A situation where the owner of Xiaomi blocks access to his device because of a forgotten pattern lock or PIN-Smartphones of this brand are famous for their reliable data protection system, but sometimes this protection becomes an obstacle for the user. If you can’t unlock the screen, the only way out is a complete system reset, which will return the gadget to its original state.
It's important to understand that Hard Reset will inevitably delete all user data, including photos, contacts and installed applications. Modern versions of the MIUI shell and HyperOS use drive encryption tied to the screen password, so it's technically impossible to bypass locking with saving information without prior synchronization.
In this guide, we’ll look at proven screen bypass techniques on Xiaomi and Redmi devices.You’ll learn how to use Restore Mode, Mi Account and customized PC tools. Recovery Menu is the only one-stop way that works even when the sensor is completely broken or there’s no internet.
Preparation for the complete system resetting procedure
Before any manipulation of system files, you need to make sure that the device is ready to restart.The main requirement is that the battery must be at least 50-60%. The process of erasing data and reinstalling system files can take from 5 to 15 minutes, and a sudden power outage at this point can lead to critical errors of the bootloader.
It’s also worth checking in advance if you remember the data from your Google or Mi Account that was tied to your phone. Once reset, the security system will require authorization from one of these accounts to confirm ownership of the device, a standard anti-theft procedure known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
☑️ Preparation for discharge
If the phone is connected to a computer or external accessories, they should be turned off. To enter the recovery mode, a certain sequence of button presses is often required, and the presence of a connected one. USB-The cable can change the boot priority by switching the phone to debugging or charging mode instead of Recovery Mode.
Method 1: Reset via Recovery Menu (Standard Method)
The most common and effective method of unlocking is the use of a built-in recovery menu, which does not require Internet access at the time of reset and works on 99% of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, the mechanism is based on the boot of a minimum operating system written to a separate partition of memory.
To enter Recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely, then you need to press the button combination. On most modern models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up and Power buttons, which you need to hold until the Mi or Android logo appears.
⚠️ Warning: If you press Volume Down along with the power, the phone will go into Fastboot mode, which is designed to flash through the PC.
When the logo appears, release the power button, but keep the volume down until the menu appears, and this menu is controlled by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. On the screen you will see a list of options, among which you need to find Wipe Data.
- 📱 Select Wipe Data and confirm the action with the power button.
- 🗑️ On the next screen, select Wipe All Data to delete the information completely.
- ✅ Confirm the reset by selecting Confirm.
- 🔄 After the process is complete, select Reboot to restart the system.
The first run after the reset will take longer than usual. The system will recreate the file structure and apply default settings. Don't be afraid if the phone gets stuck on the logo for 2-3 minutes - this is normal behavior for MIUI after formatting.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Method 2: Using Mi Accounts to Remotely Reset
If the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data) was turned on on the locked device and the Mi Account was logged in, it is possible to unlock the phone remotely, this method is convenient because it does not require physical access to the device buttons if the sensor partially responds, but the password does not allow you to enter.
You will need another smartphone or computer with Internet access. You must go to the official Xiaomi device search service at i.mi.com. Sign in using the same account that was entered on the locked phone.
In the service interface, select your device from the list of available gadgets. Among the control functions, select the option Erase Device. This command will send a signal to the phone, forcibly initiating the reset process to factory settings.
| Conditions | The result | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Internet enabled | The reset will be successful | Wait for the reboot. |
| The Internet is off. | The command will be executed when connecting | Waiting for the network to come out |
| The account doesn't match. | Authorization error | Check login/password |
| Search service disabled | Remote discharge is not possible | Use Recovery Mode |
The main advantage of this method is the ability to erase data even if the phone buttons do not work. However, if the Find Device function was not activated in advance in the Mi Account security settings, this method will not work, in which case you can rely only on hardware reset.
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The remote control function only works if the phone has logged in at least once since the last lock, and if the phone has been in flight mode all the time, the team will stay in line until the first connection.
