How to remove a password from the Xiaomi gallery: a complete guide with a guarantee of results

The forgotten password from the gallery on Xiaomi’s smartphone is a problem that thousands of users face every day. The situation is complicated by the fact that the manufacturer actively protects personal data: standard password reset methods are often blocked by the MIUI system, and bypass attempts can lead to the loss of all photos. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to remove passwords from the gallery, including official and alternative solutions – from recovery through the Mi Account to the use of ADB engineering teams.

It's important to understand that the methods are different in complexity and risk. For example, resetting through Settings → Passwords and security is suitable for most models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3, Mi 11), but requires a tied account. At the same time, bypassing through Safe Mode or ADB can work even without the Internet, but it will require technical skills. We will describe each option in detail, specify the models for which it is relevant, and warn against typical errors that users lose access to data forever.

Warning: If the gallery is locked through Application Protection (locked icon in MIUI) rather than the standard password, you will need other instructions. Also, not all methods work on Xiaomi with global firmware: Chinese versions (China ROM) often have additional restrictions. Check the MIUI version in Settings → About the phone before you start.

1. Official password reset via Mi Account

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to restore access through the linked Mi Account.It works on all models with MIUI 12 and later (Redmi 9, POCO F3, Mi 10T, etc.), if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from your Mi Account (or you can restore them).
• 🔄 Data synchronization function was activated earlier.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. Slip on the gallery icon (or the item "Gallery" in the list of blocked applications).
3. Select Forgot Password? → Restore through Mi Account.
4. Enter your account details and confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the system requests a confirmation code but the message does not arrive:

• 📧 Check the spam folder in the mail.
• 📵 Make sure your phone number is up to date (check at account.xiaomi.com).
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously untied your Mi Account from your device (e.g., before selling), this method will not work. №3 or №4.

2. Reset password via Safe Mode (without loss of data)

Safe Mode allows you to temporarily disable application protection, including gallery passwords. The method works on MIUI 11-14, but has a limitation: after the reboot, the password will return.

How to activate Safe Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button before the Xiaomi logo appears.
3. As soon as the logo appears, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button (don’t let go until the system boots up).
4. In the lower left corner of the screen will appear the inscription Safe mode.

Next:

• 🖼️ Open the gallery and the password will be removed.
• 📤 Copy the necessary files on the PC through USB Or upload it to Google Photos./Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Restart your phone as normal (password will return).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi) 9T) Safe Mode can block access to internal memory. If the gallery doesn't open, try connecting your phone to your PC and retrieving files through Windows Explorer (This computer). → [Name of device] → Internal Storage → DCIM).

3. Delete password through ADB (for advanced users)

If previous methods have failed, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a tool for debugging Android devices, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

Step-by-step:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap the MIUI version 7 times.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in the computer on your smartphone screen.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell pm clear com.miui.gallery

This command will reset the gallery settings, including the password. If you see a Permission denied error, try:

adb shell


su




pm clear com.miui.gallery

Once done, reboot your phone. The password will be deleted, but all albums and gallery settings (such as hidden folders) will be reset to the factory folders.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (China) ROM The pm clear command may not work due to Xiaomi limitations:

adb shell am start -n com.miui.securitycenter/com.miui.permcenter.autostart.AutoStartActivity

4.Reset application protection through MIUI settings

MIUI 12-14 has a hidden application protection reset feature that works even without a Mi Account. The method was tested on the Redmi Note 11, POCO X4 Pro and Mi 11 Lite, but may not work on Chinese firmware.

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Application Protection.
2. In the upper right corner, tap on the three-point menu (⋮) and select the Protection Settings.
3. Scroll down and click Reset all passwords (may be called Delete all data).
4. Confirm the action through a pattern lock or PIN-Screen lock code (not to be confused with gallery password!).

If the item Reset all passwords is not:

• 🔍 Check the version. MIUI: firmware (MIUI 10–11) this paragraph may not be available.
• 📱 Try to update the system through Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.

💡

If you have forgotten the gallery password, and PIN-The lock code, the only way out is hard reset, but it'll cause total data loss! Before you reset, try connecting your phone to your PC and retrieving photos from Mi. PC Suite (you can download it on the official website of Xiaomi).

5 Hard Reset - a last resort

If no method has worked, you'll have to reset your settings completely, and that will delete all your phone data, including photos, videos and apps, and only use this method if you:

• 📵 You don’t have important files in the gallery (or they’re synced to the cloud).
• 🔑 You do not remember the password of your Mi Account and you cannot use it. ADB.
• 📱 The phone is not linked to a Google account (otherwise, after the reset, you will need to enter the last account information).

How to make a Hard Reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume and power buttons), select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Once you reboot, the phone will look like new, so you can recover the photo.

• 🖥️ If you previously enabled sync with Mi Cloud, log in to your account and upload data.
• 📱 If you used Google Photos, install the app and wait for the automatic download.
• 🔧 If you don’t have a backup, try a data recovery program (DiskDigger, Dr.Fone) but the chances are minimal.

⚠️ Note: Phones with a locked bootloader (most Xiaomi are sold with a locked bootloader) may require authorization through a Mi Account after Hard Reset. If you don't remember it, the phone will turn into a "brick." Check the bootloader status with the team:

fastboot oem device-info

If Device unlocked: false is in the answer, do not reset without a linked account!

💡

Before a hard reset, be sure to try to retrieve photos via Safe Mode or PC connection. Even if the gallery is locked, files can be accessed through Windows Explorer in the DCIM or Pictures folder.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Users often make critical errors that lead to data loss or a complete lockdown of their phone, and the most common are:

1. Ignoring backups: Even if you plan to use a "safe" method (e.g., Mi Account), make a copy of the photo on your PC or cloud, and in 10% of cases, a password reset causes the gallery to crash.
2. Software like Miui Hidden Settings or App Lock Remover often contains viruses or doesn’t work on newer versions of MIUI. Xiaomi actively blocks such tools.
3. Reset via Recovery without checking your Mi Account. If your phone is tied to your account, you'll need to enter your login/password after Hard Reset, and without that, your device will become unusable.

Also avoid:

• 🔌 Shutting down the phone during reset through ADB Recovery – This can “brick” the device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions