How to Reset App Password on Xiaomi: From Mi Account to Factory Settings

Why Xiaomi App Password Can Block Phone Access

Password protection on Xiaomi smartphones is a two-way sword. On the one hand, App Lock securely hides personal data from outsiders: correspondence on Telegram, photos in the gallery, banking applications. On the other hand, if you forget the combination or bought a used phone with an activated lock, access to key programs is threatened. Unlike unlocking the screen, where fingerprint or facial recognition helps, the application password requires accurate input.

Complicating matters, Xiaomi does not provide an official tool to reset the App Lock password without losing data. The manufacturer has made this a security concern: if anyone could bypass the protection, it would lose its meaning. However, there are legal workarounds, from recovering through Mi Account to using Recovery mode or ADB commands. It is important to understand that some methods will lead to deletion of user files, so before any manipulations, be sure to check backups in Mi Cloud or on a PC.

Method 1: Reset password through Mi Account (without loss of data)

If you have a Mi Account attached and active on your phone, it's the fastest and most secure method, and it works on all modern models, from the Redmi Note 11 to the Xiaomi 14 Pro, but requires an Internet connection.

1. On the application lock screen, tap the button “Forgot your password?” (or a similar inscription in English – Forgot password?).
2. Enter your Mi Account login and password, and if you don't remember the data, restore access via email or phone number at account.xiaomi.com.
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email (depending on the account security settings).
4. Create a new password for App Lock and save it in a safe place (for example, in the Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work).

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Before resetting your password, check to see if the same Mi Account is used on other Xiaomi devices (such as Mi Band smartwatches or routers).Simultaneously logging in from multiple gadgets can cause security suspicions and the account will be temporarily blocked.

Method 2: Recovery Mode password (with loss of data)

Recovery mode is an emergency exit for resetting when other methods are not available, suitable for devices without a Mi Account attached or when you can not log in. All user data (photos, messages, applications) will be erased, but the phone itself will remain functional.

Instructions for most Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco models:

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. With the help of volume buttons, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) and confirm the choice with the power button.
4. Next, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action (you may need to enter a pattern lock if it was installed).
5. After the process is complete, click Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot in a clean state, like after purchase. App Lock password will be reset, but you will have to reconfigure the device.

Keep your battery at least 50 times%|Download a backup of contacts through Google Account|Make sure you have access to Wi-Fi (required for initial setup)|Prepare. SIM-Quick Authorization Card After Resetting

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Method 3: Using ADB to reset passwords (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) tool allows you to control your phone through your computer, including removing the App Lock password. The method requires USB debugging enabled and is only suitable for those who have previously activated this option in the developer settings. If debugging is disabled, the method will not work.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your PC (Windows, macOS or Linux).
2. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Cable (original or certified).
3. Open the command prompt (or terminal) in the adb.exe folder and execute commands in order: adb devices (you should display your device) adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.securitycenter pm uninstall --user 0 com.miui.guardprovider
4. Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot

Once rebooted, App Lock's protection will be deactivated.Warning: This method removes system security components, which can lead to unstable phone operation. Use it only as a last resort!

Method 4: Password bypassing through Safe Mode (temporary solution)

Safe Mode allows you to boot a phone with third-party apps disabled, including App Lock. This won't reset your password forever, but will give you temporary access to blocked programs. Suitable for emergency data backup before a full reset.

How to activate Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Slip and hold the “Switch off” option (or Power off) with your finger.
3. After 3-5 seconds, you will be asked to switch to Safe Mode.
4. After downloading, open the desired applications (the App Lock password will not be requested temporarily).

⚠️ Note: Some system functions (e.g., fingerprint or other features) are not working in Safe Mode. NFC). Also, once you reboot to normal mode, the App Lock password will return. Use this time to copy important data to your PC or cloud.

Through the Mi Account.|Through Recovery Mode|With help. ADB|Through Safe Mode|Another option-->

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods worked, it's hard reset, which is to return the phone to factory settings, erasing all data, including passwords, accounts and installed apps, and is universal for all Xiaomi models, but requires caution.

How to perform the reset:

• 📱 Through Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Erase all data. Enter a pattern lock (if required) and confirm.
• 🔧 Through Recovery: Press the Volume Up + Power, select Wipe Data from the menu → Wipe All Data (see Method 2).
• 💻 Through Mi Flash Tool: For "bricks" (non-powered phones) you will need firmware via PC. Instruction: xiaomiflash.com.

Once reset, the phone will turn on with the MIUI welcome screen, set it up as a new device by linking your Mi Account, and the App Lock password will be deleted, but all personal data will be lost.

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Before hard reset, be sure to extract SIM-card and memory card (if any) In some cases, a reset can encrypt an external drive, making its data inaccessible.

Comparison of password reset methods: what to choose

Frequent questions about resetting the password of Xiaomi apps