The situation where the owner of Xiaomi or Redmi forgets the password lock screen, is one of the most common problems in the operation of smartphones. MIUI And HyperOS has powerful security protocols that reliably protect personal data from unauthorized access, but they make it difficult if you can't remember the combination to log in. PIN-code or pattern lock drawing becomes unavailable after several failed attempts.
In most cases, the only working solution is to completely clean the device memory through the recovery menu. Hard Reset allows you to return the gadget to the state “out of the box”, removing all user data along with the forgotten password. However, this process requires a clear understanding of the sequence of actions, since any error can lead to the blocking of an account or loss of important information. Before starting the procedure, you need to realize that file recovery without prior backup will be impossible.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to bypass locks, from the classic use of the buttons of the case to remote methods through a Google account or Mi Account. You will learn how to properly enter Recovery mode, what are the nuances for different versions of firmware and what to do if the system requires authorization after reset.
Preparation for the discharge procedure and important nuances
Before embarking on radical password removal measures, you need to make sure that the device is ready to reboot. The basic requirement is that the battery should be at least 50-60%. The process of formatting the system partition can take a certain time, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the bootloader or software. If the phone is discharged, connect it to the original charger and wait at least 20-30 minutes.
The second critical point is that once you successfully reset your settings, Android security activates FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which means that when you first start, your phone will require you to enter a login and password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synced to your device before, and if you don't remember that, you can lose access to the system completely even after you delete your screen password.
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Before resetting, always try to recall or restore access to your Google account through your computer, which will save you time if you activate FRP protection.
It's also worth considering the state of the smartphone itself, and if the device has physical damage to the buttons or screen, it can be difficult to mechanically enter recovery mode. USB-keyboard OTG, if the screen at least partially responds to touch, or the use of specialized software for PC, although the latter requires the presence of debugging enabled on the computer. USB, When the screen is locked, it is rare.
Classic Method: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
The most versatile and proven way to reclaim access to your phone is through the built-in recovery menu, which doesn't require a computer connection and works even if the touch screen doesn't respond to touch because of locking, and the algorithm is based on physically pressing volume and power buttons in a specific sequence before the device is turned on.
First, turn off your smartphone completely. If the device is stuck or does not respond to a standard shutdown, press the power button 10-15 seconds before vibration, and then immediately move to the combination to enter Recovery. Most Xiaomi and Redmi models need to simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the brand logo appears, after which the power button can be released while continuing to hold the volume key.
⚠️ Note: Some models with side-fingerprint scanners may not have the volume button in the right place. Try not to move your finger from the power button so that the device does not go into normal boot mode, but gets into the recovery menu.
When you have a Mi or Poco logo, release all the buttons. If it's successful, you'll see a menu with a black or blue background, where you'll be controlled by volume buttons (up/down) and the choice is confirmed by a power button. In some versions of MIUI, the menu can support touch input, but you won't have to rely on it. You'll need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data.
☑️ Recovery login algorithm
Inside the recovery menu, navigation may not be obvious to the beginner. Select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. The system will warn you that you will not be able to delete files. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The formatting process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage, the Data wiped successfully message will appear, after which you will select Reboot to restart the system.
Remote reset via Find My Device
If you have difficulty physically accessing the buttons or prefer software, you can use Google Find My Device, which is only effective if the locked phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile data), has geolocation enabled and has a Google account activated, and not only allows you to determine the location, but also remotely execute a data cleanup command.
To implement this method, take any other smartphone or computer and go to the official website of the service android.com/find. Log in under the same Google account that was used on the locked device. In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi model. In the menu of available actions, find the option to Clean the device (Erase Device).
| Parameter | Requirement | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | Definitely (Wi-Fi or 4G/5G) | High (without the network will not work) |
| Google account | Must be active on the phone. | Medium (you need to remember the password) |
| Battery charge | Any phone (but the phone should be on) | Low. |
| Data security | Complete removal | Critical (recovery is impossible) |
Once the command is confirmed on the site, the locked phone will receive a reset signal, the screen will go out, and the reset and clean process will begin, similar to what happens when you use the buttons, the main disadvantage of the method is that it does not work if the phone is in flight mode, turned off or does not have an active connection to the network at the time the command is sent.
Using Mi Account to Unblock
Xiaomi’s ecosystem offers its own version of Google’s Mi Cloud services, which means that if a device is searched for via a Mi Account on a locked device, you can delete the screen password remotely via a web interface, a method that is often more effective for Xiaomi owners because it is more integrated into the MIUI shell.
Go to i.mi.com from any browser. Sign in using your Mi Account (phone number or email). From the main menu, select Find Device. The system will show you a map of your gadget's location if it's online. From the feature list, find the Erase Device button.
Once confirmed, the phone will be reset to factory settings. It is important to note that unlike standard button resets, this method sometimes allows you to bypass FRP verification if Xiaomi servers correctly synchronize ownership status. However, you should not rely on this: modern security protocols will often still require re-authorization after rebooting.
⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password from your Mi Account, you can restore it through the recovery form on the site, but only if you have access to the linked phone number or backup email.
The problem of activating Mi Account after resetting
One of the most common problems that users face after performing Hard Reset is the activation screen, the system reports that the device is associated with the Mi Account, and requires you to enter a password to continue working, which is a regular feature of anti-theft, and it is impossible to get around it with simple methods.
If you remember your account information, just enter it. If the account was created long ago, the password is forgotten, and the phone number is changed, the situation becomes complicated, in which case you need to use the procedure of access restoration through the official Xiaomi website, you will need to verify your identity by answering security questions or providing a check for the purchase of the device, which is the only legal way to remove the lock.
What if there is no check and no access to the account?
Attempts to circumvent this protection through flashing or using third-party software (called FRP crawlers) often lead to unstable system operation or complete lockdown of the bootloader. MIUI constantly updates vulnerabilities, so methods that worked a month ago may not be useful today. The only guaranteed way is to restore access to the account to which the device is attached.
Alternatives and working with Mi PC Suite
Previously, a popular tool was the Mi program. PC Suite, which allowed you to control the phone and reset via a computer, but now official support for this utility has been discontinued, and modern versions of HyperOS or new versions of the software are not available. MIUI They may not be detected by it without the screen unlocked, but for older models (released before the screen is unlocked). 2019-2020 This method sometimes remains a working method.
To use this method, you need to install a Chinese or international version of the Mi PC Suite on your PC, connect the phone with a cable when turned off, holding the volume down button (Fastboot mode). If the program recognizes the device, a clean-up function can be available in the Tools section.
Also worth mentioning is the Fastboot mode, which is often confused with Recovery. Entering it by pressing the Volume Down and Power button. This mode itself does not allow you to reset your password, it is designed to firmware the device through the computer using the fastboot utility or Mi Flash Tool. The firmware also removes the password, but requires an unlocked bootloader, which is impossible to do when the screen is locked.
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Fastboot mode itself does not reset the password, it is only needed for deep flashing, which is impossible without an unlocked bootloader.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
In the process of resetting, users often make mistakes that lead to a cyclical reboot or freeze. One common problem is getting the Recovery menu wrong. If instead of the recovery menu you see the Mi logo and the Fastboot label with the image of a rabbit, then you have pressed the wrong volume button. In this case, just press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone turns off, and try again using the volume button.
Another problem is the endless bootloop cycle after reset, which can happen if you interrupt the formatting process or if the system files were damaged before reset, which can only help if you flash the device through the computer in Fastboot mode with full cleaning of all partitions, but this already requires the original firmware and certain technical skills.
Remember that after a reset, the first system boot can take much longer than usual - from 5 to 15 minutes.Do not panic or try to restart the phone during this period, give MIUI time to initialize all components and verify the integrity of the data.
⚠️ If after resetting the phone requires a password from the previous owner (if the phone used), it is almost impossible to unlock it without cooperation with the previous owner by legal means.