Xiaomi owner forgets the pattern lock or digital key PIN-The lock screen becomes an insurmountable barrier, hiding important contacts, photos and access to applications. MIUI (HyperOS provides several mechanisms for access recovery.
But it’s important to note that in most cases, deleting your password completely will result in the loss of all user data. Modern security protocols were created precisely to prevent an unauthorized person from accessing information without the owner’s knowledge. So before any manipulations begin, you need to weigh the risks and understand what is more important – the safety of files or the health of a smartphone.
There are many methods, ranging from official Google tools and Mi Cloud tools to more radical measures like flashing, and the way you choose depends on whether the device has turned on the Internet, whether the Mi Account is linked, and what version of the operating system is installed.
⚠️ Warning: Recovery resets or using specialized software are guaranteed to destroy all the data in the internal memory. If you do not have a backup, it will be impossible to restore photos and documents after the procedure.
Using Mi Cloud for Remote Resetting
The most civilized and secure way to even save data is to use Xiaomi’s cloud service, which only works if the locked device logs in to Mi Account, has Find Device enabled, and has an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) if these requirements are met, you will not need physical access to the phone menu for initial actions.
You need to go to the official cloud service site from any other device (computer or smartphone), enter your credentials, you will access the management interface. Here you should select "Find the device", then the system will try to determine the location of your gadget. If the status of the device is displayed as "On the network", you will have access to advanced management functionality.
From the control menu, select the option “Clean the device” or “Wipe Device”. The system will request re-confirmation of the password from the account for security purposes. Once confirmed on the smartphone, a forced reset will occur to the factory settings, and the screen lock will be removed. It is important to understand that this method does not work instantly - the command can be executed with a delay if the network signal is unstable.
What to do if the “Find Device” function is turned off?
It's worth noting that after this procedure, the phone can request a password from a previously used Mi Account when it first boots, a standard anti-theft measure known as Activation Lock. Make sure you remember the login details, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device even after the reset.
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Remote reset via Mi Cloud is possible only with active Internet and enabled device search function until the moment of locking.
Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If cloud services are not available, the most common solution is Hard Reset via the recovery menu, which is built into the firmware of every Xiaomi smartphone and allows you to perform low-level operations with the system.
The login procedure may vary depending on the model and version of MIUI. Most modern devices require you to turn off the smartphone completely. Then press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears.
Some models, especially global firmware, may require triple pressing of the power button or a combination with volume reduction. If the menu does not appear the first time, try changing the timing of the press or connecting the device to the charger before starting the procedure.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in Recovery
Once you log in, select a language (usually English or Chinese) and go to Wipe Data. Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action. The system may request confirmation several times, warning you of deletion of data. After completing the process, which takes from 10 seconds to several minutes, select Reboot to restart.
⚠️ Note: On devices with Android 11 and above, and MIUI 12+, after discharge may require input PIN-The code or the pattern lock that was used before the reset. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, which cannot be bypassed by simple formatting.
Using Google Services to Unblock
Google’s ecosystem also provides device management tools that can help in a crisis.Find My Device not only tracks geolocation, but also performs remote cleaning. The mechanism of action is similar to Mi Cloud, but relies on a Google account linked to a smartphone.
To use this method, go to the appropriate page of Google from your computer or other gadget. Sign in with the account that was the main one on the locked phone. If the device is listed and has an Online status, select the option “Clean the device”.
Unlike Mi Cloud, Google services often require Internet access at the time of locking, and if the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will be executed automatically as soon as the device connects to the network, but if it has been a long time since the loss of communication, the data may no longer be relevant.
There is also a mythical way to unlock through emergency calls that worked on very old versions of Android (4-5 years ago). On modern Xiaomi with current security patches, this method does not work. Attempts to enter special codes in the call menu are also useless, since access to dialing from a locked screen is limited to basic functions.
Unlocking through ADB and computer
For more advanced users who have previously activated USB debugging in the Developer Menu, it is possible to delete lock files via a computer, a method that is complex and requires installing Xiaomi drivers and the Android SDK Platform-Tools platform. If debugging was not enabled in advance, this method, alas, will not help.
The essence of the method is to connect the phone to the PC through USB-The computer needs to recognize the device in mode. ADB. If the connection is successful, you can try to delete files that store password hashes. However, on new versions of Android, access to system partitions without root rights is closed, making the method ineffective for new models.
However, for older devices, this can be a lifesaving option. You'll need to download and unpack the archives from the computer. ADB-Then, when you plug in the phone, open the command line in the tool folder and type in the command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the list shows a device with device status, you can try to run a command to reboot to restore mode or directly delete key lock files, such as gesture.key or password.key from the /data/system/ directory. However, without superuser rights, writing to this folder will be prohibited.
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If ADB can't see the phone, try installing the original Mi USB Driver cable and drivers from the official website, often because the Windows driver is not the right driver.