How to delete a password on Xiaomi: official and alternative methods

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-Or bought a used device with a locked screen? The situation is familiar to many — according to statistics, one in five users at least once faced with the need to remove the lock on Redmi devices, POCO Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several ways to unlock, and the community of enthusiasts found workarounds for difficult cases.

In this article, we will look at all the current methods of password deletion, from official (via Mi Account and reset to factory settings) to technical (using ADB, Fastboot and hidden MIUI functions). We will focus on the nuances for different versions of firmware and models, as well as the risks that are important to consider before starting the procedure. If you are looking for a way to bypass the lock without losing data, we have a solution for this.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the login and password from the account that was linked to the phone.
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

To unblock:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If the device was purchased from hand, the previous owner could not untie his account.In this case, after resetting through Mi Account, the phone will require the entry of the old owner’s data – this is a protection against theft, which is officially impossible to circumvent without confirmation from the previous user.

2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If you lose access to your Mi Account and the phone doesn’t have data or it doesn’t matter, a complete reset will help, which works on all models (Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/F3, Mi 11/12, etc.), but has a critical drawback: all data will be erased, including photos, messages and installed apps.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Power + Volume up at the same time (on some models - Power + Volume down).
3. Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu.
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data (or Factory Reset) item.
5. Confirm the action by choosing Yes.
6. Once completed, select Reboot to reboot.

Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged.

Save important data (if you have access)

Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card

Check if the Mi Account is untied from the device (if you bought used)

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⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 12.5+ After the reset, you may receive a request to enter data from the previous Mi Account (even if the phone is new (FRP). To avoid blocking, before selling the phone, be sure to untie the account in the settings: Settings → Mi Account → Get out.

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging over USB (USB Debugging) and there is access to the computer. This is the only way to delete the password without losing data, but it requires preparation:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Debugging should be activated on the phone (if not, the method will not work).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
2. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed – go further.
3. Delete the password file (for MIUI it is gesture.key or password.key): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reset, the password will be reset, but you'll have to reset your fingerprints and face, and if the command doesn't work, try the alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi Flash Tool or enabling Transfer Files (MTP) mode in the phone’s notification curtain.

4.Using Fastboot to bypass lockdown

If USB debugging is disabled but you have access to Fastboot mode, you can try reflashing your phone with the password removed.

• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).
• 💾 Firmware for your model (you can download on the official website of Xiaomi).
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (for Windows).

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip format).
4. Press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
5. Select Clean All and Lock mode (this will delete all data, including password).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot flashing will block the bootloader if it has been unlocked. It will take 7 to 30 days to unlock it again (depending on Xiaomi’s policy), and there is a risk of “bricking” the device if you choose the wrong firmware.

5. Hidden MIUI features for password resetting

MIUI 10-14 firmware has little-known ways of bypassing locks that don’t work on all devices, but can save you in a desperate situation, one of which is an emergency call:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Emergency Call.
2. Enter the combination ##4636## (the test menu will open).
3. Return to the lock screen and try to enter any password – sometimes the system skips further.

Another method is to reset via the recovery menu (works on Redmi 4/5/Note 4):

1. Turn on the phone and wait for the keyboard to enter the password.
2. Enter any password 5 times in a row - a message will appear Forgot the password?.
3. Slip it and select Recover through security questions (if they were set up).

On POCO and the new Redmi, these methods often don't work because of tighter security, leaving only a reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts failed, and the data on the phone is critically important - contact an authorized service center. Xiaomi provides a service of unlocking documents (passport + check or warranty card). The cost varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region.

What will be required:

• 📄 Passport holder (or power of attorney if your phone is not yours).
• 🛒 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 📱 The device itself with a charge of at least 30%.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial services often offer "bypassing the Mi Account" for 1000-3,000 rubles. Be careful: such methods can disrupt the operation of the phone (for example, disable updates). MIUI The only legal way to get around your account is to confirm it from the previous owner through Mi Account.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

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If the phone is bought by hand and requires the data of the previous Mi Account after a reset, the only legal way out is to contact the seller and ask to untie the device via account.xiaomi.com.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi