How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Redmi 3S: From Mi Account to Hard Reset

Xiaomi Redmi 3S — One of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016, but even 8 years after the release, owners are faced with the problem of a locked screen. PIN-In this article, 5 proven ways to unlock, from the simplest to the most radical, taking into account the features of the Redmi firmware 3S (land-name).

It’s important to understand that the methods differ depending on whether the phone is tied to a Mi Account, whether USB debugging is enabled, and which version of MIUI is installed. We’ll break down each scenario, including a unique bug in MIUI 8/9 that allows you to bypass locking without losing data (relevant only to older versions of the firmware), and learn how to avoid a brick when reset via Fastboot – a common problem with Redmi 3S due to unofficial firmware.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge > 50% (low charge discharge may be interrupted).
• 📱 There is no important unsynchronized data on the phone (most methods lead to its loss).
• 💻 At hand a PC with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If the Redmi 3S has a Mi Account attached (even if you don't remember the password from it), this method is the safest. Xiaomi provides an official procedure for resetting the screen password through account verification. Works on MIUI 7-14, but there are nuances:

⚠️ Note: The method will not work if:

• 🚫 The phone was reset to factory settings before locking (Mi Account will be unblocked).
• 🚫 The device has custom firmware installed (for example, LineageOS).
• 🚫 You don't have access to email/phone linked to your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter the username (email/phone) and password from the Mi Account. If you do not remember the password, restore it through the recovery page.
4. Confirm the unlock via SMS or email.
5. Set a new screen password.

If the buttons forgot the password?

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📱 On some firmware, you need to enter any password 5 times, after which the reset option will appear.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (without loss of data on MIUI 8/9)

This method only works on MIUI 8 or 9 and exploits a vulnerability in older versions of the firmware. If your Redmi 3S has a newer version installed, move to the next section.

Instructions:

Turn off the phone |Lock Volume up + Power before the Mi| logo appears Release buttons when the Recovery menu appears (English or Chinese) |Select language (if available)

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1. From the Recovery menu, select Advanced → File Manager.
2. Go to /data/system/.
3. Find the files: gatekeeper.password.key gatekeeper.pattern.key locksettings.db locksettings.db-wal locksettings.db-shm Delete them (select → Delete).
4. Go back to the main Recovery menu and select Reboot → System.

After rebooting, the screen password will be reset, and if there are no files in claim 3, you have a different version of MIUI, and the method is not suitable.

3 Hard Reset (Hard Reset) through Recovery

If the previous methods didn't work, you'll have to reset completely to factory settings, and this method will delete all the data on your phone, including photos, contacts, and apps, and only use it if:

• 🔓 There is no important information on the phone (or it is synced to the cloud).
• 📱 You do not have access to your Mi Account.
• 🖥️ Debugging by USB It was not included before the lockdown.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 3S.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action (confirm or ).
5. After reset, select Reboot → System.

⚠️ Note: Some of the Redmi firmware 3S After a hard reset, a request may appear to enter data from the previous Mi Account (FRP-If you don't remember your username/password, the phone will become a brick. FRP.

4. Password reset via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the Redmi 3S had USB debugging enabled before locking, you can reset your password through ADB without losing data.The method requires a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and the ADB tool.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and enter: adb devices If the device appears in the list – debugging is enabled.
3. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

After the reboot, the screen password will be reset. If the su command does not work (no root permissions), skip it.

1. Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.

2. Use the original USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).

3. Enable Charging Only → File Transfer when connected (if the phone is unlocked).

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5. Firmware through Fastboot (extreme case)

If all the previous methods didn't work, you just have to flash your phone through Fastboot.

• 🔄 Delete all data.
• 📦 Get a clean version. MIUI (You can choose between Chinese or Chinese).
• 🔧 It will require PC and command line knowledge.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 3S (land) from MIUI Downloads (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in the folder C:\miui.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
5. Enter the command for firmware: fastboot flash all (or flash_all.bat Windows).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware on Redmi 3S This can cause an anti-rollback error if you install an older version. MIUI, In this case, the device will lock at the bootloader level. To avoid this, only flash the new version or the same one that was installed.

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Fastboot Firmware is the Only Way to Unlock Redmi 3S, If you forgot your Mi Account password and turned on FRP-But this method requires caution: the wrong firmware can turn a phone into a brick».

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypasses Redmi 3S

If after a hard reset, the phone requires you to enter the data of the previous Mi Account (FRP-protection), you can bypass it in two ways:

Method 1: Through the test menu (for MIUI 8–11)

1. On the Mi Account entry screen, click Add Wi-Fi network.
2. Enter any text in the network name field, highlight it and click Share.
3. Select Gmail → Click Add Account → Google.
4. Enter your Google account details (not Mi!).
5. After logging in, go to Settings → Accounts and delete your old Mi Account.

Method 2: Through ADB (PC)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
2. Enter adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1
3. Reboot the phone. FRP will be bypassed.

If these methods do not work, only the firmware through Fastboot with complete data erasure remains.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking Redmi 3S, users often face problems:

• 🔌 The phone does not turn on after reset: the cause may be a discharged battery or interrupted firmware process. Charge the device for 30 to 60 minutes and try again.
• 🔐 Unable to log in to Recovery: some firmwares have different button combinations. Try Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.
• 📱 After firmware is no network: this means that the firmware is not suitable for your model (for example, flashed Redmi 3 instead of Redmi). 3S). Install the correct version.

If the phone doesn't turn on after manipulation (black screen, no vibration), the bootloader may have failed. EDL-mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account or contacting a service center).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions