How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro with a forgotten password

A situation where the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro cannot access his device due to a forgotten pattern lock or digital key PIN-Modern Android security systems, especially given the data protection policy of Google and Mi Account, are becoming increasingly strict, which makes the process of restoring access not always obvious to the average user. Screen locking is designed to protect personal information, but often it becomes a barrier for the legitimate owner.

There are several proven methods to circumvent or remove the restrictions, but it is worth warning that in most cases, especially with standard reset tools, a complete reset is an inevitable consequence. This means that photos, contacts and applications that are not stored in the cloud can be lost. Below we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions, from the simplest to more complex technical manipulations.

Before you start to act, you need to assess the current state of the gadget: whether it is switched on, whether the touchscreen is responsive, whether the Internet was previously connected and whether Mi Account is activated. These factors will determine the choice of the particular way to unlock. In some cases, remote control will help, in others you will need to log into Recovery mode.

Using the Mi Cloud function to remotely unlock

The most gentle method that some versions of MIUI firmware allow you to save data is using the Mi Cloud service, which works only if the blocked Redmi 4 Pro was pre-signed to the Mi Account and enabled the “Find the device” function.

To implement this method, you need to go to the official website of the cloud service from any other device that has access to the network. By entering your credentials, you get access to the control panel. Here you should select the remote lock option that allows you to set a new temporary password that replaces the old pattern lock or PIN.

⚠️ Note: Remote unlock function is unstable on new versions MIUI If the system requires you to enter a screen unlock code to confirm the action in the cloud, this method will not work without first accessing the phone.

After installing the new code through the web interface, you need to wait a few minutes for the server to transmit the command to the smartphone. Then on the screen Redmi 4 Pro, you should enter the newly created password. If everything goes well, the device unlocks and you can change the security settings in the Settings menu. → Passwords and security.

Resets via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu

If cloud services didn’t help or Internet access on the phone was not available, Hard Reset remains the only working option.This procedure returns the device to factory status, completely clearing the internal drive of user data, including a forgotten password. On Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, this process is performed through a special recovery menu.

To enter Recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to hold the volume. When the multi-point menu appears, the volume button can be released.

Navigation in the Recovery menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the option is selected with the power button. You need to select Wipe Data, then confirm the action with Wipe All Data. The system will ask for final confirmation, after which the formatting process will begin.

Once you've cleaned it, select Reboot to reboot. It's going to take longer than usual to start the system first. It's important to understand that once you reboot, the phone will require you to enter a password from the Mi Account that was synced earlier, which is a theft protection that you can't get around with a simple reset.

Unlocking through Google’s Find My Device service

An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard tool, Find My Device, which is relevant if the Redmi 4 Pro has been linked to a Google account and geolocated, similar to the Mi Cloud, but uses search engine infrastructure.

Go to the service website from a computer or other smartphone and log in under the same Google account that was used on the locked device. The system will try to determine the location of the gadget.

⚠️ Warning: Clear Device command permanently deletes all data. Unlike some older versions of Android, modern systems do not allow you to simply change your password through this service without losing information.

Once the command is confirmed, the phone should receive a reset signal, and if the device is offline, the command will be executed as soon as it is online, and this is a reliable way to regain control of the device if other methods are not available.

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If the phone hasn't been online for a long time, the reset command may be delayed. Leave it charged and connected to Wi-Fi for a few hours.

Use of USB and ADB debugging (for advanced ones)

For users who have activated the developer mode in advance and enabled USB debugging, there is a technical way to delete lock files without losing personal data, which requires a computer, installed ADB drivers and basic command line knowledge.

Connect Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro to PC via USB-Open the command line on your computer in the tool folder. ADB. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. If the device is identified and has device status, you can proceed to delete the system files responsible for blocking.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Once these commands are executed, you need to restart the phone. When you turn on, the lock screen may remain, but any pattern lock or password entered will be accepted by the system as correct. It is worth noting that on new versions of Android with an encrypted drive, this method may not work without root rights.

Mi Account Lock issues after reset

A common problem after Hard Reset is an activation screen that requires you to enter a password from your Mi Account, which is an Anti-Theft Protection feature that locks a device if it's stolen and dropped by an attacker, and without entering the correct data from the account to which the phone was attached, it will be impossible to use it.

If you remember your login but have forgotten your password, use the link “Forgot your password?” on the lock screen or restore access via i.mi.com. The recovery process can take from a few minutes to several days, depending on the chosen verification method (SMS, email, control questions).

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro, always check if it is untied from the account of the previous owner. Having someone else's Mi Account makes the phone a "brick" after a reset.

If the account was deleted from the phone settings before reset, no lock will occur. However, if the phone was simply reset with buttons without first logging out of the account in the settings menu, requesting a password is mandatory.

Prevention and backup

To prevent the situation with the forgotten password from being taken by surprise in the future, it is recommended to regularly back up data. MIUI There is a built-in backup tool that can be configured to automatically save to the cloud or to the cloud. SD-map.

It is also useful to write your graphic keys and complex passwords into a paper notebook or use password managers that can be accessed even without unlocking the screen (for example, via the web version). Regular synchronization of contacts and photos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud ensures that you do not lose important information in an emergency reset.

Remember to periodically check the functionality of the Find Device feature and the relevance of your account data. This will take a few minutes, but can save you from hours of useless attempts to unlock at a critical moment.

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Regular backup and memory of data from your Mi Account is the only guarantee of quick recovery of access without data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)