How to unlock Xiaomi Mi5s if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

Forgetting your smartphone password is a difficult situation, but it’s not a hopeless one. Especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Mi5s, a 2016 model that is still popular due to its robust “stuffing” and firmware capabilities. The main problem is that it doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner (unlike the Mi5s Plus), so there are fewer alternative ways to unlock, but there are at least 5 proven methods to help you get back to your phone, from the official (via Mi Account) to the technical (via Fastboot or ADB).

It is important to understand that some methods will lead to a complete reset of data (photos, messages, applications). If the phone was enabled sync with Mi Cloud or backup, some information can be restored. If not, prepare for the loss of personal files. In this article, we will discuss all current methods of unlocking, their pros and cons, and also give a checklist to prepare for the procedure.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.

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

If all conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Choose the recovery method: Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm the login via SMS or email (depending on your settings).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the lock password.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can request proof of identity (for example, sending a photo of a document) if you suspect a hack.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use a backup email or phone number.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, you have a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will remove all the data from your phone, including photos, apps and settings, but it works 100 percent and doesn't require an internet connection.

Instructions for Xiaomi Mi5s:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power 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 Mode menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or → in Chinese firmware).
6. Confirm the action (Confirm).
7. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and offer to configure it as new.On the Mi5s, resetting via Recovery doesn't require unlocking the bootloader, unlike the new Xiaomi models.

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Prepare a backup copy of important data (if synchronized)

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (you will need it when you first set up)-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 💻 You can work with the command line (CMD terminal).
• 🔓 The phone has unlocked the bootloader (Bootloader).

If the bootloader is blocked, this method will not work – you will need to first unlock it through the official Xiaomi website (the process takes up to 72 hours).

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
2. Connect the Mi5s to your PC via USB.
3. Press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot oem clean_all or (if the first command fails): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Team clean_all It completely erases the userdata partition, including the internal memory. Mi5s You may need an additional command fastboot oem unlock, but it will only work with the unlocked bootloader.

Reset via Recovery

Mi Account

Fastboot/ADB

I went to the service center.

Never blocked your phone.-->

4.Use of ADB (if USB-debugging was included)

If the phone has been activated before USB-debugging (Settings) → For developers → Debugging by USB), You can try to delete the file with the password through ADB. This method saves data, but only works if two conditions are met:

• 🔌 USB-debugging is enabled before blocking.
• 🖥️ Access to a computer with installed ADB-driver.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the Mi5s to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: adb devices (should display the serial number of the device).
3. Enter commands to delete files with a password: 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 reboottings.db-shm

After restarting, the phone must start without asking for a password. If no such file or directory error appears, then the password files are stored elsewhere (relevant to new versions of MIUI).

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods have failed or you are not sure of your technical skills, the most reliable option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone locked via Mi Cloud (proof of ownership required).

What you need to unlock in the service:

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the complexity of the procedure, on average, the procedure takes from 1 to 3 days.

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Contacting the service is the only legal way to unlock if the phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account (for example, when buying used). IMEI.

Alternative methods (with risk)

On the Internet you can find “miracle ways” to unlock Xiaomi Mi5s through:

• 📱 Unlocking devices (such as Miracle Box or UFi Box).

⚠️ Note: These methods have critical risks:

• 🚫 Lockdown IMEI — Xiaomi may put the device in the blacklist.
• 💸 Fraud – Many “services” simply take money and disappear.
• 🔥 Turning into a “brick” – the wrong firmware will make the phone inoperable.

If you do decide to use alternative methods, use only proven sources (for example, the XDA Developers forum) and back up before any manipulation.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi5s