How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi password phone: the full guide

A situation where access to your own smartphone is limited due to a forgotten pattern lock, PIN-The code or password is one of the most stressful for the owner of the gadget. In the devices of the Xiaomi brand, especially in the Redmi and Poco lines, the security system is built on the basis of the security system. MIUI, It's integrated with Mi Account and Google, which creates an additional layer of protection, but also makes it harder to restore access if the user doesn't remember their credentials.

There are several proven methods of bypassing the lock screen, but their effectiveness depends on the version of the Android operating system, the installed MIUI firmware and the pre-configuration of the device. Some methods allow you to save personal data, while others require full Wipe Data, that is, permanently delete all information from internal memory. The choice of a specific algorithm of actions should be based on whether the Internet was turned on, whether the account is synchronized and whether there is access to the computer.

It is important to understand that modern versions of Android security encrypt user data by linking encryption keys to the unlock password.This means that simply resetting a password without data loss is technically impossible on most modern models without using special vulnerabilities or service tools. Below are the most relevant and working methods for Xiaomi devices.

Use the “Find Device” function from Google

If the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi) has been turned on on on the locked smartphone and geolocation has been activated, the easiest way to unlock can be a standard service from Google. This method only works if the device is logged in to a Google account that you know.

To implement this method, you need to go from any other device (computer or phone) to the site android.com/find and log in under the same account as the blocked Xiaomi. The system will try to determine the location of the gadget. In the control menu, you should select the option “Lock” (Lock), which will allow you to set a new temporary password. Once you enter a new code on the site, it will automatically apply to the phone, replacing the forgotten pattern lock or digital pin code.

⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the device is in “In Airplane” mode, is off or does not have an active network connection.

It’s worth noting that once successfully unlocked through Google’s services, the system may require proof of identity when you next log in to your account settings, a standard Two-Factor Authentication procedure designed to protect against unauthorized access, and if the phone can’t see the network, it’s useless and you’ll have to resort to more drastic measures to reboot to recovery mode.

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Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

The most versatile and frequently used method is forced resetting via the Recovery Mode menu.This method is guaranteed to delete the forgotten password, but will lead to a complete cleanup of the device's internal memory. All photos, contacts (if not synchronized), applications and files will be lost. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery charge is at least 40-50% so that the phone does not turn off at a critical moment.

To enter recovery mode on a switched-off Xiaomi phone, you need to press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the main Recovery menu appears. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.

☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset

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In the menu that opens, the default interface language is often Chinese or English. Select English if you have a choice. Next, go to Wipe Data and confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation, usually you need to press Confirm or OK. After the process is completed, which can take a few minutes, select Reboot to restart the system.

Once the device is rebooted, it will launch as new. However, thanks to FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously synced to the device, a security measure to prevent stolen phones from being used after a reset, and if you don't remember the password from your Google account, you won't be able to unlock the phone using standard methods.

Unlocking with Mi Account (Find Device)

Xiaomi device owners often register Mi Account when they first set up. If the locked phone has the Internet enabled and the Find Device feature is activated in Mi cloud services, you can try to unlock the screen remotely, a method that sometimes avoids a complete data reset, although security policies have been tightened in recent versions of MIUI.

You need to go to the official i.mi.com website from a computer or other smartphone. Sign in to your Mi Account using the same credentials as on the locked device. In the cloud service interface, find the Find Device section. Select your device from the list of connected gadgets.

The Unlock option may be present in the device management menu. When you click on it, the system can request confirmation via SMS or simply execute a command remotely. If the option is available and active, the phone will unlock and you can set a new password in the settings. However, if this feature does not work or requires a pre-reset, you will have to use the complete cleanup method.

MethodData retentionWe need the Internet.I need a PC.
Google Find My DeviceNo (password change)Yes.No.
Hard Reset (Recovery)No (complete removal)No.No.
Mi Cloud UnlockMaybe.Yes.No.
Mi Flash ToolNo (complete flashing)No.Yes.
Why does the phone ask for an old account after a reset?
This is FRP, which prevents unauthorized users from using the device in the event of a theft, and even after a full reset via Recovery, the system remembers the last synchronized Google account and requires it to be confirmed when you first set it up, and you can't get around it without your account data by standard means.

Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool

If standard methods don't work, or the device is in a bootloop state, the only way out is to completely flash it, USB-This method also completely deletes all data, including partitions with user information.

First, you need to download the official firmware for your particular Redmi or Poco model. It is important to choose a version marked Fastboot (usually with the.tgz extension) rather than Recovery (.zip). The firmware archive should be unpacked into the root of the C disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic or spaces. You also need to install ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer.

Turn off the phone completely. Press the Volume Down button and the power button at the same time. When the image of a rabbit repairing an android appears on the screen (Fastboot mode), connect the phone to your computer. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press the Refresh button, and the program must identify the device.

Firmware process:




1. Select a path to the folder with unpacked firmware.




2. In the lower right corner, select "Clean all" mode (Clean all)).




3. Press the "Flash" button.




4. wait until the process is completed (green bar "Success").

⚠️ Warning: Selecting Clean all and lock mode can lock the bootloader permanently if you are not an authorized service center".

Once the firmware is complete, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 10-15 minutes. If the device was tied to Mi Account with search enabled, an activation screen may appear after booting, requiring you to enter a password from your Mi Account. This is anti-theft protection, and it is almost impossible to circumvent it without a password by legal methods.

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Use the original. USB-Cheap charging cables often do not provide stable data transfer, which can lead to firmware error and damage to the bootloader.

Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)

Many users confuse the screen password with bootloader lock. Bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system and checks the integrity of the software. On Xiaomi devices, the bootloader is blocked by default. Its unlocking is necessary to install custom recaps (TWRP) or obtain Root rights, which in turn can help in removing forgotten passwords through file managers with access to the system.

Official unlocking of the bootloader is possible only through an application from Xiaomi. You need to install the Mi Unlock app on your PC, log into your Mi Account and link the device. After submitting an application, you usually have to wait 3 to 7 days (sometimes longer) before the account gets permission to unlock.

It’s important to understand that unlocking the bootloader won’t remove the password from the screen if the phone is already locked, it only opens up the possibility of modifying the system. However, if you plan to use custom resets to reset the password by deleting key files (which only works on very old versions of Android up to 6.0-7.0), then unlocking is a must.

On current versions of MIUI 12, 13, 14 and above, the file system is strictly separated, and access to lock files (gatekeeper.password.key, gatekeeper.pattern.key) without an unlocked screen is impossible even with superuser rights in the working system.

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Officially unlocking the bootloader voids the warranty on the device and requires waiting for a few days.For simple password removal, this method is redundant unless you plan on a deep modification of the system.

Mi and Google account issues after reset

After performing the Hard Reset or flashing, the device starts in the initial setting mode, at which point the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection system is activated. If the phone was linked to a Google account, the system will require the username and password of the account that was last synchronized with the device before the reset.

A similar situation occurs with Mi Account: If the phone’s settings have enabled Find the Device, the phone will require the password from the Mi Account after the reset. This is done to prevent the thief who stole the phone and dropped it to factory settings from using it. For the owner, this means that the forgotten password from the account becomes a new barrier.

If you do not remember the password from Google or Mi Account, you should use the procedure to restore access through the official sites accounts.google.com or id.mi.com. the Recovery process can take time and require access to a backup email or phone number associated with the account.

There are service centers and specialists who can get around FRP, using specialized hardware and software (unlock boxes), but this is a paid service and it does not guarantee 100% results on all models. FRP It may be considered as a violation of the terms of use of the services.

What to do if your phone is locked and bought from hand?
If you bought a used Xiaomi phone and it requires the previous owner's account after the reset, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the seller. They must remotely untie the device from their account via i.mi.com or provide you with login details. Without this, the phone becomes a chipset, since the server binding is on a unique IMEI and serial number.
Can I unlock my phone without losing data?
On modern versions of Android (8.0 and above) with disk encryption enabled, there is virtually no data physically encrypted with a key derived from your password. Without the correct password, the key is not generated, and the data remains an unreadable set of bytes. The old USB debugging (ADB) methods only work if it was pre-installed in the developer menu before locking.
Will a phone call help to unlock?
This method (a security hole) worked on very old versions of Android (4.x - 5.x) and the idea was to try to slip through the menu or start the camera during an incoming call. On current versions of MIUI and Android, this method does not work, since the call interface does not give access to the system.
Is it safe to use password cracking software?
Most programs that promise to “hack” Xiaomi passwords in 5 minutes are either fraud or viruses. The only safe tools are official utilities from Google and Xiaomi, as well as time-tested firmware tools like Mi Flash. Using questionable software can lead to your data being stolen from your PC or your phone finally crashing.

To sum up, unlocking Xiaomi Redmi is a process that requires careful and risk-awareness. Recovery is the most reliable way, but it inevitably leads to data loss. Regular sync with the cloud and remembering passwords from the main accounts is the best way to prevent such situations.