How to unlock a Xiaomi phone if you forget the pattern lock: all the ways of 2026

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi's smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. PIN-If you have a code or a fingerprint, a lock pattern is not always easy to recover from memory, especially if you rarely change it. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal unlock methods, but each has its own nuances: from data loss to the risk of “bricking” the device.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current unlocking methods (including those that run on MIUI 14/15 and newer models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), assess their safety and complexity, and give checklists for preparation. Importantly, some methods require pre-setting (such as binding Mi Account), so if you read this in advance, save the article in case of emergency.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is to use a Mi Account if it was tied to the phone before locking, which does not require a data reset and works even on a locked screen.

To unlock:

• 🔄 Enter the wrong pattern lock 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot your password?” or “Unlock via Mi Account” appears".
• 📧 Enter. email/phone and password from Mi Account, which was linked to the device. If you don't remember the data, restore it through the official website.
• 📱 Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (depending on your account security settings).
• 🔓 Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie his Mi Account, this method won’t work, in which case you will need a full reset (see section 4), but on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 After the reset, there may be a link to another account – this is called a Mi Cloud lock, and it can only be removed through an appeal in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

💡

If you have two-factor authentication enabled in Mi Account, save your backup codes in a secure location (such as a password manager) beforehand, and without them, it will take up to 72 hours to restore your account.

2. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable if the phone is debugging over USB and has access to a computer, and it is one of the few ways to get around the lock without losing data, but it requires technical skills.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on PC.
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
4. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key
5. Restart the phone – the pattern lock will be reset.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12) version MIUI 14+ This method may not work because of the increased protection, and if you didn't have root rights, the su command will return the error, so move on to other ways.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for models with unlocked bootloader)

Fastboot is a good way to do this if your Xiaomi bootloader is unlocked. This is rare, as unlocking the bootloader officially requires waiting 7-15 days and binding to the Mi Account. However, if you have previously unlocked it (for example, to install custom firmware), you can reset the pattern lock without losing data.

Instructions:

• 🔌 Turn off the phone and press the power button. + Volume down to enter Fastboot.
• 💻 Connect the device to your PC and open the terminal in the folder from fastboot.exe.
• Enter the command: fastboot erase gesture or for new models: fastboot erase locksetting
• 🔄 Reboot your phone with the fastboot reboot command.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI EU, Xiaomi.eu: This command can cause you to lose all data in the section /data. Before execution, check backup copies!

4 Hard Reset - a last resort

If other methods failed or you don’t remember the Mi Account data, you’ll have a full reset, which will delete all the data from your phone (photos, contacts, messages), but will return access to the device. On newer models (Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12), the reset may not remove the Mi Account lock if the phone was linked to an account.

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Use volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).
5. Reboot the phone (Reboot) → Reboot to System).

📌 Important: After the reset, the phone will require you to enter the Mi Account data, which was tied before the lock. If you do not remember them or the phone was bought with your hands, contact Xiaomi with a check to buy.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If you don't succeed on your own, contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 The phone itself (preferably with a charge) >30%).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region. In some cases (for example, when blocking Mi Cloud from the previous owner), an examination may be required, which will take up to 5 working days.

🔍 How to find an official service:

1. Go to the Xiaomi Service Locator website.
2. Choose a country and a city.
3. Check the reviews about the center (in Google Maps or Yandex.Maps).

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Official service centers never ask for advance payment or Mi Account data over the phone. If you are offered to "unlock remotely" for a fee, these are scammers!

Alternative methods (with risks)

On the Internet you can find dozens of “magic” ways to unlock – from the use of the Internet. EDL-We don't recommend them for a few reasons, but we don't recommend them for a few reasons:

⚠️ Note: Using informal methods may result in loss of warranty or blocking IMEI (If you're going to stop catching the network, at least you'll be able to:

• 🔋 Charge your phone to 100%.
• 💾 Create a backup copy IMEI (You can use the engineering menu: #4636##).
• 🔍 Check the reviews of the program on the forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi