How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Redmi Phone: The Complete Guide

When you pick up your Xiaomi Redmi and realize you can't unlock the screen, it causes panic, and it can happen for all sorts of reasons: the pattern lock was forgotten after a long break, the digital code got mixed up in your head, or the device got locked. Modern Android security systems, especially the MIUI shell, are designed to protect the user's data from outsiders, but sometimes this protection turns against the owner.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of restoring access to the device, learn how to reset the password with minimal losses, what are the official tools from the manufacturer and how to act in case of emergency. It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on whether Mi Account was enabled and whether the debugging function is available over USB.

Take your gadget to the service center, as in many cases the problem can be solved by yourself in minutes.We will consider both software methods through the computer and methods of hard reset through the engineering menu. Remember that the security of your data is a priority, so some methods will require proof of identity.

Using a Mi Account to Unblock

The most civilized and safest way to restore access to the Redmi Note or any other model is to use a linked account. If you have previously logged in to your Mi Account profile and enabled Find a Device, the system allows you to remotely remove the lock, which is ideal because it does not require the removal of personal photos, contacts and apps.

First, make sure that the locked smartphone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). Then take any other device (computer or phone friend), go to the official website i.mi.com. You need to log in using the same login and password that was entered on the locked gadget.

Once you have successfully logged in, find the "Find the device" item in the menu. The system will locate your gadget and offer a list of available actions. Select the "Unlock" option. The device will receive a command to remove the screen protection. Please note that after this procedure, the pattern lock or pin code will be deleted and you will need to configure the lock again.

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If the device is enabled “Flight”, remote unlock will not work until the gadget again is in the coverage area of the network.

Importantly, this only works if you've activated the search function before, and if you've never set up Mi Cloud or remember your account password, it's not going to work, and then you'll have to move on to more radical measures to completely reset your settings.

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Remote unlocking via Mi Cloud is the only way to save all data on your phone without using third-party software.

Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If your account is unlinked or your device is not connected, the only option is Hard Reset, which returns your phone to factory settings, completely clearing internal memory, and be prepared for files that are not synced to the cloud to be permanently lost.

To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons. First turn off the device completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, but continue to keep the volume until the main Recovery menu appears.

In the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data. After selecting, the system can request confirmation, often requiring you to enter a digital combination displayed on the screen to prevent accidental reset.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting via Recovery, Google’s protection will work on the device FRP. This means that when you first turn on the phone, you will need to enter a Google account that was synced with the device before locking.

The cleaning process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a dozen minutes, depending on the amount of memory filled, and do not interrupt the process or remove the battery (if it is not removable), as this can damage the file system and prevent the operating system from loading in the future.

Unlocking with Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools

For more advanced users who don’t want to lose data (although success isn’t guaranteed on newer versions of Android) or are looking for an alternative to standard methods, there is a Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tools utility.This software requires pre-preparation and the presence of a computer running Windows, macOS or Linux.

The main condition for this method is that the device must be enabled debugging by USB. If you have not previously activated this mode in the menu "Developers", this method will not work for you. It is also necessary that the computer was authorized in the list of trusted devices on the screen of the smartphone.

Download the current version of the utility from a reliable source (for example, Szaki's GitHub). Run the program and connect the phone with a cable. If the drivers are installed correctly, the program will determine the device. In the interface, select the "Misc" tab and find the "Remove Mi Account" or "Disable Screenlock" button. The program will try to delete the files responsible for locking the screen.

It is worth noting that with the release of new security patches Android, this method becomes less effective. on Android 11 and above without root rights, removing the screen lock via ADB is often impossible, and the utility will only be able to delete the Mi Account, but not the graphical key.

Find My Device from Google

An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard tool. If your Redmi has a Google account login and geolocation enabled, you can use the Find My Device platform, a method similar to unlocking through the Mi Cloud, but using the Google ecosystem.

Go to android.com/find from any browser. Log in to the Google account that is used on the locked phone. The system will try to contact the device. If the connection is established, select the option “Erase Device” from the management menu.

Unlike Mi Cloud, Google doesn't offer the option to simply "Unlock" but immediately switches to deleting data completely, a security measure. Once confirmed, the phone will be reset to factory settings, and the lock screen password will disappear along with all files.

The good thing about this is that it works independently of the MIUI shell. Even if Xiaomi services are temporarily unavailable or glitzy, Google servers tend to function consistently, the main condition is that there is an active Internet connection on the smartphone itself.

Problems with FRP and methods of circumventing them

Once you reset, you might encounter an activation screen that requires you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously synced to the device, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) so that the stolen phone can't just be re-flashed and sold.

If you know your username and password, just type them in. Problems arise when data is lost. Google doesn't officially provide tools to bypass this protection without verifying identity. However, there are technical nuances. For example, some older versions of MIUI firmware could activate the TalkBack menu or use certain combinations in the date and time settings to call your browser and log in to a new account.

⚠️ Attention: Using unofficial hacking programs FRP (Bypass tools) carries risks: You can install malware on your computer or permanently lock the device, getting a brick».

On current versions of Android (10, 11, 12, 13), security holes close very quickly. FRP download APK-files from unverified sites can lead to the leak of your personal data. If you are the legal owner, but do not remember the data, the best solution is to contact an authorized service center with a check for purchase.

Xiaomi service centers have special tools for resetting FRP when providing proof of ownership, which is the only legal and safe way to do so if standard methods for recovering an account via mail or phone do not work.

Prevention of blocking and useful tips

To avoid getting caught off guard by a forgotten password, it is important to maintain digital hygiene, check regularly if sync with Mi Cloud and Google is active, and write down your credentials in a safe place, a paper notebook or password manager, access to which is independent of locking your phone.

Use biometrics. Fingerprint or face unlocking paired with a digital code makes life much easier, and even if you forget a complex 16-character password, biometrics will let you log in, where you can change the forgotten code in the settings.

It's also recommended that you periodically check the "Find Device" function, try logging in from your computer and make sure the phone is displayed on the map and responds to commands, which will take a minute, but save hours of hassle at a critical moment.

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Regular synchronization of contacts and photos with the cloud is the best insurance against data loss if you need an emergency reset.

Do not install questionable third-party screen locking apps; they may conflict with MIUI system protection and cause login errors. Use only the standard tools provided by the Android operating system and the developer shell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)