How to remove the PIN code from the phone Xiaomi: full instructions

Modern Xiaomi smartphones offer advanced security systems that include graphic keys, passwords and PINs. However, situations are different: the user may forget the combination, the phone went to a new owner or simply need to remove unnecessary obstacles for quick access. The question of how to remove the PIN code from Xiomi’s phone remains one of the most frequent in technical support.

The unlocking process depends on whether you know the current code or if access to the device is completely lost. In the first case, the task is solved in a couple of minutes through the standard settings menu; in the second, more radical measures will be required, including data resets or using cloud services. It is important to understand the risks and consequences of each method before starting to act.

In this article, we will take a look at all the legal ways to disable screen protection, we will look at the standard tools of the MIUI and HyperOS operating system, as well as methods to restore access through a Google account or Mi Account. Read carefully to choose the right option for your situation.

Disabling PIN code through standard settings

The easiest and safest way to remove protection is to use the settings menu, if you remember the current password. This method does not require a connection to a computer and does not lead to loss of personal data.

Go to Settings and find Passwords and Security. In some firmware versions, this section may be called simply Security or be inside the Additional tab, and you can select Device Protection or Screen Lock.

The system will ask you to enter your current PIN, pattern lock or password. Once you have successfully authorized, you will be opened to the lock type management menu. Choose No or Disable to completely remove the code request when you turn on the screen.

Note that on some models with active Mi Cloud or data encryption, the system may require confirmation through the Mi Account password to change security settings.

⚠️ Note: If you disable the PIN, data protection features such as storage encryption and autocomplete passwords in the browser may stop working correctly or become less secure.

After the settings change, the system may suggest backing up the data, which is a reasonable step, since any manipulation of the system security files could theoretically lead to unstable interface operation.

Disabling the PIN through the settings is only possible provided you know the current access code and can unlock the screen right now.

Using a Mi Account to restore access

If you forgot the code, but your device has activated your Mi Account and enabled Find Device, you can try to reset the lock remotely, which only works if you have an active Internet connection on your locked phone.

You must go to the official website of the Mi Cloud service from any other device (computer or smartphone), log in under the same login and password that are used on the locked phone.

From the service menu, select Find the device. The system will determine the location of your gadget. From the list of available actions, find the option Unblock (if available in your firmware version) or Clean the device.

• 🔒 The Unblock feature removes a pattern lock or PIN, saving data, but is not available on all versions. MIUI.
• 🗑️ The Clean Device feature completely erases all data, including photos, contacts and apps, returning the phone to factory settings.
• 🌐 To work the method, the phone must be turned on and connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi.

Once you have performed the remote reset command, the phone will restart, and if you have selected the cleanup, the first time you start, the system will require you to enter a password from a Google or Mi Account that was previously synced, which is FRP lock.

⚠️ Warning: Remote reset via Mi Cloud results in complete deletion of all user data. Make sure you have an up-to-date backup of important information in advance.

The effectiveness of this method depends on the region for which the firmware is made, and on global versions (Global ROM), the functionality may be limited compared to the Chinese versions.

Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode

When you can’t log in and cloud services don’t help, the only proven way is to log in. reset_ This process forcibly deletes all data and resets security settings.

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 or menu appears in English.

Navigation in the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Find the Wipe Data item and select it. Then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.

The cleaning process can take a few minutes. Once it is complete, select Reboot to reboot. The phone will turn on as new, and the PIN will be deleted along with the rest of the user data.

You will need to enter the username and password from the Google account that was the main one on that device before the reset.

Unlocking the service Find My Device (Google)

An alternative to the Mi cloud is Google's standard service, which is that if you log in to a Google account and geolocate it, you can control the device remotely, a method similar to Mi Cloud, but using the search giant's infrastructure.

Go to android.com/find from a computer or other smartphone, log in to an account linked to a locked device, and the system will try to contact the phone.

In the side menu, select the Clean Device option. Unlike some Mi Cloud features, Google doesn't offer to simply remove a password without deleting data on modern versions of Android for security reasons.

Once the command is confirmed, the phone will be reset, and if the device is offline at that point, the command will be automatically executed as soon as it is online, which ensures that the data does not fall into the wrong hands, but you lose access.

⚠️ Note: On Android 9 and later devices, deleting data via Find My Device often requires re-authorizing your Google account on the first run, even if the PIN has been reset.

This method is useful if you remember your Google account details accurately, otherwise the phone will turn into a “brick” that cannot be activated without proof of ownership.

Using ADB for Advanced Users

For those familiar with the command line and not afraid of technical terms, there is a method to disable locking through USB debugging.This method only works if the USB debugging function has been pre-installed in the Developer Menu.

You'll need a computer with ADB drivers installed and a smart phone connected via a high-quality cable. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the ADB tool folder.

Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the screen of the phone appeared window request permission, to confirm it, alas, will not work without removing the lock, so this method is often useless for fully closed devices.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

These commands delete files that store hashes of graphic keys and passwords, and then you have to restart the device, but on modern versions of MIUI with encryption enabled, this method often doesn't work without root rights.

If you have root rights, the chances of success are much higher.You can use a file manager with access to the system partition or specialized scripts to remove lock files.

For ordinary users, this method is complex and risky: An error in the syntax of commands or interruption of the process can lead to damage to the bootloader or a cyclic restart (bootloop).

Specifics of unlocking different versions of MIUI

The interface and unlockability are heavily dependent on the firmware version. Global versions (Global) have stricter security policies than China ROM. Chinese firmware sometimes has vulnerabilities or additional features in the recovery menu.

MIUI 12 and MIUI is 13 have significantly increased password reset protection, and even when reset via Recovery, the system can now require a Mi Account password if the device has been lost and flagged as missing.

In the newest HyperOS shell, security algorithms have become even stricter. Bypassing a screen lock without data loss is virtually impossible by official methods. Any third-party programs promising to "unlock in 5 minutes without losing data" are likely fraudulent.

• 🇨🇳 China ROM: Often has more options in the Recovery menu, but may require unlocking the bootloader for deep modification.
• 🌍 Global ROM: Strictly complies with Google policies, high probability of blocking FRP post-discharge.
• 🔄 European version (EEA): The most stringent privacy rules, minimal circumvention options.

Users of custom firmware (for example, Pixel Experience or LineageOS) are more lucky: the presence of an unlocked bootloader allows you to flash the device again or install custom Recovery (TWRP), through which you can delete the password file.

However, unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi is officially only possible after waiting 168 hours (7 days) from the time the device is linked to the Mi Unlock Tool account.

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