How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi phone if you forget your password or pattern lock: all working ways

Why Redmi Phone is Locked and What to Do

A forgotten password or graphical key on a Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking often requires contacting a service center, Android devices (including the Redmi Note 12, Redmi 10 or POCO X5) offer several alternative ways to restore access. However, not all methods are equally safe: some lead to data loss, others require technical skills, and others may not work at all on new models with MIUI 14+.

The main reasons for blocking:

• 🔐 Repeatedly misentering passwords/PIN-code (the system locks the device to the 30 seconds, minute, forever).
• 🧒 A child or other user accidentally installed a new pattern lock.
• 🔄 Update firmware with an error that led to a failure in the GateKeeper (Android security module).
• 🛠️ Failed firmware via Fastboot or Recovery, after which the phone requires a password from the old account.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven unlocking methods, from the simplest (via Mi Account) to the most radical (full reset via EDL). Importantly, on models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (such as the Redmi K60 Pro) and newer versions of MIUI, some methods may not work due to enhanced protection. Before you act, check if the chosen method is suitable for your model.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The most legal and recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

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

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the Restore option via Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Set a new password or pattern lock.

Is there internet access on your phone?|Do you remember the data from your Mi Account?|Is the “Find Device” function activated in the settings|Is there a limit to the number of attempts to enter-->

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It doesn’t work on custom firmware phones (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• ❌ If the device is not connected to the network, the system will not allow access to be restored.
• ❌ Some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+ 5G) After 5 failed attempts to log in to Mi Account, the phone is locked for 24 hours.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands, the previous owner may not have deleted his Mi Account. In this case, unlocking through the account is impossible - you will need to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, the next option is a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which removes all data from the phone (photos, contacts, messages), but returns access to the system. Suitable for most Redmi models, including the Redmi 9A, Redmi Note 10 and POCO M4 Pro.

How to perform the reset:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the button combination: 🔧 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition. 🔧 For Redmi. K50 and new flagships: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery Mode

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Confirm

Reboot

What if the phone asks for an old password after reset?

In some models (especially with MIUI 13/14) Even after Wipe Data, the system may require you to enter the old pattern lock. FRP (Factory Reset Protection:

• 🔄 Try to enter any password 5 times – sometimes the system offers alternative ways to unlock.
• 📱 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and try to restore access via Mi Account (if it was tied to you).
• 🛠️ Use the Fastboot method (described below).

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have access to a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 🔄 The phone has unlocked the bootloader (Bootloader).
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for your model.

⚠️ Warning: Mistakes in Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick (an inoperable device).If you're unsure of your skills, skip this method.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons Volume down + Power before the hare appears in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
3. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and execute the command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (its serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
5. Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
6. Unpack the archive with firmware and run flash script: fastboot flash all or (for new models): fastboot flash all -w
7. Wait for the process to be completed (5-15 minutes) and restart your phone: fastboot reboot

Challenges and solutions:

• 🚫 Mistake. FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State') → So the bootloader is locked. You need to unlock it through the official Xiaomi tool (requires a wait of 7-30 days).
• 🚫 Phone is not defined in fastboot devices → Check the cable, port. USB Or install drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🚫 After the firmware, the phone is stuck on the logo → Try repeating the process with another firmware version (e.g. an older one).

💡

Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. Using firmware from another model will cause the device to fail!

Method 4: Use ADB (without data loss but with limitations)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method allows you to delete a password file (gesture.key or password.key) without completely resetting.

• 🔧 The phone was debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (tap 7 times) → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 📥 You have access to a computer with installed ADB.
• 🔄 The phone is connected to the PC and recognized in the system.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Check the connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
4. Go to the shell of ADB: Adb shell
5. Delete password files (depending on the Android version): rm /data/system/gesture.key or rm /data/system/password.key or (for new versions): rm /data/system/locksettings.db
6. Reboot the phone: reboot

Important nuances:

• ✅ On Redmi with MIUI 12 and older this method works 60-70% of the time.
• ❌ Nana MIUI 14 and Android 13+ Locksettings.db file can be restored after rebooting.
• ⚠️ If debugging is on USB It wasn't activated in advance, it won't work.

Method 5: Unlocking through EDL Mode (extreme case)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash a phone at a low level, even if it is locked or bricked. Used in service centers, but can be used in the home at your own risk.

When you need an EDL:

• 🔧 All the other methods didn't work.
• 🔄 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
• 🛠️ Reflash the device from scratch (for example, after a failed update).

How to log into EDL:

• 🔌 Connect the phone to the computer.
• 🔧 Close the Test Point contacts (location depends on the model, for example, on the Redmi Note 11 these are the points next to the SIM card jack).
• 📥 Install the Qualcomm driver HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for phones running Snapdragon processors).
• 🖥️ Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware Officially in Clean All Mode.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without experience, it can lead to loss. IMEI (The phone will not catch the network or damage the modem partition. on models with MediaTek (for example, Redmi). 10A) enter EDL A special cable is required (Deep Flash Cable).

Where to find Test Point for your model?

Each model has its own EDL entry points, such as:

• Redmi Note 10 Pro: contacts under the lid next to the battery.
• POCO X3 Pro: points on the motherboard under the volume button.
• Redmi 9T: Contacts near the charging connector.

To search for your model schema, use queries such as “Redmi Note 12 EDL Test Point” on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

💡

EDL is the most powerful, but also the most dangerous method. If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center. The wrong firmware can make your phone completely inoperable!

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, you have three options:

1. 🔧 Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📍 Find the official service on the Mi Service website. 💰 The cost of unlocking: from 1000 to 3 000 rubles (depending on the model and the reason for blocking). ⏳ Term: from a few hours to 3-5 days.
2. 📱 Buy a new phone: If the device is old (e.g. Redmi) 5A Redmi 6, sometimes cheaper to buy a new model than to pay for the unlock. 🔄 Before buying, check if the new model supports unlocking the bootloader (on the Mi Unlock website).

How to avoid blocking in the future?

• 🔑 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in addition to PIN-code.
• 📝 Write your password in a secure location (such as Google Keep or Google Keep). 1Password).
• 🔄 Regularly back up your data through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 📱 Do not buy handsets without first resetting to factory settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi