How to remove the lock on the Xiaomi phone: the full guide 2026

A forgotten password, a pattern lock or a fingerprint that is no longer recognized are the issues that one in five Xiaomi owners face. Screen locking protects personal data, but can turn into a real headache if you don't remember the combination to unlock. Fortunately, there are several official and alternative ways to regain access to the device without losing functionality.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of unlocking Xiaomi, Redmi and smartphones. POCO — From standard reset via Mi Account to advanced technical solutions using the ADB And Fastboot. We'll focus on the nuances for different versions. MIUI (12–14) and chipset models Qualcomm/Mediatek. You don’t need a deep technical knowledge – the instructions are tailored for users of any level.

⚠️ Warning: Some methods (e.g. Hard Reset) will result in complete deletion of data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps. If the phone is synced to Mi Cloud, some of the information can be restored after unlocking.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account that was tied to the device.
🔄 Find the device on the phone (in the security settings).

To unlock the phone:

On the lock screen, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is required).

If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try entering the wrong password 5 times in a row - after that, a prompt should appear to restore through the account. Some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) may require a Wi-Fi connection to activate this option.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it to the official website account.xiaomi.com via the attached email or phone number.

2. Hard Reset (reset to factory settings)

Hard Reset is a radical method that removes all data from the device, including the lock screen.

🚫 You don’t remember the data from your Mi Account.
🔧 Phone does not connect to the Internet (no access to Find the device).
📦 You don’t care about your device data (or it’s stored in the cloud in advance).

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi 9, Mi 11, POCO F3):

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
Press the button combination: For Qualcomm chipsets: Volume up + Power. For Mediatek chipsets: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Recovery Mode

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm the action of the power button.

Reboot

Reboot to System

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Download a backup of your data (if you have access to the Mi Cloud)

Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a locked bootloader after Hard Reset, you may need to log in through the Mi Account that was previously linked. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will turn into a brick. Check Bootloader status in the Fastboot menu (click Volume Down). + Power: If you have the words Device is locked, use other methods.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

It's good for devices with the bootloader unlocked, or if you're ready to unlock it. You'll need a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot and the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Step-by-step:

Download and install Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
Open the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).
Once unlocked, download the firmware for your model from the Miui Download website.
Swipe your device through the Mi Flash Tool by selecting the Clean All option.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty and may result in the loss of features like Google Pay or Widevine L1 (Downgrading streaming quality at Netflix, Disney+). On some models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi K50) After unlocking, re-assignment of the account is required.

What if the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error?

1.You are trying to unlock an account that is not tied to the device. 2. Less than 72 hours have passed since the last account was linked (Xiaomi limit). 3. The device does not support unlocking (such as some models for the Chinese market). Solution: Wait 3 days and try again using the same Mi Account that was originally tied to the phone.

4.Use of ADB (without loss of data)

If the phone has USB debugging enabled and you have access to your computer, you can delete the password file via ADB. This method saves data, but only works on MIUI firmware 12 and older.

Instructions:

Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
Enter the commands in order: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
After the reboot, the screen lock will be reset.

To find the nearest service center:

Go to the Xiaomi Service website.
Choose a country and a city.
Check the reviews and ratings of the center (avoid unofficial workshops).

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods didn’t help, try these options:

Method	Conditions	Risks.	Models on which it works
EDL Mode (emergency firmware)	Requires Qualcomm box or Mediatek and firmware	High risk of "bricking"	Redmi 9, POCO X3, Mi 10T
Bypassing through Safe Mode	Works if the lock is installed by a third-party application	Provisional decision	All models on MIUI
Reset via Mi Cloud	The device must be online and linked to the account	Deletes all data.	All models with MIUI 11+
Use of TestPoint	Requires a phone and soldering iron	Loss of warranty, risk of damage	Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9

⚠️ Attention: Methods like EDL Or TestPoint requires special equipment and skills, and the wrong actions can cause permanent damage to the motherboard. If you're not confident in your abilities, trust the unlocking to the professionals.

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The most secure methods are unlocking through Mi Account and contacting the service center. Hard Reset and Fastboot are suitable for experienced users, but are fraught with data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi

Can I unlock Xiaomi without losing data?

Yes, but only if: 🔓 The phone's debugging on. USB and there is root access (method of ADB). 📱 The device is linked to the Mi Account, and you remember the login data. In all other cases, the data will be deleted.

What if your phone requires an old Mi Account after Hard Reset?

This means that the device has activated reset protection (FRP). Solutions: Enter the data from the Mi Account that was previously linked. If you do not remember the password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. If the account is not yours (phone bought with hands), contact the previous owner or service center with proof of purchase.

How to unlock Xiaomi if you forget your pattern lock and Mi Account?

In this case, only radical methods remain: 🔧 Hard Reset (Data Loss). 🖥️ Fastboot + Firmware (requires an unlocked bootloader). 🛠️ Contact the service center (purchase confirmation required) Without access to the Mi Account, it is almost impossible to bypass the screen lock.

Does unlocking a call to a locked phone work?

No, it's a myth. Some models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) used to be able to bypass the lock via an emergency call, but MIUI 12+ has fixed this vulnerability. Modern firmware versions block access to settings through the call screen.

Can I unlock Xiaomi through Google Account (like Samsung)?

Unlike Samsung or LG, Xiaomi smartphones do not support unlocking through Google Account. The only official way is to use Mi Account.