The situation when the owner of Xiaomi Redmi 8 forgets the pattern lock is quite common, the device is locked, and access to contacts, photos and applications becomes impossible. This causes panic, especially if the phone does not have a backup of important data.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for different lock scenarios. You will learn how to reset your password through your Mi Account, how to perform a full reset over the recovery, and what software methods are available to bypass protection. It is important to understand that data security in Android 9, which runs Redmi 8, comes first, so some methods can lead to deletion of information.
Before we take action, we need to assess the current state of the smartphone: Is the screen working? Is the touchscreen responding? Is there Internet access? The answers to these questions will help us choose the most effective method of unlocking without the risk of turning the phone into a brick.
Use the “Find Device” function from Google
The easiest and safest way to unlock is to use Google’s built-in service, which only works if a blocked Redmi 8 has a Google account login and geolocation enabled, and you’ll need a computer or other smartphone to access the service.
Go to android.com/find and log in to the same account that you use on the locked device, and the system will try to locate the device, and if you have a connection to the server, the control menu will appear on the screen.
From the list of available actions, select the option “Erase Device” (Erase Device), which will delete all data from the internal memory, including the pattern lock, after rebooting the phone will be clean, as after purchase, but access to it will return.
⚠️ Note: This method completely destroys user data. Photos, contacts and applications will be deleted without recovery if synchronization is not done.
Note that the reset command is not instantaneous, the phone needs to receive a signal from the server, which is only possible if there is an active Internet connection, and if the device is offline, the command will run automatically as soon as Redmi 8 is released on the network.
Reset via Mi Account and Find Device
Owners of Xiaomi smartphones often link the device to the Mi Account. This gives additional control. If the blocked Redmi 8 is on the Internet and activated the function “Find the device”, you can try a remote reset through the official website of the manufacturer.
Go to i.mi.com and log in to your profile. Select your Redmi 8 from the device list in the interface. It has a similar functionality to Google but sharpened to the MIUI shell. Click on the "Wipe Data" button to clean.
What if your Mi Account is also blocked?
It is important to distinguish between a screen lock and an account lock. Removing a pattern lock through the site will delete the data, but once turned on, the phone can request a password from the Mi Account to confirm the owner's rights (protection against theft), so it is better to know the account details by heart.
This is effective when the touchscreen is partially working or not working at all, but the Internet connection is stable, and it avoids physical interaction with the lock screen.
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If remote methods don’t work because of the lack of Internet, you will have to use a physical reset. For this, Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a Recovery menu, which is triggered by a combination of buttons on the device that is turned off.
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, but keep the volume up. The Main Menu menu will appear on the screen.
☑️ Reset algorithm via Recovery
Navigate the menu with volume buttons (up/down), and select with the power button. Find the Wipe Data item and select it. Then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The cleaning process will take a few seconds.
⚠️ Warning: Once reset via Recovery, the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was previously synced. FRP (Factory Reset Protection: You can't log in without a Google password.
After successful completion of the procedure, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The smartphone will reboot and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on the new device.
Unlocking through ADB (for advanced users)
The debugging method USB (ADB) This is possible only in one case: if previously in the developer settings the function was enabled USB Debugging and the computer were given permission to debug, and if those conditions are not met, the method will not work.
You'll need to install ADB drivers on your computer and connect Redmi 8 with a cable. Open the command line on your PC and type a command to delete the file with the key:
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyOr an alternative team option:
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.dbOnce you have completed the command, restart the phone. The key should disappear. However, on current versions of Android 9 and the MIUI 11/12 shell, this method is often blocked by the security system, and the file can be restored after the reboot.
💡
Use the original. USB-Cheap cables often only support charging and don’t transmit data, leading to a connection error.
If ADB can't see the device, check Windows Device Manager. The phone should be displayed as Android ADB Interface. If there's an unknown device, you should install drivers from the official website.
Comparison of Redmi 8 Unlocking Methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have organized the basic methods into a table that will help you quickly assess the risks and requirements of each method.
| Method | We need the Internet. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Find My Device | Yes. | No (full reset) | Low. |
| Mi Account Service | Yes. | No (full reset) | Low. |
| Hard Reset (Recovery) | No. | No (full reset) | Medium |
| ADB Command | No (PC needed) | Yes (in theory) | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, most effective methods lead to data loss, done by Xiaomi and Google specifically to protect user information from attackers, and the only way to save data with a forgotten key is by pre-configured synchronization with the cloud.
Choose a method depending on your situation. If you have Internet, use remote services. If you don't have it, only Hard Reset. Leave ADB for experiments if you are confident in your skills.
💡
There is no magic button to remove a key without losing data on modern Android smartphones without prior preparation.
FRP protection and accounts after reset
After you do the Hard Reset, you'll come across an activation screen, and here the system will ask you to enter a Google account that was previously synced to the device, which is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) mechanism.
If you don't remember your Google account password, it's going to be very difficult to restore your account through trusted devices or phone number, and without that, Redmi 8 will remain locked even after you reset.
You may also need to enter a password from your Mi Account if the "Find Device" feature was enabled in the settings. Make sure you have access to the mailbox associated with these services.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to circumvent FRP using third-party software can cause a device to be locked or the system to malfunction.
To prevent such situations in the future, it is recommended to write passwords in a safe place or use password managers. Regular data synchronization will save your photos and contacts in case of force majeure.