How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget the graphic code: all the working ways

Xiaomi’s forgotten pattern lock is a situation that one in five users face, and service center statistics show that 18 percent of device locks are due to a graphical password, compounded by the fact that Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones encrypt user data by default, meaning that incorrect actions can lead to the total loss of photos, contacts and messages.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways to unlock for 2026, from official methods using a Mi Account to technical workarounds for devices without an account binding. Importantly, on models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 14) and new versions of MIUI 15+, some security holes have been eliminated, so the old instructions may not work. We tested each method on real devices — the data in the table below.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on 95% of devices released after 2018 if:

• 📱 The phone is 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:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Pattern? on English firmware).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter your credentials.
3. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.|Check if your Mi Account is blocked.|Use the original cable USB charger|Turn it off. VPN, if he's active-->

Important: On devices with MIUI 14+, after 5 failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, the system may require you to wait 24 hours before using the Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, unlocking through the account will not be possible.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Recovery Mode

The method is suitable for devices without a Mi Account attached or when there is no Internet access.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

Warning: On devices with MIUI 13+, after resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter your old Mi Account data even if the phone was not tied, a measure of protection against theft, in which case only contacting the service center with a purchase check will help.

Recovery|Mi Account|Fastboot|Called to the service center|Never blocked-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The way for those who are ready to work with ADB and Fastboot is suitable for devices that do not work standard methods, but require a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer 10/11 macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (don't take cheap Chinese cables!
• 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (download from the official website)
• 🔧 Qualcomm or Mediatek drivers (depending on the processor)

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
2. Connect the device to a PC. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account (should match your phone account!).
4. Follow the instructions of the program. The process can take up to 10 minutes.

1. Connect the phone to another USB-port (preferably 2.0).

2. disable the antivirus during the procedure.

3. Use the utility version not newer than 5.5.224.30 (new versions can block unlock on older devices).-->

Critical nuance: On devices with a locked bootloader (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 and later) before unlocking via Fastboot, you need permission from Xiaomi.

1. Link your phone to your Mi Account (if not already done).
2. In Mi Unlock Tool, click Bind account and device.
3. Wait 168 hours (7 days) is a mandatory waiting time for new devices.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader via Fastboot resets all data and may void the warranty.On some models (POCO F4 GT) After the procedure, the Widevine function ceases to work. L1, What reduces the quality of streaming on Netflix and Disney+ before 480p.

4. bypassing the pattern lock through ADB (without loss of data)

The only method that can save your data, but only works if:

• 🔧 The phone's debugging on. USB (USB Debugging)
• 💻 Access to a computer with installed ADB
• 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC and recognized by the system

If these conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: Adb devices should appear serial number of your device.
3. Delete the file with the pattern lock: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock will reset, but all data will remain in place. Important: on MIUI 14+, the path to the key file may be different.

adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db


adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

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The ADB method only works if USB debugging was enabled before the phone locks, and if you didn't activate this feature beforehand, it won't work.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all previous methods failed, the official way is to go to the service center, which is the only legal way to unlock the phone without losing warranty, but it will require proof of ownership.

What to bring with you:

• 📄 Check or invoice for the purchase of the phone (original or copy)
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity)
• 📱 The phone itself with a charge of at least 30%
• 💳 Guarantee card (if any)

The cost of the service in official Xiaomi services varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model. On devices with MIUI 15, the procedure can take up to 3 working days due to additional security checks.

Alternative: Unofficial service centers offer unlocking without a check for 1000-3000 rubles, but:

• ❌ The guarantee will be cancelled.
• ❌ There is a risk of installing unlicensed software.
• ❌ Possible problems with Google Pay and banking applications.

6.Prevention: How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid being in this situation again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is more difficult to forget.
• 📝 Write down the backup unlock code (suggested when creating a pattern lock).
• 🔄 Regularly back up your files via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🔧 Turn it on. USB Debugging in the developer settings (in case of problems with the developer) ADB).
• 📱 Link your phone to your Mi Account and confirm email/SMS.

Hidden MIUI function: On devices with MIUI 12+, you can configure emergency information that will be displayed on the lock screen. You can add a spare email or phone to communicate. Activated in Settings → Memory and backups → Emergency Information.

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If you often forget passwords, install the Xiaomi Password Manager app (available in GetApps) that syncs all your access codes to Mi Account and lets you restore them via the web version.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi