A situation where the owner of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone forgets the screen unlock password, pattern lock or PIN-The code is one of the most stressful things to use, and the device becomes a locked brick, and the contacts, photos and apps are completely blocked. MIUI HyperOS has multiple access recovery scenarios, although they imply the complete deletion of user data.
There are two main ways to solve the problem: using the Mi Cloud cloud service for a remote reset without losing data (if the function was pre-activated), or forced Hard Reset through the recovery menu, which is guaranteed to remove the lock, but erases all information.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about the consequences. Any password reset procedure on modern Xiaomi devices is closely related to the Mi Account security system. If the phone was tied to the account, after cleaning the data, the system will require you to enter a username and password from it to confirm ownership. Without this data, it will be almost impossible to unlock the device.
Preparation for discharge procedure and precautions
The first step before you start any manipulation of the software part of the smartphone is to assess the risks and prepare tools. You will need a stable Internet connection, as in the process may require authorization on the manufacturer's servers. Also make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60% so that the device does not turn off at the critical time of flashing system files.
It's important to understand the difference between a normal restart and a full reset.Wipe Data is the command that deletes a partition with user data including photos, music, installed apps and their cache.The system files and default settings remain intact, but the phone will return to the "out of the box" state.
⚠️ Note: If the device has enabled the "Find the device" function, after reset, you will need to enter a password from the Mi Account to which the phone was attached.
If you have the ability to connect to your computer, try copying important files in advance through the MTP protocol, if the phone unlocks at least temporarily or allows you to transfer files without confirmation on the screen (although this is rare on modern versions of Android).
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Reset via the Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
The most common and reliable way to do this is to use the touch screen that doesn't respond to touch or the system is stuck, and it uses the built-in Recovery Mode recovery menu that's available at the core level, and it doesn't require access to the desktop or phone settings to log in.
The login procedure may vary slightly depending on the Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO model, but the basic algorithm remains the same: First, you need to completely turn off the device. If the phone does not respond to the switch off button due to locking, press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the full vibration and turn off the screen.
After turning it off, press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue holding the volume button until the Main Menu menu appears. In this menu, the touch screen does not work, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the selection of the item is done with a short press of the power button.
| Item | Function | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot | Rebooting the device | No. |
| Wipe Data | Complete discharge (cleaning) | Yes (100%) |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Connection mode to PC | No. |
| Safe Mode | Launching in safe mode | No. |
Using the volume buttons, select Wipe Data and confirm the choice with the power button. Then the system can offer several options, among which you need to choose Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The cleaning process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, after which the message Data wiped successfully will appear.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
Method Two: Remote reset via Mi Cloud
This is the only way to unlock a Xiaomi phone without losing photos and contacts, but it only works if a number of conditions are met: the device must be on, connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), and it must be activated with the “Find Device” function.
To implement this method, you will need a computer or another smartphone. Go to the official cloud.mi.com website and log in under the same Mi Account that was used on the locked phone. If you do not remember the password from the account, you must first restore it through the Forgot Password form.
In the cloud interface, select Find Device, which will show your device's location if it's online. In the list of available actions, select Erase Device, and after confirmation, the command will be sent to the phone, and it will automatically reset to factory settings.
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If the phone is offline, the reset command will remain in line and will be executed automatically as soon as the device appears on the network.
Once the procedure is complete, the phone will restart. The password on the lock screen will be deleted, but all data will remain safe if you have backed up. However, if the Find Device feature was active, the phone will still request the Mi Account password for the owner verification when you first set up.
Mi Account Problem and Bypassing Activation Lock
Xiaomi's current smartphones are heavily theft-proof, and once you run Hard Reset through Recovery, when you first boot it checks if the phone was linked to your account, and if so, the activation screen will require you to enter your username and password, so that the attacker who stole the phone can't use it even after flashing it.
If you forgot your password from your Mi Account, it becomes more complicated. You can only restore access through the official account.xiaomi.com. You will need access to your linked phone number or email, and it is extremely difficult to return your account without access to these recovery tools.
There is a myth that flashing your phone through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool helps bypass this lock. In reality, if the bootloader has Locked status, the standard firmware will not erase the partition with the account data. Unlocking the bootloader is officially possible only with waiting 7-168 hours and the presence of a working phone with SIM-A card that is often unavailable in a full lock situation.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party programs to “cut out” Mi-account (Bypass) often leads to unstable phone operation, loss of camera functionality or calls, and may also contain viruses.
Google Find My Device Services
An alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service is Google’s standard “Find a Device” feature, which also allows you to remotely erase data and remove the screen lock password, but, like the Mi Cloud, requires pre-setting and Internet access on the phone.
Go from any other device to android.com/find and log in to the Google account that was the main one on the locked smartphone. If the device appears in the list and has an On-line status, select the "Clean Device" option.
Once the command is completed, the phone will be reset. It is important to note that some versions of Android and MIUI shells may require a password from a Google account (FRP protection – Factory Reset Protection) after such a reset.
If the phone is not connected to the Internet, the command will not execute until the network is available. Unlike Mi Cloud, Google does not know how to back up before a remote reset, so the data will be lost irretrievably if the sync was not enabled.
What to do if nothing helps: Fastboot and PC mode
In cases where the phone is “bricked”, cyclically reboots or does not respond to buttons, you can try the Fastboot mode. To enter it, usually using a combination of Volume Down + Power buttons. In this mode, the screen often shows a bunny fixing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT.
Connecting the phone in this mode to a computer with installed Xiaomi USB Driver and Mi Flash Tool utility, you can try to reflash the device. However, successful installation of global firmware often requires an unlocked bootloader, which is impossible to get on a password-locked phone without losing data.
However, if the phone just hovers in a software glitch, connecting to the PC and holding the power button for 15-20 seconds in Fastboot mode can lead to a forced reboot, which sometimes helps the system “wake up” and go to the password entry screen where you can try to remember the combination.
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Fastboot is primarily designed for engineers and advanced users to flash memory partitions, not simply reset a password by the user.
Prevention of blocking and safety advice
To avoid such situations in the future, it is recommended to set up biometric unlocking - a fingerprint or facial recognition. Even if you forget the pattern lock, biometrics often allows you to log in to the menu and change the security settings without completely resetting.
Check sync regularly with Mi Cloud and Google Photos. Make sure your phone numbers and email addresses are up to date to restore your accounts. Write complex passwords to a secure location or use a password manager that can be accessed from other devices.
Don't turn off Find Device if you're afraid of theft, but be prepared to recall your account details.This feature is a double sword: it protects against thieves, but can become an obstacle to the owner in forgetfulness.