Securing private messages on WhatsApp is an important privacy step, but what to do if you forget your password or your personal information. PIN-The situation is complicated by the fact that the manufacturer integrates additional layers of security (for example, application protection through the Security App), which can block access even after a standard reset. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to remove passwords – from official methods to workarounds for root-rights devices.
It’s important to understand that WhatsApp doesn’t store your password on servers, so restoring access is always about confirming ownership of the account. On Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11 and other models), the process may differ due to the proprietary shell MIUI. We tested all methods on the latest firmware versions (including MIUI 14/15 based on Android 13/14) and highlighted those that work stably.
If you are trying to unblock someone else’s account, you cannot do this without accessing a linked phone number or email, and all of the methods described below are designed exclusively for account holders who have lost access to their data.
1. Standard password reset via SMS/call
The easiest and most official way to do this is to use WhatsApp's own access recovery feature, which is a good way to do this if you have access to it. SIM-card associated with the account, or the opportunity to receive SMS to another number (for example, through forwarding).
Instructions:
- 📱 Open WhatsApp on a locked Xiaomi device.
- 🔑 On the password entry screen, click Forgot the password? (or Forgot) PIN? English-language).
- 📞 Select the confirmation method: SMS The phone number will come with a 6-digit code.
- 🔢 Enter the code in the appropriate field. SMS Do not come, request resending or select an alternative method (email if it is tied).
- 🔓 After confirmation, the system will offer to create a new password or disable the lock altogether.
On Xiaomi devices with MIUI After this step, an additional application protection window may appear (if it has been activated in Settings). → Passwords and security → Application protection, in which case you will need to enter a password from MI-account.
⚠️ Note: If you use two-step authentication on WhatsApp (configured in Settings) → Account. → Two-step verification, then after resetting the password through SMS You will need to enter an additional PIN-without it, access to chats will be limited for 7 days, after which the account can be blocked.
2.Restore through Google Drive Backup
If you’ve previously set up automatic backup of chats in Google Drive, you can restore access to WhatsApp by reinstalling the app, a method that works for Xiaomi devices that have a Google account with the same data as the blocked messenger.
Step-by-step:
- 📲 Remove WhatsApp via Settings → Annexes → Application management → WhatsApp → Delete.
- 🔄 Restart your smartphone (this will clear the system cache).
- 📥 Install WhatsApp from Google Play.
- 🔑 When you first start, enter the phone number to which the account is linked.
- ☁️ During the recovery phase, select Restore from Google Drive and log in to the same Google account that was used for backup.
- ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10-15 minutes depending on the size of the backup).
Once it is restored, the password will be reset, but all chats and media files will remain in place. Importantly, this method only works if the backup was created no later than 7 days before the lock.
Make sure the right Google account is linked to the device
Check for backup in Google Drive (via the web version of drive.google.com)
Connect to stable Wi-Fi (backup can weigh several gigabytes)
Charge your phone at least 50% (energy-consuming recovery process)-->
3. Reset application protection in MIUI
Many Xiaomi users are faced with the fact that even after resetting the password in WhatsApp, access blocks the protection of applications from the Internet. MIUI. This is an additional layer of security that requires entering a password from MI-If you forget your account or your fingerprint, you'll have to reset your security settings.
Methods of removing protection:
- 🔐 Through Settings: Go to Settings → Passwords and security → Application protection, enter a password from MI-Account and disable protection for WhatsApp.
- 📱 Through discharge MI-Account: If you forgot your password MI-Restore your account at account.xiaomi.com (access to your linked email or phone number is required).
- 🔧 Through Recovery Mode (for Advanced Users): Some Xiaomi models can reset application protection via Fastboot or Recovery, but this requires unlocking the bootloader and can result in data loss.
| Resetting method | Conditions required | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via MIUI settings | Knowledge of the password MI-account | No risk. |
| Recovery MI-account | Access to email/phone linked to your account | Temporary account blocking in case of multiple attempts |
| Reset via Fastboot | Unlocked bootloader, PC, ADB-driver | Data loss, possible brick devices |
⚠️ Note: If you use a Xiaomi account for an enterprise (e.g., on a work phone), resetting application protection may require confirmation from the domain administrator. IT-service.
4. Delete WhatsApp data through Android settings
If previous methods didn’t work, you can try resetting your app data through system settings, which will delete all local WhatsApp chats and settings, but allow you to log in again without the old password.
How to do this:
- 🔧 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
- 🔍 Find WhatsApp in the list and tap it.
- 🗑️ Select Warehouse and Cache → Delete data (or Clear Data in English version).
- 🔄 Confirm action. The app will be reset to factory settings.
- 📥 Start WhatsApp again and follow the standard login procedure (entering your phone number). + confirmation SMS).
This method does not delete backups on Google Drive or local storage (/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases), so once logged in, you can restore chats. However, if you did not backup, all messages will be lost.
What to do if the “Delete Data” button is inactive?
5. Password bypass through ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods don’t help, and your Xiaomi has unlocked developer mode and enabled USB debugging, you can try resetting your password via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires technical skills and is only suitable for devices with MIUI based on Android 10 and later.
Step-by-step:
- 🖥️ Install. ADB-Drivers on PC and connect the phone to USB.
- 🔧 Put the debugging on. USB In Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
- 📌 Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: Adb devices Make sure your device appears in the list.
- 🔑 Use WhatsApp password reset command: adb shell am start -n com.whatsapp/com.whatsapp.SettingsLockScreenActivity This will open a hidden screen lock menu where you can turn off PIN.
- 🔄 If the previous command didn’t work, try to delete the file with the password settings: adb shell rm. /data/data/com.whatsapp/shared_prefs/com.whatsapp_preferences.xml Note: This team requires root rights!
After you execute the commands, restart your phone and check if the password request has disappeared. If not, try reinstalling WhatsApp.
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Before work, ADB Create a backup of the data through MIUI Backup (Settings) → My device. → Backup and reset. This will help restore the system if something goes wrong.
6.Extreme measures: Resetting the phone to factory settings
If no methods have worked, and accessing a WhatsApp account is critical, you will be left with a hard reset that will remove all data from your phone, including apps, photos and settings, so only use it as a last resort.
How to perform a reset on Xiaomi:
- 🔄 Through Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → Resetting settings → Erase all data. Enter the password from MI-account (if required) and confirm the action.
- 📱 Using Recovery: Turn off the phone, then press the Power button + Loudness up before the logo appears MI. In the recovery menu, select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
After discharge:
- Set your phone up as new.
- Install WhatsApp and log in to your account via SMS.
- Restore chats from Google Drive (if backup was made).
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi devices with a locked bootloader (most models for the Chinese market), a reset via Fastboot can result in a permanent lock (brick). Before reset, check the bootloader status with the command: fastboot oem device-info If Device unlocked in response: false, do not use Fastboot to reset!
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A factory reset is the last chance to get WhatsApp back, but it should only be used if other methods have failed.Always back up important data before resetting!