How to reset the password on the Xiaomi smartphone: from unlocking the screen to bypassing the Mi Account

The forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that even experienced users face. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones have dual protection: locking the screen and binding to the Mi Account. This complicates the unlocking process, but does not make it impossible. In this article, we will examine all the current methods of password resetting, from standard methods to little-known workarounds running MIUI 12/13/14.

It's important to understand that not all methods will save your data. For example, Hard Reset completely erases information from the device, while unlocking through Find Device can leave files intact. We will show you what the consequences of each method are so that you can choose the best option. Also, pay attention to the features of models with Qualcomm and MediaTek processors - the unlock algorithms for them are different.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your smartphone is linked to your Mi Account and you remember the username and password, this is the easiest way.The method works on all Xiaomi devices, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 11, regardless of the version of MIUI. The main condition: the phone must have access to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

• 🔹 On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
• 🔹 Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
• 🔹 Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
• 🔹 Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (depending on security settings).

If two-factor authentication is disabled, the system will unlock the device immediately, otherwise you will need to enter a code from the message, which does not erase data, but requires access to the associated email or phone number.

⚠️ Warning: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password and haven't updated it on your phone, unlocking may not work.

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote unlock)

Xiaomi’s Find Device service not only tracks the phone, but also manages it remotely, including resetting your password.

• 📱 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 Find Device is activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🔐 You remember the data from your Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account.
3. In the menu, select the locked device.
4. Press Unlock and confirm the action.

After 5-10 minutes, the phone unlocks automatically. This method does not delete data, but requires pre-configuring Find Device. If the function has been disabled, use other methods.

💡

If Find Device is not activated but the phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer, try unlocking it via ADB (see section 4).

3. Hard Reset: Full reset via Recovery Mode

Hard Reset is a radical method that erases all data from the device, including photos, messages and installed apps. Use it if other methods have not helped or you do not remember data from Mi Account. The manual is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but there are nuances for devices with MediaTek and Qualcomm.

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination: 🔘 For Qualcomm (mostly) Redmi/POCO): Loudness up + Nutrition. 🔘 For MediaTek (some of the Redmis) 9/10): Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

It takes 2-5 minutes. Once you reboot, it's like a new device, you'll need to reconfigure it. If the phone requests data from Mi Account after you reset, you've activated Factory Reset Protection (FRP) -- see Section 6.

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is enabled debugging by USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB), you can reset your password through ADB. The method works without data loss, but requires preliminary preparation.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su 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 reset, the password will be reset. If the commands don't work, try the alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This method does not work on all versions. MIUI, Especially on the latest updates with enhanced protection. ADB erroneously devices/emulators Find, check drivers or try another cable.

5.Mi Account bypass after Hard Reset (FRP Bypass)

If the phone requests data from Mi Account after Hard Reset, it means that Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is activated. There are several ways to get around it, but Xiaomi regularly closes vulnerabilities in new versions of MIUI.

Method 1: Emergency Call (for MIUI 12–13)

1. On the Mi Account data entry screen, click Emergency Call.
2. Enter #4636## and the test menu will open.
3. Go to Usage statistics → Settings (cog in the upper right corner).
4. Enable additional settings and add a new Google account.
5. Restart your phone and the Mi Account request will disappear.

Method 2: Fastboot (for Qualcomm)

You will need a computer with ADB and Fastboot installed:

1. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Connect to your PC and type the command: fastboot oem frp-unlock
3. If the command is not supported, try: fastboot erase frp
4. Reboot the device (fastboot reboot).

In other cases, the data will be lost.