The situation when you pick up a smartphone, and it instead of the usual desktop requires you to enter PIN-A forgotten password on a Xiaomi device can be a serious problem, blocking access to contacts, photos and important applications. It is especially unpleasant to realize that it is impossible to remember the combination in the first minutes, and the number of input attempts is rapidly decreasing.
Fortunately, the Android operating system and the MIUI shell have several mechanisms for restoring access. Depending on the firmware version, the presence of a linked account and the debugging settings enabled, you can choose the most suitable method. Some methods allow you to save data, others require the complete removal of information from the device.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current unlocking methods, from the standard “Find a Device” features to more complex technical solutions. It is important to understand that modern security measures by Google and Xiaomi are designed to protect your data from theft, so the reset process may not always be simple, but it is quite feasible with certain knowledge.
Use the “Find Device” function from Google
The easiest and safest way to restore access if your smartphone is connected to the Internet is Google Find My Device, which works on any Android device, regardless of the manufacturer, and the main condition is that the locked phone must be activated GPS and logged in to the Google account you remember.
You'll need a computer or other smartphone to start the procedure, go to the official website of the service and log in under the same account that is used on the blocked Xiaomi, the system automatically determines the location of the device and offers several actions.
From the control menu, select the option “Erase Device” (Erase Device) which will delete all data, including a forgotten password, pattern lock or a graphical key. PIN-Once the process is complete, the phone will return to factory settings, and you can reconfigure it.
⚠️ Note: Using the Clean Device function will result in the complete deletion of all user data. If you did not back up, it will be impossible to restore photos and contacts.
It is worth noting that after a reset, the system can request confirmation of the owner through the entry of a password from a Google account, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, which can not be circumvented without the credentials of the previous owner.
Reset via Mi Account and Find Device
Xiaomi smartphone owners often use a branded Mi Account that is integrated deeper than standard Google. If your device has the Find Device feature enabled in your Mi Account settings, you can unlock the phone remotely through the company's web interface.
Go to i.mi.com and log in to your profile. In the interface, select a locked device from the list. This will provide you with a remote reset or unlock function. Unlike Google, Xiaomi sometimes allows you to simply remove the screen lock without completely erasing the data, if the device model and the MIUI version support this option.
If the unlock function without loss of data is not available, use the "Erase Data" command. The process is similar to Google's method: the phone will receive a reset command, reboot and clear the memory partition with user data.
If the device is offline, the command will run automatically as soon as it appears on the network.
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When remote methods don’t work or the phone isn’t connected to the internet, the classic option is Recovery Mode Reset, which works at the system level and doesn’t require logging into the Android interface, making it a versatile solution.
To enter Recovery mode on most Xiaomi models, you need to perform a certain combination of buttons. Usually the phone must be turned off. Press both the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume.
In the menu that opens, you can navigate with volume buttons and choose with a power button. You can find Wipe Data or Clear Data. New versions of MIUI may require you to confirm the action by typing the word "yes" or selecting "Wipe All Data."
Once confirmed, the system will start the formatting process. This can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once completed, select Reboot or Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new.
⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (12, 13, 14 and above) after resetting via Recovery, the system will necessarily require you to enter a password from the Mi Account that was previously associated.
This method is effective, but its main drawback is the inevitable loss of data, so it should only be used as a last resort when other options are exhausted.
Unlocking through ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
For advanced users who have pre-installed debugging USB (USB Debugging, which is a way to reset a password without losing data, requires connecting a smartphone to a computer and installing drivers. ADB.
The essence of the method is to send a special command through the console, which deletes the file that stores the hash of the password or key. If debugging was not enabled before blocking, this method, alas, will not work.
Connect your phone to your PC, open the command line in the ADB folder, and enter the following command to delete the pattern lock file:
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyFor the digital PIN-The code or password will be different:
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyOnce you have completed the command, restart the device. Often the phone can accept any input or allow you to set a new password over the old one. However, on modern versions of Android (7.0 and higher), file protection has become stricter, and this method does not work on all devices.
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
Comparison of password resetting methods
The way you unlock depends on the situation: whether the Internet is on, if the account is tied, if there is a computer at hand, and to make it easier for you to navigate, we have prepared a comparative table of basic methods.
| Method | Data retention | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Find My Device | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| Mi Account (remotely) | Maybe (depending on the model) | Yes. | Low. |
| Recovery Mode (Hard Reset) | No. | No. | Medium |
| ADB Teams | Yes. | No (PC needed) | Tall. |
| Service centre | No (usually) | No. | Low (for the user) |
As you can see from the table, no method guarantees data retention with absolute probability without prior preparation. The only way to ensure that data is not lost when a forgotten password is to regularly back up in the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud.
If none of the software methods work, the last option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center. If you have a check and a box, employees can perform a hardware reset or firmware reflash, but this is a paid service if the case is not warranty.
Protection against blocking in the future
To prevent a forgotten password from catching you off guard in the future, you should take a few preventive measures in advance. Set up biometrics is one of the best ways to protect yourself from forgetting complex combinations.
Use a fingerprint or facial recognition (Face) ID) As the primary method of unlocking, in the security settings. MIUI You can set a condition under which the phone will still require input. PIN-code (for example, after rebooting), but in everyday use, biometrics will save you from having to remember numbers.
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Set up a smart lock in Android security settings, which will allow the phone to remain unlocked when it is near a trusted Bluetooth device (such as a smartwatch or headphones) or in a specific location (at home).
Also, remember to check the relevance of backups periodically. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore and make sure your contacts, messages and app settings are saved to the cloud.
⚠️ Warning: Don't write your password down on a piece of paper or keep it in your phone's notes without protection.The best place for complex passwords is a password manager with a master key you remember exactly.
Compliance with these simple rules will allow you to use the Xiaomi smartphone with maximum comfort and minimal risk of losing access to the device.
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Regular sync with Mi Cloud and Google is your insurance, and even with a full reset, you can recover 90% of your data in 15 minutes.