The situation of a user forgetting the password from his Mi Account or Google account is one of the most stressful for a smartphone owner: the device turns into a useless piece of plastic and glass, blocking access to contacts, photos and important applications. In today's security environment, data is stored in the cloud, and without authorization, it is almost impossible to restore access to them using standard methods.
There are several proven ways to regain control of the device, but their effectiveness depends on the model of the gadget, the version of the operating system MIUI or HyperOS, and whether the Internet was turned on at the time of blocking. Xiaomi’s security policy is constantly tightening, closing old vulnerabilities, so methods that worked a year ago may be useless today.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current options, from official recovery through the site to more complex technical manipulations. You will learn how to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection), what tools you will need to reset the bootloader lock and whether you should contact the service center at all. Information is relevant for most modern models, including the Redmi series, Poco and Xiaomi flagship lines.
📊 What exactly did you forget?
Password from Mi Account
Password from Google account
Graphical screen key
PIN-code SIM-map
Official restoration of access through the Mi Account website
The safest and most legal way to retrieve your device is to use an official password recovery procedure. If your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), you can try to reset your password remotely, and you will need access to a phone number or email that was tied to your account as backups.
Go to the official website id.mi.com or account.xiaomi.com from any other device, such as a computer or tablet. ID (This can be a phone number or an email, and click on the link "Forgot your password?" The system will offer several options for verifying your identity, among which the most common is receiving a password. SMS-code or letter to backup.
After a successful password change, you have to wait for sync on the locked smartphone, if the device is online, it will automatically update the credentials so you can log in, and in some cases, forced sync through the settings menu is required if the lock screen allows you to do so.
What to do if your phone number is lost?
If the SIM card associated with the account is lost or blocked, you need to restore it first. SIM-The card is with the operator, without access to the phone number, go through the authorization SMS-The code will not work, as this is the main method of two-factor protection Xiaomi.> Reset settings via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset) If password recovery is not possible, the only option is to completely reset the device to factory settings. This method removes all user data, including photos, contacts and apps, but allows you to clear memory from old accounts. FRP Or Mi Cloud Lock, if the device hasn't been untied from the account beforehand. To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off the smartphone and pinch a certain combination of buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. Navigate with volume buttons and the power button confirms the choice. From the Recovery menu, select a language (if available), then go to Wipe Data and confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The formatting process can take a few minutes. Once complete, the system will prompt the device to restart (Reboot). ☑️ Checklist before reset Make sure the battery charge is more 50%Remember Google Account Data Understand the risk of data lossAvailable Internet access to activateActivatedActivatedActivatedActivatedActivatedActivated: 0 / 4 It is worth noting that on new models with firmware MIUI 12/13/14 And above, the Recovery login may also require you to enter a password from Mi Account, which is designed to protect you from theft: if a thief steals a phone, he can't reset it, and then this method won't work without first unlocking it. Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool is an advanced method of unlocking the bootloader, a process that allows you to gain deep access to the system and reflash the device completely, bypassing some limitations. However, this requires a special Mi Unlock Tool and a wait for 168 hours (7 days) after the account is linked to the device: 📱 Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool program on a Windows computer. 🔌 Transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode (clamping the power button and the volume down button when the phone is turned off). 🔗 Connect the device to the PC through the original USB-cable. 🔓 In the program, press the Unlock button and follow the instructions on the screen. Once you successfully unlock the bootloader, you can flash the device through Fastboot mode using the Mi Flash Tool utility, selecting the "Clean All" option. This will completely delete all memory parts, including those where account lock information is stored. However, if the phone is listed in the database of stolen, it will not be officially possible to unlock it. ⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader voids the manufacturer's warranty in some regions and reduces the overall security of the device, making it more vulnerable to malware.Google bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection) Protection FRP — This is a Google mechanism that requires you to enter a password from an account synced to the device before you reset, and if you did a Hard Reset but don't remember Google data, the phone will require it when you first set it up. This protection can only be circumvented by using vulnerabilities in the system or special service programs. There are many methods of bypassing, depending on the version of Android: 🔍 Use of vulnerabilities in the browser or availability settings (TalkBack). 💻 Connection via PC and use ADB-Delete account commands. 📲 Installation of special APK-files via Bluetooth or OTG-One common way to do this is to activate the Google Assistant voice assistant in the setup mode and try to run your browser or settings through it, but Google is constantly closing these security holes, so there is no universal instruction manual. Each version of Android 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 requires its own specific actions. The method of unlocking Xiaomi devices depends on your specific situation: whether you have access to the Internet, do you know at least some of the data, are you willing to sacrifice the guarantee. Below is a table that will help you navigate the effectiveness of different approaches. Data retention method Needs PC Lock Risk Difficulty Recovering Password Yes No No No Low Hard Reset (Recovery) No High No (FRP) Average Mi Unlock Tool No Yes Average High Service Center Depends No No Low As you can see from the table, the only way to save data is to restore access through the site, all other methods lead to complete cleanup of the device memory. Using third-party software to remove locks without data reset is often a fraud or requires enabled debugging. USB, And that's not the case with locked phones, and when you need help from a professional, there are situations where acting on your own can only hurt you. If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the device from his account, you will face a block activation. In this case, no resets will help, since the Xiaomi server will require authorization of the first owner. You should also contact an authorized service center if you: 🛑 Device is locked with the message "This device is locked" and you don't remember your Mi Account. 🛑 The phone is listed in the stolen database (IMEP blacklist). 🛑 After unsuccessful firmware attempts, the phone stopped turning on (mode) EDL). Specialists have access to databases and can confirm ownership of the device by check or box, and then unlock it on the server. IMEI. ⚠️ Warning: Never buy unlocked phones with your hands without checking. Often these are devices stolen in other countries that get locked after a while of use.Block prevention and safety tips To avoid similar problems in the future, it's important to set your smartphone up correctly right after you buy. Write your account data to a secure location or use a password manager. Regularly check which devices are logged in to your Google and Mi Account, and delete unknowns. It is recommended to enable Find Device only if you are sure you remember the password. Otherwise, for maximum data privacy when selling, always reset Wipe Data through the settings menu, not through Recovery, first logging out of all accounts. 💡Regular backup of data to the cloud or PC is the only way to ensure that you do not lose information when you lock it. Your smartphone is secure. Understanding how Mi Cloud and Google Protect work will not only help you protect your data from outsiders, but also help you quickly restore access in case of forgetfulness. Don't neglect setting up backup communication methods such as an extra email or a trusted person's phone number. Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data? Officially, no, if you forgot your screen or account password, the data is encrypted with a password, you can't decrypt information without a password. Third-party programs promising this are often viruses. What to do if the phone says "Device is locked" after the phone, it will help you enter the password from the device, you only the password from the service. How long does it take to unlock through Mi Unlock? The wait-in process itself takes exactly 168 hours (7 days) from the moment the account is linked to the device. After this period, unlocking takes 1-5 minutes. It is officially impossible to speed up this process. Will flashing through Fastboot help? Fastboot flashing through Clear All will help delete user data, but will not remove the Mi Account lock if it is active.