When Xiaomi smartphone stops being let into the system because of a forgotten password, it happens quite often. Users often install complex combinations to protect data, but after a while they forget them or confuse them with codes from other devices. If you encounter a lock screen, you should not panic, since there are several proven ways to restore access to the gadget.
But it's worth a heads-up: most access recovery methods involve completely erasing user data. Resetting will bring the phone back to factory status by deleting contacts, photos and apps. So if you have the ability to remember a password or find it in your records, it's best to take advantage of this opportunity before you start active unlocking actions.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods of bypassing locks, from using a Mi Account to hard reset via the Recovery menu.We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of MIUI and HyperOS, and also discuss what to do if the phone requires a password after rebooting.
Using Mi Account to Remotely Unblock
The most civilized and safe way to get back access to your device is by using a cloud service from the manufacturer. If your smartphone has logged in to Mi Account and enabled the Find Device feature, you can unlock the screen remotely through a browser on your computer or other phone.
To do this, you need to go to the official website of the Xiaomi cloud service and log in to your credentials. In the interface, select a locked device from the list and find the unlock option. The system will prompt you to confirm the action, after which the lock will be removed without losing data, although this does not work on all versions of the firmware.
- 🔑 Visit i.mi.com from any available device.
- 📱 Select your locked smartphone in the list of devices.
- 🚀 Click the "Unlock" button in the control menu.
- ✅ Confirm the action with a code from the SMS or the second factor.
It's important to understand that this method will only work if you have an active Internet connection on a locked phone, if the gadget is in flight mode or the network is not configured, the command from the server will not arrive, in which case you will have to resort to more radical measures, which will be described below.
Resets via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
If cloud-based methods are not available, Hard Reset remains the only working option, a method that resets all phone settings to factory settings, including the lock-screen password, and is done through a dedicated Recovery Mode engineering menu that is built into every Xiaomi smartphone.
To get into this menu, you have to turn the device off completely. Then you have to press the button combination: usually this is the Volume Up button and the Power button, hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while keeping the volume still.
⚠️ Warning: Once reset via Recovery, the phone may require a password from a Mi Account that was previously synced to the device, which is a security mechanism against theft, and it is almost impossible to get around it without account data.
In the menu, you navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data section, then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will reboot as new.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Unlocking through Find Device
An alternative to the main site is a dedicated device search service, which has a more simplified interface that is tailored to the emergency, and features similar to the main cloud, but sometimes servers are more stable when trying to manage remotely.
Go to the device management section and select the lock option. Paradoxically, setting up a new lock can sometimes "overwrite" the old one or allow you to set a new temporary password if the system allows you to synchronize changes, but the most common feature is the complete clearing of data through this interface.
If the phone is not connected to the network, the service will suggest queuing the device for cleaning. Once the smartphone is in Wi-Fi or mobile coverage, it will receive a command to reset, which can take from a few minutes to several days until the owner turns on the Internet.
Using ADB to delete password files
For advanced users, there is a method of removing system files responsible for storing access keys through the ADB debugging bridge. This method requires the presence of a computer, installed Xiaomi USB Driver driver and previously enabled debugging by USB on the smartphone itself.
If debugging has been activated, connect your phone to your PC and start the command line. You will need to enter a sequence of commands to access the root file system and delete gesture.key or password.key files. This is a complex technical process that does not guarantee results on new versions of Android due to increased security.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyWhy might the ADB method not work?
It is worth noting that on devices with a locked bootloader, this method is almost useless, and after a reboot, the system can detect the absence of key files and require you to log into a Google or Mi Account, which returns us to the need to remember your credentials.
What to do when blocking Mi Account after resetting
A common problem after Hard Reset is that you have an activation screen where the phone requires you to enter the password from the Mi Account that was used on the device before, and this is a Find Device feature that protects against theft, and if you don't remember that password, you can't unlock the phone using standard methods.
The only legal way is to restore access through the Mi Account website, you will need a phone number or email linked to your account, and if the data is lost, you will have to contact Xiaomi support with a check to prove ownership.
| Type of lockdown | Required data | Data security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lock screen | No (reset) | No (removed) | Low. |
| Mi Account (Cloud) | Login/Password Mi | Yes (partially) | Medium |
| FRP (Google) | Google account | No. | Tall. |
| Bootloader (Bootloader) | Mi Unlock resolution | No. | Very high. |
Attempts to bypass this protection through flashing often result in the device locking over IMEI. Changing (motherboard) or software swapping IMEI is illegal and can permanently disable the phone.
Prevention and backup
To avoid such situations in the future, it is important to set up the right backup strategy. Xiaomi offers built-in tools to save contacts, notes and settings to the cloud. Regular synchronization will allow you to quickly recover data even after a complete reset.
It is also recommended to write complex passwords to a secure location or use password managers that can be restored through backup codes.Don't rely on biometrics alone: a fingerprint or Face ID is convenient, but once rebooted, they don't work without entering the main code.
- 📸 Take important photos QR-Wi-Fi codes and passwords.
- ☁️ Enable autoload photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
- 📝 Keep a physical notebook with codes from important acca-unts.
- 🔄 Check every six months if you remember your password.
⚠️ Warning: Do not download questionable password hacking software from unknown sites, most of which contain viruses or are fraudulent, and you risk losing not only your phone data, but also your computer information.
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Write it down. IMI-Device code (on the box or under the battery) and save the purchase check electronically, these are the only documents that will help restore access through technical support in the event of a full account lock.
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The most reliable way to protect against loss of access is not a complex password, but making sure you remember the password from your linked Mi Account and Google email.