How to remove desktop protection on Xiaomi phone: all ways to unlock

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can not unlock your phone? Or bought a used device with someone else's pattern lock? The situation is familiar to many - the lock screen turns into an insurmountable barrier if you do not know how to properly remove protection. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from simple (via Mi Account) to radical (complete reset via Fastboot).

It is important to understand that the method of unlocking depends on the version of the MIUI, the phone model and the type of protection (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint). For example, on new models with a MIUI 14+ and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the method may not work through ADB, which was successfully used on the old Redmi Note 5. We took these nuances into account and collected only working solutions for 2026.

We warn you in advance: some methods lead to data loss (photos, contacts, messages). If the phone is synchronized with Mi Cloud, some information can be restored after unlocking. But it is better to assess the risks in advance - you may need to contact the Xiaomi service center if the phone stores critical data.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method that works on most Xiaomi models is if the phone is tied to a Mi Account. PIN-code or pattern lock, but remember the data from the account. The method does not require resetting and stores all the data on the device.

How it works: MIUI allows you to reset screen protection through account verification, the main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network). If there is no Internet, try connecting to the access point from another device.

• 🔹 Enter the wrong password/key 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot the password?” or “Unlock via Mi Account” appears".
• 📱 Click on the link and enter email/A phone linked to a Mi Account.
• 🔑 Confirm the entrance through SMS account-password.
• 📲 After successful authorization, the system will offer to create a new PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone (2FA), You may need to confirm it through the Mi Security app on another device, and you won't be able to unlock it through your Mi Account without access.

💡

If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number provided during registration.

2. reset the pattern lock via ADB (without loss of data)

The method is suitable for devices with enabled debugging USB (USB If you have previously activated this mode in the developer settings, you can delete the key file through the ADB It's completely reset. MIUI 12-14, but may not be supported on new HyperOS models.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 30% (to avoid shutdown during the process).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Check the connection of the device command: Adb devices should appear serial number phone.
3. Enter the command to delete the key file: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key For PIN-Use the following code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the screen protection will be reset, and if the method does not work, then your Xiaomi model uses a different key storage mechanism (for example, in /data/system/locksettings.db).

3. Unlock through Recovery Mode (with data loss)

If previous methods didn’t work, you can use Recovery mode to reset your phone to factory settings, which removes all data from the device, including photos, apps and settings, but is guaranteed to remove any screen protection, suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F5 and the new Redmi Note 12: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Recovery

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

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

Reboot

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) may require a reset via Recovery, if previously associated with Mi Account, this is Factory Reset Protection!

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

It works if the phone doesn’t boot or other methods don’t work, and requires an unlocked bootloader — if it’s locked, you’ll have to unlock it first through the official Mi Unlock Tool (a process that takes up to 72 hours).

The advantage of this method is that you can flash clean firmware without screen protection, and the disadvantage is that all data is deleted, and there is a risk of bricking the device if you do not do it correctly.

What you need:

• 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download from the official website or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is locked): fastboot oem unlock On the phone, confirm unlock.
4. Firmware (example for Redmi Note 10): fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash recovery.img fastboot flash system system.img fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot

💡

Unlocking through Fastboot is the most reliable way, but it requires technical skills. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If you don't succeed, you have to go to the official service center, which is a paid service, but it guarantees the safety of the device and unlock without the risk of damage, and the cost depends on the model and the region:

• 💰 Xiaomi/Redmi budget-line: 1 000–2 500 ₽.
• 💰 Flagship models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, MIX Fold 3): 3 000–5 000 ₽.
• 📄 A document confirming possession (checks, box, warranty card) will be required).

How to find a service center:

1. Go to the Xiaomi Service Locator website.
2. Choose a country and a city.
3. Check the reviews about the center (some unofficial services may refuse to unlock without documents).

⚠️ Attention: In informal services can offer "bypass" protection through firmware with substitution IMEI. This is illegal and leads to loss of warranty and possible network problems.

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods didn't work, you can try lesser-known solutions, which are suitable for rare situations, for example, when the phone is locked after a failed update or because of a MIUI malfunction.

6.1 Unlocking through Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

On some models (Redmi 9, POCO X3) you can boot into Safe Mode and turn off screen protection through settings.

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on “Switch off” until you are prompted to switch to Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Lock the screen and remove protection.

6.2 Use of the Mi Flash Unlock tool

Xiaomi's official tool for unlocking the bootloader, but it can also be adapted to reset screen protection, and can be downloaded from the official website, which takes up to 3 days to verify your account.

Download and install Mi Flash Unlock|Sign in to Mi Account on PC|Connect your phone to Fastboot mode|Confirm the unlocking through SMS|Wait for the process to be completed (up to 72 hours)-->

6.3. bypass EDL-The mode (only for experienced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to restore your phone even when there are serious crashes. EDL On the phone off, press it:

Volume up + Volume down + Nutrition

Then you can flash clean firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, and it's a risky method, because if you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a brick.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi