How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget the pattern lock: all working methods

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi's smartphone is a situation that even experienced users face. PIN-With a code or fingerprint, the pattern is easy to confuse, especially if you rarely unlock the device or have recently changed it. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal ways to restore access – from simple data entry Mi Account to complex manipulations through the Fastboot mode or the Fastboot mode. ADB.

It is important to understand that not all methods are equally secure. Some of them lead to a complete data reset (including photos, contacts and applications), others require prior preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB). In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking, their pros and cons, and give recommendations on how to avoid data loss in the future. If your Redmi, POCO or Mi is blocked, read on.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the use of a tied account Mi Account, which works on all modern devices (starting with MIUI 8) and does not require data reset, the main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), and you remember the username and password from the account.

Instructions:

• 🔄 On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Pattern? on English firmware).
• 📧 Select the option to Log in via Mi Account and enter email/phone + password.
• 🔓 After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

If the button Forgot the password? does not appear:

• 🔋 Make sure your phone is charged (minimum 20%).
• 🌐 Check your internet connection (network indicator in the top panel).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes it helps activate the option.

⚠️ Warning: If you've previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your phone to factory settings without logging out, this method won't work.

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

If you don't have physical access to your phone, but it's connected to the Internet, you can try unlocking it through Xiaomi's Find Device service, which only works if you meet three conditions:

1. The phone has the Find Device function enabled.
2. The device is connected to the Mi Account.
3. The phone has access to the network (Wi-Fi/mobile).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Find Device section, select a locked phone.
3. Click Unlock Device (Unlock Device)
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the pattern lock will be reset, but all the data on the phone will be saved, a method similar to unlocking through Mi Account, but it is performed remotely.

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA), Confirmation may require a code from SMS or Mi Security apps. Make sure you have access to the linked number!

3 Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

If the previous methods didn't work, the radical solution is factory reset, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps installed, and use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 📱 For most models: Power button + Loudness up. 🔧 For older devices (until 2018): Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down.

Mi

Recovery Mode

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot

The phone will boot as new and you will need to go through the initial setup. If you previously had a Mi Account tied, the system can request authorization data (anti-theft protection).

Backup of important data (if available)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure you know the data from your Mi Account (if you have been linked)

Prepare. SIM-link-up-->

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can reset the pattern lock through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is free of data loss, and this method is suitable for users who have connected the device to a computer at least once for development.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK or Minimal ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB on the phone (even if it is blocked).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the computer.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (to display your device) 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
4. After rebooting, the pattern lock will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (12+) This method may not work because of the increased protection, and you also need root rights, which are not available on all devices. If the commands don't work, try an alternative way through Fastboot.

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Before using ADB, check if the device is recognized by the adb device command. If not, install the drivers for your Xiaomi model from the official website.

5 Unlocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

The Fastboot method is suitable for devices that previously had an OEM Unlock (OEM Unlock) and allows you to reset the pattern lock without deleting user data, but requires a computer and minimal technical skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot Mode (a picture of a rabbit in a hat-eared will appear).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.
4. Enter the commands: fastboot devices (make sure the device is defined), fastboot erase locksettings or (for new models) fastboot erase persistently
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock will be deleted and the data will remain intact, but on some devices (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 and later), this method can lead to the blocking of Mi Account - the phone will require you to enter account data after the reset.

6. Alternative methods (for older models)

If you have a Xiaomi device before 2017 (e.g. Redmi 3S, Mi 5), you can try bypassing the pattern lock through emergency call or developer mode. These methods do not work on all firmware, but sometimes they help.

Method 1: Through the emergency call screen

• 📞 On the lock screen, press Emergency Call).
• 🔢 Enter #7780## (not working on new versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 If the reset menu appears, confirm the action.

Method 2: Through notifications

• 🔔 Pull the notification curtain down.
• 🔧 Click on any notification (such as low battery charge).
• 🔓 The system can redirect you to settings where you can disable the pattern lock.

These methods are rare and depend on the version of MIUI, and on new devices (MIUI 12+), they are blocked for security reasons.

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On devices with MIUI 13/14, it is almost impossible to bypass the pattern lock without resetting data. The only working methods are Mi Account or Hard Reset.

How to avoid data loss in the future

To avoid the problem of a locked phone, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is more difficult to forget.
• 📱 Link Mi Account and enable data synchronization (contacts, photos, notes).
• 🖥️ Make backups regularly through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
• 🔧 Enable Find Device (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device).
• 📝 Write down a pattern lock or PIN In a secure location (for example, in a password manager).

If you often forget passwords, set up a Smart Lock in Android: it allows you to automatically unlock your phone in trusted places (home, work) or when connecting to trusted devices (such as a smartwatch).

To activate, go to: Settings → Screen Lock → Smart Lock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi