How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: all ways without losing data

The forgotten password on Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users face. The main problem: standard unlock methods (such as resetting via Recovery) erase all data from the device. But there are legal and semi-legal ways to get around the lock without losing photos, contacts and applications. In this article, current methods for MIUI 14/15 (including the Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13/14) models tested in 2026.

It's important to understand that the manufacturer deliberately makes it harder to bypass the lock for security reasons. So some methods require prior preparation (e.g., a tied Mi Account or USB debugging enabled). If you haven't set them up in advance, the chances of saving data are down to 30 percent. But even then, there are options β€” read on.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable way is to use a Xiaomi account, which works on all models with MIUI 12+, if:

  • πŸ“± The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network)
  • πŸ”‘ You remember the username/password from your Mi Account (or you can restore it)
  • πŸ”„ Synchronization is enabled on the device (checked in Settings) β†’ Mi Account)

Instructions:

  1. On the lock screen, tap "Forgot your password?" (bottom of the screen).
  2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter your details.
  3. Confirm the login via SMS or backup email.
  4. Create a new one. PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can block the account after 5 failed login attempts - in this case, you will need to restore through the official website.

πŸ“Š How often do you forget your passwords?
Often, once a month
Sometimes, six months.
Nearby, once a year.
Never forget.

2.Use of Fastboot Mode (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging by USB (Settings β†’ The phone. β†’ Version. MIUI β†’ 7 pop β†’ For developers β†’ Debugging by USB). A computer with drivers installed is required ADB/Fastboot and USB-TypeC cable.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
  2. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R β†’ enter cmd).
  3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
  4. Delete the password file (only for the MIUI 12-14!): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
  5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 15 and new models (Xiaomi) 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro+) This method can lead to a hard lock (requires authorization of the Mi Account after rebooting). /data and /sdcard, if they were encrypted.

Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download the Android platform SDK|Prepare original USB-cable-->

3. bypassing Safe Mode (if blocking is third-party software)

If the password appears after installing a third-party application (such as AppLock or Smart Lock), try booting in Safe Mode, it disables all third-party applications, but system settings (including the MIUI password) remain active.

How to start Safe Mode:

  1. On the phone turned off, press the power button.
  2. When the Xiaomi logo appears, pinch and hold Volume down until the desktop with the words β€œSafe mode” at the bottom of the screen loads.
  3. Remove the app that blocks the screen (via Settings β†’ Apps).
  4. Restart your phone in normal mode.

πŸ”Ή Limitations of method:

  • ❌ It does not work if the password is set in the settings MIUI (Not through third-party software).
  • ❌ In some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) Safe Mode disables fingerprint unlocking.

4. Recovery via Mi Cloud (remote)

If you have Find the Device enabled on your phone (Settings β†’ Mi β†’ Mi Cloud β†’ Find the device), you can try unlocking it remotely, and this works even if the phone is turned off (the next time you connect to the Internet).

Instructions:

  1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
  2. Select a locked phone from the list of devices.
  3. Click "Block" β†’ enter a new password (it will replace the old one after synchronization).
  4. Wait until the phone connects to the network (it can take up to 24 hours).

⚠️ Note: Find the device must be activated before locking, if it is disabled or reset, the method will not work, and Xiaomi can request proof of identity (passport scan) when you often try to unlock.

What if the Mi Cloud can’t see the device?
If the phone is not displayed in Mi Cloud, check: 1. Is it connected to the Internet (even in the background). 2. Is geolocation enabled (Settings β†’ Location). 3. Have you reset to factory settings after locking. If the device was stolen and blocked by the previous owner, it is impossible to restore access without his data - this is contrary to Xiaomi's security policy.

Specialized programs (risky methods)

There are third-party utilities to bypass Xiaomi’s lock, for example:

  • πŸ› οΈ Mi Account Unlock Tool (works with the MIUI 10-14)
  • πŸ› οΈ Xiaomi Tool V2 (root)
  • πŸ› οΈ EDL Mode (for firmware via Qualcomm)

But they have critical flaws:

ProgrammeRequired.Risks.Chance of success
Mi Account UnlockPC, cable, ADBBlocking of Mi Account, data loss60%
Xiaomi Tool V2Root, unlocked bootloaderBrick device, cancellation of warranty80%
EDL ModeFirmware, Qualcomm chipsetLoss of IMEI, network errors50%

Using these programs can lead to a complete loss of warranty and locking the device servers Xiaomi. on models 2023-2026 (for example, Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G) the success rate is below 40% due to enhanced protection.

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will save applications and their data, but not system settings.-->

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of the methods worked, the official service remains. Xiaomi can unlock the phone upon presentation:

  • πŸ“„ Check of purchase (or warranty card)
  • πŸ†” Passport of the owner
  • πŸ“± Phone box (with serial number)

Cost of service: from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles (depending on model and region).In 80% of cases, the data is stored but:

  • ❌ If the phone is stolen, unlocking is not possible.
  • ❌ In the models with MIUI 15 and Snapdragon chipset 8 Gen 2/3 may require a discharge.

πŸ“ Where to find a service:

  • Official centres: mi.com/ru/service/center
  • Partners: Svyaznoy, MVideo, Eldorado (check by phone).

πŸ’‘

Officially unlocking is the only legal way for phones with Anti-Theft enabled, and self-activation leads to permanent data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi

Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data if USB debugging is disabled?
No. Without USB Debugging and a tied Mi Account, the chances of saving data are near zero, and the only option is to contact Xiaomi's service center with documents on the phone.
Why does the phone require an old Mi Account after resetting via Recovery?
This is Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which is activated on all Xiaomi with MIUI 10+, and it links the device to the Mi Account even after a reset, and you can only bypass it with the username/password from the associated account.
Does unlocking work through the engineering menu (#4636##)?
No. ##4636## opens the test menu, but it doesn't affect the screen lock, and codes like ##7780## are useless, resetting settings, but not bypassing the password.
What to do if the phone is locked after firmware is flashed through TWRP?
If you have a password request after you have been firmwareed through TWRP, the data in /data is encrypted. Solutions: Restore the TWRP backup (if you did it before the firmware); Install the firmware with the encryption disabled (for example, LineageOS without FBE); Reset the data via Format Data to TWRP (erase everything!).
Can I unlock Xiaomi through Google Find My Device?
No. Google Find My Device only allows you to block or erase data from your phone, but not bypass your existing password. For Xiaomi, this is useless due to the double lock (Mi Account + Google).