It is not uncommon for a user to forget a pattern lock or a digital access code to their Redmi or Poco, a lock screen designed to protect personal data, but it becomes an insurmountable barrier for the owner if memory fails at the wrong time. Fortunately, the architecture of the Android operating system and the MIUI shell (or HyperOS) provide several scenarios for access recovery.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand that modern security standards make the process not always trivial. Password removal often involves the risk of losing user data if you did not sync with the cloud. In some cases, especially with Mi Account protection enabled, without knowing the password from the account, you will not be able to unlock the device using standard methods.
In this guide, we will discuss all possible options in detail, from using the Find Device function to more complex procedures through Recovery mode. The choice of a specific method depends on whether the Internet on the blocked gadget is turned on, whether it is tied to a Mi Account and whether you are willing to sacrifice files to return the smartphone to work.
Use Find Device to Remotely Unlock
The most civilized and least traumatic way to get around screen locking is to use Xiaomi’s cloud service, which only works if a number of conditions are met: the device must be on, have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data), and be linked to a Mi Account with a search function enabled.
To start the procedure, go to the official website of the cloud service from any other device, whether it is a computer or another phone, you will need to log in under the same Mi Account that is used on the blocked Redmi.
In the device management menu, find the Lock function, or Lock. Here lies an important nuance: if you enter a new password in this field, it will replace the old forgotten pin code on the smartphone screen. This allows you to access the interface without erasing the data. However, if the password replacement function does not work, only the option “Wipe Data” will remain, which will return the phone to the factory settings.
⚠️ Note: The cloud password replacement function is unstable on new versions MIUI 13/14 HyperOS: Most often, the system will require a complete reset to ensure security.
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If cloud-based methods are unavailable or the device is not connected, the only standard solution is forced reset via recovery mode, which is guaranteed to remove any password, pattern lock or fingerprint, but completely destroys the information in the phone’s internal memory.
To enter Recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone. 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 continuing to keep the volume. In a few seconds, a menu with a black background and yellow or blue text will open.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is made by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and confirm the selection. Then the system will prompt you to select Wipe All Data. After confirmation, the formatting process will begin, after which the phone will restart as new.
☑️ Checklist before resetting via Recovery
⚠️ Note: After resetting, Google's security system FRP require you to enter the login and password from the Google account that was synced with the phone before blocking.
Unlocking via Fastboot and computer
Fastboot mode is primarily designed for flashing or deep diagnostics, but is sometimes used as an intermediate step to remove locks, especially if standard Recovery is not responding. ADB Fastboot and quality as well. USB-cable.
To get into this mode, turn off your phone and press the power button and the volume down button at the same time, and the screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, which signals a successful entry. Connect the device to the PC with a cable.
On your computer, open the command line or terminal in the ADB tool folder. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the device serial number appears in the list, then the connection is established. To perform a data reset via Fastboot, the command is usually used: fastboot erase userdata. However, on modern devices this command can be blocked by the manufacturer without an unlocked bootloader.
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot rebootIt is worth noting that on global firmware versions, executing an erasure command via Fastboot often requires a pre-unlocked bootloader, which cannot be done without access to the system or waiting 7-168 hours after submitting an application, so this method is more relevant for power users or service centers.
Comparison of methods of removing the lock
To make it easier for you to navigate the way you solve the problem, we have systematized the basic methods in a table that will help you quickly assess the risks of data loss and the necessary conditions for each option.
| Method | Data retention | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find Device (Replacement of Password) | Yes. | Yes. | Low. |
| Recovery Mode (Wipe Data) | No. | No. | Medium |
| Fastboot (Erase Userdata) | No. | No (PC needed) | Tall. |
| Smart Assistant (Mi PC Suite) | No. | Yes (on PC) | Medium |
Why does the phone need an old account after a reset?
Use of Mi PC Suite and Smart Assistant
The official Mi PC Suite (or its modern version of Xiaomi Smart Assistant) allows you to manage smartphone content from your computer. Although there is no direct “Remove password” button, the reset function in some firmware versions can be activated via the Tools –> Reset menu.
The process requires connecting your phone to USB. If you've previously given permission to debug over USB and trusted that computer, the chances of success are higher. The program will try to sync with the device. If the system allows you to back up before reset, this is a great chance to save contacts and messages.
You have to find the partition associated with the device in the interface, and you have to select the cleaning option, and the algorithm is similar to Recovery Mode, but it's software-based, and it can be more convenient for those who are afraid of getting tangled in the buttons on the black Recovery screen.
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If the phone connects to the PC as “Charge Only,” try pressing the volume button (plus or minus) when connecting the cable to select file transfer or debugging mode.
Mi and Google account problem (FRP Lock)
The biggest obstacle to resetting a password is the activation screen, and if you've had the Internet and sync on your phone, it'll require you to enter the Mi Account password after formatting, which is anti-theft protection, and if you don't remember the Mi Account password, you can only restore access through the recovery process on i.mi.com.
It is important to distinguish between screen lock and account lock. You can reset your screen password, but you can bypass account binding using official methods without a password. Attempts to use third-party software to bypass FRP (Bypass) often lead to unstable system operation or complete inoperability of communication modules.
If you bought a phone with your hands and it's locked by someone else's account, the only legal way is with the previous owner to untie the device remotely through the site, otherwise the device remains locked at the server level.
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Remember, Hard Reset takes the password off the screen, but it doesn't remove the cloud account binding. Without the account password, you can't use the phone.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy used Xiaomi phones without checking the exit from the Mi Account in the settings before payment. IMEI or the account makes the purchase pointless.