How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 5 if you forget your graphical password: all ways of 2026

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 5 and can't unlock your phone? The situation is familiar to many: you put a simple pattern for convenience, and a month later your fingers draw it on the machine until you make a mistake 5 times in a row. The system locks the device, suggesting you enter a Mi Account you don't remember, or gives you no options at all. In this article, all the current ways to unlock Redmi 5 (including Redmi 5A models, Redmi 5 Plus), from the safest to the radical, with explanations of when to use.

We won't advise "just reset to factory settings" -- this is the extreme case that erases all data -- instead, we'll figure out how to get around lockdown with minimal loss using Xiaomi's official and non-obvious features. Importantly, not all methods work on custom firmware or if the phone was bought by hand with a tied account, and in such cases, you may need to contact a service center.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30% – when unlocked via Fastboot, the phone should not turn off).
• 📶 Backup (if backup is done via Mi Cloud or locally).
• 📱 Phone model (on the box or under the battery – Redmi 5 has modifications with different processors, which affects the choice of firmware).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If Redmi 5 had a Mi Account attached (even if you don't remember the password), this is the easiest way to retrieve access. Xiaomi allows you to reset the pattern lock through the web interface, but there are nuances:

✅ When it comes to the phone, it's connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile), you remember. email/Phone from Mi Account or you can restore access to it.

❌ It doesn't work if:

• 🚫 The account was not tied to the phone.
• 🚫 The device is bought from hand and tied to someone else’s account (proof of purchase required to unlock through Xiaomi).
• 🚫 The phone has custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), which removed Mi services.

Step-by-step:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot pattern?).
2. Choose Restore through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email/phone associated with your account. If you don't remember, go to account.xiaomi.com and restore access via SMS or backup email.
4. After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

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If your phone is not connected to the internet, but you have access to it. SIM-You can insert it into another device, activate the data transfer, and return it to Redmi 5.

⚠️ Note: If you are trying to sign in, Xiaomi requires confirmation through SMS, a the phone number in the account is outdated, contact support.xiaomi.com with proof of ownership of the device (check, box with a box of data). IMEI). Without this, unlocking can take up to 30 days.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Recovery (without loss of data)

This method works if Redmi 5 debugging is enabled. USB (USB Debugging) and access to a PC, which allows you to delete a password file without erasing user data. MIUI rootless.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 📲 USB-cable (original or qualitative analogue).
• 🛠️ Programme ADB (is part of Android SDK).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
3. After rebooting, the pattern lock will be reset.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download Android SDK Platform Tools|Enable USB debugging on your phone (if you had access)|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable-->

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB If it wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work. In that case, go to the way with Fastboot (Section 3). MIUI The gesture.key file may be called differently (e.g. password.key for the username). PIN-code).

3. Unlock via Fastboot (full reset)

If previous methods didn't work, the radical way is to reset through Fastboot mode, which erases all data on the phone, but it's guaranteed to unlock the device, and it's suitable for Redmi 5 on any firmware, including custom ones.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. Press Volume down + Power for 10 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
3. Run the command to check the connection: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the device.
4. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will be like new – you will need to set up from scratch. If Redmi 5 was tied to Mi Account, after reset, you may need to enter a login / password (FRP protection).

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Fastboot reset is the only reliable way to unlock Redmi 5 if you have forgotten both the pattern lock and the Mi Account data. However, it completely erases user files, so use it only as a last resort.

4 Unlocking through Recovery Mode (Fastboot alternative)

If you don't have access to a PC, you can try resetting directly through the Recovery menu, which also erases data, but doesn't require a computer connection.

How to get in to Recovery:

1. Turn off Redmi 5.
2. Press Volume Up + Meals for 10-15 seconds until the menu appears in English.
3. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Further action:

• 📱 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• 🔄 After completion, select Reboot.
• 🔐 If after rebooting the phone requires you to enter Mi Account, use the data from your account or restore access through the site.

⚠️ Note: Some versions of Redmi 5 (especially custom firmware) may have Recovery menus in Chinese, so look for characters that match "Wipe Data" and "Reboot" and a mistake in selecting a item can cause system damage!

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts failed, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone bought from hands and tied to someone else's Mi Account.
• 📱 The device is in a Hard Brick state (not even included in the Fastboot).
• 🛡️ The phone has a beta version installed. MIUI plug-in.

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Phone box (it is indicated on it) IMEI, check-in).
• 💳 Payment for the service (unblocking without a guarantee will cost 1-3 thousand rubles, depending on the region).

⏳ Time: 1 day to 2 weeks (if proof of ownership from the previous owner is required).

6. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If you're familiar with Android devices, you can try more sophisticated ways, and they'll work for Redmi 5 with an unlocked bootloader or root rights.

Method 1: Firmware with Mi Flash Tool

• 🖥️ Download the official firmware for Redmi 5 from Xiaomi website.
• 🛠️ Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers.
• 📱 Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode and flash the stock MIUI Data Cleaning (Clean All).

Method 2: Delete passwords via TWRP

• 🔧 Install custom Recovery TWRP (requires an unlocked loader).
• 📁 Through TWRP delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db
• 🔄 Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial firmware and manipulation with TWRP This can lead to: - Loss of warranty. - Damage IMEI (Mi Account block for suspicious activity. Use these methods only if you understand the risks!

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Redmi 5, users often face typical problems, and here's how to prevent them:

Error 1: Phone is not detected in Fastboot

• 🔌 Check it out. USB-cable (use the original cable).
• 🖥️ Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor of your Redmi 5 model).
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone.

Error 2: After reset requires an old Mi Account

• 📧 Restoring access to your account via account.xiaomi.com.
• 📞 If the phone number in your account is outdated, contact support with proof of purchase.

Error 3: Cannot log in to Recovery

• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% (a discharged battery may interrupt the process).
• 🕒 Hold the buttons Volume up + Food for at least 15 seconds.

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If the phone is unstable after unlocking (it spontaneously restarts, does not catch the network), reset again through Fastboot or run the stock firmware, this will eliminate possible errors that occurred during manipulation.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions