The situation when the owner forgets the pattern lock or digital code access to his smartphone is quite common. Xiaomi Redmi 5A model, despite its age, is still actively used, and the issue of locking the screen for it remains relevant. If you are faced with the fact that the device requires a password that you do not remember, you should not panic. There are several proven ways to restore access to the system without contacting the service center.
It is important to understand that the unlocking process is directly related to Android security measures. Depending on the operating system version and account settings, methods can vary in complexity and consequences. Data reset is the most radical, but also the most reliable way to regain control of the gadget. In this article, we will look at all the options available, from standard features to engineering menus.
Before we take action, we need to assess the current state of the device: Is the touch screen working? Does the phone respond to button presses? Answering these questions will help us choose the right recovery strategy, and we will take a detailed look at each step to minimize risks and avoid errors.
Device preparation and risk assessment
The first step before any procedure to restore access should be careful preparation. You need to make sure that the smartphone battery is charged at least 50-60%. interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system files and inability to boot the operating system. Redmi 5A is equipped with a non-removable battery, so access to the power source must be stable.
You should also be aware of the reset consequences. In most cases, especially when using Recovery mode, all user data will be deleted, this applies to photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, some information can be restored after reauthorization. However, local files that did not enter the cloud will not be returned.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone has the "Find Device" protection feature on it, after the reset, the system will require you to enter the password from the Mi Account that was previously linked.
Check for Internet. Some methods require Wi-Fi or mobile data connection. If the phone is locked and you can't log in, try using it. USB-modem via computer or pre-connected Wi-Fi network if automatic connection is saved.
💡
Before you start any manipulations, try to remember whether you used simple combinations, such as date of birth or repeating numbers. Often the password is simpler than it seems.
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
The most common and effective method of unlocking is to enter Recovery Mode, which allows you to control the system at a low level, bypassing the locked screen. For Xiaomi Redmi 5A, the login procedure is standard for devices based on Qualcomm processors. You will need to turn off your smartphone completely.
After turning off, you need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume. The screen should appear a menu with several points, which is controlled by the volume buttons, and the choice is by the on button.
☑️ Pre-reset check
In the Recovery menu, select a language (usually English), then go to Wipe Data, where you will be prompted to select Wipe All Data, confirm the action by selecting Confirm, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, this is a critical point, there will be no return trip after confirmation.
- 🔒 Completely delete all user files and settings.
- ⚙️ Resetting system parameters to factory state.
- 📱 Return to the original firmware version without losing the OS itself.
- 🔄 Automatic reboot of the device after the process is complete.
The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once completed, the screen will show "Data wiped successfully." Press Back to Main Menu, then select Reboot and Reboot to System. The first run after the reset will take longer than usual, as the system re-initializes all components.
Use the "Find Device" function (Mi Cloud)
If your smartphone is connected to the Internet and you have a Mi Account activated with search enabled, you can delete the password remotely, which is convenient because it doesn't require physical access to the device's buttons, although in the case of the Redmi 5A, it will still result in a data reset, and you'll need a computer or other smartphone with Internet access.
Go to i.mi.com and log in to the same account you used on your locked phone. In the cloud interface, select Find Device. The system will try to locate your gadget. If the device is online, you will have control functions available.
What to do if the device is not found?
In the list of available actions, find the Wipe Data button. Pressing this button will send a command to the phone. Redmi 5A will receive a signal, execute a command and restart in a cleaned state. The lock password will be deleted along with all files. This method works even if the touch screen is partially non-functioning, since the control is remote.
| Parameter | Hard Reset (Buttons) | Mi Cloud (Remotely) |
|---|---|---|
| Internet availability | Not required | I'll be sure. |
| Access to the account | Only after discharge. | Required before the start |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium |
| The risk of blocking | High (Mi Account Lock) | High (Mi Account Lock) |
And it's important to note that after this procedure, when you first boot it, the phone will require you to enter the password from the Mi Account to prove ownership, which is a theft protection that you can't get around with simple methods. Make sure you remember the authorization data.
Unlocking with Google Find My Device
The alternative to the Xiaomi cloud is Google. If your Redmi 5A has logged in to your Google account and geolocation enabled, you can use the Find My Device feature. It's similar to Mi Cloud, but it uses the Google ecosystem. Go to android.com/find from any browser.
Log in to the account that is the main one on the locked smartphone. If there are more than one device, select your model from the list. The interface will offer three options: play the sound, lock the device or erase data. We are interested in the option to Clear the device (Erase Device).
When you choose to clean, the system will alert you to the loss of data, and once confirmed, the phone will receive a reset command. Unlike some older versions of Android, modern security systems do not allow you to simply change your password through this interface without losing data, so you should not count on saving files.
⚠️ Warning: This only works if the phone is on, has an active Internet connection, and is allowed to locate. If the phone is turned off, the command will be executed the first time you connect to the network.
It is worth mentioning that on some versions of MIUI firmware, Google integration may be unstable or limited to power saving settings. If the command is not executed within 10-15 minutes, it is likely that the phone could not communicate with the server, in which case it remains to rely on local reset methods.
Use of debugging by USB and ADB
This method is suitable for advanced users and requires prior preparation. USB" In the developer menu and the computer has already been authorized for this device, you can try to delete the file with the password through the command line. ADB (Android Debug Bridge).
Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Launch the command line (CMD) or PowerShell in the tool folder of the platform. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf a device has been listed, the connection is established, and then you can delete the file that stores the pattern lock, the path to that is: /data/system/gesture.key or /data/system/password.key.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyOnce you have completed the command, restart your phone. The lock screen should disappear or allow any password to be entered. However, on Redmi 5A with updated versions of MIUI, this method often does not work due to access restrictions even when debugging is enabled. The system may require on-screen confirmation that you cannot give due to locking.
- 💻 Requires PC and installed drivers.
- 🛠 Developer menus must be included in advance.
- ⚡ Instant results without data loss (in theory).
- ❌ Low efficiency on new versions MIUI.
If the command returns a permission denied, then the method will not work. You should not try to obtain root rights on the locked device, since this is almost impossible without an unlocked bootloader, access to which is also closed by the screen password.
💡
The ADB method is only effective if debugging was enabled before the loss of access, otherwise it is useless for removing the lock screen.
Programs for resetting passwords on PC
There are a lot of third-party utilities that promise to unlock any Android smartphone. Programs like Tenorshare 4uKey, Dr.Fone or iMyFone LockWiper often offer an automated process. They create a graphical interface to perform the same actions as ADB, but in automatic mode.
Most of these programs are paid. The free version usually only scans the device and reports that the problem is solvable, but requires payment to perform the actual reset. The effectiveness of these tools on Xiaomi devices varies. In some cases, they can help bypass the Mi Account check, but this is rare and depends on the specific version of Android.
Using third-party software carries risks: You give access to your device to unknown software. In addition, such programs often simply run a standard Hard Reset, which you can do for free through the Recovery menu. Before buying a license, carefully study the reviews specifically for the Redmi model. 5A.
⚠️ Warning: Beware of viruses and fraudulent software. Download unlockable software only from official developer sites. Files from questionable forums may contain malicious code.
If none of the software methods worked, maybe the problem goes deeper, and in rare cases, flashing the device through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode helps, which requires downloading the official firmware and deeper knowledge, but for simply removing the screen password, it's redundant and risky.