Forgot the pattern lock, PIN-The phone requires a fingerprint, but the sensor does not work? the situation is familiar to many users, especially after a long break in use of the device or after buying a used smartphone. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking without a password often requires contacting a service center, Xiaomi has several legal ways to return access to the system - both with data retention and with a complete reset.
It is important to understand that unlocking methods depend on the version of MIUI, the phone model (for example, Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5), and whether the Mi Account was tied. In this article, we will discuss all current ways for 2026, including official and alternative solutions, and warn about the risks that can lead to loss of warranty or “bricking” of the device.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on most models (including Redmi 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5, Xiaomi 13/14) and does not require technical skills.
If you have previously logged in to your Mi Account on this device, follow the instructions:
- 🔹 On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
- 🔹 Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter your linked email or phone number.
- 🔹 Confirm the entrance through SMS-account code.
- 🔹 Set a new unlock password or turn it off altogether.
⚠️ Note: If the Find Device function was enabled on the phone, additional confirmation may be required after unlocking via Mi Account. SMS or email. On some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global for the European Region: This step is automatically missed.
2.Reset via Fastboot (without data loss on some models)
If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, the next way is to use the Fastboot mode.This method is suitable for most Xiaomi models released after 2018, but has a nuance: on some devices (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro or POCO X3), resetting through the Fastboot leads to a complete data cleanup. On others (for example, Xiaomi Mi 11) you can do without formatting.
You'll need:
- 🔧 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔧 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website of Xiaomi).
- 🔧 Firmware for your model (Fastboot version).
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your phone. Press the Power button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
- Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh. The device must be determined.
- At the bottom, choose Clean all and lock mode or Clean all mode (data storage, not working on all models!).
- Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
⚠️ Note: On models with a blocked bootloader, you may need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool after a Fastboot reset, which takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting on new Mi accounts!
3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)
The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable if the phone has previously enabled USB debugging and allowed ADB access via a computer. This is rare, but if the condition is met, you can delete the password file without resetting the data.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB (a charging notification may appear on a locked screen – ignore it).
- Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:
adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key
rm /data/system/password.key
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
rebootAfter restarting, the phone must unlock without a password. If an adbd cannot run as root error appears, then the device has no root permissions and the method will not work.
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If ADB does not recognize the device, check if File Transfer (MTP) mode is enabled in the USB settings. On some MIUI firmware, you need to manually select this mode when you connect.
4. Use of service codes (for older models)
Xiaomi phones before 2019 (e.g. Redmi 5/6, Mi A1/A2) sometimes triggered password reset service codes, and today most of them are locked, but you can try the following combinations:
| Code. | Description | Works on |
|---|---|---|
| ##7780## | Resetting settings to factory (saves data) | Redmi 4X, Mi 5 (rarely) |
| *2767*3855# | Complete reset (removes everything, including data) | Redmi Note 4 (old firmware) |
| ##4636## | Test menu (sometimes allows you to reset your password) | POCO F1, Mi 8 |
⚠️ Note: Entering service codes on new models (Redmi Note 10 and later) may lead to blocking IMEI Or activate the anti-Rollback protection, and then the phone becomes a brick. Use this method only if you are confident in the model and version of the firmware!
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If none of these methods work, the official way is to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is the only legal way to unlock without the risk of damaging the device, but it has its own nuances:
- 📄 You will need a confirmation of purchase (check, warranty card or binding to Mi Account).
- 💰 The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model.
- ⏳ Unblocking period – from 1 to 5 working days.
- 🔒 In some cases, the service center may refuse if the phone is listed black (stolen/lost).
To find the nearest service center:
- Go to the Xiaomi Service website.
- Choose a country and a city.
- Check the reviews about the center (some informal services may offer "unlock" with loss of warranty).
Backup data (if the phone is sometimes unlocked)|Bring a check or a box from your phone.|Find out. IMEI Devices (written on a box or under a battery)|Check if your phone is blacklisted through IMEI.info-->
6. Alternative methods (at your own risk)
If the official methods do not help, you can find "gray" methods of unlocking on the Internet, for example:
- 🛠️ Passage EDL-mode (requires special cable and firmware).
- 🛠️ Use exploits (e.g. DirtyCOW vulnerability for older versions of Android).
- 🛠️ Flashing through TestPoint (risk of damaging the motherboard).
⚠️ Note: These methods violate the warranty of Xiaomi and may result in:
- Losing all data without the possibility of recovery.
- IMEI lock (the phone will stop catching the network)
- "Overworking" (complete inoperability of the device).
If you are considering alternative methods, we recommend:
- Reviews on thematic forums (4PDA, Xiaomi.eu).
- Take a full backup through TWRP (if installed).
- Use only proven firmware (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
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None of the gray methods guarantee 100% results, and the risk of losing your phone or data is always higher than the chance of successfully unlocking.