How to unlock Xiaomi if you forgot your password: all the working ways

Forgotten password on Xiaomi is a bad situation, but it is solvable. Even if you don't remember the pattern lock, PIN-The key is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the smartphone can lock permanently or delete all data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current unlock methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, from official (via Mi Account or Find Device) to technical (via Fastboot or Recovery), each method is illustrated by step-by-step instructions, and at the end of the article - answers to frequent questions and warnings about possible risks.

Important: some methods require pre-preparedness (e.g., a tied Mi Account or USB debugging enabled) If you didn't meet these conditions in advance, some of the methods will not be available, in which case only hardware reset remains, but it will delete all the data from the phone.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 🔹 You have previously logged in to your Mi Account on a locked device.
• 🔹 On the smartphone there is access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔹 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.

If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or a letter with a code.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember your Mi Account details, restore them through the official account.xiaomi.com website. Using third-party services to "hack" your account may result in a permanent locking of your device (activation lock).

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If the screen does not have a “Forgot Password” button, try connecting to Wi-Fi – sometimes it only appears when you have an active Internet connection.

2 Unlocking through Find Device (remote)

Xiaomi’s Find Device service not only allows you to find a lost smartphone, but also unlock it remotely.

• 📍 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🔑 You remember the data from your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click Unlock Device (Unlock Device)
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the password on the lock screen will reset, but all the data on the phone will be saved. If the Find Device option has been disabled, this method will not work.

3. Recovery Mode reset (hard reset)

If the official methods don't work, you'll have to reset hardware through Recovery Mode, which removes all data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps, and only use it as a last resort!

Instructions for most Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 Power button + Loudness down (for some older devices, such as Redmi) 4A).

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Note: Some models (such as Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked to the device after a reset. If you don't remember the account, the phone will turn into a "brick" (activation lock).

Turn off your phone |Remember the button combination for your model |Plug in charge (the battery must be at least 30% charged)|Put the firmware (if you plan to reflash after reset)|Put in mind if you remember the Mi Account data

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4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 On the smartphone was included debugging on USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to activate the developer mode).
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for your model.

⚠️ Attention: The wrong actions in Fastboot can permanently put your phone out of action.If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service center.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off the phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: fastboot oem unlock If the command does not work, try: fastboot flashing unlock
5. Follow the instructions on the screen (confirmation via Mi Account may be required).
6. After unlocking the bootloader, flash the device with the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.

This method is more complicated than previous ones, but allows you to bypass the lock without losing data if you act carefully. For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), you may need to wait 7-14 days after you associate a developer account.

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If you don’t succeed, contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable way, especially if:

• 🔐 The device is locked with an activation lock (Mi Account).
• 📱 You do not remember your account information or it has been deleted.
• 🛠️ The phone is physically damaged (for example, the screen is not working).

What will be required to unlock:

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock, and in some cases (for example, in case of theft), unlocking may not be possible without proof of purchase.

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The official service is the only legal way to unlock Xiaomi with an activation lock if you don’t remember Mi Account details.

6. Alternative methods (with caution!)

There are dozens of magical ways to unlock things online, from using ADB to installing custom firmware, most of which either don't work on newer models or carry risks:

• 🚫 Third-party programs (such as Dr.Fone or Tenorshare) 4uKey) — They often demand payment and they don't guarantee results. MIUI 12+ they're useless.

⚠️ Note: The use of informal methods may lead to:

• 🔴 Loss of warranty (if the device is under warranty).
• 🔴 Permanent lockdown (if Anti-Rollback protection works).
• 🔴 Data Leakage (when using dubious programs).

If you decide to experiment, you should:

1. Make a backup copy of the data (if the phone reacts at all).
2. Use only verified sources (XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
3. Be prepared for the fact that the device can turn into a “brick”.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi