With a huge amount of sensitive information stored in modern smartphones, security is especially acute. The Xiaomi Mi 8, equipped with advanced security systems for its time, requires the owner to pay attention to access settings. Often users face the need to change the lock code or restore access to the account after a forgotten password. Understanding the mechanisms of Android security and the MIUI shell is the key to successfully solving these tasks without losing data.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all possible scenarios: from a planned change PIN-It is important to distinguish between the local password of the screen unlock and the credentials of your Mi Account, since the procedures for restoring them are radically different. IMEI or complete loss of photos and contacts.
Before you start any manipulation, you need to be clear about what level of protection you are interested in. We will look at the standard methods through the settings menu that suit most users who just want to update the code, and will also touch on more complex cases that require the use of Recovery Mode or a computer if access to the system is completely lost.
Regular change of screen lock password
If you have access to your smartphone desktop, the code change procedure takes less than a minute.This is a standard operation that is recommended to be done periodically to improve cybersecurity. First, unlock your Xiaomi Mi 8 device and find the Settings app icon, which usually looks like a gear.
Then you have to go to the lock screen section, and the path may be slightly different from one version of MIUI, but the logic is the same, and you have to find Passwords and Security, or Lock screen, in the main settings menu, and that's where the interface keys are stored.
☑️ Checking before changing password
Once you log in, select the option Lock screen password. The system will require you to enter the current security code, pattern lock or fingerprint to confirm the identity of the owner. Only after successful authorization will the menu open to select a new type of protection, where you can set a digital PIN, complex password or graphical pattern.
⚠️ Note: When you change your password type (for example, from graphic to digital), the old key is automatically deactivated. Make sure you remember the new code, as the number of attempts to enter is limited.
Use of Biometrics and Mi Account
Flagship owners like the Xiaomi Mi 8 have the option of using advanced authentication techniques, with an underscreen fingerprint scanner and facial unlock system making life much easier, but these methods often serve as an addition to the basic digital password you need to enter after a device is rebooted.
Integration with Mi Account allows you to link the device to the manufacturer’s cloud service, which allows you to remotely lock or search the phone through the i.mi.com website. If you forgot the password from the screen, but the phone was connected to the Internet and account, you can sometimes use the remote reset feature, although in modern versions of MIUI this option often requires pre-activation in the settings.
- 👆 Fingerprint is the fastest way to unlock, but requires periodic entry of the main password.
- 👤 Face unlocking – convenient, but less safe in low light conditions.
- 🔑 Mi Account Password is critical to restoring access to the ecosystem.
Don't rely solely on biometrics. In emergency situations, such as a system failure or a deep battery drain, knowing the basic access code will be the only way to bring the device back to life. Check regularly if Find Device is activated in your profile.
Resetting a forgotten password through Recovery Mode
The situation when the user forgets the lock password is one of the most common: if you enter the wrong code several times, the Xiaomi Mi 8 temporarily blocks the attempts of entering, in which case the only way out is often a complete reset to the factory settings, which will lead to the deletion of all user data.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while keeping the volume high. You will be taken to the Main Menu menu, where the navigation is done with the volume button and the selection is done with the power button.
What happens when you reset through Recovery?
From the menu, select Wipe Data, then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The cleaning process takes some time. Once complete, the system will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) and reboot the device. The first time you turn on the phone will be as new.
⚠️ Note: After resetting via Recovery, the device can request a password from the previously associated Mi Account (protection against theft.
Unlocking through Find Device
An alternative method that only works when you have an active internet connection on your smartphone is to use a cloud service. If your Xiaomi Mi 8 has previously enabled the Find Device feature, you can try to unlock it remotely.
Go to the official i.mi.com website from any computer or smartphone. Sign in using the same Mi Account that is entered on the locked device. In the interface, select your phone from the list of available devices. If you have a connection to the server, you will see a map and control panel.
| Function | Description of action | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Sound. | Includes maximum signal volume | Internet on the phone |
| Lockdown | Set a new screen password | Active Mi Account |
| Cleanup | Complete data deletion (Wipe) | Account password confirmation |
| Disappearance regime | Block the interface and display the message | GPS and network |
Use Lock or Clean to reset your old password. Once you run a command on the server, the phone has to get a signal and perform an action. This is one of the few ways to avoid data loss if the cleanup function is not selected, but only a change of code.
Delete your Google and Mi Account before resetting
Modern versions of Android and MIUI are equipped with powerful antifraud protection, if you plan to sell a phone or give it away for repair, just changing the password is not enough. You need to untie all accounts, otherwise the new owner will face an activation screen that requires input of data of the previous owner.
Before you do Hard Reset, go to your account settings. Delete your Google profile by going to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google, and click Delete Account. A similar procedure for Mi Account, a critical step that will turn your phone into a brick for an outsider to ignore.
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Take screenshots of important settings or write down serial numbers of licensed software before a complete reset, so as not to lose access to purchased programs.
Once you delete your accounts, you can safely reset your phone, and if you already have your phone locked and you don't remember your account passwords, it gets complicated, and you'll need to contact the service center with a check to prove ownership of the Xiaomi Mi 8.
Frequent errors and problems when changing passwords
Users often experience a situation where the system does not accept a new password or gives an error when reset. One common reason is time desynchronization or problems with activation servers. If a network error occurs when you try to log in to Mi Account, check that the date and time are set correctly.
Another problem is custom firmware: If your Xiaomi Mi 8 has an unofficial MIUI build or another Android (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) installed, standard cloud recovery methods may not work, in which case it is recommended to return to stock firmware via Fastboot mode.
- 📉 Network Error When Logging in to an Account – Check SIM-map and wifi.
- 🔒 Fingerprint locking doesn’t work – it may be contaminated with scanner or finger.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot after reset – damage to system files.
If after all the manipulations the phone continues to behave incorrectly, it may be the hardware or damage to the partition of the bootloader, in which case it is better to stop independent experiments, so as not to aggravate the situation.
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Timely backups in the Mi Cloud or on your computer are the only guaranteed way to save data with a forgotten password.
Recommendations for Creating Strong Passwords
The security of your digital profile depends on the complexity of the combinations used. For the Xiaomi Mi 8, as for any modern smartphone, it is recommended to use passwords containing different register letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid obvious combinations like “1234” or date of birth.
Use password managers if you have difficulty remembering complex keys, but the master password from the storage or lock screen itself must be unique and stored in your memory, and changing access codes regularly, at least every six months, significantly reduces the risks of unauthorized access.