How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone if you forget the password from the lock screen

Forgotten password from the lock screen on Xiaomi is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics, especially after a long break in using the phone, changing the phone. SIM-mapping MIUI. Unlike a pattern lock or a fingerprint, a digital key is a digital key. PIN-The code has no clues, and Xiaomi's security system locks the device after 5 failed attempts to enter. But don't rush to bring the phone to the service: 80% of the time, unlocking is possible on your own.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways of unlocking – from official (via Mi Account and Find Device) to technical (Fastboot mode and reset via Recovery). Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for the new Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 and POCO F6 models, where the manufacturer has tightened protection. Importantly, some methods will lead to complete loss of data if the phone did not include a backup in the Mi Cloud. Let us warn in advance – if the screen says “Device is locked. Try later”, then the Mi Account is tied to the phone, and you can not circumvent this protection without a login / password.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is if you remember the data from the Mi Account associated with the phone, suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models on MIUI 12-14.

How does it work: After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the system will suggest the option "Forgot your password?" Click on it and the Mi Account login window will open. There are two scenarios here:

• 🔑 Remember your login/password: enter the data, confirm SMS-code (if two-factor authentication is enabled) – the phone unlocks without data loss.
• 📧 You forgot your Mi Account password: restore it through account.xiaomi.com (you will need access to the email or phone number specified during registration).
• 🚫 Account Unbound or Phone Without Internet: This Will Not Work, Go to the Following Methods.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, you can only unlock the device through it. Otherwise, the phone will remain a “brick” – even after reset, it will require the original account!

2. Use the Find Device function (remote unlock)

Find Device (similar to Google’s Find Phone) allows Xiaomi to be remotely unlocked if it’s synced to Mi Cloud and has internet access, even if the phone is turned off (it will execute a command the next time it’s turned on).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. From the menu on the left, select “Find Device” → find your phone on the map.
3. Press “Unlock” → confirm the action.
4. If the phone is on, it unlocks immediately. If it's off, it's on the next time it's on.

🔹 Limitations of method:

• 🌐 Requires an active internet connection on your phone.
• 🔄 It does not work if Find Device has been disabled in the settings.
• 📱 On some models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi K60) Additional confirmation may be required through SMS.

💡

If Find Device doesn't find the phone, check if geolocation and mobile data are enabled in your Mi Cloud account settings. Sometimes rebooting the phone (unless it's completely locked) helps.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if you are not afraid of the command line and are ready for possible data loss. The bottom line: through the Fastboot mode, we delete the files responsible for blocking the screen. It works on 90% of Xiaomi models, except for the new flagships with ARB 4+ protection (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Mix Fold 3).

🛠️ What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from the official website).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if new, it must be unlocked in advance via the Mi Unlock Tool).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.


2.Put Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.




3. Connect the phone to the PC and open the terminal (command line).




4. Enter a command to check the connection:


   fastboot devices


(Serial phone number should be displayed).




5. Delete the lock files:


   fastboot erase frp
   fastboot erase userdata


⚠️ This command will reset all the data on the phone!




Reset the device:


   fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 and later after this procedure, you may need to re-assign Mi Account. If the bootloader was locked, the phone will not turn on without official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool (the process takes up to 720 hours of latency!).

4.Reset via Recovery Mode (full cleaning)

The most radical way is through Hard Reset, which erases all data on your phone, including photos, messages and apps, and uses it if other methods fail and the data isn’t critical (or there’s a backup in the Mi Cloud).

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (5-10 minutes).

📌 Important nuances:

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 or later, the reset may result in a "This device is locked" error, which means that the Mi Account is still tied, and you need to enter its data to continue using it. If you don't remember it, the phone will become a "brick».

5. Bypassing the lock via EDL Mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader. The method is complex and risky: if you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a “brick”; It is suitable for Xiaomi models on Qualcomm processors (most Redmi and POCO).

🔧 What's the matter:

• 🔌 USB-TypeC cable (preferably with a clip for the EDL).
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.
• 🔓 Unblocked Mi Account (for authorization in Mi Flash).
• 🛡️ Backup of data (all data will be erased!).

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from Xiaomi Firmware.
2. Install Qualcomm and Mi Flash Tool drivers.
3. Turn the phone to EDL: Turn it off. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the cable to your PC. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 port is determined.

Mi Flash Tool

Refresh

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without official permission, Xiaomi may be blocked. IMEI. New models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) This method often doesn't work because of the hardware protection, and if you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center.

💡

EDL-The mode is the last chance to unlock the phone if other methods have not worked, but it requires deep technical knowledge and risks turning the phone into a brick if it is mistaken).

6. Alternative methods (with limitations)

If standard methods don't work, you can try workarounds. They're less reliable, but sometimes they work.

🔄 Method 1: Calling the phone

• Call the locked phone from another device.
• Take the call, then quickly go to the settings (sometimes this allows you to bypass the lock screen).
• 🚫 It only works on older versions. MIUI (up to 11 inclusive).

📱 Method 2: Use a Smart Lock if configured)

• If you’ve previously configured Smart Lock (location unlock, Bluetooth device, or facial recognition), try activating it.
• For example, bring your phone to a trusted Bluetooth device (headphones, smart watches).
• 🔹 It only works if the Smart Lock was enabled before the lock.

🖥️ Method 3: Connecting the mouse through OTG

• Connect. USB-mouse to phone OTG-cable.
• Sometimes the cursor allows you to click on notifications or menus, bypassing the lock.
• 📌 It will only work if there are active notifications on the screen (for example, low battery charge).

⚠️ Attention: These methods are more of a "people's" nature and do not guarantee the result. MIUI (13-14) they are almost non-functional due to the increased protection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)