How to unlock Xiaomi phone without password: the complete guide

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. It is especially frustrating when important data is stored in the phone and access to it is suddenly blocked. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, but not all of them are safe for your data. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods of unlocking, from the simplest to the most radical, with detailed instructions and warnings about the possible consequences.

It’s important to understand that the newer Xiaomi model (like the Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5), the harder it is to get around the protection. The manufacturer regularly tightens security measures, so methods that worked on the Mi 8 or Redmi 5 may not work on modern devices. We updated the information for the firmware MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14, but before you start, check the version of your system in documents or on the box.

If you are unsure of your technical skills, you should contact Xiaomi’s service center. Mistakes can lead to complete data loss, turning your phone into a brick or blocking your Mi Account. In this article, we noted the risks to each method – read carefully!

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 is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account
• 📧 Your account is linked to an email or phone number for recovery

After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the password on the lock screen will appear button Forgot the password?. Click on it and follow the instructions:

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
2. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
3. Reset the screen lock password.

If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try entering your password at random before the message Repeat try in 30 seconds appears. Sometimes the button appears after several failed attempts. On POCO X3, Redmi 9 and later, you may need to connect to Wi-Fi to activate the function.

⚠️ Warning: If you've previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your phone to factory settings without logging out, this method won't work.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

This is a good method if you don't remember the Mi Account data or if your phone isn't connected to the Internet, and all the data will be deleted, including photos, contacts and apps. SIM-card and memory card, if installed.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10, POCO X4, Mi 11 Lite):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (black screen with yellow text).
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
6. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

On some models (e.g. POCO F3), the menu may be in Chinese. Look for characters (clear data) and (confirm). If the menu doesn't appear, try the Power + Volume combination down.

Turn off the phone from charging

Extract SIM-map SD-map

Charge the battery by at least 50%

Prepare a backup copy (if you have access to the PC)

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⚠️ Warning: On devices with a locked bootloader, after a reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously tied. If you don't remember them, the phone will turn into a "brick." Check the bootloader status through fastboot oem device-info (see the section on Fastboot).

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and an unlocked bootloader. Suitable for Xiaomi models where the bootloader is already unlocked (for example, after previous firmware manipulations).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Power + Volume down.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue:

fastboot oem clean_all_and_lock

This command will reset all the data and lock the bootloader, and once it's rebooted, the phone will look like new.

For models with a Qualcomm processor (for example, POCO X3 Pro), you can use the Mi Flash Tool utility with official firmware. Download the firmware for your model from en.miui.com, unpack and stitch through Mi Flash in Clean All mode.

4.Use of unlocking services (paid and free)

If the official methods didn't work, you can turn to third-party services, which are divided into two types:

• 🔓 Official Xiaomi partners (e.g. unlock.mi.com) – unlock the bootloader in 7–30 days (Mi Account binding is required).
• 💰 Third-party services (e.g. DC-Unlocker, Octoplus) are paid, but faster!

To unlock through unlock.mi.com:

1. Create or log in to Mi Account.
2. Link your phone to your account (if not tied).
3. Apply for unlocking the loader.
4. Wait. SMS with confirmation (may take up to 30 days).
5. Once approved, use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.

Third-party services usually require:

• 📄 IMEI phone (you can find it on the box or via *#06#).
• 💳 Payment (from 10 to 50)$ model-wise).
• 🖥️ Remote access to your PC or sending your phone by mail.

⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often ask for payment for "guaranteed" unlocking and then disappear.Before paying, check the service reviews on forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers. Never send codes from SMS strangers!

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Before contacting the service, check whether your model is eligible for a free unlock promotion. For example, in 2023, Xiaomi temporarily simplified the procedure for owners of the POCO F4 GT and Redmi K50.

5. Bypassing locking via EDL Mode (for Qualcomm processors)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader, but requires special equipment and knowledge, a method used by service centers to restore bricks.

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

How to put your phone in EDL mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 appears in Device Manager.

Then, through the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes. Attention: the wrong firmware can finally kill the phone! For models on the Mediatek processor (for example, Redmi 10A), BROM mode and the SP Flash Tool utility are used.

6. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate the developer mode), you can reset your password through ADB without losing data.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and confirm the trusted device (if the lock screen allows).
2. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder.
3. Enter the commands in order:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

After the reset, the password will be reset. If the commands are not working, try:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 14+ This method may not work because of the increased security, and root rights are required, which are disabled by default.

7. Alternative methods (for older models)

On devices before 2018 release (for example, Redmi 4X, Mi A1) sometimes run "holes" in security:

• 📞 Emergency call: On the lock screen, dial ##4636## → Usage Statistics → Click on the home icon, which can open up the settings.
• 🔄 Google Find My Device Reset: If your phone is linked to a Google account, go to the Google Device google.com/android/find, Select the device and press Erase the data.
• 📱 Replacement of gesture.key file: Through TWRP Recovery can be deleted file with password in /data/system/. Requires an established custom recaveri.

On models with an infrared port (such as the Mi 5), it is theoretically possible to use a remote control to transmit commands, but this is extremely unreliable. For Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S and older, such methods do not work.

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The newer Xiaomi model, the less likely it is to get around the lock without losing data.The manufacturer actively closes the security holes with each new version of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi