When a smartphone screen becomes an impregnable fortress due to forgotten code, it happens more often than it seems. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco users often face lockdown after a system update or a long pause in use of the device. Forgotten password can become a serious problem if important data is stored in memory that does not have a backup.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and the MIUI (or HyperOS) shell have multiple return scenarios, some methods allow you to save files, others require a complete reset, and the specific method depends on your device model, operating system version, and whether you have an account anchor.
In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to restore access, from Google’s regular tools to engineering menus. Carefully study each option to choose the most secure for your case.
Preparation before the start of the unlocking procedure
Before starting active actions, it is necessary to assess the current state of the device and the availability of important tools. The battery should be at least 50% charged, since the process of resetting or flashing can take time and interruption of power will lead to system errors.
You will need a stable Internet connection via Wi-Fi or mobile, especially if you plan to use Mi Cloud services or a Google account.
☑️ Checklist of preparations
Most importantly, remember which accounts were active on the device.Mi Account and Google account are the main means of protection against theft, and without them, unlocking the phone after a reset will be almost impossible.
⚠️ Attention: All Recovery resets result in the complete deletion of user data (photos, contacts, apps) if the data is not synced to the cloud, it will be impossible to restore it.
Use the “Forgot Password” function through Mi Account
This is the most gentle method that allows you to unlock the screen without losing data, but it only works under a number of conditions: the device must be connected to the Internet, and the “Find the device” function must be activated in the settings.
To start, go to the official website of the Xiaomi cloud service from any other device (computer or smartphone), you will need to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was used on the locked phone.
- 📱 Go to the Devices or Find the Device section of the website interface.
- 🔓 Select a locked smartphone from your list of gadgets.
- 🗑️ Press the Unlock button to remove the screen lock.
Once the command is successfully executed on the server, the phone will receive a signal to remove protection, the screen will unlock, and you can set a new pattern lock or digital code in the security settings.
What to do if the “Unlock” button is inactive?
Resetting settings via Recovery (Hard Reset)
If cloud-based methods are not available, the only option is Hard Reset, a forced factory reset via an engineering menu, which is universal and works on most Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco models.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the button combination: usually Volume Up and Power Button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons, and the choice is confirmed by the power button (on some models, the touchscreen works), you need to select English, then go to Wipe Data and select Wipe All Data.
| Action. | Button combination | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Recovery | Volume Up + Nutrition | Recovery menu |
| Entrance to Fastboot | Volume Down + Nutrition | Firmware mode |
| Reboot. | Long-term power pressing | Exit from the menu |
Once the reset is confirmed, the memory cleanup process will begin, which can take several minutes to complete, and the phone will reboot, but will require you to enter a password from a Google or Mi Account that was previously synced.
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Hard Reset completely deletes all user files, so this method should only be used as a last resort.
Unlocking through Google’s Find My Device service
An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is a standard tool from Google, which is relevant if the device has a Google account activated and geolocation enabled.
Go to android.com/find from any browser, log in to the same Google account that is used on the locked phone, and the system will try to locate the device.
- 🌍 Select the desired device in the list from the top of the screen.
- 🧹 Click on the option “Clean the device” (Erase Device).
- ✅ Confirm the action by agreeing to the deletion of all data.
Once the command is executed, the phone will be reset to factory state.The screen password will be deleted along with all the files, and you will be able to configure the smartphone as new.
⚠️ Note: On current versions of Android (11 and above), the remote unlock feature without data reset often doesn't work for security reasons.
Use of USB and ADB debugging (for advanced ones)
This method is only suitable for those users who have had pre-bugging on USB in the Developer Menu, and if this option was not activated before blocking, the method will not work.
You'll need a computer with ADB drivers installed and a smartphone itself connected by a cable, and you can try to delete the file that stores the access keys through the command line.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyOnce the commands are executed, you need to restart the device, and if it is successful, the system will not be able to check the old password and will let you on the desktop, but on newer versions of MIUI with enhanced protection, this method is often blocked.
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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try installing Google USB Driver Universal Drivers or Xiaomi specific drivers from the official website.
The problem of activating Mi Account after resetting
After performing Hard Reset, many users are faced with an activation screen where the phone requires you to enter a password from a previously used Mi Account.This is an anti-theft measure known as Mi Cloud Lock.
If you remember the username, but forgot the password, it can be restored on the site i.mi.com. If access to the account is lost completely, unlock the device by legal means without the owner's data will not work.
In such cases, the only thing left is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center with a check to purchase the device, the document confirms that the phone is not stolen, and employees can remove the lock.
- 📄 Find the original box and purchase check.
- 🏢 Contact 2 the nearest Xiaomi SC.
- 🔧 Provide the device and documents for verification.
Attempts to circumvent this protection through third-party programs often result in a device being permanently locked or the system being disrupted.