How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi phone: the full guide

When access to a smartphone is limited, it always takes you by surprise. Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi devices often face screen locks due to a forgotten pattern lock, password or Mi Account problems. This can happen after buying a used gadget or as a result of a rush when a user enters incorrect data several times in a row. Modern Android security systems, especially with a MIUI shell, are designed to protect data, but sometimes become a barrier to the legitimate owner.

There are several proven methods to restore access to the interface, and the choice of the specific method depends on which security tools were activated before the locking. In some cases, you can save personal files, in others you will need a complete reset to factory settings. It is important to understand that methods that work for older versions of firmware may not be useful on fresh security updates.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current ways to unlock, we will look at Google’s regular tools, Recovery Mode recovery mode and specialized software, and we will also focus on the nuances of working with FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which often becomes an obstacle after a hard reset.

Standard methods of unlocking through Google account

The easiest and safest way to get back to the device is to use a linked Google account, which works if the smartphone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and has previously been activated remote control. For Android versions up to 5.0, this was the main method, but on new models it sometimes works under certain conditions.

After five failed attempts to enter a pattern lock or pin, a countdown timer may appear on the screen, at which point the system will suggest an alternative sign-in option. If you see a "Forgot a pattern lock" or "Forgot a password" button, click on it, the system will require you to enter a login and password from the Google account that was the main one on this device.

It is important to note that on modern versions of MIUI this item may be missing for security reasons. Google is gradually abandoning this feature in its pure form, replacing it with more stringent protocols. However, if you have an old firmware or a specific version of the shell installed, this option is worth trying first, since it does not require deleting data.

• 🔑 Make sure your device is connected to the internet, otherwise it is not possible to verify the credentials.
• 📧 Enter the data of the account that was installed as the main one at the first setting.
• 🔄 If your password is forgotten, restore access to Google email via your computer before you try to unlock it.

Remember, once successfully unlocked through Google, the system may require additional proof of identity, which is standard anti-theft procedure, and if you don't remember your account details, you'll have to move on to more radical methods that involve clearing your memory.

Use the service Find My Device

Google provides a powerful remote control tool that not only tracks the location of the gadget, but also unlocks it by resetting data. Find My Device works at the operating system level and can remove the lock screen along with all the information on the phone.

To use this method, you will need access to another smartphone or computer. Go to the official Google page and log in with the same account that was used on the blocked Xiaomi Redmi. If the device is online, you will see it on the map and the list of available actions.

Select the "Erase Device" option, and once you confirm the command, the phone will receive a signal to perform a complete reset, and during the cleaning process, the pattern lock and all user files are removed, which is an effective way, but it requires that the phone be enabled with Internet and geolocation.

⚠️ Note: Using the cleanup function will lead to the permanent removal of all photos, contacts and applications that do not have a backup in the cloud.

If the phone is offline, the command will be executed automatically as soon as it is online.In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, after such a reset, you may need to re-authorize in Google account to confirm the rights of the owner (FRP protection).

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If you plan to sell your phone, use the data clearing feature in advance so that the new owner doesn’t face an account lock.

Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

When software methods are not available through the network, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level environment built into the memory of every Xiaomi smartphone, and allows you to perform administrative tasks, such as resetting to factory settings, even if the operating system is not booted or locked.

To get into the Recovery menu, you need to do the right sequence of actions with the physical buttons. You usually need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume up. The menu should appear on the screen with a black background and color text.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Depending on the version of MIUI, the interface may differ: in new versions it can be a touch menu, where you just press the desired item.

Once the reset point is selected, the system can request confirmation or enter a digital code displayed on the screen to prevent accidental activation, a Xiaomi security measure, and the formatting process will begin after confirmation, which will take seconds or minutes.

Once the process is complete, select Reboot or Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new. At this point, you can reconfigure it, but you may need to enter a password from a previously synchronized Google account.

Delete Mi Account and bypass FRP Protection

The most difficult problem that users face after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), where if a Mi Account is entered on the phone and the Find Device feature is turned on, then after Hard Reset, the system will require you to enter a password from this account, without it, the phone becomes a brick.

The official way to unlock is to remember your password or re-access the mail you have registered with your Mi Account. If you bought your phone with your hands and it is blocked by someone else's account, the only legal way to do so is to contact the previous owner to remotely unbundle the device via i.mi.com.

There are technical ways to bypass FRP, But they are constantly changing, as Xiaomi regularly closes vulnerabilities in new security patches. APK-files or login via the Wi-Fi settings menu. MIUI 13, 14 and above, most simple methods no longer work.

⚠️ Attention: Use of informal dumping programmes FRP (Bypass tools) may be regarded as a violation of the terms of use and carry the risk of infection of the device with malware.

If standard methods do not help, you can still flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. However, if the bootloader is locked, you can’t flash the phone without an authorized Mi Account with developer rights, and in such cases, paid unlocking through service accounts is often required.

Unlocking through computer and ADB

For advanced users, there is a method of unlocking through debugging USB (USB Debugging is only effective if the debugging function was enabled in the Developer Menu before locking and the computer already has permission to access the device.

If the conditions are met, connect your phone to your PC, install Xiaomi drivers USB Driver and platform ADB (Android Debug Bridge. You can send a command to delete files that store access keys from the command line, and this allows you to bypass the lock screen without losing data.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb reboot

Once these commands are executed and rebooted, the phone won’t ask for a graphical key. However, if USB debugging hasn’t been activated in advance, this method is useless. Modern versions of Android also encrypt /data partition, making deleting key files impossible without first unlocking the bootloader.

• 💻 The method works only on devices with root rights or enabled debugging.
• 🛠 Requires the installation of specific drivers and platform tools.
• ⚡ It saves all data, unlike Hard Reset.

It is worth noting that on global firmware versions, ADB capabilities are often limited for security reasons. If you are not an experienced user, experimenting with the command line can lead to unstable system operation.

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ADB is only effective when debugging is enabled in advance; otherwise, this method will not help remove the screen lock.

Prevention and backup

To avoid being in a situation where the phone is locked and data is lost, it is important to back up regularly. Xiaomi offers built-in data backup tools on a PC or in the Mi Cloud, you can also use Google Photos for media files and Google Contacts for the phone book.

It is recommended to write your passwords and graphic keys to a secure location. Human memory tends to fail, especially when it comes to rarely used codes. Use password managers that automatically fill in authorization fields, reducing the risk of error when entering.

If you buy a used phone, always check it for a link to the seller's accounts right when you meet. Complete a full reset in the presence of the seller to make sure the device does not request someone else's password after the reboot, which will save you from FRP problems in the future.