Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can not unlock the phone? The situation is familiar to many — especially if the device was lying idle for a long time or used by children. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and informal ways to bypass the lock. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of password reset on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, including models from 2020 to 2026.
Important: Not all methods are suitable for phones with a locked bootloader or those tied to Mi Account. If you bought a device from hand, first check if someone else's account is left on it - this can make it difficult to unlock. Also remember that resetting to factory settings will delete all data from internal memory (photos, contacts, messages) if it is not synchronized with the cloud.
If you are looking for a way to get around a pattern lock or PIN-The code, the majority of the methods in this article will work for them, but with fingerprints or facial recognition, it's easier, and you can just re-register them once you unlock them in any of the ways that I've described below.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the use of a tied Mi Account. It works even if you forget the lock screen password, but remember the data from the account. It is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13.
How does it work?
If you repeatedly misenter your password, the system will offer you an option to unlock through Mi Account, you will need to enter the username (email or phone number) and password from the meter to which the phone is tied, and after successful authentication, the device will be unlocked without losing data.
Step-by-step:
- On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5-10 times until the Forgot Password button appears or Unblock via Mi Account.
- Click on it and enter the details from your Mi Account (email/phone + password).
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Set a new password or pattern lock.
⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, this will not work, in which case contact the seller for account details or use alternative methods (see below).
Advantages of the method:
- 🔄 Stores all data on the phone (photos, apps, settings).
- 🔒 It works on all Xiaomi models with MIUI 10 and newer.
- ⚡ Quickly - takes no more than 2-3 minutes.
Disadvantages:
- 🚫 It doesn’t help if you don’t remember your Mi Account.
- 🔐 Some of the devices require an internet connection.
2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)
If Mi Account unlock is not available, you can try resetting your password through Recovery Mode, a method that is suitable for phones with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware (such as LineageOS), which will only work on stock MIUI if the Mi Cloud has previously been disabled.
Important: On newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), this method may not work due to enhanced protection, and it is not suitable for phones with encrypted memory (if encryption is enabled in security settings).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the button combination to enter Recovery Mode: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F3/F4/F5: Volume down + Power.
Wipe & Reset
Wipe All Data
Format Data
Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
Turn off the phone.|Clutch the correct button combination|Find the Wipe & Reset item|Confirm discharge|Reset the device-->
What happens after the dump?
- 📱 The phone will be unlocked, but all data (except the memory card) will be deleted.
- 🔄 Reference to Mi Account will remain – you will need to enter account data at the first setting.
- 🔐 If Find Device is enabled, the phone may be locked again.
⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) After resetting through Recovery, you may need to enter the old password. If you do not remember it, use other methods.
3. Use of ADB (for advanced users)
If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password through your computer using the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method is suitable for users who have previously configured development features.
Requirements:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
- 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB in the phone settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI (press 7 times) → Settings for developers → Debugging by USB).
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
- Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone is determined, go further.
- Delete the password file (for MIUI 12/13/14): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
What if the ADB can’t see the phone?
- 🔄 Reinstall the drivers (download Mi) PC Suite from the official website).
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable.
- 📱 Enable in the phone settings File transfer (MTP) plug-in.
💡
If USB debugging has been disabled but your phone is unlocked through Mi Account, turn it on in advance in case of future problems.
4. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
The last method that is guaranteed to unlock the phone, but delete all data is a full reset via Fastboot or Recovery. Suitable for all Xiaomi models, including Redmi 9/10/11, POCO M3/M4/M5, Mi A1/A2/A3 (Android One).
Important: Phones with a bootloader blocked may need to log in to Mi Account after reset, and if you don’t remember your account details, the phone will turn into a brick.
Method 1: Recovery Mode (Simple)
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- In the menu, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
- Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.
Method 2: Fastboot (for locked phones)
- Install the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
- Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot.
- Connect your phone to your PC and run the firmware through Mi Flash (select clean all).
What happens after the dump?
| Action. | The result |
|---|---|
| Password deletion | ✅ Phone unlocks |
| Phone data. | ❌ Removed completely (photos, applications, settings) |
| Linking to Mi Account | ⚠️ Saved (required data entry when configuring) |
| System updates | ✅ They will be saved (unless the stain is re-installed) |
| Memory card (SD) | ✅ Data not affected |
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires the entry of Mi Account data, but you do not remember them, contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase. Otherwise, it will be impossible to unlock the device.
5. Bypass locking through Find Device (remote)
If you have Find Device enabled on your phone, you can try unlocking it remotely via a web interface, which only works under the following conditions:
- 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
- 🔋 Battery level above 15%.
- 🔒 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
Instructions:
- Go to Find Device and log in to your Mi Account.
- Select a locked phone from the list of devices.
- Click Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
- Confirm the action via SMS or email.
- Wait for the synchronization (can take up to 5 minutes).
Limitations of the method:
- 🌍 It does not work in some regions (for example, in China, it requires local number binding).
- 🔄 After unlocking, you may need to reset your settings.
- 🚫 It won’t work if the phone is turned off or discharged.
What if the Device can’t see the phone?
6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)
If standard methods don't work, you can try less obvious options, which are suitable for rare situations, such as when the phone is locked after a firmware or because of a system failure.
Method 1: Use Safe Mode (Safe Mode)
If the lock is caused by a third-party application (such as the “lock screen side”), try downloading to Safe Mode:
- Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
- Press and hold the "Switch off" (or "Switch off") option until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
- Confirm and wait for the reboot.
- In safe mode, remove the problem application.
Method 2: Test Point Reset (for service centers)
This method requires disassembling the phone and connecting to special contacts on the board, and it's used in service centers to unlock phones with damaged firmware or a locked bootloader.
Method 3: Contact Xiaomi Service Center
If nothing helps, contact the official service center.
- 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
- 🆔 Passport of the owner.
- 🔋 Phone with a charge level of at least 30%.
The cost of the service is from 1000 to 3000 rubles, depending on the model and the reason for the lock.
💡
If the phone is locked because of the previous owner’s Mi Account, the service center can’t help without proof of purchase, in which case the device becomes a useless “brick”.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to reset a password, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:
1.The phone is not included in Recovery Mode
Reason: Wrong combination of buttons or "sticking" keys.
Decision:
- Try other combinations (like Volume Up + Volume Down + Power for POCO X3).
- Connect your phone to charge for 10-15 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery blocks the entrance to Recovery.
2.ADB does not see the device
Reason: There are no drivers or USB debugging is not enabled.
Decision:
- Install Mi PC Suite to automatically install drivers.
- Check if File Transfer (MTP) is enabled when you connect.
3.After reset, the phone asks for the old password
Reason: The phone has enabled data encryption or active binding to Mi Account.
Decision:
- Enter the data from the Mi Account to which the phone is linked.
- If you do not remember the password, try to restore it through the official website.
4.The phone locked after firmware
Reason: Incompatible firmware version or interrupted installation process.
Decision:
- Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with the clean all and lock option.
- Use only official firmware from the Xiaomi website.