How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can not unlock the phone? The situation is familiar to many — especially if the device was idle for a long time or password was rarely entered. Fortunately, there are several official and informal ways to return access to the smartphone without losing data (or with minimal losses). In this article, we will discuss all the current unlock methods for Redmi, POCO, Mi and Black Shark models, including new devices on MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS.

It's important to understand that not all methods are universal — their effectiveness depends on the firmware version, the phone model, and whether features like Find My Device or Mi Account binding were previously enabled. We'll also tell you which methods are guaranteed to work, and which can lead to complete data loss or even a "brick" of the device. If you are not sure about your actions, you better contact the Xiaomi service center.

Before you start unlocking, answer two key questions:

1. Is the phone linked to your Mi Account (you were previously logged in)?
2. Is the Find My Device feature enabled on the device (located in Settings → Xiaomi Cloud)?

The answers depend on which method is right for you.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the most reliable and secure method if the phone is tied to a Xiaomi account, which even runs on new HyperOS firmware and does not require a data reset, the main condition is that you must have access to an email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Choose the method of recovery: by SMS or email.
3. Enter the confirmation code received on the linked number or mail.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone has previously enabled Mi Account Security Mode (in the security settings), the system may require you to enter the old password even after you restore it through your account.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Remember the email/number associated with the Mi Account

Have access to mail or SMS to receive the code

Check if your account has been blocked for suspicious activity-->

If the buttons Forgot the password? on the screen is not, it means:

• 📱 Phone not tied to Mi Account (or tether reset after update).
• 🔒 Incognito or guest profile mode enabled.
• 🛠️ The firmware is modified (for example, custom installed) MIUI EU).

2.Reset via Find My Device (remote unlock)

Find My Device (located in Xiaomi Cloud) not only allows you to find a lost phone, but also remotely reset your lock password, which works even if the device is not currently connected to the Internet — the command will go the first time you connect.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the Devices section, select a locked phone.
3. Click Delete Data (or Erase Device).
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: This method completely erases all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and applications, and can only be restored from a Xiaomi Cloud backup (if it was created earlier).

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If after resetting the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account on the first turn on, use the same email/number as for remote unlock. Enter your account details at the setup stage, and the lock will be removed automatically.

The method will not work if:

• 🚫 Xiaomi Cloud or Find My Device feature is disabled.
• 🔄 The device was reset to factory settings manually (via Recovery).
• 🛡️ Anti-theft mode is enabled (requires the entry of the old password even after resetting).

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (hard reset)

If previous methods failed, the device is reset via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data but is guaranteed to unlock the phone, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13.

Instructions for phones with MIUI Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by choosing Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 10C or POCO M4 Pro) after reset, you may have a request to enter a password from Mi Account, which is protection against theft, without account data, the phone will become a brick".

For phones with Fastboot mode (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Black Shark 5), the instruction is different:

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the power + Volume down until the rabbit appears in the hat (Fastboot).




3. Connect the phone to the PC and use the command:




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase frp




4. Reset the device with the command:




fastboot reboot

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is enabled debugging by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times tap to unlock the developer options), you can try to reset the password through ADB. The method works only when connected to a previously authorized PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
3. 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

⚠️ Attention: New firmware (MIUI 14+ And HyperOS, this method may not work because of the increased security, and it also requires root rights, which are not available on all devices.

If the commands are not executed, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This command must open a password change menu where you can set a new PIN or pattern lock.

5. EDL mode usage (for power users)

Emergency Download Mode (EDL) — This is a service mode that allows you to flash your phone directly without locking, and it's suitable for unlocking Xiaomi with a damaged firmware or if you forget the password from Mi Account (EDL-Cable or authorized Xiaomi account) and firmware knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.
3. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔌 For most models: Turn off the phone, press Volume up + Volume down and connect to PC. 🔧 For certain devices (e.g, POCO F4) You will need a short circuit test points on the board.

Mi Flash Tool

Clean All

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect firmware in mode EDL It can permanently disable your phone, and without experience, you'd better go to a service center.

Reset via Mi Account

Used to Find My Device

I was resetting through Recovery.

Tried ADB/EDL

I haven’t tried anything, I read it for the first time.-->

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not work, the last option is to contact the official service center Xiaomi.

• 🔐 Phone is tied to Mi Account, but you don't remember the data.
• 📱 The device is in a “brick” state after a failed firmware.
• 🛡️ Anti-Theft mode (Anti-Theft) is enabled).

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 A box from a phone with the specified IMEI.
• 📱 The phone itself (even if it doesn’t turn on).

The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the case, and some services may offer free unlocking if the phone is warranted.

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The official service is the only legal way to unlock a phone with a Mi Account tied if you don't remember your account details. Self-attempts to bypass the protection can lead to IMEI blocking.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔑 Use a password manager (such as Google Password Manager or Bitwarden) to store PIN-code.

We also recommend that you include biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to the PIN-This will make it easier to access the phone even if you forget your primary password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi