How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 8 if you forget your password or pattern lock

Forgot the password from Xiaomi Redmi 8 and can not unlock the phone? the situation is familiar to many: according to statistics, one in five users at least once faced with locking the device due to loss PIN-And fortunately, unlocking is possible even without losing data -- if you do the right thing.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to unlock Redmi 8, from the official (via Mi Account) to the radical (full reset via Fastboot). Importantly, some methods require prior preparation, such as a tied Xiaomi account or enabled debugging over USB. If you’re not sure about your actions, don’t try methods at random – this can lead to complete data loss or “bricking” of the phone.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (must be at least 30%, otherwise the phone may turn off during the process).
• 📶 Availability of stable Internet (for methods with authorization through Mi Account).
• 🔌 Cable USB (If you plan to use a PC).

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1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is if you have previously linked your Xiaomi account to your phone, PIN-code or pattern lock without loss of data.

How it works:

1. After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password?) will appear on the screen.
2. Click on it and select Login via Mi Account.
3. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

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Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work, and note that after unlocking, you may need to reconfigure some features (for example, a fingerprint).

If the button Forgot the password? does not appear:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 🌐 Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet (if your phone supports it) SIM-map).
• 📱 Make sure your Xiaomi account has been linked before being blocked (check on another device via account.xiaomi.com).

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

If Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you can try resetting your password through Recovery mode, which works on Redmi 8 with bootloader unlocked.

Step-by-step:

1. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
2. Next, select Wipe All Data (this won’t delete files in your phone’s memory, but will reset settings and password).
3. Confirm the action by entering yes (if required).
4. Once completed, select Reboot and wait for the reboot.

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Note: On some Redmi 8 firmware, Wipe All Data can delete all data. If the phone doesn't unlock after rebooting, try another method.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese:

• 📱 Use a camera interpreter (e.g. Google Translate).
• 🔍 Look for characters similar to (data cleanup) or (reboot).

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If the phone doesn't come into Recovery, try pinching Power + Volume up for 10-15 seconds. On some versions of Redmi 8, you may need to hold the Volume down button further after the logo appears.

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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for power users)

The method is suitable if:

• 🔓 The bootloader (bootloader) is unlocked.
• 💻 Access to a computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Debugging is on. USB (If not, the method will not work).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (CMD) and type: fastboot devices If the device is determined, continue. If not, install the Xiaomi drivers.
4. Enter the command to reset the password: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

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Note: This method will delete all data in the userdata section, including apps and settings. Photos, videos and music may be saved on internal memory, but there are no guarantees.

If the fastboot erase locksettings team fails:

• 🔧 Try the alternative command: fastboot flash locksettings locksettings.img (file locksettings.img You can download from the firmware for Redmi 8).
• 🔄 Fly your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions in the next section).

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4. Complete flashing through the Mi Flash Tool

The last resort, if other methods don't work, will delete all the data, but it'll unlock the phone.

• 💻 Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware for Redmi 8 (download from the official website).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, read the instructions below).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi8_Firmware).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the firmware folder, then select Clean all (full clean) and click Flash.
6. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes) and the phone to restart.

After firmware, the phone will be like new – you will need an initial setup.

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Note: If the bootloader is locked, the Mi Flash Tool will give an error, in which case, unlock the bootloader first (see next section).

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5. How to unlock bootloader on Redmi 8

If you see this device is locked when you try to flash your phone through Fastboot, it means the bootloader is locked. unlocking takes up to 72 hours (by Xiaomi rules) and requires a tied Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to Mi Account on your phone and PC (should be one account!).
3. On your phone, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
4. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔧 Debugging by USB 🔓 Unlocking OEM (crucial!)

Food + Volume Down

Fastboot

Redmi 8

Mi Unlock Tool

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Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings, and Xiaomi can block unlocking if the account is new (less than 30 days).

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6. Alternative methods (if nothing helps)

If the standard methods don’t work, try:

🔹 Contact Xiaomi Support:

🔹 Contact the service center:

🔹 Use third-party services (at your own risk):

• 🌐 There are online services to unlock Xiaomi IMEI (For example, miaccountunlock.com).
• ⚠️ Risks: fraud, loss of warranty, malware installation.

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If the phone was bought by hand, unlocking the previous owner’s Mi Account is impossible, in which case only a full reset via Fastboot or flashing remains.

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FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 8