Method 3: Reset by Google Find My Device
An alternative to the Xiaomi ecosystem is a service from Google. If you log in to a Google account and geolocation is enabled on a smartphone, you can use the service android.com/find. The principle of operation is similar to the Mi service, but the search engine infrastructure is used.
Go to the site from any device, enter the Google account associated with the locked phone. From the list of devices, select the desired model. From the control menu, select the option to Clean the device (Erase Device).
Once confirmed, the deletion process will begin, and it is worth noting that this method requires an active Internet connection at the time the command is sent, and if the phone is offline or offline, the reset will occur automatically as soon as it connects to the network.
- 🌐 It works on all Android devices regardless of the shell.
- 🔒 Requires a precise match of Google account.
- 📡 You need an active internet connection on your phone.
- 🚫 Deletes all data without recovery.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the service sees the device, but the status is marked as "Offline", in which case the reset command will be put in line. You do not try to send the command repeatedly - just one request is enough, the system will perform it itself at the earliest opportunity.
Bypassing FRP lock and logging in
After successfully performing the Hard Reset procedure and restarting, you will encounter the initial setup screen, where FRP protection takes effect. The system will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synced to the phone before the reset.
It's not a bug, it's not a bug, it's an important level of security, and if you type in the wrong password multiple times, your account may be temporarily blocked, so enter the data carefully. If you changed your password from Google recently, use a new one.
In some cases, especially on older versions of Android (below 7.0) or specific firmware, there were vulnerabilities to bypass FRP. However, on current versions of MIUI 12/13/14 and Android 10-14, these holes are closed.
⚠️ Note: Do not buy unblocking services FRP They often use stolen accounts or malware, and the only legal way to remember your details or submit a check to an authorized service. If the phone was bought by hand and the previous owner did not untie the account, it is almost impossible to unlock it without his participation, in this situation, only applying to official support of Xiaomi with the provision of a check and a box confirming ownership. Sometimes the standard button combination doesn't work and the phone just loads normally or goes to Fastboot. This can be due to a particular model or damage to the buttons. In such cases, you can try alternative login methods. One way to do this is to use a team. ADB. If the phone has previously been turned on debugging USB, You can plug it into your PC and type in the adb reboot recovery command. The phone will reboot right away to the menu. USB Driver and platform SDK Platform-Tools. adb reboot recovery Another option is to use the Updater app. If you have access to the system through a lock screen (for example, notifications or a curtain are working), you can try to run the update. In the firmware file selection menu (three dots in the corner) sometimes available item Reboot to Recovery. 🔌 Check the serviceability. USB-cable. ⏱️ Keep timing: you need to press the buttons before vibration. 🔋 Make sure the battery is not in deep discharge. 👆 Try pressing the buttons with different forces. If none of the software methods help, there may be a hardware malfunction of the volume button. In this case, you will need to disassemble the phone to close contacts on the board or replace the button plume in the service center. 💡If the standard buttons don't work, try connecting your phone to a PC that's turned off, pressing the buttons, and then turning on the PC or pressing the power button on your phone. Sometimes this changes the priority of interruption. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the phone reset if it's not charged? No, it requires a battery to log in to Recovery and reset. If the phone is discharged, it can reboot cyclically when you try to log in to the recovery menu. Be sure to charge it for at least 30 minutes before the procedure. Can you restore photos after Hard Reset? self-recover data after a complete reset (Wipe All Data) on modern Xiaomi smartphones is impossible due to encryption. The only chance is sync with Google Photos, Mi Cloud, or a backup on your computer that you've made before. What if your phone writes "Device locked" after reset? The "Device locked" message in the context of the bootloader is normal. But if after downloading the system, the phone requires a password from the old account, it is FRP. Enter the account that was before the reset. If there were multiple accounts, try it all. How long does it take to reset Xiaomi? The data formatting process usually takes from the user to the user? 2 before 5 However, the first download and optimization of the system applications can take up to a few minutes. 10-15 Don't turn off your phone during this time. MIUI No, Hard Reset doesn't delete the operating system and shell version. MIUI. It only erases user data, settings and applications, returning the system to the “out of the box” state, but with the same firmware version that was installed.