How to unlock Xiaomi phone: from Mi Account to pattern lock

Forgot the password from Xiaomi or bought a used phone with a tied Mi Account? Screen lock, pattern lock or the requirement to enter the username of the previous owner are typical problems faced by users of smartphones Redmi, POCO and Mi. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking for 2026, including official and alternative methods, and also warn against common mistakes that can turn the phone into a “brick”.

It's important to understand that the method of unlocking depends on the type of lock.

• 🔒 Screen locking (PIN, password, pattern lock)
• 📱 Mi Account (linked to the account of the previous owner)
• 🔄 Factory lock after resetting settings (FRP)
• 🛠️ Hardware locking (for example, after a failed firmware)

Not all methods are universal – some only work on older models (before MIUI 12), others require special equipment. We will note the unique nuances for new smartphones (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), where the manufacturer has tightened protection.

1. unlock the Xiaomi screen without data loss

If you have forgotten the pattern lock, PIN-A code or password, but remember the Mi Account, the safest way to do this is to use the Forgot Password? feature on the lock screen. POCO X6 Pro and Redmi 12 if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Mi Account was tied before being blocked
• 📱 There is an official firmware on the phone. MIUI (non-custom)

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? in English).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm the entrance via SMS or email (the code will come to the mail / phone).
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

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If the Forgot Password button doesn’t appear, try connecting your phone to charge and try again – sometimes the system requires a minimum charge level to unlock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work. In this case, a complete reset will be required (see section 3), but this will delete all data.

2. How to delete Mi Account after reset (bypass FRP)

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a factory reset protection that works if the phone has a Mi Account attached. After a hard reset, the system requires the username and password of the previous owner to be entered. There are several ways to bypass this lock, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI and the phone model.

The most reliable method for new models (MIUI 14 and later) is to use the official unlock tool from Xiaomi:

Make sure your phone is at least 50 times charged%|Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows only)|Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable|Disable the antivirus (it can block the tool)-->

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on PC.
2. Start your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down on the phone turned off).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and wait for the drivers to be installed (if necessary, install them manually through Device Manager).
4. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool under your Mi Account (if you don’t have one, sign up).
5. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi’s validation).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi limits the number of unlocks from one account, if you have already unlocked 1 phone this month, you will have to wait or use another account. 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) You may need to confirm that through SMS to a number linked to an account.

3. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If other methods fail, it will completely reset through Recovery Mode, which will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the phone, and works on all Xiaomi models except those that include reset protection (FRP).

Instructions for Redmi, POCO and Mi:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).
5. Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 13 and newer after a reset, you may need to enter Mi Account data even if you didn't tie it up.This is due to Xiaomi's policy to combat device theft.If the phone is bought from hand, make sure the previous owner untied the account!

Redmi (Note, K-series)|POCO (F, X, M-series)|Mi (11/12/13/14)|Another brand |I don't know the model-->

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have debugging enabled USB (USB Debugging before locking, you can try unlocking your phone through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is suitable for bypassing a pattern lock or PIN-It will not work if your Mi Account is blocked.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission)
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (If not included, the method will not work)

Instructions:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key # for pattern lock




rm /data/system/password.key # for PIN/password




reboot

If the commands are executed without error, the phone will restart without locking.

• ❌ Nana MIUI 14 and later this method is often blocked by the system.
• ❌ If debugging is on USB It wasn't activated in advance, it won't work.
• ❌ In some models (POCO F5, Xiaomi 13 Ultra requires root rights.

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ADB-Unlocking works only if the debugging is done USB It was turned on before the lock. If it wasn't, it's useless.

5. Official unlock through Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts fail, you just have to contact the official service center of Xiaomi, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (proof of possession)
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity)
• 📱 Phone box (preferably, but not always necessary)

The unlocking process:

1. Find the nearest service center on the official website.
2. Make an appointment (in some centers, the queue for 1-2 weeks).
3. Provide documents and phone number, and specialists will send a request to Xiaomi for unlocking.
4. Wait for a response (from 3 days to 2 weeks).

⚠️ Note: Service centers do not always agree to unlock hands-on phones, even with checks. Xiaomi may require confirmation from the previous owner, in which case only buying the phone from an authorized dealer or using informal methods (see section 6).

6. Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If the official methods do not help, some users resort to informal methods, such as:

• 🔓 Use of bypass scripts (e.g. Mi Account Bypass Tool)
• 🔧 Fastboot Firmware with Mi Account Deletion
• 🛠️ Soldering works (for older models, for example, Redmi) 4X)

⚠️ Attention: These methods may:

• 🚨 Turn your phone into a brick (does not turn on, does not respond to charging).
• 🔒 Block it. IMEI (The phone will lose communication with the networks of operators).
• 📵 Cancel the guarantee (if it was still valid).

If you still decide, here is a short guide to the firmware through Fastboot:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder with the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Start the phone in Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the firmware folder and press Flash.

🔴 Warning: On newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13), Fastboot firmware without Mi Account authorization can result in permanent bootloader locking, in which case the phone can only be unlocked through the service center with confirmation of purchase.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi