Why Redmi Smartphones Need Passwords and Can You Delete Them Safely?
A forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi is one of the most common problems among smartphone owners of the brand. According to service center statistics, one in five people ask to unlock a device after unsuccessful attempts to enter code. The reasons range from banal forgetfulness to buying a used phone with an already set password. But it is important to understand that unlocking is not always a simple procedure, especially when it comes to models with MIUI 12+ and activated Mi Account binding.
In this article, we will look at all the current ways to delete a password – from official (via Xiaomi account) to technical (using Fastboot and other tools). ADB). We will pay special attention to the nuances that are often overlooked in standard instructions, for example, why you may need to enter an old password after reset via Recovery, or how to bypass the lock if the phone is not connected to the Internet. 10/11/12, Which are the best models like Redmi? 4X or Redmi 5 Plus.
Before you start unlocking, remember that any way you unblock a password, other than entering the correct code, causes data to be lost on your device, even in Mi Account methods if your phone is not synced to the cloud, except for ADB unlocking when you debug it, but that is unlikely if you forget your password.
Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)
The most legal and recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 You have access to email/phone number associated with the account.
- 🔄 The device is synchronized with MI Cloud (checked in account settings).
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password on English firmware).
- Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the device.
- Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
- Follow the instructions of the system for resetting the password.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, MIUI Global for Redmi Note 8 Pro) may need to enter old password after reset PIN-code SIM-Cards are a standard security measure.
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If you bought the phone with your hands, try contacting the previous owner and asking them to remove the device from their Mi Account via the web version of MI Cloud.This will save you from activation issues after a reset.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)
If Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, it’s hard to reset through Restore mode, which works on all Redmi models, but has a critical drawback: it will delete all data, including photos, contacts and apps.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone by pressing the power button.
- Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
- Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some Factory Reset firmware).
- Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
- Select Reboot to reboot.
⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13+ (For example, Redmi Note 11 Pro, after reset, you may be asked to enter a password from Mi Account if the device was linked to an account, which is a measure against theft, and it is almost impossible to get around it without data from the previous owner.
Turn off your Google Account (if you remember your password)|Make a backup copy of important data|Charge your phone at least 50%|Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->
| Model Redmi | Combination for entering Recovery | Do I need a Mi Account password after resetting? |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 10/11/12 | Volume up + Nutrition | Yes, if the account was tied. |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Volume up + Nutrition | No (on most firmware) |
| Redmi 8/8A | Volume up + Nutrition | Depends on the MIUI version. |
| Redmi 7/7A | Volume up + Power + Home (if there is a button) | No. |
Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The method via Fastboot is suitable if:
- 🔧 You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed.
- 🔌 The phone is determined in Fastboot Mode (checked by the team of fastboot devices).
- 📥 You are ready to download the official firmware for your model.
Algorithm of action:
- Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
- Connect the device to the PC and check its detection by the command: fastboot devices
- Download the firmware for your model from MIUI Download (select the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for macOS/Linux).
⚠️ Warning: This method completely reflashes the device, which can lead to loss IMEI or problems with the communication module on some models (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro with Snapdragon processor) 720G). Before you download the correct version, make sure you download the correct version. MIUI for your region!
What to do if IMEI is missing after the firmware?
Method 4: Use ADB (if debugging is enabled)
This is the rarest but most gentle scenario – it allows you to delete a password without losing data, but only if:
- 🔧 The phone had previously been turned on USB.
- 🖥️ The computer you connect to is already authorized (confirmed) RSA-key).
- 📶 The phone is connected to the PC at the time of locking.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
- Check the connection: Adb devices
- Delete the password file: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
- Reboot the device: adb reboot
⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14 and later, this method may not work due to the changed structure of the password storage. PIN-code SIM-cards are normal.
Reset via Recovery|Mi Account|Fastboot|ADB|None of the above.-->
Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center
If all of the above methods fail, the official service remains, and this is relevant for:
- 📦 Phones with a lock on Mi Account, if you are not the owner.
- 🔒 Devices with damaged firmware after unsuccessful manipulations.
- 📱 Models that fail to log into Recovery or Fastboot.
What will be required:
- 📄 Check or box IMEI (proof).
- 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
- 💳 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3000 rubles depending on the model).
Xiaomi service centers in Russia and CIS usually cope with the unlock in 1-3 days, however, be prepared for the fact that:
- 🔄 The data on the phone will be erased.
- 📱 The device will be updated to the latest version MIUI.
- 🔑 If the phone is blacklisted (stolen), unlocking will not be possible.
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The official service is the only legal way to unlock MI-linked phones, unless you're the owner. Self-committed bypassing can result in a complete loss of functionality.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to remove a password on Redmi, users often face typical problems:
- Phone is not included in Recovery: Check the button combination for your model (see table above).Some devices (like Redmi K40) require holding the buttons until the vibration, rather than until the logo appears.
- After reset, asks for an old password: This means that the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature has been activated on the phone. The solution is to enter data from the last Google account used.
- Fastboot doesn’t see the device: Install the Mi Flash Tool drivers and check the cable (better use the original one).
- Fastboot firmware ends in a mistake: Download firmware for the right region (e.g. Global for Redmi Note 10 Global). China firmware on a global model can cause problems with Google's language and services.
⚠️ Warning: If you see an Anti Rollback error when running through Fastboot, it means you’re trying to install an older version. MIUI, It's more than the one on the phone, and you need to flash the latest version of the phone or go to the service.