When you forget a pattern lock or a digital code from a smartphone, it happens more often than you think. The Xiaomi owner may face lockdown due to a child’s inattention, random dialing in his pocket, or simply poor memory, at which point the device turns into a useless brick, access to contacts and photos becomes impossible.
Fortunately, Android and MIUI have multiple disaster recovery mechanisms. It's important to understand that most methods involve completely erasing user data. Recovery Mode resets are guaranteed to delete all files, including photos, music and documents, so the hope of saving them without prior synchronization is minimal.
Before we start taking radical action, we need to evaluate the situation and choose the right algorithm for action. Some methods require an Internet connection, others work exclusively offline. Below we will discuss all the current options for unlocking, from simple to more complex.
Using a Mi Account to reset the lock
The most civilized way to get back to the device is to use Xiaomi's built-in security features. If your smartphone has activated your Mi Account and enabled Find Device, you can remotely erase your data, which requires that the phone be connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.
To perform the procedure, you need to go to the official website of the cloud service from a computer or other gadget, enter your credentials that were used on the locked phone. After authorization, the system will suggest selecting a device from the list of associated devices.
In the device management menu, find the option “Clean the device” or “Wipe Data.” Confirm the action and the command will go to the smartphone. Once the gadget is online, it will reset and the password will be deleted along with the rest of the data.
⚠️ Note: If the Find Device function has been disabled in settings or the phone is in aeronautical mode, a remote reset will not occur until the connection appears.
This method is the safest way to keep your Google account safe, because it doesn't require flashing, but it's useless if you've forgotten not only your screen password, but also your Mi Account login.
The classic method, which works on most Redmi and Poco models, is based on the booting of a special recovery mode built into the phone's memory. Recovery Mode usually doesn't require additional programs to log in, just a button combination.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the MI logo appears, then release only the power button, while continuing to hold the volume. A menu with several items in English or Chinese will appear on the screen.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of the firmware, you will need to additionally select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
The formatting process takes 10 to 30 seconds. Once it's complete, select Reboot or Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new, without a password, but without your files.
⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (12, 13, 14 and HyperOS) after reset via Recovery, the phone may require you to enter a password from a Mi Account or Google account that was synced earlier.
If the Recovery menu doesn't open the first time, try connecting your phone with a cable to your computer before you press the buttons, which sometimes helps the system recognize the recovery mode entry command.
Unlocking through Fastboot and PC mode
Fastboot mode is designed to be low-level, not only to scour the phone, but also to try to clear data sections if the standard Recovery menu is not available or locked. USB-cable.
Enter Fastboot mode by holding both the power and volume buttons on the phone that is turned off, and the screen will show a picture of a rabbit fixing a robot, or the words FASTBOOT. Connect the device to a PC.
To manage the phone, you will need Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or the standard ADB. Download and install drivers for your device. Open the command line on your computer and enter a command to clean the userdata partition:
fastboot erase userdata
This command forcibly deletes the partition with user data. Once executed, type in the command fastboot reboot to restart. The phone should start as normal without asking for a password.
What to do if the team is not executed?
If the console gives an access error, it is possible that the bootloader of your device is locked. Unlock Bootloader requires permission from Xiaomi and waiting. 7 days (168 Without an unlocked bootloader, some Fastboot commands may not be available, this method is more technical and requires caution. An error in entering commands can lead to system partitions being resolved, so check the syntax carefully. Use of Google's Find My Device Services An alternative to Xiaomi's native service is Google's standard security feature. If your phone has logged in to a Google account and geolocation enabled, you can use the device management web interface. android.com/find log in to the same Google account that was used on the blocked smartphone. The system will try to locate the device. On the left menu, select the option "Clean the device"; you will receive a warning that all data will be deleted; Confirm the action; the smartphone will receive a signal to completely reset the settings to the factory. 📱 It works even when the Internet is turned off, if the command is sent to the battery level (it will be executed at the first connection). 🔒 Requires password knowledge only from Google account, password from screen will be deleted. 🌍 It works on all versions of Android, regardless of the shell. MIUI. This is a good way to do it, because it doesn't require knowledge of the specifics of Xiaomi's buttons, but like the Mi Account, it won't work without setting up the remote control function first. It is worth noting that after such a reset, when you first set up the phone will necessarily request a password from Google account (FRP Lock). This is a theft protection mechanism that can't be avoided by simply turning on. The choice of password resetting methods depends on the initial conditions: Internet availability, account knowledge and user technical training. Below is a table that helps determine the best option. The method Needs the Internet Data Security Mi Account Difficulty (on the phone) No No No (deletion) Low Recovery Mode No No No No (deletion) Average Fastboot + PC No Yes No No (deleaving) High Google Find Device Yes (on the phone) No (deletion) How low is the data from the password code made by the user is not saved from the password. If data is critical, the only option is to try to remember a password or use backups in the cloud if they were created automatically. Possible problems and their solution In the process of unlocking, users often face additional obstacles. The most common problem is an account request after a reset (FRP). If the phone requires a password from Google or Mi Account that you do not remember, the recovery process is delayed. In this case, it is necessary to restore access to the account through the “forgot password” procedure on service providers’ sites. Without this, the phone will remain locked even if the screen is unlocked. In such cases, it helps to flash through the utility Mi Flash Tool in mode. EDL, But it requires disassembling the device or a special cable. 🔋 Phone discharges during reset – connect the original charger for at least 30 minutes before starting. 🔄 Bootloop – try resetting your settings through Recovery again or reflashing your device. 🚫 Error "Can't verify update" - it is possible that the bootloader is blocked or the firmware version is not suitable for the region. ⚠️ Attention: Using third-party software to "hack" passwords often results in malware being installed on your computer or the device permanently locked.Use only official methods. If the software methods do not help, there may be a hardware malfunction of the memory or power controller. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you reset your password without losing your photos? Unfortunately, standard Android methods don't allow you to do that. Data is encrypted with a key derived from the screen password. Resetting your password without a key makes data unreadable. The only chance is if the photos are synced with Google Photos or Mi Cloud. What to do if the phone asks for a password from the Mi Account after a reset? FRP (Factory Reset Protection. You need to enter the username and password of the account that was associated with the device before the reset. If you do not remember them, use the access recovery form on i.mi.com. Will the reset via Recovery work if debugging is enabled USB? Initiation of debugging USB Recovery Mode does not affect the operation of Recovery Mode. Button reset works at a low level and will be performed regardless of the developer's settings. How to avoid blocking in the future? Write down your password in a safe place or use biometrics (print, face) in conjunction with a simple one. PIN-Regularly check synchronization of important data with the cloud.