Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi and can't unlock your phone? The situation is familiar to many: you put a simple pattern for convenience, and a month later your fingers draw it on the machine until you make a mistake three times in a row. Or worse, the phone was used by a child who "accidentally" changed the password. In this article, 5 working ways to unlock the lock, from the safest (without data loss) to radical (full reset). We tested each method on Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10, POCO X3/X4 with the latest versions of MIUI 14/15.
Important: Not all methods are suitable for Redmi with a locked bootloader. If you have never unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, some instructions will be useless - we will warn you about this in advance. Also note that after a hard reset (via Recovery or Fastboot), all data on the phone will be deleted without recovery, if there was no backup in the Mi Cloud.
Before you start, check:
- 🔋 The battery level is at least 30%, and when discharged during the procedure, the phone can turn into a brick".
- 📶 Wi-Fi or mobile Internet access. Some methods require a connection to the network.
- 🖥️ Availability of a computer (for methods with ADB or Fastboot).
- 🔑 Data from a Mi Account tied to your phone, and without it, unlocking will be more difficult.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The easiest and safest method is to use a Xiaomi account, which works if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
- 🔄 The phone is enabled sync with the cloud (usually active by default).
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, enter the wrong pattern lock 5 times in a row. the message "Forgot the password?" will appear - click on it.
- Select the option "Unblock through Mi Account".
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
- Confirm the unlock through SMS-code (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Install a new pattern lock or PIN-code.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work. MIUI 14+ You may need to confirm your Google Account (if you have added it).
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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.
2. reset the pattern lock via ADB (without loss of data)
The method is suitable for phones where debugging is included USB (USB Debugging) and access to ADB. This is a rare case, but if you’ve previously set up a phone for a developer or connected it to a computer, there’s a chance.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
- 🔌 USB-cable (original, do not damage the port!).
- 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download it in Android) SDK).
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
- Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) in the adb folder.
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone appears in the list – go further.
- Delete the file with the pattern lock: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
- Reboot your phone: adb reboot
After the reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, but all the data will remain in place. If the command does not work, try an alternative option:
adb shell
su
rm /data/system/locksettings.db
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal
rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
rebootInstall drivers ADB|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download platform-tools|Connect the original USB-cable|Check the connection of the adb device team-->
⚠️ Attention: Redmi with MIUI 13+ And with a locked bootloader, this method may not work because of security constraints. USB It was not turned on in advance, it will not be possible to connect to the phone.
3. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (will delete all data)
If previous methods failed, the radical method is to reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode, all data (photos, contacts, messages) will be erased, but the phone will unlock.
Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 Some of them. POCO — Power button + Loudness down.
Mi
Recovery
Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.
"Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data"
"Factory Reset"
Confirm the action and wait for the reset to be completed.
"Reboot"
After the reset, the phone will turn on as new. You will need to go through the initial setup, including the Mi Account binding.
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
| Model Redmi | Combination for Recovery | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Food + Volume up | MIUI 14+ may require confirmation via Mi Account after reset. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Food + Volume up | Menu in Chinese – Use volume buttons to navigate. |
| POCO X3/X4 | Food + Volume up | On some firmware, the reset takes up to 5 minutes. |
| Redmi 8/8A | Food + Volume up | After reset, re-activation may be required. |
⚠️ Warning: Phones with a locked bootloader may be reset via Recovery with a request to enter Mi Account data that was previously tied. Without them, the phone will not activate (Mi Cloud Lock).
4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
If Recovery Mode is not available or helps, you can try resetting the pattern lock via Fastboot.This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for users who have previously worked with firmware.
What you need:
- 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
- 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
- 📄 Firmware file for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the phone to the computer.
- Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type: fastboot devices (should display your phone).
- Fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
- Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot
If the pattern lock is left after the reboot, try the full flashing through Fastboot:
fastboot flash all [name file firmware].zip💡
Resetting via Fastboot deletes all user data, but saves the firmware. If the bootloader is locked, this method won't work without first unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Use of service codes (not always working)
On some Xiaomi Redmi models, you can try resetting the pattern lock through service codes. This method does not guarantee success, but it is worth trying if other methods are not available.
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, dial the emergency number (usually 112 or 911).
- In the dial box, enter one of the codes: ##7780### - soft reset (saves media files). *2767*3855# - full reset (deletes everything!). ##3646633## - login to the engineering menu (on some firmwares).
Confirm the action if a request appears.
⚠️ Note: Service codes may not work on the latest versions MIUI (13+) Because of security restrictions, also after you enter the code *2767*3855# The phone will start resetting without additional confirmation!
If none of the codes worked, try a different approach: connect your phone to your computer and use the Mi Flash Tool for full firmware reflashing, an extreme method that requires firmware skills.
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all the self-unblocking attempts failed, you just have to contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.
What will be required:
- 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
- 🆔 Passport or other identification document.
- 🔑 Data from Mi Account if the phone was tied.
The cost of unlocking the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles, depending on the model and complexity of the work, in some cases, you may need to flash or replace the motherboard (if the lock is associated with hardware malfunctions).
✅ Advantages of using the service:
- 🔧 Guaranteed results without risk of damaging the phone.
- 🛡️ Preservation of the guarantee (if it is still valid).
- 📱 Data recovery (in some cases).
❌ Deficiencies:
- ⏳ Long wait (from 1 to 5 days).
- 💰 Additional costs.
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Xiaomi's official service centers can be found on mi.com/global/service. avoid informal workshops - they may use illegal unlocking methods that will damage the phone.