A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter at least once in their lives. According to service center statistics, 68% of device lock requests are due to loss of login data. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, but not all of them are safe for your data. In this article, we will discuss 5 official and informal methods of unlocking, their pros, cons and potential risks - from a simple reset via Mi Account to complex manipulation with Fastboot.
It’s important to understand that the method you choose depends on whether your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account, whether USB debugging is enabled, and whether you’re willing to donate data to your device. For example, a Recovery reset will delete all information without recovery, whereas unlocking through Find Device can save files. We’ll detail each scenario so you can choose the best option for your situation.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is a tied Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
- 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account
- 📲 On the smartphone enabled the function Find Device (find the device)
Instructions:
- On the locked screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
- Choose Restore through Mi Account.
- Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
If the buttons Forgot the password? no, try to enter the password incorrectly 5 times in a row - the system will offer alternative ways of signing in. The advantage of the method is that it does not require a data reset and works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models after 2018 release.
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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it on the official website account.xiaomi.com via a linked email or phone. Do not use third-party services to "hack" the account - this can lead to locking the device.
2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)
If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you will have to hard reset via Recovery mode, which will delete all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps, and is suitable for Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 10, POCO X3 and others with unlocked bootloader.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the smartphone with a long press of the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by choosing Wipe All Data.
- After completion, select Reboot.
It takes 2-5 minutes to process, and on models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro on global firmware), this method may not work – you need to unlock through Fastboot.
Get out. SIM-memory-card|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Download the driver for your model (if you need a Fastboot)|Write it down. IMEI devices (on a box or under a battery)
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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The method via Fastboot is suitable if:
- 🔧 The device is debugging on USB (USB Debugging)
- 💻 Access to a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
- 📦 You have a backup of the data (all files will be deleted)
Algorithm of action:
- Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
- Connect the smartphone to your computer, holding Volume Down + Power (to log in to Fastboot).
- Open the command line in the ADB folder and do:
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot flashing unlock
fastboot rebootNote: Newer models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 12) may require an account to be linked to the device via the official unlock tool, which takes up to 72 hours!
Recovery|Mi Account|Fastboot|Called to the service center|Never blocked-->
4.Use of Find Device (Remote Unlock)
If you have Find Device enabled on your smartphone, you can remotely unlock it via a web interface, which saves data, but requires:
- 🌐 Connecting the device to the Internet
- 📍 Included GPS (optionally)
- 🔒 Related Mi Account with Administrator Rights
Instructions:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select the locked device in the list.
- Press Unlock and confirm the action.
If the device is offline, the command will be executed the next time you connect to the network. Limit: the method does not work on custom firmware devices (for example, LineageOS) and on some models for the Chinese market.
What if the Find Device can’t see the device?
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods fail, you should contact an authorized service center.
- 📵 Devices with damaged screen (no password interface visible)
- 🔐 Smartphones with a locked bootloader and a disabled Mi Account
- 📦 Models purchased in the Chinese market (for example, Xiaomi Mix Fold 2)
The cost of unlocking official Xiaomi services varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model.Warning: informal workshops may offer a "hack" for a lower price, but it is fraught with:
- 🚫 Loss of guarantee
- 🔄 Installation of uncertified software
- 📵 Risk of re-blocking after 30 days (on new firmware)
Before the service visit:
- Check for a check or box (proof of possession).
- Check if the data will be saved (in 80% of cases it will not).
- Ask about warranty obligations after unlocking.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods: Pros and Cons
| Method | Data retention | Difficulty | Conditions required | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ | Linked account, Internet | It doesn't work without a network. |
| Recovery Mode | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐ | Physical access to the device | Deletion of all data |
| Fastboot | ❌ No. | ⭐⭐⭐ | PC, drivers, unlocked bootloader | Risk of "brika" in error |
| Find Device | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ | Internet, enabled function | It's not working offline. |
| Service centre | ❌ Not usually. | ⭐⭐⭐ | Device documents | Cost, waiting time |
The bottom line: for most users, unlocking through Mi Account or Find Device is the best solution. Recovery and Fastboot methods should be used only when there are no alternatives and with an understanding of the risks.
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If your Xiaomi has enabled the Mi Data Protection feature (in the security settings), unlocking through a reset will cause the old password to be requested even after Hard Reset, in which case only the official service will help.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to unlock, users often face typical problems:
⚠️ Note: If the device requires you to enter the old password after resetting via Recovery, then Factory Reset Protection has been activated (FRP). Solution: log in to the same Mi Account that was tied before the reset.
Error 1: "Device is locked. Cannot flash" in Fastboot.
- 🔹 Reason: Locked loader.
- 🔹 Solution: Unlock it through the official tool (requires a wait of 72-168 hours).
Error 2: Once unlocked through Find Device, the device is locked again.
- 🔹 Reason: Conflict with Xiaomi's security policies.
- 🔹 Solution: Reset via Recovery after Remote Unlock.
Error 3: Is the password forgotten? button not working on the lock screen.
- 🔹 Reason: Disabled recovery function or custom firmware.
- 🔹 Solution: use Fastboot or contact the service.