How to unlock Xiaomi if you do not know the password: proven methods

When the owner of a Xiaomi smartphone forgets a pattern lock or a digital pin, it is quite common.In an attempt to protect their data from prying eyes, users install complex combinations that they later forget themselves.

Fortunately, the MIUI operating system that powers Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO has several ways to bypass security, but it’s worth warning that in most cases, a full data reset is required to restore access, a security measure designed to protect the owner’s information in the event of a device being stolen.

Before you start taking action, you need to evaluate the situation, because if the phone is connected to the Internet and is tied to the Mi Account, the chances of successful unlocking are much higher, otherwise you will have to resort to more radical methods that will return the gadget to the factory settings.

Unlocking with Mi Account

The most civilized and safe way to not only remove the lock, but also save data is to use the cloud service Xiaomi Cloud. To do this, the device must be pre-linked to the Mi Account and have an active connection to the Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet, and the phone must also be enabled with the function “Find the device”.

The remote control process begins with logging into your account through any browser on your computer or other smartphone. Once authorized, the system will prompt you to select a locked device from a list. If the status of the device is displayed as “Online”, you can perform a remote clearing command or change the lock password.

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Make sure that geolocation is enabled on the locked phone – this increases the chances of a successful connection to the Xiaomi server.

It's important to understand that the command to reset a password may not come instantly. Mi Cloud servers send a packet of data to a device that is processed by the system's background services. If the phone is in sleep mode, the command can only be executed after the next screen awakens.

⚠️ Note: If Find Device has not been activated in advance, this method will not work. You can only check the anchor status by logging into the account from which the setup was supposedly performed.

Once the command is successfully executed, the phone may require re-authorization to a Google or Mi Account to verify ownership, a standard anti-theft procedure known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

Resetting settings via Recovery Mode

If remote access is not possible, the only option is Hard Reset via the recovery menu, which completely removes all user data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, returning the smartphone to the “out of the box” state.

To enter Recovery mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, keep the volume up. In a few seconds, the main menu of the Recovery will open.

Navigation in the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. Some firmware versions may require additional selection of the Wipe All Data item.

The system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to enter the code displayed on the screen, or press "Confirm." After completing the cleaning process, which takes a few minutes, select Reboot to restart. The first start of the system will be long.

Use of the “Forgot Password” function

Some older versions of the MIUI shell and under certain lock-down conditions display a text link that says "Forgot password" or "Forgot pattern lock" and is usually active after several failed typing attempts.

Clicking on this link redirects the user to the Mi Account or Google Account login page, which is the fastest way, as it does not require rebooting or data loss. However, in modern versions of Android and MIUI, this feature is often disabled for security reasons.

If the phone unlocks after entering the correct password from your account, it is strongly recommended to install a new, more memorable pin or biometric protection immediately, and it is also worth checking the data sync to make sure that important files are saved in the cloud.

Unlocking with Mi PC Suite

The official Xiaomi smartphone management program on your computer sometimes allows you to reset your settings if the phone was previously paired with this PC. This will require a USB cable and installed Mi PC Suite software (or its current counterparts, since support for the original version is discontinued).

Connect the locked phone to a computer. If the device is recognized, the program interface may have an option to reset or update the firmware, which also leads to data cleanup.This method is less reliable than Recovery, but can help if the volume buttons on the phone do not work.

In some cases, Fastboot mode helps. To enter it, you need to press the volume and power down button. By connecting the phone in this mode to a PC with ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, you can try sending a command to reset via the command line.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

Executing these commands will delete the partition with user data. Be extremely careful: an error in the syntax of the command can lead to a failure of the system partition and turn the phone into a brick.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

The choice of the specific method depends on the model of your device, the firmware version and the availability of pre-preparedness. Below is a table that will help determine the optimal way to solve the problem.

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The most reliable and versatile method is resetting via Recovery, as it works even without the Internet and a computer, but requires a sacrifice of data.

It’s worth noting that models with Snapdragon processors often have a more unlockable bootloader than devices on MediaTek, which can make the procedure easier for advanced users.

FRP protection and device activation

After successfully resetting your settings, you will encounter the initial settings screen, where FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will come into effect. The system will require you to enter a login and password from the Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset.

This is done so that the thief who stole the phone and dropped it cannot use it, and if you don't remember the password from your Google account, you have to restore it through the Google site on another device, without which the phone will remain locked.

In rare cases, if the phone is not connected to the Internet immediately after reset, the system may skip the check or allow you to connect to Wi-Fi for activation. If activation is not possible, you will need to flash the device through special utilities such as the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Warning: Never buy used Xiaomi phones without checking the previous owner’s Mi Account detachment, otherwise you risk getting a locked device that cannot be activated.

Preventing blocking in the future

To avoid such situations in the future, it is recommended to configure alternative methods of unlocking.Modern Xiaomi smartphones support fingerprint unlocking and Face ID. These biometric data duplicate the digital code and allow you to quickly access the device.

It’s also useful to write complex passwords to a secure location or use password managers. Regular synchronization of contacts and photos with the Google Photos or Mi Cloud cloud ensures that you don’t lose important information in the event of a reset.

Remember to check periodically if your Mi Account is active and if the device knows the current password. Changing your password in a Google or Mi Account requires re-entering new data on all connected devices, which can cause temporary inconvenience.

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Use a smart lock in Android security settings, which lets you keep your phone unlocked in safe places, such as your home or pocket, if you have a trusted Bluetooth device nearby.