How to remove the password when you sign in Xiaomi Mi 8: all ways to unlock

Xiaomi Mi 8 is still a popular smartphone due to the powerful “iron” and support for fresh firmware MIUI. But what if you forget your screen lock password? Unlike newer models with Face Unlock or a fingerprint, the Mi 8 often requires you to enter PIN-code or pattern lock – and their loss can block access to the device forever.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods to remove the password from Xiaomi Mi 8 – from official (via Mi Account) to technical (via Fastboot and ADB).

If you're not sure what you're doing, don't experiment with Fastboot or firmware. A mistake can turn a smartphone into a brick. For beginners, the safest option is to unlock through Mi Account (if your account is tied).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only method that doesn’t erase data from your phone—but only works if:

• 🔹 The device is linked to your Xiaomi account (you are logged in to Settings) → Accounts).
• 🔹 The phone has Internet access (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔹 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.

If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the locked screen of the Mi 8, click Forgot the password? (bottom of the screen).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter the username (email or phone number) and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

Once you have successfully logged in, the phone will be unlocked and the old password reset, and it's important that if you don't remember the Mi Account data, restore it to account.xiaomi.com before you start.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone isn't connected to the Internet, this won't work. Try connecting to Wi-Fi through the Quick Settings Panel (swipe down on the lock screen).

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the data, you have a hard reset through Recovery, which removes all the data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps, and only use it if there is no important information or a backup.

Instructions for Xiaomi Mi 8:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or → in Chinese firmware).
6. Confirm the action (Confirm).
7. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

The phone will reboot and prompt it to be set up as new, the password will be deleted, but all data will be deleted, too. If after the reset the phone requires you to enter the password from Mi Account, then the Find Device function has been enabled (see section 4).

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔹 Recovery is blocked by password.
• 🔹 You are ready to work with the command line.
• 🔹 The phone's unlocked. OEM Unlock (in Settings) → For developers).

If OEM Unlock is not unlocked, this method will not work – you will need to activate it through settings first (and this requires access to the phone).

Step-by-step:

1. Install ADB and Fastboot on your computer.
2. Turn off the Mi 8 and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue:

fastboot oem unlock

A warning will appear on the phone - confirm the unlock button Volume up.

fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will reset to the factory settings, and the password will be deleted. OEM Unlock, the fastboot oem unlock command will return the error.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware after fastboot oem unlock may require binding to the new Mi Account.

4. Bypass locking through Find Device (if feature is enabled)

If the Mi 8 has Find Device enabled, you can try unlocking it remotely via Xiaomi's website, which works even if the phone is turned off, but:

• 🔹 The device must be linked to the Mi Account.
• 🔹 It should be connected to mobile Internet (Wi-Fi is not suitable).
• 🔹 Accounts should not be blocked for suspicious activity.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your Xiaomi Mi 8.
3. Press Find the device. → Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone connects to the network, the password will reset. Limit: the method does not work on all firmware (starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy).

5. Use of ADB (unlocked debugging only)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable if:

• 🔹 The phone's debugging on. USB (Settings → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔹 You previously connected the Mi 8 to this computer and confirmed your trust.
• 🔹 You have access to Recovery or Fastboot.

If debugging isn’t enabled, this method won’t work – it can only be used for prevention (e.g., to delete a password before you forget it).

Instructions for deleting password:

1. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC and open the command line.
2. Enter:

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 password will be reset, and it is important that newer versions of MIUI (13+) may not work due to a changed lock structure.

💡

If you often forget passwords, turn on the Mi 8 Smart Lock feature (Settings → Screen Lock → Smart Lock) which automatically unlocks the phone in trusted places (such as at home) or when connected to trusted devices (smart watches, Bluetooth headphones).

Comparison of unlocking methods Xiaomi Mi 8

For most users, unlocking through Mi Account or resetting through Recovery is the best option. Methods with Fastboot and ADB require technical skills and don't always work on the latest versions of MIUI.

💡

If the phone requires a password from Mi Account after reset, then the Find Device function was enabled, in which case you can only unlock the device through an official Xiaomi account or by contacting the service center.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If neither of these methods worked, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center – you will need a confirmation of purchase (check or box), in some cases, unlocking is done free of charge under warranty.
2. Fastboot phone flashing with the Mi Flash Tool is an extreme method, as it requires downloading the official firmware and risks “bricking” the device if it makes a mistake.

For flashing:

1. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.

Warning: Unprofessional firmware can lead to loss of IMEI or network problems. If you are not sure, you should contact a specialist.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 8