How to unlock a Xiaomi phone through a phone number without losing data: 5 proven ways

Forgot your Xiaomi password and fear losing photos, contacts or work files? Unlocking through a tied phone number is one of the safest ways to get your device back without having to reset to factory settings. In this article, we’ll break down the official and alternative methods that work on Redmi, POCO and Mi models (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12 and other current devices).

It's important to understand that unlocking will only be successful if your phone is tied to a Mi Account with a validated number, if you've bought a device with your hands or not set up an account, you'll have to use other methods (we'll talk about them too), and we won't recommend dubious hacking programs, only legal and proven solutions.

Why Xiaomi Phone Is Locked and Can It Be Unlocked Through a Number?

Xiaomi smartphones are blocked for three main reasons:

• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock/password is the most common situation, especially after a long break in use.
• 📱 Reset settings without detachment Mi Account - after a hard reset, the phone requires you to enter the account data associated with the previously.

Unblocking via phone number is possible if:

• 📞 The number is confirmed in Mi Account (when registering or later in the account settings).

If these conditions are met, the chances of successful unlocking are 80-90%, otherwise you will have to contact Xiaomi or use Fastboot methods (about them at the end of the article).

Method 1: Unblock through the official Mi Account website

The most reliable method is to use the retrieval feature on Xiaomi’s website, which works even if the phone is completely locked, but you have access to a computer or other device.

Instructions:

1. Go to account recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Choose the recovery method - SMS (if the number is confirmed) or Email.
4. Enter the received code and create a new password.
5. Connect your phone to the internet (via Wi-Fi or SIM-card) and enter a new password on the lock screen.

⚠️ Note: If the site requests to enter IMEI You can find it on the phone box or under the battery (on models with removable batteries). IMEI The emergency call menu is displayed by command *#06#.

Phone number confirmed in Mi Account|

Access to email or SMS |

Phone connected to the Internet |

IMEI Devices at hand (in case of additional checks)-->

Method 2: Unlock through the Find Device menu

If you have Find My Device enabled on your phone, you can unlock it remotely, and this method works even if you don't remember the Mi Account password, but you have access to the number you're assigned.

Step-by-step:

1. Open your browser on a PC or other phone and go to i.mi.com.
2. Sign in with your phone number (select the option to Sign in via SMS).
3. In the menu on the left, select Find the device → Find your locked Xiaomi.
4. Click Unlock the device and confirm the action via SMS.
5. Wait for the notification on the phone – it will unlock automatically.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 📡 The phone must be connected to the Internet (otherwise the team will not reach the Internet).
• 🔋 Battery level of charge > 15% (otherwise the function may not work).
• 🚫 Does not work on custom firmware devices (e.g. LineageOS).

Method 3: Unlocking through Recovery Mode (for advanced users)

If the first two methods didn't work, you can try unlocking your phone through Recovery Mode, which doesn't reset data, but requires you to follow the instructions exactly.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Connect with Mi Assistant (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. Download and install Mi PC Suite, then follow the program’s instructions to unlock.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro and later, the Connect with Mi Assistant may not be available, in which case try an alternative method via Fastboot (described in the next section).

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

This is a method for power users who are ready to work with ADB and Fastboot. This method does not erase user data, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is blocked, unlocking will lead to a reset!

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 File. unlock_tool.zip (You can download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices If the phone doesn’t show up – install Xiaomi drivers.
3. Uncivilize. unlock_tool.zip and launch miflash_unlock.exe.
4. Sign in to Mi Account via phone number (SMS will be sent).
5. Follow the program’s instructions – it will offer to unlock the bootloader without resetting data (if possible for your model).

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi Note 12 Turbo), unlocking the bootloader always results in a reset.

💡

If the phone has asked for a password again after unlocking via Fastboot, try entering an empty line (just click "Confirm"). Sometimes the system resets the request after successfully unlocking the bootloader.

Method 5: Alternative methods (if nothing worked)

If the official methods do not work, there are less reliable, but sometimes effective options:

1. bypassing the emergency call menu (for older models):

• On the lock screen, type ##4636##.
• In the menu that opens, select Phone Information → Turn off (sometimes this will unlock access to settings).

⚠️ It only works on Xiaomi until 2019 release (Redmi 5, Mi) A1 etc.).

2. Reset password via ADB (if debugging is enabled):

• Connect your phone to your PC and execute commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key reboot

🔹 This method only works if the debugging has been previously enabled. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to unlock the developer menu).

3. Appeal in support of Xiaomi:

• Write to official support with a request to unlock the device.
• Attach the purchase check, IMEI and passport details (if the phone is officially purchased).

⏳ The term of consideration of the request - from 3 to 10 days.

💡

If the phone is hand-built and tied to someone else's account, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner for data from the Mi Account or provide proof of purchase in support of Xiaomi.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems. Here's how to solve them:

💡 Tip: If you often forget passwords, set up a backup PIN-code → Screen locking → Backup password, which allows you to unlock your phone without having to attach it to your account.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions