Forgot your graphical password on Xiaomi and can't unlock your phone? This is a familiar situation for many people: you just need to type the wrong pattern once, and the device locks for 30 seconds, then for a minute, and then you need to enter your Mi Account account. But what if you donβt remember your account password or backup PIN-code?
In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for removing graphical passwords on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from official methods through the Mi Cloud to technical solutions using Fastboot and Recovery. Each method is illustrated in detail and adapted to the latest versions of MIUI 14/15. Importantly, some methods will lead to a complete data reset, so first try recovery through an associated account.
If youβre looking for a solution for a particular model (like the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13T), look at the compatibility table at the end of the article, which gives you nuances for different devices, and weβll answer some of the common questions: can you bypass the lock without losing data, what to do if the Internet is turned off, and how to avoid re-blocking in the future.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most secure and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the use of a linked account Mi Account. It works even if you forgot the graphic password, but remember the username and password from the profile. This method does not lead to data loss and takes no more than 5 minutes.
How it works: If you repeatedly mistype the pattern, the system offers an unlock option through the Mi Cloud. If this item does not appear automatically, follow the following steps:
- π± Enter the wrong graphical password 5 times in a row. The screen will show a message "Forgot the password?Β».
- π Click on the Unblock link via Mi Account (or similar caption).
- π Enter. email/phone and password from your Mi Account. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm the login via SMS or the Mi Security app.
- β After successful authorization, the system will offer to create a new graphical password or disable the lock altogether.
β οΈ Warning: If you've previously untie your Mi Account from your phone or bought your device with your hands, this method won't work.
If you donβt have internet access (for example, your phone is locked in airplane mode), connect to Wi-Fi via the Quick Settings Panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and activate Wi-Fi, then try again to unlock.
π‘
If you don't remember the Mi Account password, restore it to the official account.xiaomi.com.Use the linked email or phone number.Recovery takes up to 24 hours due to security checks.
2. Reset your graphical password via Find Device (Mi Cloud)
If your phone is connected to the Internet and you have access to your Mi Account from another device, you can delete your graphical password remotely via Find Device, which works even if the phone is turned off (the next time you turn on, the command will run automatically).
Instructions:
- Open i.mi.com on your computer or other phone and log in to your Mi Account.
- In the menu on the left, select Find Device.
- The map will show your locked Xiaomi. Click on it, then select Erase Device.
- Confirm action. In 5-10 minutes, the phone will be reset to factory settings and the graphical password removed.
The downside is that all the data on your phone will be deleted, including photos, contacts and apps, but if you have backup enabled in Mi Cloud, you can recover some of the information once you unlock it.
β οΈ Attention: Find Device must be activated in your phone's settings before locking. If you've disabled it, it won't work.
What if the Device canβt see the phone?
3. Unlock via Recovery Mode (reset to factory settings)
If previous methods didnβt work, youβll have to resort to a hard reset through Recovery Mode, which deletes all data on the phone but is guaranteed to remove the graphical password, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO X5 and others.
Step-by-step:
Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
Make sure that the battery is at least 30%.
Prepare the charger β the process can take up to 15 minutes.
Have your hand on it. SIM-Card or Wi-Fi password to set up after resetting.-->
- π Turn off your phone. Press the power button and volume button for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.
- π From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese), then the Wipe Data option (or for Chinese firmware).
- ποΈ Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data (can be called Reset Phone or Factory Reset).
- β³ Wait for the process to be completed (the phone will reboot automatically).
After the reset, the phone will turn on in the βout of the boxβ state, you will need to go through the initial setting, including linking your Mi Account (unless you have previously disabled Mi Cloud).
| Xiaomi model | Combination of buttons for Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Food + Volume up | The menu is in English, the Wipe Data item is available immediately. |
| POCO F3/F4/F5 | Food + Volume up | You may need to confirm the reset via Confirm. |
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 | Food + Volume up | On Chinese firmware menus in Chinese, look for characters. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Food + Volume up | After reset, activation through SIM-map. |
π‘
Recovery is a universal method, but it deletes all data without recovery. Use it only if other methods have not worked.
4. Delete password via Fastboot (for advanced users)
Fastboot is a method that is suitable for users who are willing to work with the command line, which allows you to reset a graphical password without completely resetting data (in some cases), but requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is blocked, this method will not work.
What you need:
- π₯οΈ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the Android website).
- π USB-cable (preferably original).
- π Firmware file for your model (can be downloaded at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the power button + volume down button for 10 seconds.
- Connect the phone to your computer. Open the command line (Win + R β enter cmd) and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed, move on.
- Enter the command to unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): fastboot oem unlock On new Xiaomi models (after 2021), this command may require the binding of the Mi Account through the official Mi Unlock application.
- If the bootloader is unlocked, reset the graphical password: fastboot erase userdata or (for some models): fastboot erase locksettings.
- Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot
β οΈ Note: Fastboot erase userdata and fastboot erase locksettings may cause partial data loss (e.g., app settings will be deleted but photos will remain). -w.
5. bypassing the graphic password through ADB (without loss of data)
If you have USB debugging enabled on your phone (and youβve previously connected it to your computer), you can delete your graphical password through ADB without resetting. This method works on MIUI up to and including version 12. On the newer versions (13+), Xiaomi has closed this loophole.
Instructions:
- π Connect the locked phone to the computer through USB.
- π₯οΈ Open the command line and type in: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
- β After rebooting, the graphical password will be reset.
If the commands are not executed due to the lack of root rights, try an alternative method:
adb shell
cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
sqlite3 settings.db
update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';
.quit
rebootThis method does not work on phones with encrypted storage (default is enabled on MIUI 13/14), in which case, after deleting the password files, the phone may freeze on the boot - a full reset will be required.
How to check if debugging is enabled by USB?
6. Alternative methods and warnings
If none of the above methods worked, consider the following options:
- π Contact the service center Xiaomi. Official centers can unlock the phone on the purchase documents (check or warranty card.
- π οΈ Flip-through EDL. The method for power users requires special cable and firmware. The risk of "bricking" the phone is 30%.
Warnings:
- β Do not use password cracking software (such as Miracle Box or Umt Dongle) which often contain viruses and can damage firmware.