How to unlock a Xiaomi phone if you forget your pattern lock: the full guide 2026

Forgetting the pattern lock on a Xiaomi smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it is not a hopeless one. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones offer several ways to restore access, including official tools from the manufacturer. The main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the system will lock the device for 30 seconds, and after 20 - can completely erase all data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking, from the simplest (via Mi Account) to radical (reset via Fastboot), focusing on the methods that allow you to save personal files – photos, contacts and messages, and learn how to avoid blocking in the future and what settings Xiaomi will help quickly restore access if the situation repeats.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended way is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all models, starting with the Redmi 4X (2017) and later, provided that:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 The device is linked to the Mi Account (you have previously logged in to it).
• 📧 You remember the login (email or phone number) and password from the account.

If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Pattern? on English firmware).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

Make sure the phone is connected to the network|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Check the balance SIM-cards (for SMS-code)|Have access to email to confirm-->

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If it doesn't come SMS code, check the balance SIM-card or try to get the code through the call ("Call me" option in the entrance window).

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work if your Mi Account is not linked to your phone.
• ❌ Some of the firmware (e.g. Global) ROM for POCO F1) option may not be available.
• ❌ If the device is not connected to the Internet, the entrance will be impossible.

⚠️ Note: Once unlocked through Mi Account, the system may require proof of identity through Find Device.If you haven't set it up before, skip the step - it's not critical.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Find Device (remotely)

If your phone is connected to the Internet but you can’t enter a password on your lock screen, use Xiaomi’s Find Device, a method that allows you to remotely unlock your device or erase all data (a choice of), suitable for Redmi Note 8/9/10, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12 and later.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as on the locked device.
3. In the menu, select Find Device → find your phone on the map.
4. Click Unlock or Erase Device.
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Important: Unlock is only available if the phone is on and connected to the network, and if the device is off, the service will show its last known location, but it will not be able to unlock it.

Never tried | Only to find a phone | To unlock | For remote control-->

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (reset to factory)

If the Mi Account is not tied or the phone is not connected to the Internet, there is a hard reset via Recovery, which will remove all data from the device, including photos, apps and settings, suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires physical access to the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press the combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up. For POCO F1/F2/F3: Power + Volume down. For Redmi Note 7/8/9: Power + Volume up + Volume down (hold 10 seconds).

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

After restarting, set your phone as new.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (China) ROM) Recovery may require you to enter a Mi Account password even to reset.If you don't remember it, use the Fastboot method (section 4).

What happens if Recovery does not open?

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (should be at least 30%).
• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge for 10 minutes before trying.
• 🔄 Try a different button combination (see the instructions for your model).

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

• 🔓 Recovery asks for password from Mi Account.
• 📱 The device does not respond to other methods.
• 💻 You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.

Unlocking will require:

• 🖥️ Computer under control Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
• 📦 Archive with firmware for your model (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the adb folder and execute: fastboot devices If the device is identified (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the driver.
5. To reset the lock, enter: fastboot flashing unlock or for a full reset (deletes all data): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp
6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

Possible errors and solutions:

• 🚫 fastboot: command not found → Install Platform-Tools or check the path to the folder.
• 🚫 device not found → Check it out. USB-cable, ports, drivers or try another computer.
• 🚫 This device is locked → You need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (it will take 7-30 days).

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Fastboot is the most reliable method to unlock, but it requires technical skills. If you are not sure about your actions, contact the service center.

5. Alternative methods (without loss of data)

If the official methods didn’t help and you don’t want to reset the data, you can try to bypass the lock using third-party tools, which do not guarantee 100% results and may not work on new MIUI 14/15 firmware.

Method 1: Use ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If you previously enabled USB debugging in the developer settings, you can delete the file with the pattern lock:

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open cmd and type: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

Method 2: Unlocking programs (at your own risk)

There are utilities like Dr.Fone, Screen Unlock or iMyFone LockWiper, that promise to unplug the lock without resetting.

• ⚠️ They're paid (from 30).$ unlockable).
• ⚠️ It may not work on the latest versions. MIUI.
• ⚠️ Risk of installing malware (download only from official sites).

Method 3: Contacting a Service Center

If nothing helps, contact the official Xiaomi service.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of possession).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 💰 Payment for services (from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model).

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock, set up Xiaomi in advance:

Step 1. Attach Mi Account

• 📌 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 📌 Enter data or register a new account.
• 📌 Enable Data Synchronization (Contacts, Notes, Photos).

Step 2. Set up a backup.

• 🔄 B Settings → The phone. → Backup copy to Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📅 Install automatic copying (for example, once a week).

Step 3: Add alternative ways to unlock

• 🔐 B Settings → Screen lock add PIN-Fingerprint or code other than a pattern lock.
• 📍 Enable Find Device in your Mi Account settings.

Step 4: Write down your passwords to a secure location

• 📝 Use password managers (Bitwarden, 1Password).
• 📄 Save a backup copy of the key in an encrypted file on your computer.

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Even if you never forget the pattern lock, a tied Mi Account will help you regain access to your phone when you are stolen or lost.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi