How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 4X if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

Introduction: Why the smartphone is blocked and what to do

Forgotten password on Xiaomi Mi 4X — It's a situation that even experienced users face, and the reasons are trivial: infrequent use of the device, change of device. PIN-In 80% of cases, the problem is solved without contacting the service center, but it is important to act carefully - wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data or "bricking" of the phone.

Xiaomi MIUI-based smartphones have several layers of protection, and the unlock method depends on which features were activated in advance. For example, if you previously linked your Mi Account account and remember your username / password, the process will take 5 minutes. If not, you will need to reset via Fastboot or Recovery, which will automatically delete all data from internal memory. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock for the Xiaomi Mi 4X, including bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after reset.

Before you start, answer yourself 3 questions:

• 🔹 Is the phone linked to a Mi Account? (if so, the method) №1 №2 is perfect)
• 🔹 Is debugging on? USB? (If yes, you can bypass the lock without losing data)
• 🔹 Is there a backup? (if not, the reset will result in the removal of photos, contacts, and messages)

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works even if you don’t remember the lock screen password, but remember the login details. The algorithm works on 95% of Mi 4X devices if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data)
• 🔄 Mi Account was tied before being blocked
• 🔐 Find Device is active in the settings

Step-by-step:

1. On the locked screen, tap the Forgot Password button (usually appears after 5 failed attempts to enter).
2. Select Unblock via Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account and the password.
4. Confirm the unlock through SMS-code (will come to the tied number).
5. Set a new password or pattern lock.

Check your internet connection

Make sure you remember the email/password from your Mi Account.

Have your hand on it. SIM-card with a linked number (for SMS-code)

Charge your phone at least 30% (to avoid shutdown)

-->

What if you don't have a "Forgot Password" button? Some MIUI firmwares have a hidden password button.

1. Enter any password 5 times in a row until the Repeat message appears in 30 seconds.
2. At the bottom of the screen will appear button Forgot the password? – click on it.

⚠️ Warning: If, after unlocking through Mi Account, the phone requires you to enter the old password, it is a firmware bug. Solution: reset via Recovery. №4), but pre-untie the Mi Account in the security settings.

Method 2: Bypassing the lock via Find Device

Xiaomi’s Find Device feature allows you not only to track your phone, but also to unlock it remotely, which works even if you don’t have physical access to your smartphone (for example, it’s lost or stolen), the main condition is that the device must be connected to the Internet and have a Mi Account tied.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same account as the blocked Mi 4X.
3. Select your device (Xiaomi Mi 4X) from the menu.
4. Click Unlock Device (the option may be called Unlock in English).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

And then the phone unlocks, and you can set a new password, and the important thing is, if the device has been turned off or discharged, the command will only work once it's turned on and connected to the network.

Limitations of the method:

• 🚫 Does not work on phones with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
• 🚫 If two-factor authentication is enabled on the device, access to the backup code will be required.
• 🚫 Once unlocked, you may need to re-authorize some apps (such as WhatsApp or banking services).

Method 3: Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

The method is for advanced users who have previously activated USB Debugging in the developer settings, allowing you to delete a password file (gesture.key or password.key) without completely resetting.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚡ Phone with a charge of at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi 4X to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should appear your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key For PIN-Use the code: rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot the phone: reboot

Once you reboot, the lock screen will disappear. Importantly, if USB debugging wasn't enabled in advance, this method won't work -- you'll need to reset via Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (particularly 12+) If you delete gesture.key, your phone doesn't unlock, try removing the entire directory: rm -r /data/system/locksettings* But it can cause a system crash! recommend first backup through adb backup.

💡

If you have a "Permission denied" error after the su command, you don't have root permissions on your phone, and you can't get around the ADB lock, so use other methods.

Method 4: Hard Recovery Reset (will delete all data)

If previous methods didn’t work, the radical way is to reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode, which will delete all data (photos, messages, apps), but return access to the phone, the method works on 100% of Xiaomi Mi 4X devices, regardless of the firmware version.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu (management is carried out by the volume and power buttons).
4. Select the Wipe Data option → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. After reset, select Reboot to reboot.

The phone will turn on in the “out of the box” state, and you will need to go through the initial setup, including the binding of the Mi Account (if it was previously).

⚠️ Note: Phones with a locked bootloader (Bootloader) after reset may be asked to enter data from the previous account Mi (FRP-To get around it, use a method. №5.

Method 5: Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypasses after resetting

If you reset your phone with Recovery and ask for a login/password from your old Mi Account, it's FRP-blocking, which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones with MIUI 8 and newer, and you can get around it in two ways:

Option 1: Through an official account

• 📧 Enter the email and password from the Mi Account that was tied before the reset.
• 📱 If you do not remember the data, restore access through account.xiaomi.com.

Option 2: Through bypass (PC required)

This will require:

• 🖥️ Programme Mi FRP Unlock Tool (you can download from the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🔌 USB-Xiaomi cable and drivers.
• ⚡ Disabled antivirus (it can block the tools to bypass) FRP).

Algorithm:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
2. Start the Mi FRP Unlock Tool and select the Mi 4X model.
3. Follow the instructions of the program (usually you need to enter the command fastboot oem frp-unlock).
4. After a successful bypass, restart the phone.

💡

Bypassing FRP is a violation of Xiaomi’s security policy, and use it only on your device, and on other people’s phones (like those bought by hand), it can be considered a hack.

Method 6: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not help, or you are afraid to damage the phone by self-manipulation, contact the official service center of Xiaomi.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of possession).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 💰 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles, depending on the region).

What the service does:

1. If necessary, reflash the device to the latest version of MIUI.

The run time is 1 to 3 days, and the advantage is that the phone is not bricked and all functions are functional, and the disadvantage is that it costs a lot more than unlocking it yourself.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial service centers may offer "unlock in 5 minutes" at a low price, often using illegal methods (such as firmware with a remote Mi Account), which leads to the loss of the service. IMEI or problems with updates. Only contact authorized centers!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking on their own, users often make critical errors that exacerbate the problem.

Tips for the future:

• 🔐 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or face) as a backup method.
• 📱 Regularly back up through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.
• 📧 Link your Mi Account to two emails and a phone number for security.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions