How to reset the password on Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus: all ways to unlock

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus is a popular smartphone, but even its owners sometimes face the problem of a locked screen, PIN-A code or password can turn a device into a brick if you don’t know how to act correctly. In this article, we will discuss all the current password reset methods for Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince), including official methods through Mi Account and alternative solutions for cases when an account is unassociated or unavailable.

It is important to understand that the unlock procedure depends on the version of MIUI, the state of the device (on/off, charged) and the availability of backups. Some methods require technical skills, others only a stable Internet connection. We will describe each option in detail, specify the risks (for example, loss of data) and give recommendations for recovering information after a reset.

If you're looking for a way to get around the lock without losing data, let's warn you: on the Redmi 5 Plus with MIUI 10/11/12, this is almost impossible without prior preparation (for example, USB debugging enabled). But even then, the chances are minimal. The main purpose of this article is to return access to the device, even if at the cost of resetting to factory settings.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 Smartphone connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You have a login and password from the account that was linked to the device.
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. Go to the Mi Account page and log in.
2. Select the Find Device tab.
3. In the list of devices, find your Redmi 5 Plus (can be displayed as vince).
4. Click Unlock Device and confirm the action.

After 5-10 minutes, the smartphone unlocks automatically, all data is saved if the device was connected to the network at the time the command was sent, and if the Internet is turned off, the method will not work.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password but haven’t updated it on your smartphone, unlocking may not work.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the only reliable way is hard resetting through Recovery, which deletes all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps, but returns access to the system.

Instructions for Redmi 5 Plus:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (in English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
5. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data).
6. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
7. After the process is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The smartphone will reboot and offer to configure it as new. This method works on any version of MIUI, but requires a battery charge of at least 30%.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 5 Plus firmware may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked after resetting via Recovery. If you don't remember it, the device will remain locked).

3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

If the smartphone is enabled debugging on USB (USB Debugging), and the device is recognized by the computer, you can try to reset the password through the ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method does not delete data, but requires pre-preparation.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Redmi 5 Plus to PC via USB-cable.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal in macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, go further.
4. Follow the commands to delete password files: 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 the reboot, the lock will be reset, and the method only works when the debugging is on and may not work on newer versions of MIUI (12+), where the protection is enhanced.

4. Firmware through Fastboot (extreme case)

If none of the previous methods worked, then you have to run the firmware through Fastboot mode, and this is a radical way of doing this.

• 🔄 Completely reinstalls the firmware.
• 📛 Deletes all data without recovery.
• 🔧 Requires a computer and command line knowledge.
• ⚠️ It can lead to a “brick” when mistakes are made.

For Redmi 5 Plus (vince) will fit the official firmware from the Xiaomi website. Download the version of Fastboot ROM for your model.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the downloaded archive with firmware in the folder on the PC.
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
3. Connect the device to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
4. Execute the command to check the connection: fastboot devices
5. Start the firmware (for Windows): fastboot flash all Linux/macOS use script flash_all.sh.
6. Wait for completion (5-10 minutes) and restart the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware can lock the bootloader if it has been unlocked before, requiring official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting time.

💡

Before you run through Fastboot, check the bootloader version with fastboot getvar anti. If the answer is anti: 3 or 4, the bootloader is locked and you will have to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

5. Alternative methods (with limitations)

If standard methods don’t work, you can try workarounds, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI:

• 📞 Calling a locked smartphone: Call the device from another phone, take a call, and try to open the settings during the call. MIUI (10) that worked sometimes, but the patch is now closed.
• 🔧 Reset via Safe Mode: Press the power button before the turn off menu appears, then hold off Power off before switching to Safe Mode.In this mode, some stock apps may let you reset the password, but on Redmi 5 Plus, it rarely works.
• 🖥️ Use of third-party tools: Programs like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey They promise to reset their password, but they often demand payment and they don't guarantee the outcome.

Most of the “hacks” to bypass the lock that can be found on the forums do not work on MIUI 11/12/13 due to the increased protection.Don’t waste time on questionable methods – it is better to immediately go to reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

6. Data recovery after reset

If you managed to unlock Redmi 5 Plus, but the data was lost, try to restore it:

• 📱 Backups of Mi Cloud: If sync is enabled, photos, contacts and notes can be returned via Mi Cloud.
• 🔍 Recovery software: Utility like DiskDigger or Recuva can find deleted files, but the chances are slim – after a reset, the data is usually overwritten.

Important: Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi encrypts user data by default, which means that even if you extract the internal memory and connect it to another device, the files will not be available without the encryption key (which is erased when reset).

💡

The only reliable way to save data is to back up regularly through the Mi Cloud or manually copy important files to your PC.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of the Redmi 5 Plus being blocked again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to PIN-code.
• 📝 Write down the Mi Account password and Recovery key (if tied) to a secure location (for example, a password manager).
• ☁️ Enable automatic sync with Mi Cloud for contacts, photos and notes.
• 🔧 Regularly create local backups through Settings → System and device → Backup.
• 📱 Activate. USB Debugging (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB). This will help unlock the device through ADB future.

If you often forget passwords, consider using a password manager (like Bitwarden or KeePass) these apps store all data in encrypted form and sync between devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 5 Plus