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

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2016, but even years later, its owners are faced with the problem of a forgotten password. Unlike modern models, unlocking this device has nuances: the lack of official support, an outdated version of MIUI and restrictions on working with a Mi Account. In this article, current ways to reset your password, including bypassing locks through Recovery, Fastboot and even physical intervention (if other methods have not worked).

It's important to understand that Redmi 3 doesn't have to reset the password with "Forgot Password?" on the lock screen -- it only works when you have your Mi Account attached and confirmed. If your account hasn't been synced or you don't remember the login details, alternative methods are needed, and we'll look at them all, from the simplest to the most radical, with the risks and tools you need.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only method that does not require data resetting and is supported by Xiaomi itself, but it only works if:

• 🔹 The smartphone was tied to the account Mi Account before blocking.
• 🔹 You have access to email/phone-linked.
• 🔹 The device is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi (for data verification).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap “Forgot your password?”
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS/code from the letter.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Warning: If your smartphone is not connected to the network, the system will not be able to verify your account details, in which case the error "No connection to the server" will appear. SIM-mobile-internet.

If you do not remember your account details, try to restore access through the official Mi Account website. Please note that after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the login will be blocked for 24 hours.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the data, you have a hard reset via Recovery, which will delete all the data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps. Redmi 3 uses Stock Recovery, so no additional firmware needs to be installed.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) and go to Wipe & Reset.
4. Tap Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset in English).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (3-5 minutes).
6. Restart the device via Reboot.

Keep the battery in charge (minimum 30%)

Make sure there is no important data on your phone (it will be deleted)

Prepare. SIM-card or Wi-Fi to set up after resetting

Have your Mi Account data on hand (if you plan to link again)

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Once reset, the smartphone will return to factory settings, and the first boot will require an initial setup, like after you buy it, and if you previously tied your Mi Account, the system can request it again, which is anti-theft protection.

⚠️ Warning: Some Redmi 3 firmwares, after being reset via Recovery, have a "This device is locked" error, which means that the device is tied to Mi Account, and you need to enter your account information to unlock it. If you don't remember them, go to the Fastboot method.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for power users)

If a reset via Recovery didn't help because of the Mi Account binding, you can try removing the lock via Fastboot, USB-The risks: if you do the wrong thing, your smartphone can turn into a brick".

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers.
• 📱 Firmware for Redmi 3 (version must match the current version).

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 3 (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi3_Fastboot).
3. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers.
4. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a picture of a rabbit in a hat will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. In the program, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
7. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is in place, the smartphone will restart in its clean state, without locking, but this method does not work if:

• 🚫 The device has a locked boot loader (Bootloader).
• 🚫 The firmware is incompatible with your Redmi version. 3 (For example, for the ido model instead of ido_xhdpi).

4. Bypassing the lock through ADB (if USB-debugging was included)

This is a rare but working case: if the Redmi 3 was activated before the locking USB-debugging, you can delete the file with the password through ADB. The method does not require a data reset, but is suitable only for trained users.

What needs to be done:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (Linux/Mac) and type: adb shell su 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 reboottings.db-shm
3. After the reboot, the lock should disappear.

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell


cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




reboot

⚠️ Note: On the modern versions MIUI (Even on the outdated Redmi 3 after the updates, this method may not work due to the enhanced protection. If after the reboot there is an error "There was an error when unlocking", try to reset the data via Recovery.

1. whether debugging over USB is enabled in the developer settings.

2. whether Xiaomi drivers are installed on the PC.

3. whether you use the original cable (cheap cables often do not transmit data).-->

Physical discharge (extreme case)

If the software didn't work, you're left with hardware reset, short circuiting of the contacts on the board, which is risky (you can damage the device) and requires disassembling the smartphone, and we're only describing it for familiarization, and use it at your own risk.

How it works:

• 🔧 Redmi 3 board has contacts TEST POINT, The snags that are slacked off.
• 🔧 After closing, the smartphone goes into mode EDL (Emergency Download Mode, which allows you to flash the device without locking.

Step-by-step (for experienced ones only!):

1. Turn off your smartphone and remove the back cover (on Redmi 3 it is removable).
2. Disconnect the battery (disconnect the plume).
3. Find two contacts on the board that are labeled TP or TEST POINT (usually next to the processor).
4. Tweezers or screwdriver close contacts for 5-10 seconds.
5. Connect. USB-cable to PC – the device must be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
6. Swipe your smartphone through the Mi Flash Tool in EDL mode.

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center.The cost of unlocking Redmi 3 in 2026 is about 1000-1500 rubles, which is cheaper than the risk of damaging the device.

💡

Physical reset is a last resort. If you don't have soldering or electronics experience, don't try to repeat this method yourself. A mistake can lead to permanent damage to the board.

6. What should I do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods did not work, the following reasons are possible:

• 🔒 The device is tied to the Mi Account and the data is lost (the solution is to contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership).
• 🔧 The firmware or loader is damaged (solution - firmware through the EDL service-centre).
• 💥 Hardware failure (solution - payment diagnosis).

In such cases:

1. Contact Xiaomi support and provide a check or box from the device to confirm ownership.
2. Contact an authorized service center (the list is available on the Xiaomi website).
3. If the smartphone is not valuable, consider buying a new one – repairs may cost more than the device.

Redmi 3 was released in 2016 and its support is officially over.

• 🚫 New firmware for this model does not come out.
• 🚫 Service centers may refuse repairs due to lack of spare parts.
• 🚫 Unlocking methods that worked in 2018-2020 may not be available now.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 3