The situation when a user forgets the password from his smartphone is one of the most stressful in the world of mobile technology, especially for owners of Xiaomi devices, where the security system can be set to the maximum level of protection. If you encounter a lock screen, do not panic, as there are several proven ways to return access to the device.
Restoring access will require you to be careful and follow the instructions carefully so that you do not damage the software. It is important to understand that in most cases, a complete reset will result in the deletion of all user data if it was not previously synced with the cloud. Below we will discuss in detail all current methods of bypassing the lock.
Before you start taking action, you should evaluate the current state of the gadget: whether it is charged, whether the sensor reacts, and whether you remember the data from your Mi Account. The answers to these questions will depend on the choice of a specific algorithm for your Redmi or Poco model.
Preparation for discharge procedure and precautions
Before any manipulation of the system partition, you need to make sure that the device is powered stable. If the battery is discharged by more than 50%, the reset process can be interrupted, which will lead to critical errors in booting the Android operating system. Connect the smartphone to the original charger and leave it for at least 30 minutes.
It's also important to realize that the formatting process is irreversible, and once you've confirmed the factory reset operation, all photos, contacts, messaging, and apps are lost, and the only way to save data is through pre-sync, but when you lock the screen, it's often impossible without some tricks.
⚠️ Note: If the device has Find Device enabled, the phone will need to enter the password from Mi Account or Google Account that was previously linked after resetting.
Make sure you remember at least a sample password from your Google or Xiaomi account. In modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS shell, theft protection works very effectively. If you can't remember passwords from any account, unlocking can become impossible without contacting an authorized service center with a check for purchase.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
The most common and efficient way to do this is to use the built-in Recovery Mode partition available at the core level, which works even if the screen is not fully responsive to touch (provided the volume buttons are working), and does not require unlocking the screen or accessing the settings menu to enter this mode.
The login process may vary depending on your Xiaomi model. Most modern devices require you to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume. Some older models require a triple press of the power button or a combination with a volume button.
Once you enter the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data item. In new versions of MIUI, the interface can be in English, so focus on keywords.
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
Select the Wipe All Data option and confirm the action. The system may ask you for consent several times, requiring you to press Confirm. Once the cleaning process is complete, which usually takes a few seconds, select Reboot to reboot. The phone will turn on as new, requiring initial setup.
Method 2: Remote reset via Find Device
If physical access to the buttons is difficult or you prefer the software method, you can use the Xiaomi Cloud service. This method is only relevant if the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) is on the locked phone and the “Find the device” function is activated.
To perform the procedure, take a computer or another smartphone, go to the official website i.mi.com. Log in using the same Mi Account that was entered on the locked device.
From your list of gadgets, select the phone you want. Among the available actions (call, lock), you are interested in the Erase button or Erase data. Pressing this button will send a command to the phone, and if you have an Internet connection, it will automatically reset to the factory settings.
| Parameter | Recovery Mode | Find Device (Cloud) | Fastboot + Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| We need the Internet. | No. | Yeah (on the phone) | No. |
| I need a PC. | No. | Yeah (or second phone) | Yes. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Depends on the network. | Medium. |
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require physical interaction with the housing buttons, which reduces the risk of mechanical damage, but if the phone is in aeromode or discharged, the command will only be executed once it's online.
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If you use Google Family Sharing or Mi Cloud, try to find the device through the account of the family member you gave access to, in case the primary password is lost.
Method 3: Google Find My Device
An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard tool, which is similar to the remote command to erase data, which works on any Android device, regardless of the shell installed.
Go to android.com/find from any browser. Log in to the Google account that was the primary one on the locked phone. The system will try to locate the device. If the phone is online, you'll see it on the map and the control panel.
From the menu on the left or bottom, select the option to Clear Device, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, after confirmation, the phone will receive a reset command, and importantly, as with the Mi Cloud, the phone must be connected to the network.
If the phone is not connected to the Internet, the command will stay in line and execute as soon as the device goes online. This may be useful if you lost your phone, but in the case of a forgotten password, it only delays the solution until Wi-Fi appears.
Mi and Google account issues after reset
Once you have successfully completed the reset and reboot, you will encounter the initial setup screen, at which point the Android security system will request proof of ownership, which is Factory Reset Protection (FRP).
You will be asked to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to your phone before the reset.If you enter the wrong password several times, the account may be temporarily blocked.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to circumvent FRP With the help of third-party software, you often end up blocking IMimei or completely inoperable boards.
If you don't remember your Google account password, use the process of retrieving access through Google's site from another device, and if you forget your Mi Account password, you can restore it through your email or phone number that you linked to when you register.
In cases where access to accounts is lost completely, the only legal way is to provide a check for the purchase of the device to an authorized Xiaomi service center.
Alternative methods and mode of Fastboot
There's another technique that's used when standard Recovery doesn't work or is damaged, and that's Fastboot mode, which is entered by pressing the volume button and the power button, and you'll see a picture of a hare fixing an android on the screen.
A computer is needed to work with this mode, USB-cable and special software, for example, Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or the official Mi Flash Tool. However, the standard Fastboot erase userdata command is often blocked by modern security versions if the bootloader is locked.
Unlocking the bootloader requires a Mi Account with a phone number tied and waiting 7 to 30 days, and access to the phone menu, which is not possible in our situation, so this method is considered as an auxiliary method for advanced users trying to reflash the device.