How to Reset Xiaomi Password Without Losing Data

When you pick up your Xiaomi, but the lock screen doesn't give you access to the system, it's familiar to many. It can happen after a long break in use of the device or a banal forgetfulness, when in a hurry was installed complex but incomprehensible code. The main problem that the user faces at this point is the fear of losing all the photos, contacts and important documents when trying to unlock.

Unlike older versions of Android, modern shells MIUI and HyperOS have a strong data protection tied to the Google account and Mi Account. the standard procedure of resetting through Recovery Mode, unfortunately, involves the complete removal of user information. However, there are less radical methods that allow you to bypass the lock screen or restore access to the system, while preserving the contents of internal memory.

In this article, we will take a look at legitimate ways to restore access to your device that do not require flashing, and you will learn about the nuances of Mi Cloud, the features of safe mode and specialized debugging tools that can be your salvation at a critical moment.

⚠️ Note: None of the methods described below gives 100% guarantee on all models. success depends on the Android version, security settings, included debugging. USB and having an associated account.

Use the "Find Device" function from Mi Account

The most reliable and official way, provided by the developers of the Xiaomi ecosystem, is remote control through the Mi Cloud service, this method works only if the locked smartphone is signed in to Mi Account and enabled Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile data), the essence of the method is to remotely change the password of the screen lock via the web interface.

To start, you need to go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone) and log in under the same Mi Account that is used on the locked gadget. After logging in, select Find Device. If the phone is online, you will see its location and a list of available activities.

The management options often include unlocking or changing your password, and by clicking on the appropriate button, the system will prompt you to enter a new access code. Once the changes are confirmed, the new password will sync with the device and you can enter it on the lock screen of your smartphone, the only official way that is guaranteed to not require deletion of data.

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If the function "Find the device" is not displayed, then the switch "Search for the device" was not turned on on on the smartphone in the Mi Account settings until the moment of blocking.

Entering Safe Mode to Remove Third-Party Blockers

Often, the reason for blocking is not system settings, but third-party blocking applications that may have been installed accidentally or work incorrectly, in which case it helps to start the operating system in Safe Mode, in which only system applications are loaded, which allows you to remove the culprit of the problem through the settings menu.

To enter safe mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to press the power button on the locked screen before the turn off menu appears. Then you need to (clamp and hold) the "Stop" menu item on the touch screen. The system will ask for confirmation of the transition to safe mode. After rebooting, the corresponding inscription will appear in the corner of the screen.

While in Safe Mode, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps. Find a suspicious app that may have installed a lock (often cleaning apps, antiviruses or smart blockers), and remove it. Once the malware is removed, simply restart the phone in the usual way.

• 📱 Press the power button before the menu appears on the screen.
• 🖱️ Press and hold your finger on the “Switch Off” icon on the display.
• ✅ Confirm the transition to safe mode in the pop-up window.
• 🗑️ Remove the problem application through system settings.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Signing into Safe Mode may require a password confirmation, and if the system requests a code to log into Safe Mode, this method, alas, will not work.

Reset via ADB and wipe password command

For advanced users who have pre-enabled Debugging on the device USB (USB Debugging, there's a technical way to reset a password through a computer, and this method uses the Android Debug Bridge toolkit (ADB) and requires the connection of the smartphone to the PC through USB-It's important to understand that without debugging, this is not a viable option.

First, you need to download and install the ADB platform tools on your computer. Connect your phone to your PC and open the Command Prompt (CMD) or terminal in the folder with ADB. Make sure the computer sees the device by entering the adb device command. If the list shows the device serial number, the connection is established.

To delete password storage files (on older versions of Android up to 11 inclusive), you can use the following commands in the terminal:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

Once the commands are executed, the device needs to be restarted. On newer versions of Android with an updated security system, this method may not work, since password files are encrypted and protected from direct removal without root rights. However, on devices that have not been updated for a long time, the chance of success remains high.

Use of Smart Lock and Trusted Devices

The Smart Lock feature built into the Android operating system allows you to bypass the lock screen in certain, secure situations. If you have set this feature up in advance by adding a trusted place (such as a house), a trusted device (smart watch, Bluetooth headphones or car stereo), or a voice recognition feature, you can access the phone without entering a code.

Try connecting a previously paired Bluetooth device to your smartphone. If the Smart Lock settings indicated that when you connect to this gadget, the phone will unlock, the system will let you inside immediately after you establish the connection. It is also worth checking the geolocation settings: if you are within the "Trusted Place" radius, the phone can unlock itself.

This method is more suitable for preventing problems in the future or for temporary access to back up data before more radical measures. You can check the settings if you manage to log in via a Bluetooth device: go to Settings → Security → Smart Lock (the path may differ depending on the version of MIUI).

• 🏠 Trusted Places: Phone does not require a password at home or work.
• ⌚ Trusted devices: unlock when connecting watches or headphones.
• 🗣️ Voice matching: access via voice command (less reliable).

Comparison of Access Restoration Methods

The choice of a particular course of action depends on your preparation and current situation. Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate the available options and evaluate their effectiveness for your case.

As you can see from the table, having a pre-configured Mi Account is the most powerful tool, and if none of the conditions are met, the situation becomes complicated, and in such cases, users often turn to third-party software, but here lies the main danger.

⚠️ Warning: Third-party programs that promise “100% unlock without loss of data” are 99% fraud or virus-infected. Real password resets without accounts are only possible through firmware that erases everything.

What to do if nothing helps

If none of the sparing methods worked, and access to data is critical, the last option is a full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset), which will delete all photos, contacts and applications, but return the phone to work, you need to turn off the phone and pinch the combination of buttons "Loud up + Power" before the Mi logo appears, then select Wipe Data from the Recovery menu.

Once reset, the phone will request the Google or Mi Account details that were previously linked to the device (FRP protection). This is done to protect against theft. If you remember the username and password from the account, you can activate the phone as new. It is recommended to regularly back up Google Photos and Google Contacts, so that in case of such problems, you lose a minimum of information.

In the future, to avoid such situations, set up biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as the main method, and use a complex password only as a backup. PIN-code in a safe place not associated with the phone.

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Hard Reset is a last resort, guaranteed to remove the password, but permanently deletes all user data from internal memory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)