How to remove the password from Xiaomi Mi 8: official and alternative methods

Xiaomi Mi 8 is one of the brand's most popular flagships, but even the owners of this smartphone sometimes face the problem of a locked screen, PIN-A code or fingerprint can turn a device into a brick if you don't know how to do it. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to unlock, from official (via Mi Account) to radical (dump via Fastboot), taking into account the features of the firmware. MIUI Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 hardware platform.

It is important to understand that not all methods are equally secure. Some will lead to data loss, others may require proof of ownership of the device. We will describe in detail the unique nuances of unlocking specifically for the Mi 8, including restrictions related to Xiaomi’s policy on protecting user data. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

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

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Mi Account was tied to device prior to lockdown.
• 📧 You have access to the email or phone number provided during registration.

After 5 failed attempts to enter the password on the screen will appear button Forgot the password?. Press it and follow the instructions:

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
2. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
3. Create a new unlock password.

If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try entering any password 5 times in a row - the system must offer a recovery option. Limitation: this method does not work if the device has enabled the Find Device function with locking through another account.

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If you don’t remember which Mi Account is linked to your phone, try re-accessing through account.xiaomi.com, which displays all the devices associated with your account.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, you'll have a hard reset through Recovery mode, which will delete all the data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the system.

Instructions for Xiaomi Mi 8:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by choosing Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Download a backup of your data (if your phone has been previously unlocked)

Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI (After resetting, you may need to enter the data of the Mi Account, which was tied to the device before locking. If you do not remember this data, the phone will turn into a brick with the requirement of an account.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable if the Mi 8 is not unlocked for custom firmware installation (bootloader is blocked).

• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware file for Mi 8 (version must match the current version).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
2. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
4. Swipe the stock firmware command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]
5. Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware through Fastboot can cause partition damage EFS (stored IMEI If the phone loses the network after the procedure, it will require a recovery. EFS service-centre.

4. Use of service codes (for some firmware)

On older versions of MIUI (up to 12th), there was a way to reset passwords through service codes. For the Mi 8, this is extremely rare, but you can try:

1. Dial on the dial keyboard: ##7780##
2. If the code works, confirm the reset.

There was also a code for resetting the pattern lock:

##3646633##

But on the Mi 8 with MIUI 13/14, these codes do not work – the manufacturer closed this “rook” for safety reasons.

Yes, for diagnostics.|Yeah, to reset the settings.|No, I haven't.|I didn't know they existed.-->

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods fail, the official service remains. Xiaomi provides an unblocking service on presentation:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (confirmation of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport holder.
• 📱 Serial number of the device (can be found on the box or under the battery).

The cost of the service varies from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the region, in some cases, the service may refuse if:

• The phone is listed in the database of stolen devices.
• It has an unofficial firmware installed on it.
• The IMEI is altered or damaged.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial “masters” often offer unlocking through exploits or flashing with loss IMEI. This can lead to loss of warranty and problems with the mobile network. mi.com/ru/service.

Alternative methods (with risks)

The network meets tips for unlocking the Mi 8 through:

• 🔧 EDL-mode (emergency firmware via Qualcomm 9008).
• 🖥️ Programs like Mi Flash Unlock or Xiaomi Tool.
• 📱 Installation of custom TWRP Recovery.

These methods have critical shortcomings:

• Require an unlocked bootloader (and on the locked Mi 8, it takes 7-30 days to unlock through an official request).
• This can damage the modem partition, which will result in the loss of the network.
• Violate the policy of Xiaomi, which can cause the phone to be blocked by the manufacturer’s servers.

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The only relatively safe alternative is to use Mi Flash Unlock with official firmware, but it requires proof of ownership through Mi Account and doesn't work on all versions of MIUI.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock the Mi 8, users often face problems:

1. Fastboot: Solution: Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (Mi Account binding and 7+ days waiting is required).
2. The phone asks for the old password after the reset: Solution: This means Factory Reset Protection (FRP) was enabled. You need to enter the Mi Account data that was tied before the reset.
3. Fastboot does not see the device: Solution: Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers manually through Windows Device Manager.

If the phone doesn’t turn on after unlocking or hangs on the Mi logo, try:

• Press Volume up + Power for 20-30 seconds for forced reboot.
• Swipe the phone again through Fastboot using a different firmware version.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions