will delete all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the system.

The manual is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, except for devices with a locked bootloader and the enabled Anti-Rollback function (for example, Xiaomi Mi A2 or POCO F1 on global firmware).

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Connect the charger (the battery must be charged at least 30%)

Prepare. PIN-code SIM-Cards (required after resetting)

Download ADB drivers to your computer (if you plan to use Fastboot)

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Steps to Enter Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (if it is on, press the power button and select Turn off).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔘 For POCO F3/F4, Redmi Note 10 Pro: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10–15 seconds). 🔘 For older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi 5): Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and at this point you can create a new lock password.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 12.5+ and associated Mi Accounts after reset via Recovery may need to enter account data to activate the device (FRP-If you do not remember the username / password, the phone will remain locked!

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 The phone was debugging on. USB (USB Debugging) before lockdown.
• 🖥️ You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔧 You are ready for possible data loss (depending on the team you choose).

This is more difficult than resetting via Recovery, but sometimes allows you to bypass the lock without completely resetting (on some firmware).However, on the latest versions of MIUI 14, the chances are minimal due to the enhanced protection.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on your computer (includes adb and fastboot).
2. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Volume Down button + Power for 5-10 seconds.
3. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and execute the command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
5. To reset your password without losing data (does not work on all models) try: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings Then restart your phone: fastboot reboot
6. If the phone is not unlocked, perform a full reset: fastboot-w This command will delete all data, including internal memory.

On models with a locked bootloader (such as the global versions of the Redmi Note 11), fastboot erase commands may not work, in which case only official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool will help, but it requires a tied Mi Account and a wait of 7-14 days.

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4.Use of the “Find Device” function (Device Search)

If you have activated Find Device on your phone, you can try unlocking it remotely via a web interface, which works even if the phone is not currently connected to the Internet, and the command will go the first time the network appears.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the Find Device section, select a locked phone.
3. Press Erase Device (Erase Device).
4. Confirm action. The phone will receive a reset command the next time it connects to the Internet.

Advantages of the method:

• 🌐 It works remotely, without physical access to the phone.
• 🔒 Bypasses screen locking, even if forgotten PIN.

Disadvantages:

• 🗑️ Deletes all data from the phone.
• ⏳ It can take up to 24 hours if the phone is not online.
• 🔑 Requires a linked and confirmed Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: After remote reset on some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) You may need to re-authorize your Mi Account when you first set up your account, and if you don’t remember your account details, your phone will remain locked during the activation phase.

5. Alternative methods (for older models)

Xiaomi smartphones before MIUI 10 (e.g. Redmi 4/5, Mi 6) sometimes have workarounds that no longer work on new firmware, and we will give them for completeness, but we do not guarantee the results on current devices.

Method 1: Calling a locked phone

• 📞 Call your phone from another device.
• 📱 Take the call, then quickly go to the settings through the notification panel.
• 🔧 Turn off the screen lock in Settings → Lock screen.

On MIUI 11+, this method is blocked – the notification panel on the lock screen does not open access to the settings.

Method 2: Use Safe Mode

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Tap and hold the "Stop" (or "Power off") option until a request to go to Safe Mode appears.
3. Confirm the transition. The phone will restart in safe mode.
4. Try to remove the screen lock app (if it was installed third-party) or reset your settings.

Method 3: Reset via service menu (Qualcomm only)

On phones with a Qualcomm processor (for example, POCO X3, Redmi Note 9 Pro) you can try resetting through the engineering menu:

1. Enter the number number number on the dial keyboard: ##4636###.
2. Go to Testing → Wipe Data (if menu is available).
3. Confirm the reset.

On new firmware, this code is usually blocked.

6. What should I do if nothing has worked?

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

2. to refashion the phone through EDL-regime

This is an extreme method that requires:

The firmware through EDL deletes all data and resets the lock, but if you do the wrong thing, it can knock the phone out of order, and we recommend that you let the professionals do it.

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If the phone is locked after a failed firmware or has the status of "Account Locked", self-unlocking attempts can lead to complete loss of functionality, in which case only the official service or purchase of a new device remains.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional way to unlock.
• 📝 Write it down. PIN-code in a secure location (e.g., an encrypted note in Google Keep or 1Password).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Improved access recovery system.
• 🔗 Link Mi Account and enable data synchronization (contacts, photos, notes).
• 📱 Turn it on. USB Debugging in the developer settings (in case you need to unlock through the ADB).

We also recommend setting up automatic backup to Settings → Google → Backup, which will allow you to recover data even after a complete reset.

What NOT to do:

• ❌ Install third-party applications to lock the screen (they often conflict with system settings).
• ❌ Disable Mi Account – without it, unlocking becomes almost impossible.
• ❌ Use unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader (the risk of locking at the iron level).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi