How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Phone If You Forgot: The Complete 2026 Guide

Forgetting your smartphone password is a difficult situation, but it is not a hopeless one, especially if we are talking about Xiaomi phones, where the manufacturer has provided several official and informal ways to unlock, the main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 failed attempts, the system can lock the device for 24 hours or completely erase all data.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of password reset on Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark), from the simplest to the technically complex. Importantly, the effectiveness of the method depends on the phone model, the version of MIUI, attachment to the Mi Account and even whether debugging is enabled via USB.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account, it is the fastest and safest way to reclaim access.The method works even if you forget your pattern lock, PIN or lock screen password.The main condition is to remember the username and password from Mi Account (or have access to the linked mail/phone for recovery).

After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the button "Forgot password?" will appear on the screen.

• 📱 Enter the username (email or phone) from the Mi Account linked to the device.
• 🔑 Get a confirmation code by mail or SMS (depending on the account settings).
• 🔓 Enter the code in the appropriate field – the phone will unlock automatically.

If you don't have a "Forgot Password?" button, try entering the password incorrectly 5 times in a row, it should appear. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro or POCO F3), instead of a button, you can display a message "Device locked. Try later." In this case, wait 30 minutes and try again.

⚠️ Warning: If you've previously disabled sync with Mi Account or reset your phone to factory settings without logging out, this method won't work.

Check access to mail/phone linked to Mi Account

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Charge your phone at least 30% to avoid shutting down during the process

Have a second phone or computer on hand to receive a confirmation code-->

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

If Mi Account is lost, the next option is to use Recovery mode, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models on MIUI 12/13/14, but requires caution: incorrect actions can lead to a complete reset. Importantly, the method works only if the phone does not activate the function "Data Protection upon Reset" (default disabled on old firmware).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power combination and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. From the menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation).
4. Then, choose Wipe All Data (not to be confused with Wipe Cache!).
5. Confirm the action by entering yes (if required).
6. After the reboot, the phone will suggest setting it up as new. During the welcome phase, select Restore from Backup (if any) or skip this step.

On some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50), the Recovery menu may not have Wipe All Data. In this case, try the alternative path: Advanced → Wipe Dalvik Cache, then go back and select Reboot. Sometimes this helps bypass the lock without completely resetting.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi) K60 Resetting via Recovery can lead to activation of protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection: Once you reboot, the phone will require you to enter the data from the Mi Account that was tied before the reset, and if you don't remember that, unlocking it will be impossible without contacting the service center.

3.Using Fastboot and ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods didn’t work and USB debugging was enabled before locking, you can try resetting your password via Fastboot or ADB. This method is technically more complicated and requires a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB/Fastboot tools installed.

Preparation:

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on PC.
• 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable (original!).
• 🔧 Download the phone to Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Volume down + Nutrition.

Reset password via Fastboot:

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot oem unlock-go # Unlock bootloader (only for unlocked devices!)




fastboot flash userdata userdata.img # Rewrite the data partition (requires firmware)

For models with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi default), this method will not work, in which case you will have to use ADB, but only if debugging was enabled before blocking:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key # Delete the file with the pattern lock




rm /data/system/password.key # Delete a file with a PIN/password




reboot

On phones with MIUI 14 and later, key files are stored in an encrypted partition, so this method only works on older firmware versions (MIUI 11-12).

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If you don't have experience with ADB/Fastboot, you should contact the service center. The wrong commands can turn the phone into a brick that won't turn on.

4 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the self-unlocking attempts fail, the official path remains to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way, and in most cases, specialists will be able to unlock the phone even without access to the Mi Account, but require proof of ownership.

What you need:

• 📄 Check or box from the phone (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner (must match the data in the check).
• 📱 The phone itself with a charge of at least 50%.

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the lock. New flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70) the price may be higher, the timeframe is from 1 to 3 days. Some service centers offer express unlock in 1-2 hours, but it usually costs more.

Note that if the phone was purchased abroad (for example, the global version of POCO F5), Russian service centers may refuse service, in which case you will have to look for private workshops or contact the official service through the Xiaomi website.

5. Alternative methods (with the risk of data loss)

If none of these things work, there are radical measures that are guaranteed to reset your password, but almost always lead to data loss, and only use them as a last resort.

Method 1: Hard reset via button combination

On some models (e.g. Redmi 9A or POCO M3), you can reset completely even if the phone is locked:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.
4. After the reboot, the phone will be as new as it is, but all data (photos, contacts, messages) will be erased.

Method 2: Flashing through EDL

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader.

• 💻 Computer with Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔗 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔧 adapter EDL (or the ability to enter the phone in this mode through testpoints).

It's a complicated and risky process: if you make a mistake, your phone can fail. It's not recommended for beginners. It's better to consult a specialist.

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Flashing through EDL is the only way to unlock Xiaomi with a locked bootloader and FRP protection enabled, but requires special skills and equipment.

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Use password management (like Google Password Manager or KeePass) to store complex combinations.
• 📱 Link your phone to your Mi Account and check your email access regularly.
• 🔄 Enable data sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive so that contacts and files can be restored when reset.
• 🔧 In the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap it 7 times) turn on the debugging. USB. This will help unlock your phone through ADB, If you forget the password.

It is also useful to set up a backup. PIN-graphic-key:

1. Go to Settings → Screen Lock → pattern lock.
2. Select Reserve. PIN-code and set an easy to remember combination.
3. If you forget the pattern lock, the system will prompt you to enter a backup PIN.

In the models with MIUI 14: Smart Lock is available, allowing you to automatically unlock your phone in trusted places (such as at home or work) or when you connect to a trusted device (such as a Xiaomi smartwatch). → Screen locking → Smart Lock.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi