How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 10 if you forget your password: official and alternative methods

Forgotten password on Xiaomi Mi 10 is a bad situation, but it is not a hopeless one. Even if you can’t remember the combination of numbers, the pattern lock or the key. PIN-The main thing is not to panic and not to try to find a password at random: after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the system will lock the device for 30 seconds, and after 10 - may require a complete reset.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current unlocking methods, including official ones (via Mi Account and Find Device) and alternative ones (via Fastboot, Recovery, and even physical PC connections). Each one has its own nuances: you’ll need a Xiaomi account, you’ll need a computer with drivers installed, and in some cases you’ll have to donate data on your phone. We’ll go through the pros, cons, and risks of each option in detail so you can choose the best one.

Please note that if your Mi 10 has the “Data Protection When Locked” feature enabled (in the security settings), then after resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, you may need to enter a password from the previously linked Mi Account. This is an additional layer of protection that makes it difficult to unlock for unauthorized persons, but also for the owner - if he forgot the account details.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The easiest and safest method is to use a Xiaomi account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account that was tied to the device.
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

If all conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot your password?" (usually appears after several unsuccessful attempts to enter).
2. Select the option "Unblock through Mi Account".
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account and the password.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the lock password.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, do not try to find them - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be temporarily blocked. In this case, restore access through the official Xiaomi website by selecting the option "Forgot password?".

2.Use of the "Find Device" function

If Mi Account is tied but the screen unlocking doesn’t work (for example, there’s no “Forgot Password?” button), you can use the web version of Find Device, a method that allows you to remotely reset your password or even erase all data from your phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other device.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as on the blocked Mi 10.
3. In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi Mi 10.
4. Click on “Unlock Device” or “Erase Data” (the second option will delete all information, including photos and apps!).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

🔹 Important: This way, the phone needs to be connected to the Internet, and if Wi-Fi or mobile data is disabled, Find Device will not be able to communicate with the device.

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If the phone is dead, but you know it's connected to Wi-Fi, put it on charge for 10 to 15 minutes, during which time Find Device can sync and display the device in the list.

3. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember your account details, you will be hard-resetted via Recovery Mode, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, messages and installed apps, but will return access to the device.

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Xiaomi Mi 10:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button and select "Switch off").
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu (may be in Chinese or English).

Next:

• 🔧 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 📛 Select "Wipe Data" (or "Clear Data" in Chinese firmware).
• 🔄 Confirm the reset by selecting "Wipe All Data".
• 🔙 After the process is complete, select “Reboot” to restart.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi Mi 10 firmware may require a Mi Account password to be reset after resetting via Recovery, even if the account was not previously linked.This is due to the “Data Protection When Locked” feature, which is activated automatically on the latest versions. MIUI. If you don’t remember your account information, this method won’t work!

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🖥️ You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 There is. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 You are ready to download the firmware for Xiaomi Mi 10.

This is more difficult than resetting via Recovery, but in some cases, it can bypass the Mi Account lock after reset, but it requires technical skills and can lead to a phone breaking if you do the wrong thing.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Download the official firmware for Xiaomi Mi 10 (for example, from the site Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
3. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and type:

fastboot devices

(Your device should be displayed)

fastboot oem edl

(This will put the phone in EDL mode, which is required for firmware)

Then, with the Mi Flash Tool, run the downloaded firmware. After successful firmware, the phone will restart in clean condition.

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked bootloader (and the Xiaomi Mi 10 defaults to block it), the fastboot oem edl command may not work. In this case, you will need to officially unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours of latency (according to Xiaomi rules).

Download Platform Tools|Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot|Download firmware for Mi 10|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Prepare original USB-cable-->

5. Alternative methods (with limitations)

If none of the above methods work, you can try the less common ones, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI and the condition of the phone.

5.1 Unlocking via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been activated debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can try to delete the file with the password through ADB:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Open the command line and enter:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

After the reset, the lock should be reset.

🔹 But: On the latest versions MIUI This method often fails due to increased protection.

5.2. Contact the service center

If all independent attempts to unlock failed, you just need to contact an authorized service center Xiaomi.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 📦 Phone box (if any).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).

Employees can unlock the device through special software, but the service is paid (from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the region).

6.Comparison of unlocking methods: pros and cons

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If the phone has a “Data Protection when Locked” feature on it, then after a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, you almost always need to enter a password from Mi Account, which means that without account data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 10