How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: all the working methods of 2026

Forgetting your smartphone password is a difficult situation, but it is not a hopeless one, especially if you are talking about Xiaomi phones, where the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, the main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system can lock the device for 24 hours or completely erase all data.

In this article, we’ll break down all the current unlocking methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones, from simple resets via Mi Account to complex manipulations with Fastboot and ADB. Each method is illustrated with step-by-step instructions, and critical points are highlighted by warnings. Importantly, some methods lead to complete data loss, so first check if the phone is connected to the Mi Account and if there are backups.

If you're not sure about your technical skills, you should contact Xiaomi's service center -- especially if your phone has important data without a backup. But if you're willing to do it yourself, read on.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (the safest way)

If your Xiaomi is linked to your Mi Account and it has Find Device enabled, you can unlock your phone remotely, which doesn't delete data and works even if you don't remember the lock screen password.

Conditions for this method:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in Mi Account settings.
• 🔑 You have access to the mail or phone number associated with your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. From the menu, select Find Device → find your phone in the list.
3. Press Unlock Device (Unlock Device).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone doesn’t show up in Find Device, check:

• 🔌 Is it connected to the network (you may need to wait 5-10 minutes for synchronization).
• 📡 Is Airplane Mode disabled (in some models it blocks remote control).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA), To unlock, you will need a code from the Mi Security app or SMS. Without access to them, you will not be able to restore the password.

2. Reset password through Recovery and Fastboot modes

If the Mi Account is not tied or Find Device is disabled, there is a hardware reset.

• 🔄 Recovery Mode – Reset via the Recovery Menu (works on most models).
• ⚡ Fastboot Mode – Low-level PC reset (needed for phones with locked bootloader).

Both methods remove all data from the phone, including photos, messages and installed apps. If the phone has been enabled to sync with Google or Mi Cloud, some of the data (contacts, notes) can be restored after unlocking.

Method 2.1: Reset via Recovery Mode

Suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2018, except for phones with a locked bootloader (such as some versions of the Redmi Note 10 Pro) that require a Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 2-5 minutes).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

After the reboot, the phone will be like new – you will need to reconfigure the language, connect to Wi-Fi and log into your Google or Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) After the reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously linked. If you do not remember them, the phone will remain locked - you will need a Fastboot.

Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10+ seconds)

Clutch Loudness up + Nutrition

Wait for the Recovery menu (Mi logo with Android robot)

Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm reset and restart the phone-->

Method 2.2: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced)

This method is needed if:

• 🔒 The phone does not load in Recovery (hangs on the Mi logo).
• 🛡️ bootloader is locked (on the Fastboot screen there is the inscription Device is locked).
• 📱 Newer Phone Model 2020 (e.g. Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K50).

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot from Android SDK.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Select the Clean All option and click Flash.
5. Wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).

If the Mi Flash Tool is an Anti-rollback error, it means the firmware is newer than the one you're trying to install.

• Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
• Unpack the archive and point the way to the file flash_all.bat In the Mi Flash Tool.

3. Unlock through ADB (without data loss)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can delete the file with the password through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn't reset data, but only works if:

• 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC and is recognized in ADB.
• 🔓 Debugging by USB was activated prior to blocking.
• 📱 The phone is allowed access to ADB from a blocked state (developer settings).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in order: 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
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

If the su command doesn't work, then there's no root permission on the phone, and then try an alternative method:

adb shell


cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




reboot

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 12+ Android 11+ This method may not work because of the enhanced protection, and then you just have to Fastboot or Recovery reset.

💡

If you don't remember if USB debugging was enabled, check this: connect your phone to your PC and type in the command line adb devices. If the device appears in the list, debugging is active.

4 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔐 Your phone is blocked by your Mi Account and you don’t remember the login details.
• 📱 The phone model is new (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) and standard methods don't work.
• 💾 Your phone stores critical data without a backup.

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 🔧 Phone box (in some centers check) IMEI).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the lock, in some cases, the service can offer free unlocking if the phone is guaranteed.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Check by phone before your visit if they are unlocking the screen – some centers specialize only in iron repair.

⚠️ Please do not contact unofficial workshops with offers to "unblock any Xiaomi for the first time". 5 Often these "masters" use illegitimate methods (for example, firmware with modified software). boot.img), which may lead to loss IMEI or blocking the Mi Account.

5. Alternative methods (for older models)

If you have a Xiaomi phone older than 2017 (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi 5), you can try bypassing the lock via emergency call or developer mode.

Method 5.1: Through the emergency call screen

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, press Emergency Call.
2. Enter the combination ##4636## (the test menu will open).
3. Return to the lock screen and try swiping your finger up - sometimes this will unlock the phone.

If it didn't work, try it:

1. Enter 112 in the emergency call menu (but don’t press the call!).
2. Press the Home button (if physical) for 5-10 seconds.
3. If the main screen appears, quickly go to Settings → Accounts and delete the password.

Method 5.2: Through Developer Mode (if enabled)

If you activated the developer mode before blocking, you can try:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
2. Enter: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.DevelopmentSettings
3. If the developer settings open, disable OEM (OEM Unlocking) Factory Lock.
4. Reboot your phone and try resetting your password through Recovery.

On newer models (MIUI 13+), this method does not work due to safety limitations.

💡

Alternative methods only work on older firmware (up to MIUI 10), and on newer Xiaomi models, they are useless due to the increased protection.

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as a backup method.
• 📝 Write your password in a secure location (for example, in the Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).
• ☁️ Enable synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 🔄 Regularly back up through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 📱 Link your phone to your Mi Account and activate Find Device.

It’s also helpful to set up a Smart Lock (Settings → Screen Lock → Smart Lock) so that the phone unlocks automatically in secure places (such as at home or work).

If you're afraid of forgetting your pattern lock, install SMS Bypass (available on Google Play) which lets you unlock your phone via SMS from a pre-configured number.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi