How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 8, if you forget the password – save all data

A forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi 8 is a situation that affects one in five smartphone users. The main problem is that most standard unlock methods (for example, through Mi Account or hard reset) lead to complete loss of data. What if the phone stores important photos, work documents or correspondence that can not be restored?

In this article, we will discuss 5 working unlock methods that allow you to bypass the Redmi 8 lock screen without resetting to factory settings. Importantly, not all methods are universal, their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI, the status of the Mi Account, and even whether the phone is connected to the Internet, we will explain in detail what method will suit you in your situation, and warn against common errors that can turn a temporary lock into irretrievable data loss.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (should be at least 30% - when discharged during the procedure, the phone can lock permanently).
• 📶 Availability of backup (even if you haven't done the backup manually, MIUI Could have created it automatically).
• 🔑 Mi Account status (whether it is linked to the phone and do you remember the username / password).

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (if the phone is connected to the Internet)

The most reliable way, if you remember the data from the Xiaomi account, works even on the latest versions of MIUI 14+, but requires an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Algorithm of action:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Forgot Password button (usually appears after 5 failed attempts to enter).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter the linked phone number or email, then the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and locking through Mi Account may be temporarily unavailable if the device is not connected to the network:

• 📵 Mobile data and Wi-Fi are disabled on the device.
• ⏳ You recently changed your account password (up to 24 hours waiting time required).
• 🔒 The device is tied to another region (for example, purchased in China).

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If the button "Forgot your password?" does not appear, try to enter the password incorrectly 5 times in a row - the forced system will display it on the screen.

2.Use of ADB (for users with USB debugging enabled)

The method is suitable if Redmi 8 has previously been activated debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times tap to unlock developer mode).

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb devices (should display your device) adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download ADB Tools (platform-tools)|Enable USB debugging on your phone (if it was previously)|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable-->

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It wasn't enabled in advance, it won't work, and you may need to re-link your Mi Account after you've completed the commands.

3. Unlock through Safe Mode (if the password is set by a third-party application)

If the password was set by a third-party application (such as AppLock or CM Security), you can try to delete it through Safe Mode.

How to get into Safe Mode on Redmi 8:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Press the finger to turn off and hold it for 3-5 seconds.
3. Confirm the transition to Safe Mode (the inscription will appear in the lower left corner of the screen).

In this mode:

• 🔓 Remove the application that blocks the screen (via Settings) → Annexes).
• 🔄 Restart your phone in normal mode – the password should disappear.

4. Bypassing the lock via TWRP Recovery (for advanced users)

The method requires a customized TWRP recavator installed and is only suitable for those who have previously unlocked a bootloader on Redmi 8. If you don't know what it is, skip this section, as improper actions can lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the phone.

Advantage: allows you to delete password files manually without resetting data.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter TWRP.
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/password.key /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Note: If the phone stopped loading after deleting the files, you will need to flash it through Fastboot. MI Flash Tool is better to contact the service center.

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Deleting password files via TWRP is the only way to unlock Redmi 8 without losing data if USB debugging is disabled and Mi Account is not tied.

5 Unlocking through Find Device (if Find Device is enabled)

If Redmi 8 has enabled Find My Device (Google's analogue of Find My Device), you can try unlocking your phone remotely.

• 🌐 Phone's connected to the Internet.
• 🔗 The device is tied to the Mi Account.
• 📍 The "Find the device" function is enabled in the settings.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the blocked Redmi 8 from the list of devices.
3. Click Unlock the device (if the option is active).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Importantly, this method does not work on all versions of MIUI. If the Unlock option is inactive, try other methods.

Unlocking methods comparison: which one to choose?

So, to avoid wasting time trying all the different ways, use the table below, and we've ranked each method according to three criteria: data retention, complexity, and probability of success.

If none of these methods work, the last option is a Fastboot reset, which is guaranteed to unlock the phone, but it will delete all the data, and we don't give instructions on this method knowingly to minimize the risk of information loss.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods have failed, the problem may be:

• 🔐 Hardware locking (for example, after a failed firmware).
• 📱 Damage to section /data (need to be reflashed).
• 🔒 Activation of protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

In such cases, we recommend:

1. Contact the official service center Xiaomi (with a passport and a check for the phone).
2. Use paid unlock services (such as DC-Unlocker or Mi Flash Pro), but only after checking reviews.
3. If the phone does not contain critical data, make a complete reset via Fastboot (fastboot erase userdata).

⚠️ Warning: Don't trust "masters" who promise to unlock your phone in 5 minutes without losing data if you've already tried all the official methods.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 8