How to Reset Your Graphic Password to Xiaomi: Official and Alternative Methods

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi's smartphone is a situation that even experienced users face. PIN-It's easy to forget the pattern, especially if you rarely unlock the device or have recently changed it. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access - from official (via Mi Account) to technical (using Fastboot or Recovery).

It is important to understand that not all methods guarantee data safety. For example, resetting through Recovery almost always leads to the deletion of user files, while unlocking through a Xiaomi account in some cases allows you to do without losses. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from the simplest to the most advanced, and also describe how to avoid such problems in the future.

If your Redmi, POCO or Mi is locked, don’t panic: 90% of the time, you can unlock your phone yourself, but the key is to follow the instructions and avoid the typical errors, which we’ll mention.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the use of a tied account Mi Account, which works on all modern models (starting with MIUI 9) and does not require technical skills. The only condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), and you must remember the username and password from the account.

How does it work? If you have a few failed attempts to enter a pattern lock, the system will suggest, "Forgot your password?" Then you enter the data from Mi Account, and the phone will unlock.

• 🔹 If two-factor authentication is enabled on the device, confirmation will be required via SMS email.
• 🔹 In some models (for example, POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10) after unlocking, you may need to re-enter your password from your account.
• 🔹 The method does not work if the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie his account.

If the internet is down or you don't remember your account, go to the following methods, but first check if your phone is connected to another network (such as a public Wi-Fi in a cafe or mall) - sometimes it helps.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Find Device (remotely)

If your phone is connected to the Internet but you can’t enter your account details directly (for example, because of a damaged screen), use Xiaomi’s Find Device service, which allows you to remotely unlock your device or even erase all data if other methods don’t work.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the list of devices, select a locked smartphone.
3. Click on “Unlock Device” (if the option is active) or “Erase Data” (extreme case).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

The advantage of this method is the ability to unlock without physical access to the phone.

• ⚠️ If the phone is unloaded or disconnected from the network, the command will not reach.
• ⚠️ On some firmware, the “Unlock” option may not be available (only “Erase Data” option»).

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If the "Unlock Device" option is inactive, try first sending a "Call" command via Find Device, which sometimes helps activate the network on your phone.

3. Recovery Mode reset (without data loss is not always possible)

If previous methods didn’t work, you’ll have to use Recovery Mode, a special recovery mode that works for all Xiaomi models, but has a critical drawback: on most devices, resetting through Recovery results in the deletion of all user data (photos, messages, apps), with the exception of some models with an unlocked bootloader, but this is rare.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power for confirmation).

Once rebooted, the phone will be like new, without a pattern lock, but without your files, and if the device has been enabled to sync with Mi Cloud, some of the data (contacts, notes) can be restored.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi 9 or POCO M3) After resetting through Recovery, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously tied. If you don't remember them, the phone will turn into a brick».

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is a method that works with a computer and command line, and allows you to reset the pattern lock without completely deleting the data, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If you've never officially unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, it won't work.

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on PC (or use the Mi Flash Tool).
2. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot Mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command: fastboot oem clean_frp (For some models) Fastboot erase frp
4. Reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot

If the bootloader is locked, you will have to unlock it first (it will take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi’s policy), the alternative is to use informal utilities like the Xiaomi Tool V2, but they require caution and can lead to a loss of warranty.

5. Alternative methods: bypassing through ADB and third-party utilities

If the official methods didn’t work, you can try bypassing the pattern lock through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which only works if the phone has previously been debugged by USB and you have confirmed the connection to this computer, otherwise it is useless.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Follow the commands: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
3. Reboot the phone: reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock should be reset, but on newer versions of MIUI (13+), this method may not work due to enhanced protection.

For devices with blocked ADB, there are third-party utilities like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey, but they are paid and not always effective. In addition, their use may violate Xiaomi’s security policy, so we recommend using them only as a last resort.

⚠️ Attention: Bypassing utilities often contain malicious code or require root rights. Their use may lead to a loss of warranty or data leak.

6.How to avoid blocking in the future: 5 tips

To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-A code or password instead of a pattern lock is harder to forget.
• 📱 Link Mi Account and enable data synchronization (this will help restore access).
• 🔄 Regularly back up through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🔧 Enable Smart Lock (in security settings) to unlock your phone in trusted locations (such as at home).
• 📝 Write down your pattern lock or password in a secure location (such as a password manager).

If you often forget passwords, consider using biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition), which works quickly and reliably on modern Xiaomi models.

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Even if you use a graphical key, always set up a backup unlock method (PIN or Mi Account) that will keep your phone access 99% of the time.

FAQ: Frequent questions about resetting a graphical password on Xiaomi