How to reset the code on your Xiaomi phone: an expert guide

A situation where the owner forgets a digital password, pattern lock or PIN-The code on its device is one of the world's most stressful mobile devices.Smartphones Xiaomi, equipped with a shell MIUI Or the new HyperOS, which has a powerful security system that blocks access to data when you repeatedly enter incorrect combinations, creates a vicious circle: you can't log in to unplug your account, but the system won't let you inside.

But don't panic, because there are several proven ways to solve this problem: the specific method depends on whether the Mi Account was tied, whether USB debugging is enabled, and which version of the operating system is installed, and in most cases, the user will have to sacrifice the data stored in the internal memory to restore access to the functionality of the gadget.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the algorithms for different lock scenarios, and we will look at both the standard methods through cloud services, and the deeper ways through the Recovery engineering menu. It is important to understand that modern Android encryption protocols do not allow you to simply “hack” a password without losing data, unless you have a pre-prepared backup.

Why is the phone locked and what are the codes?

Screen locking is the first frontier of protecting your personal information. Android offers different types of protection: a simple digital PIN, a complex password, a pattern lock or a biometric. Often users set up complex combinations for security, but forget them after a long period of not using or updating the system.

And then there's the concept of locking an account, and if a device is bought with your hands or recovered from a reset, it can request Mi or Google account data that was synced earlier, and it's an anti-Theft mechanism to prevent unauthorized users from using the stolen phone, and it's officially impossible to reset the Mi Account without the owner's password, because the link is done at the server level.

Sometimes the lock is due to software failures, for example, after a failed firmware update or installation of a modified bootloader, the system may go into a restart cycle or require an unlock that the user did not initiate, in which case standard code entry methods do not work and intervention in boot partitions is required.

Reset password through the service Find Device from Xiaomi

The most humane and simple way to save data is only available when a number of conditions are met: You must have access to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), and the phone settings must activate the "Find the device" function, and you must know the username and password from the Mi Account.

To start the procedure, you need to go to the official website of the Xiaomi cloud service from any other device (computer or phone), enter your credentials, you will access the control panel. If the phone is online and geolocated, the system will show its location on the map.

In the list of available actions, select the option "Unlock" and the system will warn that this action will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and applications. This is a security measure: Xiaomi does not allow you to simply remove the password, leaving the data intact, as this would create a breach in the security. Once confirmed, the team will go to the phone and it will reboot in a factory state.

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Make sure the date and time on the device you log in to your account is set correctly.Dissynchronizing the time can cause security certificates to fail and prevent you from logging in to the cloud service.

Use Recovery Mode for a full reset (Hard Reset)

If you lose your Mi Account or your phone is not connected to the network, the only option is Hard Reset via the recovery menu, which erases all user information, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is at least 40-50% so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.

The process of entering Recovery mode on different Xiaomi models may vary slightly, but the basic algorithm is the same: you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the button combination: usually it is Volume Up + Power. You need to hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button.

When the Recovery menu (Main Menu) appears, the volume buttons (up/down) control the choice and the power button confirms the choice. You need to find the Wipe Data item. Inside it, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action. The system can ask for consent several times, requiring you to select Confirm.

Once the erasure process is complete, the phone will automatically restart. The first download can take 5 to 15 minutes. Be prepared for the fact that when you first set up the device will require you to enter a password from the Mi Account or Google account that was synced earlier, this is theft protection (FRP and Mi Cloud Lock).

Unlocking through debugging via USB and ADB

This method is only suitable for advanced users who have pre-installed USB debugging mode in the Developer menu and authorized their computer. If these conditions were not met before locking, this method will not work.

To work, you will need to install drivers on the PC ADB Android platform SDK. Connect the locked phone to your computer via USB-Open the command line (CMD) PowerShell in the tool folder ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the list shows the serial number of a device with device status, the connection is established. Next, you need to enter a command to delete the file responsible for the pattern lock or password. Note that on new versions of Android (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), this method often does not work due to changes in the structure of access rights and encryption.

For older versions of MIUI, enter:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Or for PIN-code:

adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

Once the command is executed, the phone needs to be restarted, and if the method works, the lock screen will disappear, or any password can be entered and it will be accepted by the system.

Comparison of methods of unlocking Xiaomi devices

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the way you reset the code in a spreadsheet, and each method has its own limitations and requirements for preparing the device.

As you can see from the table, most effective methods lead to data loss. This is a fundamental security principle of Android. If there were an easy way to get around a password without losing data, protecting smartphones would make no sense. So regularly backing up in the cloud or on a computer is a critical habit.

What to do if your phone requires an account after a reset

After the Hard Reset procedure is performed through Recovery, the first time a security system is downloaded, the device can be locked, requiring you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account, a phenomenon known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), the phone “remembers” that it was reset in a non-standard way, and requires confirmation of the owner’s rights.

If you know your username but you've forgotten your password, use the procedure to restore access through a Google or Xiaomi site from another device. If the phone is bought with your hands and the previous owner hasn't untied the account, it's almost impossible to unlock it legally, you'll have to contact the seller.

⚠️ Attention: Attempts to circumvent FRP Bypass tools often lead to software failure or blockingIMEI. Official service centers will unlock the device only if there is a purchase check or a box with a matching IMEI.

In some cases, re-resetting through Recovery helps, but it does not guarantee results. On new versions of MIUI firmware, protection is becoming stricter. If you encounter a Mi Account lock, the only official way is to restore an account on i.mi.com, where you will need to provide the data used during registration.

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Having a purchase check or a box with an IMEI sticker is your main bargaining chip for unlocking in the official service if you have forgotten all your passwords.

Prevention of blockages and important recommendations

To avoid such situations in the future, it is recommended to configure alternative ways of unlocking. Biometrics (fingerprint or face unlock) is much more convenient and safer, since it eliminates the risk of forgetting the code.

Be sure to link your phone number and backup email to your Mi Account, which will allow you to restore access to the cloud service even if you lose your password, and periodically check the functionality of the Find Device feature, as it is the only way to remotely control the gadget.

Don’t set passwords that are easy to forget, but don’t use too obvious combinations like “1234” or “0000.” Write down a complex password in a secure location (like a paper notebook or a password manager on a PC) to have access to it in an emergency.