How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 5 if you forget your password: the full guide

Forgetting your smartphone password is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a dead end, especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi 5. This model, released in 2017, is still popular due to its reliability and availability, but its security system can play a cruel joke. Unlike new devices with face unlock or fingerprint, Redmi 5 relies on classic devices. PIN-codes, graphic keys or passwords – and their recovery requires specific knowledge.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways of unlocking, from official (via Mi Account) to technical (using Fastboot and Recovery). It is important to understand that some methods will lead to complete loss of data if the phone was not backed up. Others allow you to save files, but require preliminary preparation. Choose an approach based on your situation - and follow the instructions carefully so as not to turn the phone into a brick.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone was tied to Mi's account before being blocked.
• 🌐 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the login and password from the account.

If all conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times in a row - the message "Forgot the password?" will appear.
2. Click on this caption and select “Unblock via Mi Account”.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, and then the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

Once you've successfully logged in, the phone will unlock and all the data will remain in place, which is the only way to save files if the backup isn't set up.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, it will not be officially possible to unlock it.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If your Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you’ll be left with a hardware reset via Recovery Mode, which removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, so use it only as a last resort.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi 5:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the power button and volume button for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu (management is carried out by the volume and power buttons).
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset in some versions).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
6. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

Once reset, the phone will turn on as new. You'll need to reconfigure it, including the Mi Account binding.

Turn off the phone from charging

Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged

Download Xiaomi drivers on PC (if you plan to use Fastboot)

Prepare a backup of important data (if you have access to another device)-->

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 5 firmware may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously tied after resetting via Recovery.If you don't remember them, the phone will remain locked even after resetting!

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have access to a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for Redmi 5 (Rosy version).
• 🛠️ You are ready to work with the command line.

This is a more complicated way, but it allows you to bypass the lock even without the attached Mi Account. However, the warranty on the phone will be canceled, and if errors are made, there is a risk of turning the device into a brick.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi).
2. Download the official firmware for Redmi 5 (for example, from en.miui.com) and unpack it in a folder from fastboot.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the power button + volume reduction.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with fastboot and execute the commands:

fastboot devices

(Check out if the phone is found.)

fastboot oem edl

(Puts the phone into EDL mode for firmware.)

fastboot flash all

(Runs the firmware of all partitions. Specify the name of the firmware file, for example: fastboot flash all rosy_global_images_V12.0.1.0.QEIMIXM_20210112.0000.00_10.0_global_1234567890.tgz.)

Once the firmware is complete, the phone will restart, which removes all data, but returns the phone to factory status without locking.

4. Use of service codes (for older versions of MIUI)

Some versions of MIUI (before MIUI 10) had a way to unlock through service codes, and it didn’t work on all devices, but for Redmi 5 with MIUI 9 or older, you can try the following method:

1. On the lock screen, dial the combination: ##7378423## (service menu).
2. In the menu, select Service Tests → Security.
3. Find the Lock Screen option and try resetting the password.

If this method doesn’t work, try another code:

##3646633##

In the engineering menu, go to MTK Settings → Security and find the lock reset option.

⚠️ Note: Service codes are often blocked in new versions MIUI. If nothing happens after entering the code, do not try again – this can lead to a temporary lock. SIM-map.

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

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

• 🔐 Phone tied to someone else's Mi Account (hand-held purchase).
• 📵 Cannot log into Fastboot or Recovery.
• 💥 After self-manipulation, the phone stopped turning on.

Unlocking will require:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (proof of possession).
• 🆔 Passport or other identification document.
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge of at least 30%).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the complexity, in some cases, the service may refuse if the phone is listed on a blacklist (stolen / lost).

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having to deal with a forgotten password, follow these tips:

• 🔑 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint) as a backup method.
• 📧 Link Mi Account and enable backup in Settings → Xiaomi account → Cloud.
• 📝 Write your password in a secure location (such as Google Password Manager or KeePass).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Added access restoration functions.

If you often forget passwords, consider smart locking through Smart Lock in your security settings.This feature will automatically unlock your phone in trusted places (such as at home or work).

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Before selling or transferring your phone to another person, you must reset via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset → Reset. This will delete your Mi Account and protect your data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 5

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If you're not sure about your Fastboot or Recovery skills, you'd better take the risk and go to a service center. Firmware errors can make your phone unfit for repair, even by specialists.