How to remove desktop protection on Xiaomi phone: all ways of 2026

Forgot your desktop password on Xiaomi? phone requires you to enter PIN-A code or a pattern lock, but you don't remember the combination? This situation is familiar to many users of Redmi, Poco or Mi smartphones. Fortunately, there are official and informal methods of removing protection without losing data - the main thing is to act carefully and choose the appropriate way to choose the right way.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking the desktop on Xiaomi phones (including models from 2023-2026), you will learn how to bypass protection through Mi Account, with ADB, through Recovery mode, and also what to do if the phone does not respond to input at all. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so read carefully!

Why is Xiaomi’s phone blocking the desktop?

Desktop locking on Xiaomi is a standard security feature that works in several cases:

• 🔒 Repeated mistyping – after 5-10 failed password attempts, the system locks the device for 30 seconds, a minute or longer.
• 📱 Resetting – If you have done hard resets through Recovery but have not untied your Mi Account, your phone will require you to enter your previous owner’s details.
• 🔄 Update MIUI — Sometimes, after installing a new firmware version, the smartphone asks for a password, even if it was not there before.
• 👤 Child Mode – If the device activates Second Space or guest profile, a separate password may be required.

Most of the time, the lock is removed in the standard way, but unless you’ve ever linked a Xiaomi account or enabled USB debugging, there’s not much left to do, and then we’ll look at all the scenarios, from the simplest to the most radical.

Method 1: Unlocking through your Mi Account

The most reliable and official method is to use a Xiaomi account that works even if you forget the lock screen password, but remember the data from Mi Account.

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot your password?" (or a similar inscription at the bottom of the screen).
2. Select the option to Unblock through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account and the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie your account, this method will not work, in which case you will have to contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase (check, purchase agreement).

Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network)

Login and password from Xiaomi account

Confirmed email or phone in your account

No IMEI lock (if the phone is blacklisted)

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If you don't have a "Forgot Password?" button, try entering any password 5 times in a row, after which you should have a hint to unlock through your account. On some models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), this item may be hidden behind the "Additional Settings" button.

Method 2: Use ADB (for advanced users)

If debugging is on USB (USB Debugging) was enabled before blocking, you can remove protection from the desktop via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires a computer and minimal command line knowledge.

Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download and install ADB Tools on your computer.
2. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
3. Open the command prompt (cmd in Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), execute the command to delete the password:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Then restart the phone with the command:

adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 14+ This method may not work because of the increased protection, and once the keys are removed, the settings for Wi-Fi and other features are sometimes reset — be prepared to reset them.

Method 3: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If previous methods didn't work, the radical option is to reset your settings through Restore mode, which will erase all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but unlock the desktop.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For some older models: Power button + Volume down.

In the recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm the reset and wait for the process to be completed.

Reboot

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 12+ After the reset, you may need to enter data from your previous Mi Account (protection) FRP). If you don't know your username/password, your phone will turn into a brick, and then only official unlocking through support will help.

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Before resetting via Recovery, try extracting SD-map (if any) – sometimes the photos and files on it remain intact.

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for tech-savvy)

If ADB doesn't work, but you have access to Fastboot mode, you can try reflashing the phone with the removal of protection, which is suitable for users who are not afraid to work with firmware.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Mi Flash Tool and drivers installed.
• 📥 Official firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi website).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
5. The phone will reboot with a clean system without a password.

⚠️ Warning: The wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick. Make sure you download the firmware for your model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro).+ 5G Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G — device!).

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Fastboot flashing removes all data, including FRP protection. But if the phone was tied to a Xiaomi account, authorization may be required after firmware is installed.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Support

If none of these methods worked, the official way is to call Xiaomi for support, and this is true in the following cases:

• 🔐 Phone is linked to someone else's Mi Account (hand-held purchase).
• 📵 The device is blocked by the operator (on the IMEI).
• 🔧 You are not sure about your technical skills and are afraid of damaging your phone.

What will be required to unlock:

• Check or contract of sale (proof of ownership).
• IMEI of the phone (you can find it on the box or via the command *#06# on another device).
• Passport data (for identification).

Support may be contacted:

• 🌍 via the official website (section "Support").
• 📧 By email: support@xiaomi.com (English).
• 📞 By phone (numbers for different countries are listed on the website).

The unlock period is 3 days to 2 weeks, and in some cases, payment may be required (for example, if the phone is blacklisted by IMEI).

What to do if Xiaomi phone does not respond to input?

If the phone's screen doesn't respond to touch, or the device doesn't turn on at all, the problem may not be a software lock, but a hardware malfunction.

• 🔋 Battery discharge – connect your phone to charge for 30 to 60 minutes, even if the indicator is not on.
• 💧 Moisture infestation – if the phone falls into water, it should be dried in rice or silica gel for 24-48 hours.
• 🔌 Faulty cable/charging – try another cable and power supply.
• 📱 Firmware failure – if the phone vibrates but doesn’t turn on, try logging into Fastboot (power button) + volume).

If the phone vibrates when connected to a charger, but the screen remains black, this may indicate:

• Display plume malfunction.
• Failure in the graphics chip (on older Xiaomi models with Snapdragon 8xx processors).
• Problems with the motherboard (after a fall or impact).

In such cases, self-unlocking is impossible - diagnostics are required in the service center. The average cost of repairing a screen or plume on Xiaomi is from 3,000 to 10,000 rubles (depending on the model).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi