How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi via emergency call if you forget your password: Step-by-step guide

The forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that one in five users encounter. Especially frustrating when there is no computer to reset via the Mi Flash Tool, and access to data is urgent. One of the little-known but working methods is the use of the emergency call feature. This method is suitable for most Redmi models based on MIUI 12-14, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and newer devices.

It is important to understand that the method with an emergency call is not an official unlock function. This is the exploitation of a vulnerability in the MIUI firmware that allows you to bypass the lock screen through the system menu. Xiaomi regularly closes such loopholes in updates, so the method may stop working after installing the latest version of the software. If your phone has been updated in the last 2-3 months, first check the alternative methods at the end of the article.

Before you start, consider that not all Redmi models support this trick: Snapdragon 8xx chips (like the Redmi K50) or the latest flagships often have enhanced protection. But budget and mid-end devices (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9A) unlock this way 70% of the time. If you don't, don't despair: there are backup options in the article.

Why Unlocking Through an Emergency Call Works

The MIUI emergency call feature is designed to quickly dial emergency numbers (112, 911, etc.) even on a locked phone. However, in some firmware versions, this section has access to system settings through hidden gestures or button combinations.

• 🔹 The emergency call screen triggers the dial system window that runs on top of the lock.
• 🔹 Old versions. MIUI This window had a vulnerability that allowed you to call the settings menu through a long press.
• 🔹 Modern firmware blocks such access, but on devices without updates, the method is still relevant.
• 🔹 Some Redmi models allow you to activate developer mode or debugging through an emergency call. USB

Technically, you don't crack your password, you go through the system menu, which means that once you unlock it, the original password will remain valid, you'll have to manually reset it through settings. If you used your Mi Account to block it, this method may not work: you'll need confirmation via email or SMS.

⚠️ Note: On devices with the Mi (Find Device) feature enabled, this method is blocked automatically. Before trying, check if the lock screen says "Device protected by Mi Account." If so, go to the unlock section through your Xiaomi account.

Preparing the phone before unlocking

Before you try to bypass the lock, follow a few mandatory steps that will increase the chances of success and protect the data:

If the phone is low 20%, Put him on a charger on 10-15 Do not interrupt the charging during the procedure, this may cause the system to crash. PUK-code, extract SIM-Map: It will interfere with the work with an emergency call.

Look at the MIUI version. To find out,

1. On the lock screen, swipe down to call the notification bar
2. Touch the gear icon (if active) or try swiping left/right
3. In some firmware, the version is displayed at the bottom of the screen in small print (for example, MIUI Global 13.0.4).

If MIUI is newer than 14.0.2, the chances of success are reduced to 30%, in which case you immediately go to alternative methods, and also check if the phone is on developer mode - if so, unlocking is easy.

Step-by-step: Unlocking through an emergency call

This method works on most Redmis with MIUI 12-13. If you have a newer firmware, try unlocking through your Mi Account.

1. Activate emergency call: On the lock screen, tap the Emergency call button (usually at the bottom of the screen). If it's not there, try swiping up from the bottom edge.
2. Enter special code: Enter ##4636## or ##7780## in the dial box. On some models, simple 112 works (but don't press the call button!).
3. Call the system menu: Press the home button (if physical) or tap the screen for 10-15 seconds. Some phones need to quickly tap 5 times on the top panel.
4. Go to Settings: If you have a Test or Settings menu, select Settings → Reset and Reset → Reset. Some firmware allows you to immediately disable the password to Security → Screen Lock.
5. Reset password: In the lock section, select No or pattern lock, then set a new password. If the system requires an old password, restart the phone and repeat the steps.

If nothing happens after entering the code, try alternative combinations:

• 📞 ##3646633## (Engineering Mode)
• 📞 ##2664## (Test Mode)
• 📞 ##6484## (for some versions) MIUI 12)

⚠️ Note: Redmi with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A, Redmi 8A) After entering the engineering code, a menu may appear. MTK Engineer Mode. Go to Connectivity. → CDS Information → Radio Information and enter the field AT+EGMR=1.7, "your new password." That'll reset the pattern lock.

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If the emergency call doesn't open, try connecting your phone to Wi-Fi via the notification bar (swipe down).

What to do if the method does not work

If you don't get unlocked through an emergency call, don't panic. You have 3 other proven ways to do this.

The most reliable option is to unlock through your Xiaomi account.

1. On the lock screen, tap the password? (if any)
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account
3. Confirm the code from SMS or email
4. Reset the lock password

If you don't remember your account information, try to retrieve it through account.xiaomi.com, which requires access to a backup email or phone number, and if you don't have an account attached, you only have to reset hard through Fastboot.

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If the phone asks for a password from Mi Account after reset, it means that the “Find Device” function has been activated. Without the data from the account, you can not unlock the device - contact the Xiaomi service center.

Unblocking through Mi Account: detailed instructions

If your Redmi is synced to Mi Account, this method will work in 99% of cases, the main condition is to remember the username and password from the account.

1. On the lock screen, find the button Forgot your password? or Unblock through Mi Account. If it is not, try entering any password 5 times in a row - a link to restore should appear.

2 Enter the email or phone number associated with your account. If you don't remember, check your inboxes for emails from service@xiaomi.com.

3. Confirm identity via SMS or backup email. The code is valid for 5 minutes - do not delay the input.

4. After successful authentication, the system will offer to reset the lock password. Come up with a new at least 6 characters (required with numbers and letters).

If at this stage the error "Device not found in the account" appears, then:

• 🔄 The account was not tied to the phone.
• 🔄 The device was dropped via Fastboot without decoupling from the account
• 🔄 Find Device is enabled on the phone, but there is no access to the main account

In such cases, only the official Xiaomi service center will help.Attempts to bypass protection through third-party programs (for example, Mi Account Unlock Tool) often lead to the blocking of IMEI.

Alternative Unlocking Methods Without Losing Data

If neither the emergency call nor the Mi Account helped, there are still radical measures, and let's look at them by their risk level:

1. Unlock through ADB (only if debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously activated the developer mode and enabled debugging over USB, you can delete the file with the password through the computer.

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




reboot

Once rebooted, the password will reset, but this method only works on MIUI prior to version 12.5.

2. Reset via Recovery (saves data on some models)

On Redmi with custom recap (TWRP) you can reset your password without losing data.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery
3. Select Advanced → File Manager
4. Delete files: /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
5. Reset the device

⚠️ Attention: On phones with stock recavery (MIUI Recovery, this method won't work -- there's no file manager. TWRP A blocked phone will cause a brick (breakdown).

3. Hard reset via Fastboot (will delete all data)

This is the last option, if other methods have not worked.

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC
2. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi website
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down)
4. Connect to your PC and run the firmware with a full reset (clean all)

After this procedure, the phone will become like new – without a password, but also without your data.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having to deal with a forgotten password, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as a backup way to unlock
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (e.g. Google Keep or Google Keep). 1Password)
• 🔄 Regularly sync your data with Mi Cloud or Google Drive
• 🔧 Enable Smart Lock in Security Settings (unlock by trusted device or location)
• 📱 Link your phone to your Mi Account – it will make it easier to restore access

It is also helpful to set up automatic backup in Settings → About Phone → Backup. Then even after the reset, you can recover contacts, messages and photos.

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V MIUI 14 the function "Reserve" appeared PIN-Code." Set it up in Settings. → Password and security → Standby PIN. This will help unlock your phone if you forget your primary password.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)