How to Reset Your Password to Xiaomi Redmi 4: All the Working Techniques of 2026

Why Redmi 4 is blocked and what to do first

The forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi 4 is a problem that even experienced users face. The smartphone is blocked not only after repeatedly incorrectly entering the code, but also for other reasons: Firmware failure, application conflict, or even hardware malfunctions (such as a damaged power button that accidentally hits in your pocket) 80% of the time, owners are to blame for the lock, using complex graphic keys that are easy to forget, or not writing down. PIN-code.

Before you start resetting, check the obvious solutions: try entering the last combinations used (date of birth, phone number), connect your smartphone to charge for 10-15 minutes - sometimes a discharged battery interferes with the correct operation of the sensor. If the message appears on the screen "Device locked. Try again in 30 minutes", do not try to guess the password - this will only increase the waiting time.

It is important to understand that Redmi 4 (models with Snapdragon 435) cannot reset a password without losing data unless the Mi Account was tied. This is a limitation of the chipset architecture and Xiaomi's security policy. If the phone has encryption enabled (in the Settings menu β†’ Additional β†’ Security), the chances of saving files after the reset are zero.

Method 1: Unblocking through your Mi Account (if tied)

The safest way is to use the Mi Account attached. It works even if you don't remember the lock screen password, but remember the login details for Xiaomi. On the locked Redmi 4 screen, after 5 failed attempts, the "Forgot the password" button will appear.

The system will prompt you to enter a username (email or phone number) and password from Mi Account. Once successful, the smartphone will be unlocked without resetting. If you do not remember the password from the account, restore it to the official website account.xiaomi.com via email or SMS.

  • βœ… Pros: no data is lost, no PC is required, works on any firmware.
  • ❌ Cons: if the account is not tied or forgotten password – the method is useless.
  • ⚠️ Note: when you restore the Mi password through SMS The code can come with a delay of up to 10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 4 has custom firmware installed (e.g. LineageOS), the Mi Account unlock function may be disabled.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

Hard Reset is a universal way to reset your password, but it completely removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Redmi 4 uses standard or custom recaps (TWRP). The instructions are suitable for all versions: Redmi 4 Pro, Redmi 4 Prime and Redmi. 4A.

To log in to Recovery Mode, turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).

  • πŸ”˜ Power button + πŸ”Ό Volume upwards (for standard recaveri).
  • πŸ”˜ Power button + πŸ”½ Loudness down (if the first combination does not work).

Release the buttons when the Mi logo or the Recovery menu appears on the screen.

In the Recovery menu, use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection. Select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data β†’ Confirm. After reset, the phone will reboot to factory state. The first launch can take up to 5-7 minutes.

β˜‘οΈ Preparation for Hard Reset

Done: 0 / 4
Model Redmi 4Combination of buttons for RecoveryTime to reset
Redmi 4 Pro (3/32GB)Food + Volume up3-5 minutes
Redmi 4 Prime (3/32GB)Food + Volume up4-6 minutes
Redmi 4A (2/16GB)Food + Volume Down2-4 minutes
Redmi 4 (2/16GB, Snapdragon 430)Food + Volume up3-5 minutes

⚠️ Note: If after Hard Reset the phone requires you to enter the data of the previous Mi Account (so-called "Mi" account). FRP-locking, you'll need the original email and password that were tied to the device, and without them, unlocking the smartphone will be extremely difficult.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced)

If standard recovery does not help or the phone has custom firmware installed, you can use Fastboot mode. This method requires a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and fastboot utility (part of the Android SDK Platform-Tools).

Algorithm of action:

  1. Turn off Redmi 4.
  2. Press Power + Volume down until the screen with the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
  3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
  4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with fastboot.
  5. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once rebooted, the phone will be in factory condition, which bypasses some locks, but doesn't work if Mi Cloud Lock is enabled (requires authorization after reset).

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If the fastboot command is not recognized, install Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager (select "Update Driver" β†’ "Search on this computer" β†’ specify the folder from Platform-Tools).

Method 4: Use ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If Redmi 4 previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings β†’ Developer β†’ USB debugging), you can reset your password through ADB without losing data.This method rarely works on locked phones, but if you have access to a PC you previously connected to your smartphone, try:

  1. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer.
  2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

After rebooting the pattern lock or PIN-The method only works on firmware before the code is reset. MIUI 10 – Xiaomi has closed this vulnerability in new versions.

What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Make sure USB debugging is enabled before locking, if not, this method won't work, and check that Redmi 4 Device Manager displays as "Android ADB Interface" rather than an unknown device.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods work, the last option is to go to an official service center.

  • πŸ”’ Phone Requires Data from Previous Mi Account After Reset (FRP-lockdown).
  • πŸ› οΈ The phone has damaged the volume or power button, which prevents you from entering Recovery.
  • πŸ“± The device is under warranty (self-reset can cancel it).

The service center will require a document confirming the purchase (check or box with a cheque). IMEI). The cost of unlocking varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the complexity. EDL-mode (emergency download), which is available only from official partners of Xiaomi.

Before you bring your phone to the service, check whether your model is not included in the list of devices with a non-removable Mi Account. For example, Redmi 4 on the Snapdragon 435 processor can be linked to the account at the hardware level - in this case, unlocking without owner data is impossible.

πŸ“Š What password reset method have you tried?
Mi Account
Hard Reset
Fastboot
ADB
Turned to the service.
I haven't tried it yet.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users make the problem worse by making common mistakes:

  • πŸ”‹ If the battery runs out during Hard Reset, the smartphone can turn into a "brick." Always charge the Redmi 4 to at least 70% before manipulation.
  • πŸ”Œ Use of non-original cable USB. Cheap cables may not transmit data, which is why fastboot or ADB You can't see the device. Use a Xiaomi proprietary cable.
  • πŸ“₯ Firmware download from questionable sources. Fastboot flash files must be official (from the site) MIUI Fake firmware may contain viruses or damage the bootloader.

Another common problem is the wrong combination of buttons to log in to Recovery. On Redmi 4, it depends on the firmware version and model. If after 3-4 attempts the menu does not appear, pause for 30 seconds (sometimes the smartphone β€œhangs” with frequent button presses).

πŸ’‘

If you reset your phone and ask for a Google password, it's not a bug, but a FRP (Factory Reset Protection) feature that can only be bypassed through the original account or through special service utilities.

Can I reset my Redmi 4 password without losing data?
No, unless you have a Mi Account tied or USB debugging enabled. On Redmi 4 with a Snapdragon 435/430 processor, all password reset methods (except Mi Account) result in deleting user data. The only chance of saving files is if the phone was synced to Mi Cloud or Google account (photos and contacts can be restored after unlocking).
What if after Hard Reset, the phone asks for an old password?
This is FRP-blocking (Factory Reset Protection). It appears if the phone was tied to a Google account or Mi. To unlock: Enter the email and password from the last Google account that was used on the device. If you do not remember the data, restore it through accounts.google.com. To bypass FRP on Redmi 4, there are special utilities (for example, Mi Account Unlock Tool), but they require skills to work with fastboot and can violate the warranty.
How do I know if USB debugging is enabled on a blocked Redmi 4?
Directly, no. Indirect signs: You previously connected your phone to your PC to transfer files in MTP mode. The developer settings turned on USB Debugging (usually activated for root rights or custom firmware). The connection logs on your computer remained (check the folder C:\Users\Your name\.android\adbkey.pub β€” if the file is, debugging was enabled). If debugging is not enabled, the ADB method will not work.
Will resetting your password through Xiaomi’s Find Device service work?
No. The only thing that you can do is find the device: locate the phone; lock it remotely (if it's already unlocked); erase the data (but it has to be connected to the Internet and not locked); if Redmi 4 is turned off or locked, the service is useless for resetting the password.
Can I unlock Redmi 4 through the Engineering Menu?
No. The engineering menu (#4636## or #3644633##) does not contain features for resetting the lock screen password, but is designed to test hardware components (sensors, networks, batteries) and to try to enter engineering codes on a locked screen will not lead to anything.