When a smartphone suddenly stops letting its owner in, it can unsettle anyone, especially when you realize that there are still important contacts, photos and documents that are now blocked. Xiaomi Redmi 3S, released in 2016, is still popular as a reliable workhorse, but its software can bring surprises in the form of a screen lock or account.
There are several scenarios for a problem, from a corny forgotten pattern lock to more complex cases with a link to a Mi or Google account after a reset. In this article, we will discuss in detail all known ways to restore access to the system. It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on which lock is installed and whether debugging is enabled over USB.
Before you start to take action, you need to clearly define the type of lock (PIN-code, password, graphics, blocking of Mi (Mi Account) or Google protection FRP. Each of these cases requires a different approach and a specific set of tools. Next, we'll look at the step-by-step algorithms for each situation.
Determination of the type of lock and preparation of the device
The first step in the process of resetting access is to diagnose the problem accurately, so if you have a field on the screen to enter a pattern lock or numbers, but you don't remember them, that's one scenario, and if after resetting, the phone requires you to enter a password from a previously synchronized Google or Mi Account, the situation becomes more complicated, and the type of lock directly dictates the next steps.
In the case of Redmi 3S, it is common to lock the bootloader if the previous owner tried to get root rights or installed custom firmware. It is also worth checking whether debugging is enabled over USB. Without this feature, many software methods for resetting the screen password will not be available, and you will have to resort to a complete data reset.
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If you plan to experiment with system settings often, enable USB debugging in advance in the Developer Menu and tie the device to your computer to be able to remotely control.
Preparing a device for the unlocking procedure requires several critical conditions to be met, and ignoring these points can cause the process to break down halfway and the phone to become a brick.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 60-70%, as the process of refrigeration or resetting energy-intensive.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable USB 2.0 on a computer to provide a stable connection.
- 💾 Backup important data if you have the slightest chance of accessing the file system via PC.
- 📶 Make sure your internet connection is stable if you need to verify your account or download drivers.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to unlock a device that is wanted or stolen is illegal, and the methods described are solely designed to restore access to personal devices when passwords are lost.
Reset the screen password via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
The most common and affordable method for Xiaomi Redmi 3S with a forgotten screen password is to execute Hard Reset through the recovery menu, which completely clears the device’s internal memory, removing all user data, including the forgotten password, photos and contacts.
To enter Recovery mode on Redmi 3S, you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume until the main menu appears.
☑️ Recovery login algorithm
In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down for moving) and the power button (to confirm your choice). The default interface language can be Chinese or English. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data, and then select Wipe All Data.
Once confirmed, the formatting process will begin. The procedure can vary from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. When completed, the phone will automatically restart. If the device requests a Google or Mi Account after activation, then FRP or Mi Cloud protection has worked.
| Action. | Control buttons | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the menu | Volume Up + Nutrition | Recovery launch |
| Navigation | Volume Up/down | Moving the cursor |
| Confirmation | Power button | Choice of menu item |
| Exit/Back | Depends on the version. | Return to the previous menu |
Bypassing the blocking of the Mi Account (Mi Account)
The Mi Account lock is a serious level of protection introduced by Xiaomi to combat theft. If the device was enabled to search for the device and logged in to Mi Account, then after resetting the settings (Hard Reset), the phone will require you to enter a password from this account.
The official way to unlock is to remember your login and password. If you remember the data but can't log in because of a forgotten password, use the recovery form at i.mi.com. However, if you lose your account permanently, the situation becomes complicated. There are service centers that can unblock if you have a purchase check that confirms ownership of the device.
Can I officially untie my account without a password?
Some users try to use special utilities to bypass the check, but on Redmi 3S with an updated version of MIUI, this rarely works. The protection algorithm stores the binding information in a secure partition of memory that is not erased during normal formatting.
If the phone was bought by hand and is locked, contact the previous owner, only he can remotely untie the device through his account on the Mi Cloud site, to do this, he needs to go to the Devices section, select your phone and click on "Delete" or "Unlock".
Unlock the bootloader with the Mi Unlock Tool
A bootloader is a program that runs in front of the operating system and checks the integrity of the software. On Xiaomi devices, it is often blocked. Unlocking the bootloader is necessary to install custom recavators (for example, TWRP) and obtain superuser rights, which sometimes helps in complex cases of password reset.
Unlocking requires the official Mi Unlock Tool and the Mi Account attached to the device. Importantly, once you have your account tied to your phone settings ("Developers" → "Trackloader Status"), you have to wait a certain amount of time, which is usually 7 days (168 hours), but in some cases the timer can be extended to 30 days.
The process is this: download the program on your PC, launch it, log in to your account. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (squeezing Volume Down and Power at the same time), connect your smartphone to your computer and press the Unlock button in the program.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader automatically erases all data on the phone for security purposes, and it can also result in a loss of warranty (though for Redmi, it is not a good idea to use the phone). 3S This is no longer relevant and the data security in banking applications is reduced.
If the program gives an error or the timer is not going, check the correct date and time on the PC and on the phone. USB-The stability of the connection at this point is critical.
Using Fastboot and Device Firmware
Fastboot mode on Xiaomi Redmi 3S (codename prada) allows you to interact with the phone at a low level, through which you can reflash the device completely, which sometimes helps to get rid of software errors that cause locks, or install a clean global firmware instead of Chinese.
This mode will require a computer with Qualcomm drivers installed and a fastboot utility (part of the Android SDK Platform Tools) commands are entered via the command line, for example, the fastboot device command checks the visibility of the phone, and fastboot reboot reboots the device.
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash system system.imgFastboot firmware requires a precise firmware image. Redmi 3S has different versions: Global Stable, China Stable, Developer. Mismatch between the firmware region and the phone hardware version can lead to the failure of communication modules (IMEI) or complete system failure.
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Using Fastboot is an advanced method that requires attention. A single command error can make the phone unrecoverable without soldering the programmer.
Before starting the firmware, make sure the firmware file has a.tgz extension and is decompressed into the disk root or folder without Cyrillic characters on the way.
Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection)
FRP is activated if the phone has logged in to a Google account and then resets through Recovery. The phone will require you to enter a password from the last synchronized Google account. Older versions of Android that run on Redmi 3S (usually Android 6.0 Marshmallow) have vulnerabilities that can bypass this protection.
One of the methods involves using TalkBack or special APK-files installed through the browser or Wi-Fi settings. The essence of the method is to access the system settings and disable account verification or add a new, trusted account.
As FRP bypass techniques are constantly patched by Google and Xiaomi, the specific steps may change. However, the general principle remains the same: find a sign in to settings or a browser. On Android 6.0, the method of activating TalkBack through triple tapping or using a voice assistant often helps.
- 🔍 Find the vulnerability in a specific security patch (specified in Settings) → The phone).
- 📲 Use it. OTG-Navigation cable and mouse if sensor does not respond to steps.
- 🌐 Download the specials. APK-dumper FRP (for example, FRP Bypass APK) via built-in browser.
⚠️ Attention: Bypass FRP The next time you reset completely, the lock will come back. The only reliable way is to know the password from your Google account.