How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 if you forget your password: all working ways

Forgetting your smartphone password is a frustrating but fixable situation, especially if you're talking about the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, a model that is still popular due to its reliability and functionality, and the key is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 failed attempts, the system can lock the device for 24 hours or completely erase all data. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, from the simplest to the most radical, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and the Redmi Note 4 hardware platform.

It's important to understand that not every method will work for you, for example, if you haven't linked a Mi Account or enabled USB debugging, some options will not be available, and we'll detail each method, its pros, cons and potential risks, so you can choose the best path without too much experimentation.

Also note: Hard Reset will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and messages. If you have important information on your device, try the methods without losing data first, as described in the first sections.

So let's start with step-by-step instructions, start with the safest options, and gradually move on to the more complex ones.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (if tied)

If you have previously logged in to Mi Account on a blocked Redmi Note 4, this will be the fastest and most secure way. Mi Account allows you to remotely unlock your device without losing data - but only if the phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Here's how it works:

1. On the lock screen, enter any password 5 times in a row until the message Forgot the password? or Unblock through Mi Account appears.
2. Click on this link and the Mi Account login form will open.
3. Enter your linked email or phone number, as well as your account password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

Once you've successfully logged in, the phone unlocks, and you can set a new password, which works even if the phone isn't connected to the mobile Internet, but it was previously logged in to an automatic Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, do not try to find them - after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be temporarily blocked.

The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Remember your email/phone and password from your Mi Account

The device does not have Find the device mode (can block unlocking)

You have access to an email or SMS confirm-->

2 Unlocking through "Find the Device" (Mi Cloud)

If the Redmi Note 4 activates Find My Device (similar to Google's Find My Device), you can unlock it remotely via the Mi Cloud web interface, which also saves data, but requires pre-setting.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
2. In the list of devices, select your Redmi Note 4.
3. Click Unlock Device (or Unlock in English).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After a few minutes, the phone unlocks automatically. If that doesn't happen, reboot the device - sometimes it takes time to sync with Xiaomi's servers.

⚠️ Attention: Find the device must be enabled before locking, if you didn't activate it in advance, this method won't work. You can check status in the Mi Account settings on another device.

Yeah, regularly.

I tried it once.

No, I don't know about that function.

I remember.-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (if USB debugging is enabled)

If debugging is on USB (USB Debugging was activated on Redmi Note 4 before locking, you can unlock your phone through your computer using tools ADB And Fastboot, which is technically more complex, but doesn't require a data reset.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original)
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and package ADB/Fastboot
• 🔧 Knowledge of the command line (or willingness to follow instructions)

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools (includes ADB and Fastboot).
2. Connect your phone to your computer and turn it into Fastboot mode: Turn off Redmi Note 4. Press the Power + Volume Down buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears.

cmd

Terminal

ADB

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the Xiaomi drivers.

fastboot oem unlock

or (for some firmware):

fastboot flashing unlock

Confirm the unlock on the phone (if you receive a request).

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI The fastboot oem unlock command may not work due to the bootloader lock, in which case you will need official permission to unlock through the Xiaomi website (the procedure takes up to 72 hours).

4. Hard Reset (reset to factory settings)

If the previous methods didn't work or you don't remember the Mi Account data, the radical way is hard reset, which erases all the data from the phone, including the password, but retrieves access to the device.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has two ways to make a hard reset:

1. Using Recovery Mode (if the phone turns on): Turn off the phone. Press Power + Volume Up buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears. Select the language (usually English or Chinese) from the Recovery menu. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm the reset (it may be necessary to enter a password from Mi Account if tied!).

Through Fastboot.

• Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (as in the previous section).
• Enter the command: fastboot erase userdata
• Next: fastboot erase cache
• Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: After Hard Reset on Redmi Note 4, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account (if the account was linked).If you do not remember the data, the phone will remain locked at the initial setup stage.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to unlock the Redmi Note 4 failed, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi.

What will be required:

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the region and the complexity of the case. The average period is 1-3 working days. You can find the nearest service center on the official Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Warning: Don't go to informal workshops promising to unlock "in 5 minutes." on Redmi Note 4 with firmware MIUI This can lead to total loss. IMEI or lock the bootloader, after which the phone will become a "brick".

💡

Before visiting the service center, take a photo of your phone's IMEI (printed on the box or under the battery) to speed up the identification process.

6. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If you are confident in your technical skills, you can try less standard unlocking methods, which are suitable for the Redmi Note 4 with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware.

Method 1: Install custom recovery (TWRP)

• Download TWRP for Redmi Note 4.
• Fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
• In TWRP, go to Advanced → File Manager and delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/password.key /data/system/locksettings.db
• Reboot the phone.

Method 2: Firmware with the Mi Flash Tool

• Download the official firmware for Redmi Note 4 (version of Fastboot).
• Unpack the archive and run through the Mi Flash Tool.
• Select the Clean All option (full reset).

⚠️ Note: These methods require an unlocked bootloader and can result in a loss of warranty or device failure if performed incorrectly. Use them only if you understand the risks!

💡

Custom firmware and bootloader modifications will void Xiaomi's warranty. If the phone is still warranty, it's better to use official unlock methods.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

1.The phone is not identified in Fastboot

• 🔌 Check it out. USB-cable.
• 🖥️ Install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Try another computer.

2.After Hard Reset requires an old password

• This means that the phone has activated the Mi Account Protection feature.
• 📧 Enter the data from the linked Mi Account.
• If you don’t remember, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.

3. Unlocking through Mi Account does not work

• 📶 Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (even if the lock screen doesn’t show the connection).
• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 📱 If there is no button on the screen Forgot the password?, then the function is disabled in the settings.

4. "This device is locked" error in Fastboot

• This means that the loader is locked.
• 🔓 Request unlocking on the official website (may take up to 3 days).
• 📱 Alternatively, flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions