How to remove a password from a Xiaomi phone: proven methods

It is quite common for the owner of an Android device to forget a pattern lock or a digital code. Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are no exception, and their MIUI or HyperOS security system can block access to data if you repeatedly enter the data incorrectly, the user is in front of a closed screen, and attempts to guess the combination only increase the lock timer or lead to a complete ban on access.

There are several proven ways to remove a password from a Xiaomi phone, but the choice of method depends on whether the Mi Account was enabled, whether the debugging is activated over USB and which version of the operating system is installed. It is important to understand that most methods associated with a complete reset will lead to the removal of all user data from the internal memory of the device, unless you have previously made a backup in the cloud.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for different lock scenarios, how to use standard recovery tools, how to enter Recovery mode for hard reset, and what are the nuances of working with the Find Device service, and how to use advanced users using debugging tools.

Use the “Forgot Password” function through your Mi Account

The most civilized and secure way to unlock is available to those users who have previously linked their smartphone to a Xiaomi Account. If you see the words “Forgot your password” or a similar prompt on a locked screen after several failed attempts to enter, the system will suggest using this option.

Click on the corresponding button on the lock screen. The system will redirect you to the login page or prompt you to enter a code sent to the linked phone number.This method allows you to reset only the lock screen, saving all photos, contacts and applications. However, if the function was disabled in the security settings in advance, this path will not be available.

It’s worth noting that newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 have tightened security policies, and now it often requires a password from the Mi Account itself to verify identity, rather than just a code from the SMS. If you don’t remember the account data, it won’t work to restore access through this method, and you’ll have to resort to more drastic measures.

• 🔑 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the internet before trying to recover.
• 📱 The confirmation code can come to a backup number or email.
• 🌐 Login to the account is possible through a browser on another device at id.mi.com.

⚠️ Warning: If, after resetting your password, your phone requires you to enter a username and password from your Mi Account that was previously synced to your device, this is protection against theft.

Resetting settings via Recovery Mode menu

If the interface is completely closed and Forgot Password doesn’t work, the only solution is forced reset via the Recovery menu, a method that is universal for all models, whether it’s the budget Redmi Note or the flagship Xiaomi 13. It leads to complete deletion of data, returning the device to a factory state.

To enter recovery mode, you need to 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 the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. The screen will display a menu with a few points, which is controlled by the volume buttons, and the choice by the power button.

Select Wipe Data, then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you of the irreversibility of the process. Once the reset is complete, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot to restart. The first run of the system will take longer than usual.

It is important to distinguish between a regular reset and a clean-up reset. The menu may include Wipe Data (with cleaning) and Reboot (without cleaning). If you choose reboot, the password will remain in place. Only full data cleanup (Factory Reset) guarantees the screen is unlocked, but at the cost of losing files.

Remote Unlocking through Find Device

Xiaomi's Find Device service not only tracks the location of a lost gadget, but also manages its status remotely. If the Internet was turned on on on the locked phone and access to the device's search service is activated, you can reset through a computer or other smartphone. This is true if the buttons on the device itself do not work or the screen is damaged.

Go to the official i.mi.com website from any browser and log in to the same Mi Account that was used on the locked phone. From the list of devices, select the desired model. From the control menu, find the option “Erase data” or “Wipe Device”. Once confirmed, the command will be sent to the smartphone.

Once the device is online, it automatically receives a reset command, the screen goes out, the formatting process begins, and the phone reboots without a password, which is effective, but requires that the phone be turned on and have at least occasional access to the network.

⚠️ Note: Remote erasure will not work if the device is off, in aeronautical mode, or if the Find Device service was not activated in the security settings before locking.

Use of debugging by USB and ADB

For advanced users who have had pre-bugging enabled on USB in the Developer Menu, it is possible to remove a password without losing data using the computer and tools of the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) platform.This method does not work on all versions of Android due to increased security, but on older firmware or configurations can be effective.

Connect your phone to your PC through USB-On your computer, open the command line in the folder with the drivers installed. ADB. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. If the debugging permission window appears on the phone screen and you can confirm it (which is difficult with a locked screen, but it is possible through a debugging permission window). OTG and mouse, access will be granted.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

Executing these commands deletes files that store password and pattern lock hashes. After that, just reboot the device. On new versions of Android 11/12/13/14, this method is often blocked by the system, requiring the screen to unlock the ADB to confirm the action, making it applicable only in a narrow range of cases.

Features of unlocking different models Xiaomi

The password removal procedure may vary slightly depending on the device series.Budget models of the Redmi A or Poco C series often have a simplified Recovery menu, while flagships of the Xiaomi 13/14 Ultra series may require confirmation of reset via captcha input or additional checks.

On Global ROM devices, the process is standard and described above, but owners of Chinese versions (China ROM) may find that the "Forgot Password" option is missing from the lock screen, since in China Google services are not used, and the reliance on Mi Account is higher, in such cases, a reset via Recovery is the only way out.

You should also consider the type of lock. PIN-code SIM-It's requested right after you turn it on, before you boot it, and you can't reset it with your phone, because it's stored on the SIM chip. PUK, provided by the communications operator.

• 📱 Redmi: Standard Recovery menu, volume button up.
• 🚀 Poco: Similar to Redmi, but sometimes double tapping is required to confirm.
• 🌟 Xiaomi (Mi): Account confirmation may be required even after a reset (Mi Cloud Lock).

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If after a reset, the phone asks for a Wi-Fi password it was previously connected to, it is standard Android security procedure to confirm the identity of the owner after Factory Reset.

Mi Cloud Lock and Activation Lock

Once you successfully reset your password and delete your data, you may encounter an activation screen, which is a Mi Cloud Lock security mechanism, and if the phone has been enabled to search for the device, then after formatting it will require you to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was synchronized before the reset, this is done to protect against theft.

If you're the legitimate owner, just enter your details. The problem is if the phone was bought by hand and the previous owner didn't untie the device from his account, in which case you won't be able to unlock the phone in the standard way, and you need to contact the seller to remotely untie the device through the Mi Cloud site.

There are service centers that can help in unbundling if there is a check for a purchase or a box with a box of goods. IMEI-Xiaomi's official support also considers such requests, but requires proof of ownership of the device. Bypassing this blocking by software methods (Bypass) is a complex procedure, depending on the specific version of the software and the processor (Mediatek or Snapdragon), and often requires paid software.

⚠️ Warning: Buying used Xiaomi phones without a Mi Account binding check is a huge risk. Once reset, the phone turns into a useless piece of plastic that cannot be activated.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)