How to remove protection from the Xiaomi desktop: from PIN-pre-key

Forgot the password from Xiaomi or bought a used smartphone with a locked screen? The situation is familiar to many: the device requires a PIN, a pattern lock or a fingerprint, and you can not remember the combination. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways to remove protection from the Redmi desktop, POCO and other Xiaomi lines, from official methods to technical workarounds.

It is important to understand that some methods lead to data loss, others require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB).We will describe each option in detail, its pros, cons and risks. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center or a qualified wizard.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones use several types of lock screen protection:

• 🔢 PIN-code (4-16 digits)
• 🔄 pattern lock (pattern of 4-9 points)
• 🔑 Password (alphanumeric combination)
• 👆 Fingerprint or facial recognition (requires primary PIN/password to unlock after rebooting)

Each of these methods can be bypassed, but the complexity of the process depends on the device model, the MIUI version, and whether you have a linked Mi Account.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you have a Mi Account attached on your smartphone and your device is connected to the Internet, this method will be the easiest and most secure, only works with an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and if you remember the username / password from the account.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter the incorrect PIN/password 5 successively.
2. You will see a message: Forgot your password? or Unblock it through your Mi Account.
3. Click on the link and enter details from your Mi Account (email or phone number + password).
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

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Note: If the device has previously reset to factory settings via Recovery, the Mi Account may have unset, in which case the method will not work, and you will need to use alternative methods.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ No data reset required.
• ✅ It works on most models. Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO
• ✅ Maintained officially (no risk of "bricking" the device)

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If your Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you’ll have to use a hard reset through Recovery mode, which deletes all data on your device, including photos, messages, and installed apps. Backups won’t help – the reset erases internal memory (unless a separate memory is used). SD-map).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition 📱 For POCO F1/F2/F3: Loudness down + Nutrition

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

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

Reboot → Reboot to System

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Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 or Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously tied after a reset.This is part of Factory Reset Protection (FRP) protection.If you don't know the username/password, the smartphone will remain locked!

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

If the smartphone is enabled debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try to remove the lock through the computer using the tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method only works if you:

• 🔌 The debugging was activated before blocking.
• 💻 You have access to a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔗 The device is recognized by the PC in mode ADB (Checked by Adb Devices Command).

Instructions:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key # for pattern lock




rm /data/system/password.key # for PIN/password




reboot

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative method (requires root rights):

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric


adb shell input text 1234 # enter any new PIN




adb shell input keyevent 66 # press "Enter"

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Note: On newer versions of MIUI 12/13/14, this method is often blocked by security. If the lock screen is left after the reboot, try repeating commands or using Fastboot.

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers through the official website or using the Mi Flash Tool program for forced installation.

4.Use of Fastboot mode (for tech-savvy)

If ADB failed or debugging USB If you've been disabled, you can try unlocking your smartphone through Fastboot, which requires an unlocked bootloader, or you'll have to unlock it first (which takes up to 72 hours to wait). SMS-code from Xiaomi).

Instructions for resetting:

1. Turn the device into Fastboot mode: Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.

fastboot devices

MIUI 12+

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase frp




fastboot reboot

If the bootloader is locked, first unlock it:

fastboot oem unlock

After confirming on the phone (volume button), enter:



fastboot oem unlock-go

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Attention: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data and can lead to problems with the Widevine L1 (lower streaming quality on Netflix, Disney+, etc.). On some models (for example, the POCO X3 Pro) contactless payment stops working after unlocking.

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) bypass after discharge

If, after resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, the smartphone requires you to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously tied, you will have to bypass FRP protection. This mechanism appeared in MIUI 9+ and is designed to protect against theft.

Ways of bypassing (depending on the model):

Example of the TalkBack bypass (for older models):

1. On the welcome screen, press Emergency Call.
2. Enter #4636## and go to Usage Statistics.
3. Click on the TalkBack icon and hold on to enable.
4. Return to the lock screen, swipe two fingers down to call the notification panel.
5. Go to Settings → Accounts and add a new Mi Account.

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods do not fit, you can try less common options:

For 3.5 mm connector (Redmi 5/6/Note 5):

• 🎧 Connect the headphones with the microphone.
• On the lock screen, call Google Assistant with a voice command (e.g., “OK, Google”).
• Through the voice assistant, try to open Settings → Security and disable the lock.

For smartphones with NFC (Mi 10/11, POCO F3):

• 📱 If you have previously configured Smart Lock (unlock on a trusted device), bring another device to the phone with a device that is not connected to the device. NFC (for example, a smart watch or a tag).
• 🔓 If it works, go to the settings immediately and turn off the screen lock.

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Note: Methods using vulnerabilities (e.g., Google Assistant or TalkBack) are regularly closed in new versions of MIUI. If your smartphone received an update after 2022, the chances of success are minimal.

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The most reliable way to unlock is to pre-arrange, always link Mi Account, turn on USB Debugging and back up your data, which will save you time and nerves if you lock it.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi