The situation when the owner of the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 12 forgets the password, pattern lock or PIN-code is one of the most common reasons for contacting service centers, however, in most cases, an expensive visit to the wizard is not required, since you can unlock the device yourself using built-in system functions or special boot modes.
It’s important to understand that modern Android security systems and the MIUI (or HyperOS) shell are designed to protect user data from unauthorized access, meaning that the unlocking process often involves completely erasing personal information if you don’t have a backup.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about what type of lock you are interested in: removing the lock screen, deleting your Mi Account account or unlocking the bootloader to install custom firmware, which determines the choice of method and the risk of data loss.
Use the “Find Device” function from Google
If your Xiaomi Redmi 12 has been activated and your Google account is linked, the easiest way to reset protection is to remotely control it via Find My Device, which does not require you to install additional software on your computer and works through any browser.
You'll need access to another smartphone or PC to start with, go to the service's official website and log in to the same Google account that was used on the locked device, and the system will automatically locate the gadget if it's online.
In the management interface, select the option “Clean the device” and this action will start the process of completely resetting the settings to factory settings, which will delete the password, but also erase all files, photos and applications.
⚠️ Note: After performing a reset via Google, the first time you download the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced earlier (FRP).
It is worth noting that this method is effective only if there is an active connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network, if the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will not be executed until the network appears.
Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
The most versatile method, which works even when the Internet is turned off, is to enter Recovery Mode mode, in which the operating system does not boot, allowing you to perform low-level operations with the file system.
To get into the Recovery menu on Redmi 12, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and On buttons at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the Power button while still holding the volume.
In the menu that opens, the navigation is done with volume buttons, and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select the Wipe All Data option.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
The cleaning process can take anywhere from one to five minutes, and when completed, the system will prompt you to return to the main menu (Main Menu) and restart (Reboot), the first run will last longer than usual.
- 🔒 Complete removal of all user data and settings.
- 🔄 Resetting system errors that cause cyclical reboot.
- ⚙️ Return to the original state of the software without reinstalling the firmware.
Sometimes, after a reset, the phone may request proof of ownership of a Google or Mi Account, a standard security procedure that cannot be circumvented by a simple reset.
Unlocking through Mi Cloud (Remote Reset)
Xiaomi smartphone owners often ignore the creation of Mi Account, relying only on Google, but it is the manufacturer’s cloud service that provides powerful management tools. If the device has enabled the “Find device” function in the Mi Account settings, you can unlock it remotely.
Go to i.mi.com from any device and log in to your account. In the interface, select Find your device and select your Redmi 12 from the list of attached gadgets. If your phone is online, you will have lock, signal and clean features available.
Using Erase is similar to Hard Reset: all data will be destroyed and the screen lock is removed. USB-Debugging is disabled and the computer can’t see the phone.
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Turn on Find Device in your Mi Account settings immediately after you buy your phone, the only way to remotely erase data when you steal or lose access.
It is important to remember that if the phone was stolen and the attacker took it out. SIM-If you turn off the Internet, the command will only be executed after the device is connected to the network.
Fastboot Mode and Firmware via Mi Flash Tool
If a software failure does not allow you to enter Recovery mode or the phone is stuck on the logo, the only way out is to use Fastboot mode. USB-cable.
To work, you will need a Windows computer, installed Xiaomi USB Drivers and the Mi Flash Tool utility. You also need to download the official firmware image (Fastboot ROM) for your specific model and region.
Enter Fastboot mode by squeezing down the volume and power buttons at the same time. Connect your phone to your PC with a cable. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in Windows Device Manager.
⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware with the "Clean All" option deletes data completely. Make sure you choose the correct firmware version that matches the region of the device to avoid communication problems (Band 20).
Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the path to the folder with the unpacked firmware and press the "Flash" button. The process takes a few minutes, after which the phone automatically restarts with the clean system.
Unlocking FRP (Google Account)
After resetting, many users are confronted with a FRP (Factory Reset Protection) screen that requires entering a password from a Google account previously synced to the phone, so that the stolen phone cannot be re-flashed and sold.
The official way to unlock is to remember your password or re-access your account through Google’s website on another device.If you change your password, you may need to wait 24 hours before logging in on the dropped phone.
There are also workarounds, often dependent on the Android version and security patch, such as using TalkBack or special combinations in the Chrome browser to log in to settings and delete an account.
TalkBack Method for Bypassing FRP
Be careful with FRP removal software found on the Internet, and many of these contain viruses or require a paid subscription without guaranteeing results on new versions of the software.
| Method | I need a PC. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Find My Device | No. | No. | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No. | Low. |
| Mi Cloud | No. | No. | Low. |
| Fastboot + Mi Flash | Yes. | No. | Tall. |
| Service centre | No. | Maybe. | Low. |
Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader Unlock)
One of the things that I think we should mention is the bootloader unlock, which is something that enthusiasts need to install customized recaps (TWRPs) and modified firmware, and it doesn't take the password off the screen, but it gives you full access to the system.
This requires you to apply through the Mi Unlock Tool app on your PC and link your Mi Account to your device in the developer settings, usually followed by a waiting period of 7 to 168 hours.
The unlocking process also clears all data on the phone for security reasons. Once successfully unlocked, the open lock icon will appear on the boot screen.
Unlocked bootloader reduces the security of the device and makes it impossible to work some banking applications and Google Pay without additional manipulation (Magisk, hiding root rights).