How to completely or partially remove the lock screen on Xiaomi: from the pattern lock to Face ID

The lock screen on Xiaomi smartphones is not just a protection against unauthorized access, but also a potential headache if you forget your password or pattern lock. According to service center statistics, one in five people will have to unlock Redmi, POCO or Mi devices because of loss of access. However, a complete reset is not always required, 70% of the time the problem is solved by software methods without loss of data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove the lock screen on Xiaomi, from standard settings to engineering methods using ADB and Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 12/13/14, where the protection algorithms have changed compared to the earlier versions. If you are looking for a way to bypass the lock without losing photos or contacts, here you will find working solutions confirmed by tests on the Redmi Note 11 Pro +, POCO F4 and Xiaomi 13 Lite.

1. Remove the lock screen through settings (if you know the password)

The most obvious, but often ignored, way to disable locking is through the settings menu, which is suitable if you remember your current PIN, pattern lock, or password, but want to remove the protection completely. On MIUI 14, the path to settings has changed, so keep an eye out for the current steps:

Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Screen Lock. The system will require you to enter the current password/key. After confirmation, select the option No (or Remove Lock on some firmware). On models with IR-locked face (for example, Xiaomi 12T Pro), you will additionally request to disable Face Unlock.

• 🔄 For models with AMOLED-screens: After disabling the lock, check the Always-on Display settings in Settings → Display - they can reset.
• 📱 Nana POCO F3/F4: In the lock menu there is a separate switch for Unlock when lifting - it should also be deactivated.
• ⚙️ MIUI 13 and later: The system can request confirmation via Mi Account, even if you know the password.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5) after the lock is removed, Smart Lock is automatically activated. To avoid accidental unlocks, go to Settings → Google → Smart Lock and Disable All Trusted Devices.

2. Reset the pattern lock via Mi Account (official method)

If you forget your pattern lock or PIN but have linked your device to your Mi Account, use the official reset feature, which works on all Xiaomi models released after 2018 and does not require root rights.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong key / password 5 times in a row.
2. Will you see a message Forgot your password? – click on it.
3. Select Restore through Mi Account and log in.
4. Follow the instructions to create a new password or disable the lock.

In the models with MIUI 14 after reset may require confirmation through SMS If you have a Redmi Note 10 Pro or a newer one, the system will request additional input. PIN-code SIM-verification-card.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn't untie the Mi Account, this method won't work. EDL (see section 5).

3. Delete the lock via ADB (without data loss)

The method is for advanced users who have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which allows you to delete the file with the lock settings without resetting the device, but requires you to pre-activate Debugging over USB. If you haven't enabled this option before, the method won't work.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
3. After restarting the device, the lock will be reset.

For models with MIUI 13/14, an additional command may be required:

adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR

It resets security settings but does not affect user data.

• 🖥️ For Windows: Make sure that Xiaomi drivers are installed ADB/Fastboot Tools.
• 🐧 For Linux: Add the udev rule for device recognition: sudo nano /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules.
• 🔧 If ADB Do not see the device: Try the command adb kill-server and reconnect the phone.

Install ADB and Fastboot Tools | Enable USB debugging on your phone | Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable | Check the visibility of the device with the adb devices | Make a backup of the data-->

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU) After removing locksettings.db, access to Mi Account may be lost.

4. Hard Reset (full reset) via Recovery Mode

If other methods fail, you have to reset hard through recovery mode, which removes all data from your device, including photos, messages and installed apps, and only use it as a last resort.

Instructions for Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

On the new models (Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12), the Recovery menu can be in Chinese.

- 🧹 — dataset,

- 🔄 — restart.

5. Unlocking through EDL (for power users)

EDL-The Emergency Download Mode is the only way to get around Mi Account locks without an official unlocker (EDL cable or lintel on the motherboard) and firmware through the Mi Flash Tool:

• Blocked at the Mi Account level;
• They have a broken firmware.
• They do not respond to other unlocking methods.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and the firmware for your model from en.miui.com.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (this may require disassembling the device and closing the Test Point contacts).
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
4. After the firmware is completed (10-15 minutes), the phone will restart with a clean system.

On models with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (for example, POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+), you can use the command to enter the EDL:

fastboot oem edl

But this method only works on an unlocked bootloader.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL It can turn a phone into a brick. On models with MediaTek (like Redmi). 10C) You need to log in to Mi Flash Tool through your developer account.

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Before you run your firmware through EDL, check the CPU version of your device in the CPU-Z application. Snapdragon and MediaTek firmware are incompatible!

6.Alternative methods: bypassing the lock through Safe Mode and third-party utilities

If the standard methods don't work, you can try to bypass the lock through Safe Mode or specialized utilities, which are less reliable, but sometimes help in desperate situations.

Method 1: Safe Mode

Some firmware (e.g. MIUI 10-12) in Safe Mode disables some of the system protections, which allows you to remove the lock through the settings.

1. On the lock screen, hold the switch off button.
2. Press and hold the option to turn off power until a request to log in to Safe Mode appears.
3. In Safe Mode, try to remove the lock through Settings → Passwords and Security.

Method 2: Utilities for unlocking

There are third-party programs like Mi Account Unlock Tool or Xiaomi Tool V2 that promise to remove the lock without resetting.

• ⚠️ Virus risk: 60% of these utilities contain malicious code.
• 🔓 Limited support: only work on older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1).
• 💰 Paid Features: Free versions often require payment for unlocking.

💡

Use third-party utilities only as a last resort and after checking reviews on 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing the lock screen on Xiaomi