How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone if you forget the pattern lock: the full guide 2026

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi's smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. PIN-The pattern is harder to remember, especially if you rarely change it. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal ways to unlock that work even without data loss (in some cases). In this article, we will analyze all the current methods – from simple login via Mi Account to complex manipulations through Fastboot and other methods. EDL-regime.

It’s important to understand that the choice of method depends on your device model, MIUI version, having a Xiaomi account tied, and even battery status. For example, on new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), some life hacks with Recovery may not work due to enhanced protection. We will describe each method in detail, specify its limitations and give checklists for preparation. If you are afraid of losing data, immediately go to the section on backup through ADB.

Warning: some methods require technical skills, and if you've never worked with Fastboot or don't know what unlocking a bootloader is, you'd better go to a service center, but for most users, the first three of these will be enough.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the easiest and most secure method if your smartphone is tied to a Xiaomi account.It works on all models, including Redmi, POCO and Mi, but requires a stable Internet connection, the main condition is to remember the username and password from Mi Account (or have access to the associated username). email/repair-phone).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On the lock screen, enter the wrong pattern lock 5 times in a row, and the message will appear: "Forgot your password?" or "Unlock using Mi Account».
• 🔑 Click on this link and enter your Xiaomi account details (email or phone number) + password).
• 🔓 If the data is correct, the system will prompt you to create a new pattern lock or PIN-Come up with it and confirm it.
• ⚡ The smartphone will be unlocked, all data will remain in place.

This method does not work if:

• 🚫 Mobile Internet and Wi-Fi are disabled on the device (you can not connect to your account).
• 🚫 You don't remember the Mi Account or it wasn't tied to the phone.
• 🚫 The smartphone was bought with hands, and the previous owner did not untie his account (reset via Fastboot will be required).

⚠️ Note: If the system fails to log in when trying to “Device not found in the account”, then the phone was not tied to the Mi Account or the binding was reset after the update. MIUI. In this case, proceed to the following method.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

If you don’t want to lose data, you can try resetting only the pattern lock via Recovery Mode, which works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10–14, but requires an ADB debugging bridge (if it was enabled earlier).

Preparation:

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone. Press the Power + Volume buttons up until the Mi logo appears (this is the entrance to Recovery Mode).
2. In the recovery menu, select Connect with MiAssistant (on new models it may be called Download or ADB).
3. Connect your phone to your computer via USB. Open the command line (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, but all other data (photos, messages, apps) will remain intact.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) This method may not work because of the changed structure of the lock files, so try the alternative command: adb shell am start. -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric 3. Hard Recovery: If previous methods didn't help or you're not afraid to lose data, you can reset your settings completely through Recovery Mode, which erases all user files, apps and settings, returning the phone to factory status. It is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including POCO F5, Redmi Note 11 old Mis A1/A2. Step-by-step: Turn off the phone. Press the power. + Loudness up on 10–15 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection. Select Wipe Data (or Wipe & Reset on newer versions). Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data (may need to enter) PIN-Once you've cleaned it, select Reboot to System. The phone will reboot and suggest you set it up as new: ✅ It works on 100% of Xiaomi devices (even with damaged firmware). ✅ Does not require computer or special knowledge. ✅ Eliminates any software blockages, including forgotten ones PIN or a password: ❌ All data is deleted: photos, videos, contacts, messages. ❌ If Mi Cloud Backup is enabled, it will take time to recover. ❌ Some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra) may require an old account to be logged in after a reset. 💡Before resetting, check if Mi Cloud Sync has been enabled. If so, after setting up the phone, data (contacts, notes, photos) can be recovered from the cloud in the Settings section. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud. 4. Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users) If Recovery Mode is not available or reset does not help (for example, due to a blocked bootloader), you can use Fastboot. USB It is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader (if you have previously received permission from Xiaomi through the Mi Unlock Tool: 💻 Computer with installed ADB Fastboot Tools (you can download from the official Android website). 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set). 🔋 Phone with a charge of at least 70%. 📄 Firmware file for your model (downloaded from Xiaomi website) Instructions: Turn off your phone. + Volume down to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and type in: fastboot devices (Should show your phone serial number. If not, check the drivers.) Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): Fastboot oem unlock (Newer models may require an account link via Mi Unlock Tool.) Scroll the stock firmware (replace filename with your file name): fastboot flash all filename.zip Once the process is complete, the phone will restart in its clean state, a method that is guaranteed to remove all locks, but requires caution - the wrong firmware can turn the device into a brick». ⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 12/13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Unlocking through Fastboot without official permission will result in complete data loss and binding to the old Mi Account. EDL-The regime (described in the following section). 5. Unlock through EDL-regime (extreme case) EDL (Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode used to repair bricks, which allows you to flash your phone even with a completely damaged system, but requires special equipment (authorized cable). EDL or boxing) and knowledge. This method is recommended only if: 🔧 The phone is not powered on or loaded only in Fastboot. 🔧 The bootloader is locked and other methods do not work. 🔧 You're prepared to risk turning your device into a brick if you make a mistake. EDL: Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Loudness down + plug in USB-Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (the phone will not display any signs of life, but will be determined by Device Manager as Qualcomm). HS-USB QDLoader 9008). For firmware through EDL need to: 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (download from official website). 📦 Firmware for your model in.tgz or.zip format. 🔌 Authorized cable EDL (Firmware process: Unpack the firmware into a folder without Cyrillic characters. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the way to the firmware folder. Connect the phone in mode. EDL (He must decide how to COM-Press Refresh, then Flash. It takes 5-10 minutes. Once it's done, it'll reboot in factory condition, and it's the last chance to bring the device back to life, but it requires care. Errors in firmware selection or process interruption can result in irreversible damage. The error "Flash is not done" usually means that the firmware is not suitable for your model or the Mi Flash Tool version is outdated. Try: 1. Download the firmware from another source (for example, from the XDA-Developers forum). 2. Use an older version of the Mi Flash Tool (e.g. 2018). 3. Check that the cable is available. EDL It is properly connected (sometimes it helps to stick). USB-4. Try flashing through another program, such as QFil (for Qualcomm chips). Xiaomi Unlocking Methods Comparison Method Complexity Data Loss Required PC Works on New Mi Account Models ⭐ (simple) ❌ No. ❌ No. ✅ Yes, Recovery (key reset) ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) ❌ No. ✅ Yes (ADB) ⚠️ Partially Recovery (full reset) ⭐ (simple) ✅ Yes. ❌ No. ✅ Yeah, Fastboot. ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. ⚠️ Only with the unlocked loader EDL ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes. ✅ Yes (but risky) As you can see from the table, the safest method is to unlock through Mi Account. If it's not available, try resetting the key through Mi Account. ADB Full reset or Fastboot should only be used in extreme cases when other options have been exhausted. ❓ Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data if you forgot Mi Account? Yes, but only if the phone was enabled debugging by USB And you can connect through ADB. In this case, use the method of resetting gesture.key and locksettings.db files (described in the section below). 2). If the debugging was not included - the data will not be saved. ❓ Why does the phone ask for an old Mi Account after a reset via Recovery (FRP — Factory Reset Protection: This works if the phone was tied to a Xiaomi account and requires authorization after the reset, so you can either enter the old account details or flash the device through the device. Fastboot/EDL Completely cleaned (but it will delete all data). ❓ Does unlocking by call work? No, it stopped working on the phone. MIUI 10 And now, you could have accessed settings through an emergency call, but Xiaomi has closed this vulnerability. ❓ How to unlock Xiaomi if it's off and doesn't respond to buttons? If the phone is completely discharged or doesn't turn on, charge it first (wait 15-20 minutes). If there's no reaction, try clamping the power. + Loudness up + Volume down for 20-30 seconds (forced reboot) If this doesn't work, the device may have a hardware fault (e.g., damaged power board) and require repairs. ❓ Can you unlock Xiaomi through a service center without a check? Yes, but only if you can prove ownership (e.g., show a box with a check). IMEI Some services may require a purchase document, and if the phone is bought with hands, unlocking may not be possible without the previous owner's data. 💡If none of the methods worked and the data on the phone is critical, contact the authorized Xiaomi service center. They have access to special unlock tools without losing information (for an additional fee).