How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: all working methods

Forgetting the password from Xiaomi’s smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one. The manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, but their effectiveness depends on the device model, the version of MIUI and whether synchronization functions with the Mi Account were enabled. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of unlocking, from official (with saving data) to radical (with a full reset).

It is important to understand that Xiaomi is very protective of user data, so bypassing the lock without proof of ownership is almost impossible on new devices (released after 2021). If the phone is tied to a Mi Account, the chances of successfully unlocking without losing information are much higher. For older models (up to the Redmi Note 8 inclusive), sometimes workarounds through the Fastboot or the Fastboot. EDL-The system requires technical skills.

Before you start taking action, check:

• 🔄 Do you have access to it? email/phone linked to Mi Account?
• 📱 Is the phone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)?
• 🔧 Is there a debugging on the device? USB (ADB)?
• 📅 When was the last time the data backup was performed?

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and secure way is to use a tied Mi Account. It works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices with MIUI 12 and later if:

• 📧 The account was added to the phone before the lock.
• 🌐 The device is connected to the Internet (even if the screen is blocked).
• 🔑 You remember the password from your Mi Account or have access to the associated password email/phone.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Forgot Password button (or Forgot Password?).
2. Choose the recovery option: via SMS, email or backup code.
3. Enter the confirmation code received.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

If the buttons forgot the password?

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge and wait for the low charge notification to appear.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi via the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down on the lock screen).
• 🔄 Restart the device – sometimes the button appears after the restart.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, it is impossible to unlock it without the consent of the previous owner.

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote)

Google’s Find Device feature not only tracks Xiaomi’s location, but also remotely resets your password, which works if:

• 📍 The function has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🌍 Phone's connected to the Internet.
• 🔒 The device is not switched off.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click Delete Data (or Erase Device).
4. Confirm the action with a code from SMS/email.

Once the command is executed, the phone will be reset to factory settings and all data (including the password) deleted, a method that does not save user files, but is guaranteed to unlock the device.

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If after resetting through Find Device, the phone requires you to enter the old password, connect it to Wi-Fi and repeat the procedure - sometimes 2-3 attempts are required.

3. Unlock through Recovery Mode (with data loss)

If Mi Account is lost and no other options are available, a hard reset is left over via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data, including photos, messages and installed apps, but returns access to the phone.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Hold the combination: 🔧 Loudness up + Food for most models. 🔧 Loudness up + Loudness down + Food is for you. POCO F1/F2.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi) 11T After a reset via Recovery, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously tied.

Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Prepare a backup of important data (if your phone has previously synced with Google/Mi Cloud)

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (if the phone is tied)-->

4. Password bypass through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone has USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI → 7 taps by version number → Additional settings → Developers → USB debugging), you can try resetting your password via ADB. This method doesn’t work on MIUI 14/15 with the latest security updates, but it can help on older versions.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB lock-in.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.


2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Mac/Linux).




3. Enter the commands in order:




adb shell




su




rm /data/system/gesture.key (for pattern lock)




or




rm /data/system/password.key (for PIN/password)




4.Reboot phone: adb reboot

If the commands are executed without errors, the password will be reset after the reset, however, on MIUI 12+ this method is blocked by the security system, and instead of resetting the password, you may need to enter data from Mi Account.

5. Unlock through EDL-Regime (for technical specialists)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a service mode that allows you to flash your phone at a low level, and it's used in service centers to restore bricks. EDL need:

• 🖥️ PC with Qualcomm drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔧 Special cable EDL (or the ability to close test points on the board).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website).

⚠️ Warning: Misconduct in the EDL-This method is recommended only for experienced users or service engineers.

Instructions:

1. Transfer the phone to EDL-mode (usually by closing contacts on the board or via Fastboot).
2. Connect to a PC – the device should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).

Once firmware is in place, the phone will be completely reset, including Mi Account (if the official firmware with the rollback version was used).However, on newer models (Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12), this method may not work due to the bootloader lock.

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EDL-Mode is a last resort. On devices with a locked bootloader, the firmware is through EDL Requires authorization from Xiaomi, which can only be obtained by official service centers.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods fail, you can contact an authorized service center, which is the only legal way to unlock your phone if:

• 📄 You have a check or a guarantee card to buy.
• 🔒 The phone is tied to someone else’s Mi Account (for example, when buying from hand).
• 🛠️ You are not sure about your technical skills to work with ADB/EDL.

What will be required to unlock:

• 📇 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 🛒 Check or sales contract (if the phone is not purchased in the official store).
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge of at least 30%).

The cost of the service varies from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock. In some cases (for example, if you steal), Xiaomi may refuse to unlock even if you have documents.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services offering undocumented unlocking often use illegal methods that can lead to loss of access. IMEI After such interventions, the phone may stop catching mobile communications.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional unlocking method.
• 📝 Write it down. PIN-code to a secure location (e.g. Google Keep or Mi Cloud).
• 🔄 Regularly sync your data with Mi Cloud or Google Account.
• 📧 Link your Mi Account to your current email and phone.
• 🔧 Enable Find Device in your account settings.

It's also useful to know:

• MIUI 14/15 has added the function of Emergency call on the lock screen – through it you can call a trusted number, even if the phone is locked.
• In Security → Screen Locking, you can set up automatic deletion after 10 failed password attempts (useful for theft).

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Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi allows you to create a "backup" PIN-"unlock" code if the primary password is forgotten. This feature is available in the lock screen settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi