A forgotten password, a pattern lock, or a fingerprint that is no longer recognized is a problem that almost every Xiaomi owner has encountered. Screen locking protects your data, but can turn into a real headache if you don't remember the combination to unlock. Fortunately, there are official and alternative methods to restore access to the device without losing functionality.
In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — From standard reset via Mi Account to advanced methods using Fastboot and EDL-We will pay special attention to the risks of data loss and methods of minimizing them, as well as the nuances of working with different versions. MIUI (including MIUI 14 and HyperOS).
Important: the methods vary in complexity and requirements, for example, unlocking through a Xiaomi account will take 5 minutes, whereas working with Fastboot will require a computer and basic command line skills.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The easiest and safest way to do this is to use a phone-linked Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
- 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
Instructions:
- On the locked screen, tap the Forgot Password button (or Forgot Password?).
- Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
- Enter the login (email or phone number) and password from the account.
- Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Follow the instructions on the screen to reset the lock.
⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled Find Device in your settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device, this method won't work. Also note that after 5 failed password attempts, the system can block the account for 24 hours.
Advantages of the method:
- ✅ Does not require computer or special knowledge.
- ✅ Stores all the data on the phone.
- ✅ It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO.
2.Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode
If Mi Account is lost and the phone is not connected to the Internet, it will be hard-reset via Recovery Mode, which will remove all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the system.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (or a combination of Power + Volume up if the button does not respond).
- Press the Power Button and Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
- Release the buttons when you see the Recovery Mode menu (usually in English or Chinese).
- Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data (or Clear Data) item.
- Confirm the action by choosing Confirm or Yes.
- After reset, select Reboot to reboot.
On new models (such as Xiaomi 13 or Redmi Note 12), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.
- 🧹 — dataset.
- 🔄 — restart.
⚠️ Note: On some devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS after reset may require data entry from Mi Account, which was tied to the phone earlier (protection) FRP). If you don't remember your account, your phone will stay locked! disconnect your phone from charging Make sure the battery is charged at least as much as possible. 30% Prepare a backup of important data (if you have access to a PC) Remember the data from Mi Account (if the phone is tied to the phone) --> 3. Unlocking through Fastboot (for advanced users) Fastboot method is suitable if: 🔧 You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot. 📥 You can download the official firmware for your model. 🔓 The phone's unlocked. OEM Unlock (if not, it won't work) Instructions: Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot). Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi Firmware (select the Fastboot version). Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch the power + Volume down. Connect the phone to the PC through USB-Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: fastboot devices (you should display your device) fastboot flash all.zip Replace [name file firmware] with the real name of the downloaded file. The process will take 5-10 minutes. Once complete, the phone will restart to the clean system. What to do if fastboot can't see the device? Make sure drivers are installed ADB (Download Mi Unlock Tool. Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original). Disable driver signatures in Windows (reboot your PC with Shift pressed and select "Disable mandatory driver signature verification"). Check that the phone is indeed in Fastboot mode (there should be a hare in an eardressed hat on the screen). 4. Use of the regime EDL (Emergency Download Mode (Emergency Download Mode) EDL (Emergency booting is the “last hope” for unlocking Xiaomi when other methods fail.It lets you flash your phone low, bypassing locks MIUI. But this is the way: ⚠️ Requires a special cable (EDL cable) or short circuit of contacts on the board. ⚠️ Can cause complete blink (irreparable damage) if errors occur. ⚠️ Violates warranty (if the phone is warranty); Step-by-step instruction (simplified version): Download the firmware in.tgz format for your model (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater); Install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi); Put the phone into mode EDL: Turn off the device. Press the volume up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-Or take the phone apart and close the contacts. EDL on board (for this you need a tester). In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash. wait for the process to be completed (10-20 minutes). ⚠️ Note: On models with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO X3 Pro regime EDL Reuse may require authorization through an official Xiaomi account (which is impossible without an unlocked phone). 💡Before the firmware through EDL Check the processor model of your phone in the specifications on the GSMArena website. Snapdragon and Mediatek firmware are incompatible! 5. Unlock through the Xiaomi service center If independent methods did not help or you are afraid of damaging the device, contact the official service center. It's the most reliable, but it's also the longest: 📍 The addresses of the centers can be found on the website Xiaomi Service. 💰 The cost of unlocking varies from 500 to 3000 rubles (depending on the model and region). ⏳ Term of execution - from 1 to 5 working days. 📄 You'll need a passport and a check (if you have a warranty phone) What they do with the service: Check the phone's link to your Mi Account. If you don't have an account attached, they reset through the service. EDL If you have an account attached, you ask the owner for login details or proof of ownership: ✅ Guarantee for work performed. ✅ Minimum risk of phone damage. ✅ Data recovery (in some cases). 💡The official service is the only legal way to unlock phones with a Mi Account tied if you don't remember the details from your account. FRP-Protection can lead to blocking IMEI! 6. Alternative methods (with risks) Unlocking miracles are available online that promise to bypass all Xiaomi protections without losing data, most of them fraud or vulnerabilities that Xiaomi has already closed in new versions. MIUI. Consider the real (but risky) options: Method Risk Description ADB-Delete gatekeeper.password.key and gatekeeper.pattern.key files via ADB It only works on older versions. MIUI (It's useless on new ones. ❌ Obsolete Test Point Closing contacts on the board for forced transition to the EDL. Requires disassembly of the phone, risk of damage to the board. ⚠️ For experienced Paid Services Online Services offering unlocking IMEI. High risk of fraud, can block IMEI. ❌ Not recommended for custom Recovery Installation TWRP It requires an unlocked bootloader. New models are not possible. ⚠️ If you do decide on alternative methods, follow the rules: 🔍 Check the source of information (better trust the forums) XDA Developers or 4PDA). 📌 Make backup copies of data (if available). 🛠 Have hands on the tools to disassemble the phone (if you need Test Point).Comparison of unlock methods To choose the best way, focus on this table: Method Complexity Data Loss Required PC Works without Mi Account Mi Account Mi Account ⭐ ❌ No. ❌ No. ❌ No Recovery Mode ⭐⭐ ✅ Yes. ❌ No. ✅ Yeah, Fastboot. ⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. EDL ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes, Service Center. ⭐ ⚠️ Maybe. ❌ No. ⚠️ Depending on the case, for most users, the best course of action is to try unlocking through Mi Account. If you don't remember the account, reset through Recovery. If the phone requires Mi Account after reset, contact the service. FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi: Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data? Yes, but only if: You remember the data from Mi Account and the Find Device function is activated. Use official methods (for example, recovery through an account). All other methods (reset, Fastboot, EDL) What if, after a reset, the phone asks for an old Mi Account? FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Solutions: Enter the account that was linked to the phone. If you don't remember, contact the service center with the documents on the phone. FRP Fastboot, but it requires technical skills. ⚠️ Do not use online services to bypass FRP — How to Unlock Xiaomi If You Forgot Your pattern lock and Mi Account? In this case, only hard methods remain: Recovery Mode (loss of data). Firmware via Fastboot or EDL (requires a PC). Contact the service center. If the phone has backed up Mi Cloud, once unlocked, you can recover some of the data (contacts, photos). Does unlocking through a call to a locked phone work? No, this is a myth. In some Android models, you could bypass the lock via an emergency call, but in MIUI this vulnerability has been closed since 2018. Modern versions of the firmware block all ways of bypassing the user via a particular user's interface, can be used to unlock the fingerprint from a particular person's fingerprint. System system MIUI requires input PIN-code or password after rebooting the phone or every 72 hours (security settings).