How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 8 if you forget your password: from reset via Mi Account to bypass the lock

Why Xiaomi Mi 8 is blocked and what to do

Forgotten password on Xiaomi Mi 8 is a situation that faces one in five smartphone users. The reasons are trivial: rare use of a pattern lock, change of the user’s computer. PIN-While modern Xiaomi models have a Mi Account unlock feature, Mi 8 owners (released in 2018) often face limitations: Lack of an associated account or disabled synchronization services.

The main problem is data protection. The manufacturer deliberately makes it harder to bypass the lock to prevent intruders from accessing it, which means there are no universal magic ways to unlock without losing information. However, there are legal methods that work in 90% of cases, from recovering from Mi Cloud to using Fastboot mode. In this article, only proven instructions with Mi 8 features (codenamed dipper).

Before you start, answer two questions:

• 🔹 Is there a Mi Account linked to the phone? If so, the chances of unlocking without resetting are above 80%.
• 🔹 Is debugging on-line USB (USB If not, the methods through ADB won't work.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works even if the phone is not connected to the Internet at the time of locking (one successful login is enough earlier), the instructions are relevant for the Mi 8 on MIUI 10-14.

Algorithm of action:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? if English is spoken).
2. Select the Restore option via Mi Account.
3. Enter your login (email or phone number) and password from your account. If you do not remember, restore access through the official website.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (depending on your account security settings).

Important: If your phone is not connected to the network, try connecting to Wi-Fi via the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down from the top of the screen). On the Mi 8, this feature is sometimes available even on a locked device.

Is your account linked to your phone (check on another device via Mi Cloud)

Is there an email/SMS to confirm?

Is the phone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Is the battery charged (minimum 30%)

-->

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands, the previous owner may not have deleted his Mi Account. In this case, unlocking through the account is impossible - you will need to reset to factory settings (see Method 3).

Method 2: Use Find Device (Remote Unlock)

Find Device (similar to Google's Find Device) not only allows you to track the location of the Xiaomi Mi 8, but also unlock it remotely.

• 📌 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 📌 Synchronization with Mi Cloud enabled.
• 📌 The device is tied to your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to the Find Device website and log in.
2. Select your Mi 8 from the device list.
3. Press Unlock and confirm the action.
4. Wait for sync (can take up to 5 minutes) and the phone unlocks automatically.

If Find Device is disabled, this method will not work. Check the settings on another device with the same account: Mi Cloud → Find Device → Enable.

Method 3: Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode

If previous methods have failed, the radical option is hard reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps. On the Xiaomi Mi 8, the reset is performed via Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select a language (e.g. English) and then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
5. After reset, select Reboot to reboot.

It's going to take 2 to 5 minutes, and after you restart, it's going to be like new, and you're going to need to reset.

⚠️ Note: Some Mi 8 firmware may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked after a reset (protection) FRP). If you do not remember the username / password, the phone will become a “brick” – you will need to contact the service center.

Method 4: Unlocking with Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool

For advanced users who are ready to work with a computer, the method of firmware through Fastboot will work, which will delete all data, but will allow you to bypass the lock even without the attached Mi Account.

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📥 Firmware for Xiaomi Mi 8 (download from the official website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
3. Connect the Mi 8 to your computer. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Unpack the downloaded firmware (.tgz format) and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, select the firmware folder, press Refresh, then Flash.
6. Wait for the process to finish (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

Warning: Incorrect firmware can turn your phone into a brick. Use only official files for the dipper model (codenamed Mi 8).

💡

Before you run the firmware, check the bootloader version. On the Mi 8, it must be unlocked (Unlocked status). If not, request unlocking through Xiaomi's official website (can take up to 72 hours).

Method 5: Bypassing the lock through ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If Xiaomi Mi 8 was previously included debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can try to delete the file with the password through ADB. The method is technically complex but retains data.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 USB-cable.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (checks in the settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Click on the version 7 times, then in the additional → For developers).

Instructions to enter into ADB (via command line):

adb shell


su




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




reboot

Once you reboot, the phone will be unlocked, so if you have a request to create a new password, just skip this step.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 12+ This method may not work because of the increased protection, and command execution requires root rights that are rarely found on standard Xiaomi firmware.

💡

If USB debugging is not enabled, ADB bypassing is not possible, and this method is only suitable for users who have previously activated the developer mode.

What to do if nothing helps: service center and alternatives

If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:

1. You will need a confirmation of purchase (check or box), as the master will need to make sure that the phone is not stolen.
2. Use paid unlock services. There are offers on the Internet for remote unlocking via EDL-mode (emergency download), but it is risky: scammers can steal data or lock the phone permanently.

Before the service visit:

• 📄 Prepare documents confirming the purchase.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%.
• 📱 Check with the wizard if the data will be saved after unlocking (usually not).

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is a reliable smartphone, but its security system leaves no false hopes of “magic unlocking.” If you are not sure about your actions, it is better to trust the process to professionals than risk turning the device into a useless “brick”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 8