How to reset the password on the Android-smartphone Xiaomi: all ways to unlock

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-code, POCO Or Mi? Can't unlock your phone after you buy it with your hands? This is a familiar situation for many users -- one in five smartphone owners has experienced a locked device problem at least once, according to statistics. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal ways to reset the password without losing data (or with minimal loss).

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of unlocking Xiaomi for 2026 – from simple (via Mi Account) to complex (using Fastboot and other technologies). EDL-We will pay special attention to the nuances for different versions. MIUI (Important: some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, linking a Xiaomi account), so read carefully!

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.It works on all devices with MIUI (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 13, etc.), if you previously:

  • πŸ”Ή Log into a phone account.
  • πŸ”Ή Connected the device to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
  • πŸ”Ή Do not turn off the function Find the device in the settings

Instructions:

  1. On the lock screen, tap β€œForgot Password?” (or Forgot Password).
  2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
  3. Confirm your identity via SMS or email (the link is valid for 5 minutes).
  4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie your account, this will not work, and you will need to reset via Fastboot (see section 3) or contact the service center with proof of purchase.

πŸ“Š What kind of smartphone you Xiaomi?
Redmi (Note/Pro series)
POCO (F/X/M)
Mi (flagship series)
Black Shark
Other

2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, try resetting the password through Recovery Mode.This method works on most Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12-14, but some newer models (such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro+) may need to unlock the bootloader.

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
  2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears (release buttons when vibrating).
  3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (volume buttons) and tap "Wipe Data".
  4. Select "Wipe All Data" (this will delete all data except files on the dataset). SD-map!).
  5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Mi 12T) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to re-activate the device via Mi Account.If the phone asks you to enter an old account, use the Fastboot method (section 3).

β˜‘οΈ Preparing for resetting through Recovery

Done: 0 / 4

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is the most reliable way to get around locking if other options have not worked, and is suitable for devices with a bootloader unlocked or if you are ready to unlock it. Xiaomi officially allows unlocking, but the process takes up to 72 hours (due to account verification).

What you need:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
  • πŸ”Œ Cable USB (original or high-quality)
  • πŸ› οΈ Related: Mi Flash Unlock, ADB & Fastboot Tools
  • πŸ“± Charge of the phone at least 60%

Instructions:

  1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
  2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode: turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC and start Mi Flash Unlock. Follow the instructions.
  4. After unlocking the bootloader, run your phone through Fastboot using the Mi Flash Tool (you can download the firmware at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

πŸ’‘ If the Mi Unlock Tool is giving you a β€œCouldn’t unlock” error, try it:

  • πŸ”„ Restart your PC and phone
  • πŸ”Œ Use the other USB-port (preferably 2.0)
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Disable the antivirus
  • ⏳ Wait 24-72 hours (if the account is new)
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can't see the phone?
Check if you have ADB drivers installed (you can download from Google’s SDK Platform Tools). Also try running the command prompt on behalf of the administrator and type: fastboot devices If the device doesn’t show up, reinstall the drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).

4.Use of EDL mode (for bricks and complex cases)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the β€œlast hope” for unlocking Xiaomi if the phone:

  • 🧱 Turned into a brick after a failed firmware
  • πŸ”’ Locked at the loader level
  • 🚫 Does not respond to other unlocking methods

Working with EDL will require:

  • πŸ”§ Special cable (EDL cable) or circuit of the circuit board
  • πŸ’» Mi Flash Pro or QFilm
  • πŸ“„ Firmware for your model (in.tgz or.mbn format)

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL If you're not sure about your ability, you can go to the service center:

  1. Transfer your phone to EDL (close the Test Point contacts or use the adb reboot edl command if the phone turns on).
  2. Connect the device to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
  3. In Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.
Xiaomi modelSupport for EDLAuthorization requiredThe risk of bricks
Redmi Note 10/11/12βœ… Yes.❌ No (on old firmware)Medium.
POCO X3/X4/X5βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes (requires an authorized account)High-pitched
Mi 11/12/13βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes (unlocking required)Very tall.
Black Shark 4/5❌ No (closed) EDL)β€”critical

5. Bypassing the lock via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password through ADB It's a data-free method. MIUI 12-15, but requires access to a computer.

Instructions:

  1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
  2. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
  3. After resetting, the password will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (14+) This method may not work because of the increased security, so if after you reboot, the phone asks you to enter the password again, try to delete the files. /data/system/locksettings.xml and /data/system/device_policies.xml.

πŸ’‘

If ADB can't see the device, check if the drivers are installed. On Windows, you can download them via the Android SDK or use the 15 seconds ADB Installer program.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not help, the last option is to contact the official service center Xiaomi.

  • πŸ“± Phone bought from hands and tied to someone else's Mi Account
  • πŸ”§ Cannot unlock the loader
  • πŸ’₯ The device turned into a β€œbrick” after a failed firmware
  • πŸ“„ No access to Mi Account and debugging USB switched off

What will be required to unlock:

  • πŸ“„ Check or contract of sale (to confirm ownership)
  • πŸ†” Passport or other identification document
  • πŸ’³ Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles depending on the model)

πŸ’‘ Useful advice: Before visiting the service center:

  1. Check if there is an official Xiaomi service in your city.
  2. Check by phone if they are unblocking (some centers refuse this service).
  3. Make a backup copy of the data if the phone is turned on in any way.

πŸ’‘

The official service is the only legal way to unlock if the phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having a locked phone, follow the following simple rules:

  • πŸ” Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to PIN-code.
  • πŸ“§ Attach Mi Account and remember the login details (email and password).
  • ☁️ Enable data synchronization with Mi Cloud (photos, contacts, SMS).
  • πŸ”„ Make backups regularly through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Backup.
  • πŸ“± Don’t buy your phone without resetting your Mi Account!

⚠️ WARNING: If you plan to sell or transfer your Xiaomi to another person, be sure to do so:

  1. Reset your phone to factory settings (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ Resetting).
  2. Untie Mi Account in the Settings menu β†’ Accounts β†’ Mi Account.
  3. Delete all data from Mi Cloud (unless you want the new owner to access your files).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi

πŸ”“ Can you reset your Xiaomi password without losing data?
Yes, but only if: πŸ”Ή You've got debugging on. USB (ADB) πŸ”Ή The phone is linked to Mi Account and has internet access πŸ”Ή You use the method of unlocking through Mi Account (see section 1) In all other cases, the data will be deleted.
⏳ How long does it take to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool?
Between 72 and 168 hours (3-7 days) for new accounts. If your Mi Account is older than 30 days and there is no suspicious activity on it, unlocking can take 24 hours.
πŸ“± Why After Recovery Reset, Your Phone Asks for an Old Mi Account?
This is a function of protecting Xiaomi from theft β€” FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If the phone was linked to an account, you'll need to enter that account information after the reset: πŸ”Ή Through Fastboot (unlocking the bootloader) πŸ”Ή In the service center (with proof of purchase)
πŸ’» What programs are needed to unlock through Fastboot?
Minimum set: πŸ”Ή Mi Unlock Tool (to unlock the bootloader) πŸ”Ή ADB & Fastboot Tools (from Google) πŸ”Ή Firmware for your model (in.tgz or.zip format) πŸ”Ή Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) ⚠️ Download programs only from official sites to avoid viruses!
πŸ”§ Can you unlock Xiaomi without a computer?
Yes, but only if: πŸ”Ή The phone is linked to Mi Account (mode 1) πŸ”Ή You remember the login details All other methods (Fastboot, ADB, EDL) Requires connection to the PC.