Forgot a graphical password on Xiaomi Redmi? 7 ways to unlock your phone without losing data

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that even experienced users face. PIN-It is harder to remember a pattern, especially if you rarely change it or trust to unlock your fingerprint. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and alternative ways to restore access – from a simple reset via Mi Account to complex manipulations in the Fastboot mode.

It's important to understand that not all methods guarantee data safety. For example, a hard Recovery reset will remove all information from the device, including photos, contacts and messages. However, if the phone was enabled sync with Google or Mi Cloud, some data can be restored after unlocking. In this article, we will discuss 7 working methods, from the most secure to radical, and also explain how to avoid such problems in the future.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30%, otherwise the phone may turn off during the process).
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for methods with account binding).
• 🔧 Access to a computer (required for some methods).

If the phone is sending a message “Too many pattern attempts”, wait 30 seconds for the system to offer alternative unlock options (for example, through the use of a new system). PIN-backup code or Mi Account).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 Synchronization is enabled on the device (even if you have not previously used it).

Instructions:

1. After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the pattern lock, the button “Forgot password?” or “Forgot pattern?” will appear.
2. Select the option "Sign in with Mi Account".
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, and then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If you haven't previously tied a Mi Account or don't remember the login details, this won't work.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it to the official website account.xiaomi.com via email or phone number.Do not use third-party services - this can lead to data leakage!

2 Unblocking through Google Account (for Android 4.4 and below)

This method only works on older Redmi models (e.g. Redmi 1S, Redmi 2) with Android 4.4 KitKat or lower.

How to unlock:

1. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter the pattern, the option “Forgot the pattern lock?” will appear.
2. Click on it and select “Login through Google Account”.
3. Enter the email and password from Google that was linked to the phone.
4. Create a new graphical password.

If that didn't work, you've got a newer version of Android on your device. Go to other methods.

3. Reset the pattern lock via Recovery (with loss of data)

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll need to use Recovery mode, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, apps and settings, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for all Redmi models (from Redmi 3 to Redmi Note 12).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the key combination to enter Recovery: 🔘 Redmi 4/5/6/7/8/9 Series: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔘 Redmi Note 3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11: Loudness up + Nutrition (on some models - Volume down) + Nutrition). 🔘 Redmi K20/K30/K40/K50: Loudness up + Food (hold on) 10–15 seconds).

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot

Reboot to System

⚠️ Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (in the security settings) → Encryption, after reset via Recovery, the device may require the entry of the old pattern lock, in which case you will have to use the Fastboot method (see next section).

Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Download drivers for your Redmi model (if you need a PC connection)|Backup your important data (if your phone has previously synced to Mi Cloud)|Remember the data from Mi Account (required to set up after resetting)-->

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 The phone's debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode).
• 💻 Access to a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔓 You are ready for possible data loss (depending on the team).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Volume down + Power Hold until the screensaver with a rabbit in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
3. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → enter cmd) and check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
5. Run the command to reset the pattern lock (without loss of data): fastboot erase gesture.key or (for new models): fastboot erase locksettings
6. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

If the commands didn’t work, try a full reset (remove all data):

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require re-assignment of Mi Account after fastboot erase gesture.key. If the phone gives an error "This device is locked", it means that the Mi Cloud Lock protection is activated - you will need official unlock through the service center.

5. Use of service codes (hidden functions)

Some Redmi models have service codes that allow you to reset your graphical password without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone application (calls).
2. Type one of the codes: Code Description of Models running ##7780### Reset (without deleting data) Redmi 3/4/5, Redmi Note 3/4 *2767*3855# Complete reset (removes all) Redmi 1S/2/2 Prime ##3646633## Engineering menu (may contain reset option) Most models on MediaTek
3. If the code works, follow the instructions on the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Code *2767*3855# It'll do a full reset without confirmation, don't enter it unless you're ready to lose data.

6. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been activated debugging over USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging over USB), you can delete the file with the pattern lock via ADB.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
3. Enter the commands alternately: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key reboot If root access is requested but not available, try the alternative command: adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
4. Reboot the phone.

After the reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, but some settings (such as saved Wi-Fi networks) may disappear.

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The ADB method only works if the USB debugging was enabled before the phone locks, and if you activate it now, the computer won't be able to connect to the locked device!

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of the methods worked, the last option is to contact the official service center Xiaomi.

• 🔒 The phone is tied to Mi Account, but you don't remember the login details.
• 🛡️ Mi Cloud Lock is activated (this device is locked").
• 📱 The device does not respond to standard unlock methods.

What will be required to unlock:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport or other identification document.
• 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model).

The service center can unlock the phone in two ways:

1. Software reset – through special software (saves data if the phone is not encrypted).
2. Flashing – Complete reinstallation of MIUI (deletes all data).

⚠️ Attention: Don't go to informal workshops! Fraudsters can steal data from your phone or install malware. Xiaomi's official service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock, follow these simple tips:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a graphical password, it is easier to remember.
• 📱 Set up unlocking by fingerprint or facial recognition (in Settings) → Screen locking).
• ☁️ Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud – this will help to recover data after resetting.
• 📝 Write down the backup. PIN-code in a secure location (for example, in a notebook or password manager).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Improvement of access restoration mechanisms.

You can also configure Smart Lock, a feature that automatically unlocks your phone in secure environments (such as at home or when connecting to a trusted device via Bluetooth). → Screen locking → Smart Lock.

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If you often forget passwords, install an account management app (like Bitwarden or KeePassDX) and save a backup. PIN-code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi