The situation when the screen of a smartphone turns into an impregnable fortress due to a forgotten access code, is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco. In panic, users often begin to randomly go through the combinations, not realizing that the Android security system has strict limits on the number of attempts to enter. After several failed attempts, the device can lock up for an hour or require an account, which further complicates access to personal data.
But it’s too early to despair, because the Mi UI and HyperOS ecosystems have multiple recovery scenarios, depending on whether the phone was linked to a Mi Account or a Google account, whether USB debugging is enabled, and whether there’s internet access. In this article, we’ll look at all the working methods, from soft reset to complete deletion.
Immediately it is worth warning that most methods of protection of modern smartphones are sharpened on the safety of the owner's information from outsiders. Therefore, resetting the password without loss of data is possible only in rare cases when special synchronization services or remote control were configured in advance. In other situations, you will have to sacrifice files for the sake of returning the functionality of the gadget.
Method 1: Unlocking through Mi Account
This is the most civilized and secure method envisaged by Xiaomi developers: If a locked device has logged in to a Mi Account and enabled the "Find Device" function, you can remotely unlock the screen, and you need to have access to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network) on the smartphone itself.
The process is done through a browser on a computer or other phone. You will need to go to the official website of the Xiaomi cloud service and log in under the same login as on the locked gadget. After logging in, select your device from the list and find the Unlock option. The system will request confirmation, after which the screen lock will be removed.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is not connected to the network, the command from the server will not reach the device and unlock will not occur.
It is important to understand the difference between locking the screen and locking the bootloader. PIN-It's a desktop code, but it won't unlock the flashing bootloader, and it won't work if you forget the password from the Mi Account itself, so you'll have to restore it separately through the site's recovery form.
Method 2: Reset by Google Find My Device
An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded services is Google’s standard tool: If your device has a Google account activated and geolocation enabled, you can use Find My Device to manage your smartphone remotely, which is effective when Mi services are not available or forgotten.
To start, go to android.com/find from any other device. Log in to the Google account that was the main one on the locked phone. The system will try to locate the gadget. From the control menu, select the option to Clear the device (Erase Device), which will delete all data, including the lock password.
- 📱 Make sure the phone is on the internet or the command will not be executed.
- 🔐 All data will be permanently deleted, including photos and contacts without synchronization.
- 🔄 After resetting, the phone will return to factory settings, as after purchase.
Once you do that, the phone will reboot, and when you first start up, it will require you to enter your Google account login and password to verify ownership (FRP protection), which is a standard Android security measure to prevent stolen devices from being used, and if you don't remember the Google password, it will be extremely difficult to restore access without special tools.
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If your phone is lost and you are afraid of data, use the “Block Device” feature in the same Google Find My Device menu to display the message on the screen with the number to communicate.
Method 3: Complete reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When remote methods are not available, you can use the classic Hard Reset menu to restore your phone, which works even without internet or accounts, but it is guaranteed to delete all user data. Before starting the procedure, make sure that your battery is at least 30-40% so that your phone doesn't turn off at a critical moment.
To enter Recovery mode on Xiaomi smartphones, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the menu appears on a black or orange background.
Volume Up + Nutrition → Hold to the logo → Let go of Power → Wait for the menuIn the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Find Wipe Data or Clear Data, then select Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. Once the process is complete, select Reboot to restart the system. The first start can take up to 10 minutes.
☑️ Checklist before Hard Reset
Method 4: Using ADB for Advanced Users
For users who have previously enabled USB Debugging in the Developer Menu, it is possible to delete the file with the access keys via the computer, this method requires the installed driver Xiaomi USB Driver and the platform ADB (Android Debug Bridge) on the PC.
Connect the locked phone to the computer through USB-Open the command line or terminal in the folder with ADB And you can type in a command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device is identified and has device status, you can try to delete the system file that stores the password hash:
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyIn some versions of Android and Mi UI shells, the path may differ, such as /data/system/locksettings.db. Once you have completed the command, restart your phone. On the lock screen, you can enter any password or swipe the lock — access must be obtained. However, on newer versions of Android 11-14, this method is often blocked by security if the phone was not previously authorized on this computer.
⚠️ Warning: On modern firmware with security patches above 2023, deletion of system files through ADB root-rights may not be possible. Don't waste time if the team returns an access error.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the basic methods in the table, and pay attention to the requirements for each method and the possible implications for the data.
| Method | We need the Internet. | I need an account. | Data security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud (Remotely) | Yes. | Mi Account | Complete. |
| Google Find My Device | Yes. | No (Reset) | |
| Recovery Mode (Hard Reset) | No. | No (after) | No (Reset) |
| ADB Command | No. | No. | Complete (rarely) |
As you can see from the table, the only way to save photos and correspondence is to use cloud services, subject to pre-configuration. Hard Reset methods are universal, but take time to reconfigure the phone and restore applications from backup.
What is FRP Lock?
FRP Lock Problem and Its Solution
Once you reset your settings through Recovery or Google Find My Device, you may encounter an activation screen that requires you to enter a password from a previously synchronized Google account. This is FRP lock. If you remember your login and password, just type them in. Problems begin if that data is also lost.
It is extremely difficult to get around FRP on newer versions of Mi UI 13/14 and HyperOS. Old methods with bypassing through TalkBack or special applications are often closed with security updates. The only legal way in this case is to submit a receipt for the purchase of the device to an authorized Xiaomi service center, and engineers will remove the lock after confirmation of ownership.
It is not recommended to download dubious programs to “hack” FRP from unverified sites. Often such files contain viruses or miners that can infect your computer. In addition, the use of paid unlock services (boxes) can permanently lock the device at the motherboard level.
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Never buy a used Xiaomi phone without checking it by resetting to factory settings in the presence of the seller to make sure there are no other accounts.
How to avoid access problems in the future
To prevent a forgotten password from taking you by surprise, it is important to set up backups and alternative login methods in advance. Xiaomi’s security settings can add a fingerprint or facial recognition that will unlock your phone even when you’ve forgotten it. PIN-code (although you will still need to enter a password periodically).
Make sure you sync your contacts and photos with Google Photos and Google Contacts, so you don’t have to worry about losing data in the event of an emergency reset, and write your accounts down in a paper notebook or use a password manager that you can access from another device.
Check your device's Mi Account status regularly. If you plan to sell your phone, make sure to log out of all accounts and reset through the settings menu, not through buttons, to avoid FRP issues with the new owner. Proper preparation will save you hours of searching for solutions on the Internet.