How to unlock Redmi Note 8 if you forget your password without losing data

A forgotten password on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a situation that one in five smartphone users face. The main problem is that most standard unlock methods (for example, through Mi Account or Hard Reset) lead to complete deletion of data. But what if the phone stores important photos, correspondence or work documents that cannot be lost?

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to unlock the Redmi Note 8 without resetting to factory settings, including official tools from Xiaomi and workarounds for power users. Importantly, the effectiveness of methods depends on the version of MIUI, the status of the Mi Account and the availability of debugging over USB. Some methods require prior preparation (for example, linking an account), so read carefully.

We warn you right away: if your Redmi Note 8 has enabled data encryption (Settings → Additional → Encryption), the chances of saving files are minimal, in which case even official Xiaomi service centers do not guarantee recovery of information.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable way is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔗 Mi Account was tied to the device before being blocked.
• 🔒 The device did not include encryption (checked if there is no request) PIN-code-in).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot your password? (if you don’t have an option, go to the next method).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter the login/password from your account.
3. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

If the option Forgot the password? is not active, try to connect the phone to charge and try again in 10-15 minutes. Sometimes the system will unlock access to the button after charging up to 20%.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password but haven’t updated it on your phone, unlocking may not work, and you will need confirmation from Xiaomi Service Center (passport and check for your phone).

2.Using Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

This method is suitable if:

• 🔧 The option "Production protection" is disabled on the phone (checked in Settings). → Additionally. → For developers).
• 💻 You have access to a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool program.
• 📥 You have the firmware saved for Redmi Note 8 (the version must match the current one on your phone!).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your PC via USB-cable.
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (official website).
4. In the program, select Clean all and lock mode (this is important!), then specify the path to the firmware file (.tgz or.zip).
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).

Once flashed, the phone will turn on without a password, but all the data in the /data section (applications, settings, some photos) can be lost if you select Clean all mode. To minimize losses, try Save user data mode, but it does not work on all versions of MIUI.

Download firmware for Redmi Note 8 (version must match the current version)|Install Xiaomi drivers on PC (use Mi) PC Suite)|Disable the antivirus (it can block the Mi Flash Tool)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Prepare original USB-cable (do not use cheap analogues)

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3. Bypassing the lock via ADB (only if USB debugging is enabled)

If your Redmi Note 8 previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate Developer Mode, then Settings → Additional → Developers → USB debugging), you can try to delete the password file via ADB.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in turn: 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 turn on without a password. Importantly, this method only works on unencrypted devices. If you enter the commands and you get a Read-only file system error, then the /data partition is protected from records, and the method will not work.

⚠️ Note: Deleting locksettings.db files may cause some system applications (e.g. Mi Account or Google Services) to fail. Once unlocked, it is recommended to reset settings via Settings. → Additionally. → Resetting settings, but without deleting data.

4. Unlock through Xiaomi Service Center (guarantee case)

If none of the above methods work, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the only legal way to unlock your phone without losing data if:

• 📄 You have a check or a warranty card on your phone.
• 🆔 You can confirm your identity (passport).
• 🔄 The phone was not purchased by hand (in this case, proof of legal possession will be required).

The procedure takes from 3 to 7 days. the staff of the service center use special software to reset the password without formatting the /data partition. However, the cost of the service can reach 1,500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

List of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia:

Before visiting, check by phone whether they provide an unlock service without losing data – not all centers work with such requests.

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If you bought the phone from the official Xiaomi store (for example, on AliExpress or in the Messenger), check whether it is not subject to an extended warranty.

5. Alternative methods (with the risk of data loss)

If data safety is not critical, you can use emergency methods that are guaranteed to unlock the phone, but lead to the deletion of files:

• 🔄 Hard Reset via Recovery: Press the Power Button + Increase volume, select Wipe Data → Factory Reset: It works 100 percent, but it erases everything.
• 📱 Find Device Reset: Go to i.mi.com, log in to your Mi Account, select your device, and click Delete Data. The phone will be unlocked but will return to factory settings.
• 🔧 Firmware through EDL-Mode: Suitable for bricks (if the phone doesn't turn on) Requires special equipment (EDL cable and team knowledge for Qualcomm 9008.

If you're up for Hard Reset, but you want to try to recover data later, use programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, which scan your phone's memory after a reset, and can find fragments of photos or messages, and whether the recovery is successful depends on whether the data has been overwritten with new information.

Unlocking methods comparison: what to choose?

To determine the best way, evaluate your situation on the table:

If you need to save data, start with Mi Account, then try ADB (if debugging was enabled). If the phone wasn't encrypted, Fastboot can be a compromise. At the very least, contact the service center.

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On the Redmi Note 8 with MIUI 13+ and encryption enabled, it is almost impossible to save data, in which case the only way out is to reset to factory settings or access the service.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock the Redmi Note 8, users often face typical problems:

• 🚫 "Mi Account Password Incorrect: Make sure to enter data from the account that was linked to the phone before locking.If you changed the password, try the old one.
• 🔌 "Phone is not defined in Fastboot": Check the cable (use the original), install drivers via Mi PC Suite, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔒 "ADB No rights to root: New versions MIUI It requires unlocking the bootloader, which erases all data, so it doesn't make sense.
• ⏳ "Mi Flash Firmware freezes": Disable antivirus, check firmware file integrity (unclick and compare hash amounts), try another version of the Mi Flash Tool (for example, 20200710 instead of the last one).

If you see an Anti Rollback error when you are running firmware, it means you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on your phone, in which case you need to download the firmware of the same or newer version.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions