How to remove a pattern lock from Xiaomi Redmi: from Mi Account to Hard Reset

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi and can't unlock your phone? This is a problem that many users are familiar with: once you type the wrong pattern five times in a row, and the device locks for 30 seconds, a minute, or even requires you to enter a Mi Account account.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove a pattern lock from Redmi – from official methods (via Mi Cloud and Find Device) to radical ones (reset via Recovery or Fastboot). Each option is illustrated with step-by-step instructions, risk warnings, and tips on how to minimize data loss. MIUI and having an associated account.

Why Your Phone Asks for a pattern lock and What to Do in the First 5 Minutes

The graphical key locking on Xiaomi Redmi is a standard Android security feature, and the system requests a pattern in three cases:

• 🔒 After restarting the device (if the option "Block at start-up" is enabled").
• 📱 When you try to unlock the screen after inactivity (timeout lock).
• ⚠️ After 5 incorrect input attempts, the phone is temporarily locked (30 seconds to 24 hours).

If you just locked your phone, don't rush to reset your settings. Try these steps:

1. Wait for a specified time (e.g., "Repeat in 30 seconds") and try to enter the key again.
2. If the key doesn’t fit, check if Incognito mode is turned on (on some firmware it changes the pattern).
3. Try to enter the last used PIN-code or password – sometimes the system accepts them as a backup.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone offers to enter Mi Account data after 5 wrong attempts, but you do not remember them, do not enter random combinations. After 10 unsuccessful attempts, the device may lock for 24 hours or require a mandatory reset.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest way to remove a pattern lock is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📧 The account was tied to the phone before being blocked.
• 🌐 The device has access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Pattern? on English firmware).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter your email/phone and password from your account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

If your phone doesn’t have a password button, try an alternative path:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account.
3. Select the locked device in the Find Device section.
4. Click Unlock the device and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, the Mi Account method will not work, in which case a forced reset will be required (see Method 3 or 4).

Check if your account is linked to your phone | Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi/network | Remember your email and password from Mi Account | Disable VPN (can block access to Xiaomi servers)

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Method 2: Unlocking through ADB (without data loss)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable if the phone is debugging over USB and has access to a computer, and it is one of the few ways to remove the pattern lock without resetting data, but it requires pre-preparedness.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚙️ Included debugging by USB in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — press 7 times).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (you should have the name of your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key reboot
4. After the reboot, the phone will unlock and you will be able to set a new key.

If the su command is not working (no root rights), try the alternative:

adb shell


cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 12/13/14 This method may not work because of the increased protection, so if you have the key left after you reboot, go to the method from Fastboot.

Method 3: Hard Reset via Recovery (full reset)

Hard Reset is a last resort measure that removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps.

• 🔐 You don't remember your Mi Account.
• 📵 Debugging by USB not included.
• 🔧 Other methods didn't work.

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi (relevant for most models: Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10, POCO X3/X4):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For Redmi Note 8/9 Pro: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

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

Reboot

After the reset, the phone will turn on as new. You will need to go through the initial setup and restore the data from the backup (if it was created).

💡

If after Hard Reset the phone asks for an old pattern lock, it is a firmware bug. Try repeating the reset or flashing the device through Fastboot (see Method 4).

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You can work with the command line.
• 📥 You have an official firmware for your Redmi model.
• 🔓 The phone is unlocked for firmware (bootloader unlocked).

Warning: Fastboot missteps can turn your phone into a brick. If you're not sure, call the service center.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
4. Connect the phone to your computer and open the command line in the firmware folder.
5. Enter commands: fastboot devices (should display your device), fastboot flash all (start firmware, will take 5-10 minutes) fastboot reboot

Once the firmware is in place, the phone will be like new, without a pattern lock, and the downside is that all data is deleted and the bootloader needs to be unlocked (if it is locked).

Method 5: Bypassing the pattern lock through Safe Mode (if there is a glitch)

Sometimes the pattern lock is not removed due to a failure in the launcher or the MIUI shell. In this case, Safe Mode (Safe Mode) will help, which disables all third-party applications.

How to log in to Safe Mode:

1. On the lock screen, press the Power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Press the option to turn off (or Power off) and hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Confirm the transition to safe mode (the Safe Mode sign will appear at the bottom of the screen).

In Safe Mode, try it:

• 🔄 Remove newly installed applications (possibly conflicting with the blocking).
• 🔧 Reset the launcher settings: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Launcher → Warehouse → Clear the data.
• 📱 Restart the phone in normal mode and check if the key has disappeared.

⚠️ Warning: Safe Mode does not delete the pattern lock, but only checks whether the third-party software failed. If the key is left, use other methods.

What to do if nothing helps: service center and alternatives

If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center. 📍 Find the nearest center on the Mi Service website. 💰 The cost of unlocking: from 500 before 2000 RUB (depends on the model and the reason for the lock). ⏳ Term: 1-3 Proof of ownership may be required).

• 🌐 Examples: Mi Account Unlock, Xiaomi Tool (look for reviews before paying!).
• ⚠️ Risk: Fraudsters can steal account details or money.
• 🔐 Alternative: Services like DC-Unlocker (requires the purchase of credits).

Before you bring your phone to the service, check:

• 📄 Availability of a check or box (proof of purchase).
• 🔒 Mi Account Status (if linked to phone).
• 📱 Firmware version (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).

💡

If you bought your phone from hand and you tied it to someone else's Mi Account, the service center can't help you without proof of ownership, and then you only have the Fastboot firmware with a full reset.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi