How to unlock a Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: working methods of 2026

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-The situation is familiar to many: the phone is locked after several failed attempts to enter, and access to important data is threatened. Fortunately, there are legal ways to unlock without going to the service center – from recovering through your Mi Account to using Fastboot or Recovery modes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods that are relevant to all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.). Importantly, some methods require prior preparation (for example, binding Mi Account or enabling debugging over USB), so read carefully. If the phone was not synchronized with a Xiaomi account, the chances of saving data are reduced - but unlocking is still possible.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (at least 30% to avoid switching off during the process).
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for Mi Account methods).
• 🖥️ Access to a computer (for methods with Fastboot or ADB).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.

• 📱 The phone was synced to Mi Account before being locked.
• 🌐 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔐 Remember the login and password from the account.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter email/phone + password.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Follow the system's hints to reset your password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can request proof of identity through the linked number - make sure you have access to the phone. SIM-card.

💡

If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it on the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, try resetting your password through Recovery Mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models based on MIUI 12-14 and does not require a computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Password on some firmware).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi 9, POCO M3) Wipe All Data wipes all user data. If your phone has important files, try other methods first.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🖥️ You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 🔧 Debugging is on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock the developer menu → set up USB).
• 🔓 The phone was previously unlocked for custom firmware installation (if not, official permission from Xiaomi will be required).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Unlock Tool).
2. Connect the phone off to the PC by clamping Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
3. In the command line (on behalf of the administrator) do:

fastboot oem unlock


fastboot flashing unlock

1. Follow the instructions on your phone screen to confirm unlocking.
2. After successful completion, enter:

fastboot reboot

Important: This method resets all data on the phone and can block the ability to use official MIUI updates unless you get permission from Xiaomi via the Mi Unlock Tool.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the Mi Unlock Tool or ADB|Enable debugging on USB (If the phone is not blocked yet)|Prepare a backup copy of the data (if possible)|Charge your phone to 50% or more-->

4.Use of ADB (if debugging was included)

If you activated USB Debugging before blocking and connected your phone to your computer, you can delete the password file via ADB. This method saves data, but only works if two conditions are met:

• 🔌 Debugging by USB was included.
• 🖥️ The computer was previously logged in to the phone (a window appeared with a request for permission).

Action:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter the commands in turn:

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




reboot

If the commands don't work, try replacing gesture.key with gatekeeper.password.key (relevant to MIUI 13+).

💡

ADB is the only way to unlock without losing data, but it requires a pre-setting of debugging. If you haven't turned it on beforehand, it won't work.

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods worked, the official way is to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is for:

• 📱 Phones with Fastboot blocked (for example, after a failed firmware).
• 🔒 Devices that do not have a Mi Account attached.
• 📄 Cases where data is required to be stored (the service may retrieve it before resetting).

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or box from the phone (to confirm possession).
• 🆔 Passport (some centers request a document).
• 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model).

⚠️ Note: Unofficial services may offer "unblocking through" IMEI" — Xiaomi does not provide such tools to third parties, official service is the only legal way in this case.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking Xiaomi, users often face typical problems:

• 🔌 "Not defined in Fastboot" → Install Mi Flash Tool drivers or use universal ADB Drivers.
• 🔒 "Mi Account is blocked from being blocked" → Restor access through the official website or contact for support.
• ⚡ "The phone went out during the reset" → Charge the battery to 100% or use charging during the process.
• 📱 "The sensor is not working in Recovery" → In some models (POCO X3) control is carried out by the volume and power buttons.

If, after unlocking, the phone requests a password from the Mi Account (even after reset), it means that the device is tied to the account.

1. Enter the data from the Mi Account that was previously linked.
2. If your account is deleted, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions