Forgotten. PIN-Is the code or pattern lock on Xiaomi and can't unlock the phone? this problem is familiar to many Redmi users, POCO Or Mi, especially after a long break in use, and fortunately, there are several official and alternative methods to remove a digital password without going to the service center. MIUI 14/15 Android 13/14, including options with and without data retention.
It's important to understand that the manufacturer deliberately complicates the process of bypassing the lock, which is a security measure against data theft. However, if the phone belongs to you and the password is lost, legal unlocking methods do exist. We'll look at both standard solutions (via Mi Account) and advanced ones (using ADB or Fastboot mode).
1. Unblock through Xiaomi account (official way)
The most reliable and recommended method by the manufacturer is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, if you previously:
- 🔹 Log into a phone account.
- 🔹 Connected the device to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
- 🔹 Do not turn off the function "Find the device" in the settings
To unblock:
- On the lock screen, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
- Select Sign in via Mi Account and enter the linked email/phone.
- Confirm the login via SMS or password from the account.
- Follow the system instructions to create a new password.
⚠️ Note: If your phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work. Also make sure you have access to the email or phone number associated with your account. If you lose access to your account, restore it through the official Xiaomi website.
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If the screen does not have a button "Forgot password?", try to enter the wrong PIN 5 times in a row - the system will offer alternative ways to unlock.
2. Reset password through recovery mode (Recovery Mode)
If your Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, the next way is hard reset via Recovery Mode, which removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but is guaranteed to remove the lock. Suitable for Xiaomi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F4/F5 and others.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press the Power Button + Volume combination upwards for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
- After completion, restart the device (Reboot).
| Model phone | Combination for entering Recovery | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13/13 Pro, 12T | Food + Volume up | Some firmware requires confirmation through Mi Account even after a reset. |
| Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 | Food + Volume up | If it doesn’t work, try connecting the charger before entering Recovery. |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite, Redmi 10 | Food + Volume up | Older models may require language selection from the Recovery menu. |
⚠️ Note: New Xiaomi models (released after 2022) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously linked to the device after being reset via Recovery.This is an anti-theft measure called the Mi Account. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
3.Use ADB to delete password (without data loss)
A method for advanced users that allows you to remove a password without resetting data, if the phone is enabled debugging USB (USB Debugging. Suitable for MIUI 14/15 You'll need a computer with drivers installed. ADB and Fastboot.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
- Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
- Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
- Delete password files (not working on all firmware): 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 your phone: adb reboot
⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (14+) This method may not work due to the increased protection, and after the reboot, you may experience an error "There was an error when you started Android" - in which case you will need to reset via Recovery.
Install the drivers ADB PC-only|Enable debugging on USB on the phone (if you have access)|Connect the original USB-cable|Check the visibility of the device by the team `adb devices`-->
4. Unlock via Fastboot (for tech-savvy)
If USB debugging is disabled but you have access to Fastboot mode, you can try reflashing the password section, which requires command line knowledge and is suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader.
Algorithm of action:
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
- Connect your device to your PC and check its visibility: fastboot devices
- Download stock firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Unpack the firmware and find the file persist.img (responsible for lock settings).
- The command section: fastboot flash persist persist.img
- Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot
⚠️ Note: Failure to do so in Fastboot can lead to a phone break. If you are unsure of your skills, contact the service center. Also note that on new Xiaomi models, unlocking the bootloader requires waiting 7-14 days after you link your account.
What to do if the phone is blocked?
Password bypass through service codes (for older models)
Xiaomi phones before 2019 (e.g. Redmi 4/5, Mi A1/A2) sometimes triggered service codes to reset locks. Today, this method works extremely rarely, but you can try:
- 📞 Dial on the dial keyboard: ##7780## - Reset settings (saves media files).
- 📞 Or: *2767*3855# — Full reset (removes everything, including password).
If the codes don't work, the phone will send a message, "Team is not supported." On modern devices (MIUI 12+), this method is blocked by the manufacturer.
6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods did not work, the official way remains to contact an authorized service center Xiaomi.
- 🔧 Phones with a blocked Mi Account (purchase confirmation required).
- 🔧 Devices after a failed firmware (Fastboot or Recovery).
- 🔧 Models with hardware breakdown (for example, the screen is not working, but the phone is locked).
The cost of unlocking the service varies from 500 to 3000 rubles depending on the complexity. In some cases, you may need to provide a check or a box from your phone to confirm ownership.
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Service center is the only legal way to unlock if the phone is tied to someone else’s Mi Account (for example, after buying from hand).