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

Forgetting a graphical password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a frustrating but fixable situation. Unlike iPhones, where unlocking without an Apple ID often requires a complete reset, Android devices (including Redmi, POCO and Mi) offer several alternative ways to restore access. The main thing is not to panic and not to try to guess the combination endlessly: after 5 failed attempts, the system can lock the phone for 30 seconds or longer, and in some cases, completely erase all data.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven unlocking methods, from the safest (with data saved) to radical (full reset). Importantly, the effectiveness of the method depends on the phone model, the version of MIUI and whether previously activated features like Find Device or debugging USB. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the latest firmware, some methods may not work due to enhanced protection, while on the Redmi Note 8 2021 even a reset via Recovery will suit.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30%, otherwise you risk getting a brick").
• 📱 Model phone (written on a box or under a battery if removable).
• 🔑 Is your Mi Account linked to your device (if so, the chances of unlocking without loss are higher).

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (the safest way)

If you have a Mi Account attached to your phone (even if you don’t remember the password), this method will unlock the device without losing data.Works on most models, except for some new ones (for example, the Xiaomi 14 with MIUI 15, which requires additional verification).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot the password? (or Forgot pattern? on English firmware).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter email/phone + password.
3. If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com.
4. After successful authorization, the system will offer to reset the pattern lock.

Important: If the phone is not connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), this method will not work, and some firmware may require confirmation via SMS or backup email.

💡

If you have two-factor authentication (2FA) in Mi Account, prepare backup codes or access to an authenticator application (Google Authenticator, Authy) in advance.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ After unlocking through Mi Account, you may need to re-enter your account password when you first turn on!

2. Use the Find Device function (remote unlock)

Find Device, which is the equivalent of Find iPhone, allows you to not only track your phone, but also unlock it remotely.

• 📶 Phone's connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi/mobile).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🔑 You remember the data from your Mi Account.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. Select the locked device in the list.
4. Click Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the graphical password will be reset and the phone unlocked the next time you connect to the network.The data will be saved, but you may need to re-enter the password from Mi Account.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If the previous methods did not work, and debugging USB (ADB) This is a method that was turned on before locking, and you can try unlocking your phone through Fastboot, USB-On devices with a locked bootloader (most new Xiaomi), this method will not work without unlocking the bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools (or fastboot and adb only).
4. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and do:

fastboot devices

(Your phone should be displayed).

fastboot oem unlock

or (for some models):

fastboot flashing unlock

If the command is successful, the phone will reboot with reset settings (data will be deleted!). New devices (Xiaomi 12/13/14) may require pre-unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (the process takes up to 72 hours).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After the command fastboot oem unlock the phone can go to mode EDL (In this case, you will need a special cable and firmware through the Mi Flash Tool - a risky procedure and is recommended only for experienced users.

4.Reset via Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If other methods fail, it will be hard to reset through Recovery Mode, which will erase all data (photos, contacts, messages) but will return access to the phone, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi and POCO.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up, hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset)
5. Confirm the action (Confirm).
6. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot in factory condition. The first turn on will require an initial setup, including the Mi Account binding (if the phone was previously tied, you may need to enter a password from the account to activate).

5. Unlock via ADB (if debugging was enabled)

If you activated USB Debugging before blocking (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 taps by build number → For developers → Debugging by USB), you can delete the password file via ADB. This method saves data, but requires a computer and pre-preparation.

Steps:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the adb folder and do:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key

(For new versions of Android):

adb shell


rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

1. Reboot the phone:

adb reboot

After the reboot, the graphical password will be reset. PIN-code (if it has been installed), use a backup PIN or the password from the Mi Account.

⚠️ Attention: On Android 11+ and MIUI 13+ This method may not work because of changes in the password storage system, so try to run the adb shell su command first).

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, radical measures remain:

• 🔧 Firmware through EDL (It requires a special cable and knowledge of working with the Mi Flash Tool!
• 🛠️ Contact the service center. Xiaomi official centers can unlock the phone on the documents (passport) + check), but it is a paid service (from 1000 to 3000 rubles).
• 📦 Buying a new phone (unless the data is critical and the cost of repair exceeds the price of the device).

Before visiting the service, check:

• A check or a warranty card (accelerates the process).
• Phone condition (if the screen is broken, unlocking can cost more).
• The model and firmware version (this will help the master to choose the right method).

💡

If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, official service centers will refuse to unlock without documents from the previous owner, in which case only firmware through EDL (with the risk of "bricking") remains.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi