How to reset your password on Xiaomi: a complete guide to unlocking your smartphone

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Unlike other brands, Redmi, POCO or Mi phones have unique security mechanisms associated with linking to a Mi Account, which complicates the unlocking process, but also opens up additional opportunities for access recovery.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to reset passwords on Xiaomi devices, from official methods through Find Device to technical solutions using Fastboot and Recovery modes. Each method is accompanied by step-by-step instructions, risk warnings and tips to prevent locking in the future. Importantly, some methods require prior preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so their effectiveness depends on how much you have set up your smartphone in advance.

If you're looking for a way to get around the lock without losing data, let me warn you that 90% of the time, modern versions of MIUI (starting with MIUI 12) encrypt user data, and recovering it after resetting the password requires a backup, but we'll show you how to minimize losses and regain access to the most important files.

1.Official method: Unblocking through Mi Account

Xiaomi’s most reliable and recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works even if you don’t remember the lock screen password, but remember the login details, which is suitable for most models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and older devices.

To take advantage of this method, your smartphone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), if the device is discharged, first charge it to at least 20% - this will prevent a sudden shutdown during the process.

• 🔹 Go to the Mi Account login page from another device (computer, tablet or second phone).
• 🔹 Enter the email or phone number associated with the account on the blocked smartphone.
• 🔹 Click on “Forgot your password?” and follow the recovery instructions (via the SMS, email or backup email).
• 🔹 After successfully logging in to your account, go to Find Device (Find your device).
• 🔹 Select a locked smartphone from the list and click “Unlock the device».

If your device doesn’t show up in Find Device, check:

• 📶 Is it connected to the Internet (on the locked screen can display the network indicator).
• 🔄 Have you updated your Find Device page (sometimes it takes a few minutes to sync).
• 🔒 Was not disabled Find Device in the settings of the smartphone earlier.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the data from Mi Account, you can only restore access to your account through the attached email or phone number. Xiaomi does not provide support for restoring accounts without this data - this is a security measure against device theft.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If you don't remember the Mi Account or Find Device data, the only officially supported method is a hard reset through Recovery Mode, which will delete all data on the device, including photos, messages and installed apps, but will return access to the smartphone.

The procedure is different for devices with global and Chinese MIUI firmware. On Chinese versions (e.g. Redmi K50 for the Chinese market), additional authorization via Mi Account may be required even after a reset. Global firmware (e.g. POCO F4 GT Global) is usually unlocked without being linked to an account.

Turn off your smartphone.

Charge the battery at least 30%

Prepare. SIM-card or Wi-Fi to set up after resetting

Make sure you have a backup of important data (if it was created earlier)

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1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery Mode: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10-15 seconds). 🔧 For some older models (e.g. Redmi) 4X): Loudness up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Reboot

Once reset, the smartphone will turn on as new. You will need to go through the initial setup, including connecting to Wi-Fi and logging into Mi Account (if the device was linked to the account), at which point you can restore data from the MIUI Cloud backup if it was created earlier.

⚠️ Note: Devices with a bootloader that is locked may need to be logged in via Mi Account after resetting via Recovery, even if you don’t remember the screen password, for models purchased in China or with Chinese firmware. In this case, you will need to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable for users who have previously enabled USB debugging and unlocked the bootloader. If these conditions are not met, the method will not work. This method is more complex, but allows you to bypass the lock screen without completely resetting the data (in some cases).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware file for your model (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Volume down + Power.
2. Connect the device to the computer via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device appears in the list, you can continue.
4. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): fastboot oem unlock On new devices (MIUI 13+), this command may require a binding to Mi Account even in Fastboot.
5. Switch the recovery module with ADB sideload support (e.g. TWRP if available for your model).
6. Download to TWRP and delete the files responsible for blocking: adb shell 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
7. Reset the device.

This technique requires technical skills and can lead to a device breaking if it is not executed correctly, and if you are not sure of your actions, you should contact a service center.

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Before you start working in Fastboot, back up the persist partition with the fastboot backup persist command, which will help restore IMEI and other critical data in the event of a crash.

4. Use of service codes (for older models)

Some older Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 3S, Mi 4) had service codes for resetting passwords, but in modern devices (beginning with MIUI 10), these codes are disabled for security reasons.

To use the code:

1. Open the phone app.
2. Enter the code as if you were dialing a number.
3. Confirm the action (if a request is made).

If the code doesn't work, you'll see a message on the screen saying, "Code not supported," or nothing will happen, and then you'll move on to other methods.

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods fail, the last option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, which is the only legal way to unlock a device without losing data if you do not remember the password from Mi Account or the smartphone has a locked bootloader.

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Check or other document confirming the purchase (for example, a box with a serial number).
• 🆔 Passport or ID card (to prove possession).
• 📱 The device itself with a charge of at least 50%.

The cost of the service varies from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the model and complexity of the work, in some cases, the service center may offer to reflash the device with a complete data reset, if other methods are not possible.

A list of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the official website. Avoid informal workshops - they can use illegal methods of unlocking, which will lead to loss of warranty or damage to the device.

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased hand-held or imported from China, the service center may refuse to unlock without the original check.In such cases, the only way out is to reset via Fastboot with loss of data (if the bootloader is unlocked).

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Use biometric authorization (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to a password.
• 📝 Write passwords to a trusted manager (e.g. Google Password Manager or KeePass).
• 🔄 Regularly back up your data through MIUI Cloud or locally on the computer.
• 🔧 Put the debugging on. USB Unlock bootloader in advance (instructions on the official website).
• 📧 Link to Mi Account backup email and phone number.

It’s also useful to set up a Smart Lock in MIUI – this feature can be found in Settings → Password & Security → Smart Lock. It lets you automatically unlock the device in trusted places (such as at home or work) or when you connect to a trusted device (such as a Mi Band smartwatch).

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Even if you use biometric authorization, don’t disable it. PIN-Starting with Android 9, the system requires you to enter a password every 72 hours for security.

Frequently asked questions