How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: from Mi Account to Hard Reset

A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that one in five users face, according to service center statistics. Unlike iPhone or Samsung, Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones have unique lock mechanisms associated with Mi Account and MIUI proprietary firmware. The main problem is that even after a reset through the recovery, the phone may require you to enter the data of the old account is the protection against theft, which Xiaomi has implemented since 2018.

In this article, we will discuss all the working methods of unlocking, from official (via Find Device or Mi Cloud) to technical (ADB commands, Fastboot mode). Separately, we will focus on the nuances for new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), where the manufacturer has tightened security measures. Importantly, some methods will lead to complete data loss, so first check whether the phone is connected to Mi Account - this is a chance to restore access without reset.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If the phone is tied to a Mi Account, it is the fastest and safest way to unlock, even on newer models (Xiaomi 14, POCO F5), but requires access to the email or phone number specified when registering.

Algorithm of action:

• 🌐 Go to account.xiaomi.com from a computer or other phone.
• 🔑 Enter the login (email/If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" function (you need to access your mail or email). SMS).
• 📱 In the account menu, select Find Device (or Find Device in the Russian version).
• 🔓 The map will show your phone. Click on it and select Unlock Device»).

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA), You will need to enter the code SMS Or Google Authenticator, and without that, you can't unlock it, you'll have to use other methods.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (no Mi Account)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the data, it’s resetting through the receptacles. This method will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps. On Xiaomi models older than 2020 (Redmi Note 9, Mi 10 and later), after the reset, you may need to enter data from the old account – this is reset protection (FRP).

Instructions for entering Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Confirm (some models will require manually entering Yes).

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Download a backup of your data (if your phone has previously synced to Mi Cloud)

Prepare data from Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

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⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Redmi Note 11/12 After the reset, you may receive a request to enter data from the previous Mi Account. If you do not remember them, the phone will turn into a “brick” – you will need to contact the service center to unlock through the phone. EDL-regime (cost of 1 500 ₽).

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot mode allows you to reset your phone without logging in, but requires a connection to your computer and installing ADB/Fastboot drivers. The method is suitable for models where Recovery Mode is blocked (for example, after a failed update).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools on PC (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
4. Open the command line in the Platform Tools folder and type: fastboot devices If the phone is selected (its serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers manually.
5. For a full reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot.

On Xiaomi models with a locked bootloader (Bootloader), the fastboot erase userdata command may not work – you will need to unlock Bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (the process takes up to 72 hours).

4.Use of ADB (if USB-debugging was included)

If you have been on the block before USB-debugging in the developer settings, you can try to delete the file with a password through ADB. This method only works when connected to a previously authorized computer.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (File Transfer or MTP mode must be enabled).
2. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type: adb devices If the phone appears in the list, type: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12/13/14 This method is unstable, and once you reboot, the phone can request the password again, and then only a full reset via Recovery or Fastboot will help.

5. Contact the service center (if nothing helps)

If all of the above methods did not work, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone requires data from previous Mi Account after reset (FRP-lockdown).
• 🛠️ Bootloader is blocked and Fastboot unlocking is impossible.
• 📱 Model with EDL-regime (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50), where special equipment is required.

The cost of unlocking in the service:

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Before going to the service, check whether your phone is not guaranteed. If so, unlocking can be free (if you have a check and a passport).

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional way to unlock.
• 📧 Link your phone to your Mi Account and sync your data regularly with Mi Cloud.
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (e.g. Google Keep or Google Keep). 1Password).
• 🔄 Turn it on. OEM Unlock in Developer Settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

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Even if you don’t plan to unlock through Fastboot, the OEM Unlock enabled will make it easier to recover your phone in the event of a crash.

Xiaomi

13/14

Mi Account

MIUI

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi