How to Reset Your Password on Xiaomi Phone: From Mi Account to Hard Reset

A forgotten password on Xiaomi can become a serious problem, especially if the phone stores important data, photos or work correspondence. Unlike iPhones, where unlocking often requires contacting a service center, MIUI smartphones offer several solutions, from standard recovery features to technical bypass methods. However, not all of them are equally safe: some lead to complete data loss, others work only under certain conditions (for example, binding to Mi Account or enabled debugging over USB).

In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to reset your password on Xiaomi (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models), their pros and cons, and give recommendations on how to minimize risks. Importantly, the methods are different for devices with MIUI 12/13/14 and older versions of firmware. If your phone is locked after unsuccessful attempts to type in or shows the message “Device is locked. Try later”, some methods may not work – we will also warn you about this in advance.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most legal and recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account that was tied to the device.
• 🔄 Find Device is activated in the settings.

If the conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (depending on security settings).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and Xiaomi may request additional verification (for example, sending a photo of a document) if you suspect a hack.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number provided when you register.

2. Password reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader and requires a computer. It allows you to reset the password without losing data, but only if:

• 🖥️ Drivers are installed on the PC ADB/Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔌 The phone has debugging on. USB (Even if the device is locked, sometimes it works).
• 📦 There is a backup of the data (in case of failure).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock If the bootloader is unlocked, this will delete the password.
4. Reboot your phone with the command: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12) This method may not work because of the increased security, and some firmware after a Fastboot reset requires re-authorization in the Mi Account.

3. Hard Reset (full reset)

An extreme method that removes all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, is suitable if other methods do not help or the device is not tied to the Mi Account. On Xiaomi, the reset is performed via Recovery mode:

Make sure your phone doesn’t have important data (or it’s synced to the cloud)

Charge the device at least 50%

Prepare. SIM-Re-activation card (if the phone is tied to the operator)

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Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the combination Volume up + Nutrition (on some models – Volume up + Volume down + Nutrition).
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later after Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from your previous Mi Account (even if the phone was not tied.

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4 Password bypass through ADB (only for enabled debugging)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can try to reset your password through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method saves data, but requires preparation:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).
• 📱 The phone must be connected to the PC at least once before locking (to keep the computer on the list of trusted devices).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
3. Delete the file with the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 This method often doesn't work because of changes in the structure of system files, and after a reboot, you may need to re-enter your password - in which case, try entering any character.

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If the self-unlocking attempts were unsuccessful, the official service remains. Xiaomi provides the unlock service on documents, but with a number of conditions:

• 📄 Availability of a cheque or warranty card (proof of possession).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 💰 The cost of the service is from 1000 to 3000 rubles (depending on the model and region).

How the procedure goes:

1. Find the nearest Xiaomi service center on the official website.
2. Make an appointment (some centers accept only by appointment).
3. Provide your phone and documents. Unlocking takes 1 to 3 days.

⚠️ Warning: Service centers do not guarantee the safety of data after unlocking, and they can refuse if the phone is listed in the database of stolen devices.

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Officially unlocking via the service is the only legal way if the phone is tied to Mi Account and you don't remember the login details.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to reset a password, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

Error 1: The phone is not included in Fastboot or Recovery.

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 30%).
• 🔌 Try another charger or cable.
• 🕒 Hold the buttons for at least 10-15 seconds.

Error 2: After resetting through Hard Reset, the phone requires an old password.

This means that the device is tied to the Mi Account.

• 📧 Restoring your account through Xiaomi’s website.
• 📞 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Error 3: ADB cannot see the device.

• 🖥️ Install the latest version of Android SDK Platform Tools.
• 🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions