The situation of forgetting the digital access code to your device happens much more often than people think. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face screen locking daily, and often it happens at the most inopportune time. Modern Android security systems are becoming more stringent to protect users' personal data from prying eyes, but these protections can play a cruel joke with the forgetful owner.
There are several proven methods to restore access to the system, but the effectiveness of each of them depends on the version of the operating shell MIUI or HyperOS, as well as on the pre-configuration of the device. It is important to understand that in most cases, complete deprotection involves removing all data from internal memory, so the process must be approached consciously. Below we will discuss in detail all available options, from standard to more complex technical procedures.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about the risks and prepare the necessary tools. Don't panic if the screen is out or the phone requires code, this is a standard situation, as envisaged by the developers. The main thing is to act consistently and not make chaotic clicks that can lead to temporary locking of the device to increase the latency.
Using a Mi Account to unlock
The most civilized and safe way to restore access is to use a Xiaomi account tied up. If your device has enabled the Find Device function and you remember the username and password from the account, the chance of saving data or quickly resetting the lock is very high, this method works through a remote server of the company and does not require cable connection.
To do this, you'll need any other gadget with Internet access, whether it's a computer or a friend's smartphone. You'll need to go to the official Mi Cloud site and log in with your ID. The system will automatically locate your blocked gadget if it's connected to the network.
In the device management interface, you should select the screen lock option, where you can set a new temporary password to replace the forgotten digital code. Once you enter the new code on the locked phone, the old pin code will no longer be required. However, it is worth considering that on new versions of MIUI firmware 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS, this feature may be limited for security reasons.
Importantly, if the phone is offline, the command to unlock will only be executed once it is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network. In some cases, the system may request confirmation via SMS or an additional security code if two-factor authorization is enabled.
- 🔑 Make sure the device is connected to the internet to receive commands from the server.
- 📱 Use your browser in incognito mode to avoid cache conflicts when logging in to your account.
- ⏱ After changing the password through the site, it may take 1 to 5 minutes to sync.
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If you have recently changed your Mi Account password, wait 24 hours before trying to unlock your device – this is a security measure against hacking.
Resetting settings via Recovery Mode
If remote access is not possible or the account is not tied, the only remaining option is a full reset to the factory (Hard Reset), a process that is done through the Recovery menu, which is sewn into the phone's memory regardless of the operating system's state, a radical but guaranteed way to remove the digital password.
To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely, then you need to press the key combination: usually a Volume + button and a Power button, hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while keeping the volume.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down) and the action confirmation button, the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. Once you select this item, the system will warn you about the loss of all data. Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
⚠️ After resetting via Recovery on modern versions of Android will work protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection.The phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced on the device before locking.Without this password, it will be impossible to turn on the phone. The formatting process can take from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory. Do not interrupt the process or remove the battery if it is not removable, as this can lead to file system damage and software errors.Unlocking through Google's Find Device service An alternative to Xiaomi's proprietary service is Google's standard device search feature. This is a good idea if you have a Google account login, geolocation enabled, and an active Internet connection, and it's similar to the manufacturer's method, but it uses the search giant's infrastructure. You have to go to android.com/find from any other device and log in with the same account that you use on the locked smartphone. The system will try to locate the gadget. If you try successfully, there will be several options in the management menu, including "Clean the device." Choosing the cleanup option will delete all data, including the digital password, pattern lock and biometric data. Once you complete the procedure, the phone will reboot and appear in front of you as a new device requiring initial configuration. This is the only way to bypass the lock if you forget both the pin code and the Mi Account, but remember the Google account. What to do if the phone does not see the device on the card, the device, the device's status is automatically on the card, "If the card, the device will be on the card, the device will be automatically accessed device, the device, the device will be the card, the device will be automatically "If the device, the device will be connected to the card, the device will be connected?" Also check if the device is not in Do Not Disturb mode or Flight mode, which blocks data transfer, and it is worth noting that on some custom firmware or in regions with limited access to Google services, this method may not work consistently. In such cases, it is better to rely on local dumping methods or service centers. 🌐 The method works only when you are actively connected to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi. 🗑 All photos, contacts and apps will be permanently deleted from internal memory. 🔒 After the reset, you will need to enter a password from the Google account to confirm the rights of the owner. ADB (For advanced users who previously included debugging USB In the developer menu, there is an opportunity to try to remove the lock through the computer. This method does not guarantee 100% success on newer versions of Android due to enhanced security protocols, but on older models (Android) 6-9) It works flawlessly. You'll need to install a driver package on your computer. ADB (Android Debug Bridge, and you can connect your phone with a cable. If the device is recognized, you can try sending a command to delete the file that stores the access key information. /data/system/gesture.key Once you've done the command, you have to reboot the device, and you can enter any arbitrary password or pattern lock on the lock screen, and the system will let you through because the hash file of the old code has been deleted. MIUI Access to this directory is often closed even with debugging rights. Method Data Saving Necessary Terms Difficulty Mi Cloud Yes (partially) Mi Account, Internet Low Recovery Mode No Physical Access Average Google Find My No Google Account, Internet Low ADB Command Yes Debugging enabled USB Tall. 💡Method ADB It only works if the debugging has been activated before. USB, Otherwise, the computer will not have access to the file system. MIUI Xiaomi's software is constantly being updated and every year the protection algorithms get more complex. MIUI 10-11 They can often unlock their phone simply through an account without losing data. MIUI 12-14 And HyperOS has tightened its security policy, and new versions have incorporated hardware encryption key binding. This means that even if you reset the password through third-party utilities, encrypted data (photos, correspondence in messengers) will remain inaccessible, since the decryption key was the digital code you forgot or graphic drawing. In addition, the latest updates have introduced the “Block After Reboot” feature, where if the phone has been turned off or rebooted, the first login is only possible with a digital password, biometrics and other methods do not work. This is done so that even when the battery is removed, the attacker cannot access the data. 📱 MIUI 10-11: High probability of unlocking via Mi Cloud without data loss. 🔐 MIUI 12-13: Confirmation is required through SMS or mandatory data resetting. 🛡 HyperOS / MIUI 14: Maximum protection, almost guaranteeing reset in case of loss of password. Users of older versions are advised not to delay the update, as old security holes can be exploited by malware. However, if your goal is to save data on the old phone, it is better not to upgrade to the latest version, where bypass methods can be closed. ⚠️ Attention: Attempts to flash your phone over Fastboot to remove a password on a locked device often result in a "Device Locked" error. Official flashing requires an unlocked bootloader, which cannot be done without accessing the phone's menu. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing photos and contacts? Without losing data, this is only possible if you have synced with Mi Cloud or Google Photos enabled. In this case, after resetting your password and completely cleaning your phone (Hard Reset), you can recover data from the cloud when you re-enter your account. Locally, without resetting, it is almost impossible to remove the password on modern versions of Android. What if the phone says "Device locked" after reset? FRP (Factory Reset Protection. You need to enter the Google account login and password that was the main one on this phone before the lockdown. If you forget this data, you will have to restore access to your Google account through their support site. Will a call to your phone help you unblock? On very old versions of Android (4.x - 5.x) There was a method where, during an incoming call, you could roll the call screen and get into the menu. MIUI Android 10+ This method does not work because the call system is isolated from the main interface. How many times can you type an incorrect password? Usually 5 attempts are given. After that, the phone is locked for 30 seconds. With each next series of incorrect inputs, the lock time increases (1 minute, 5 minutes, 30 minutes). After a certain number of errors, the device may require unlocking only through a Google or Mi Account. Can you remove the password through the service center? Official Xiaomi service centers can perform a reset, but this will also lead to deletion of data. They do not have the magical tools to “hack” the password without losing information, as this contradicts the privacy policy and the technical features of encryption.