A situation where the Xiaomi owner cannot get into the system due to a forgotten pattern lock or PIN-It can happen after a long period of downtime, a SIM card change, or a simple forgetfulness. MIUI HyperOS provides several reliable ways to restore access to data.
It is important to understand that most security removal methods entail a complete reset, which means that all photos, contacts, and apps will be deleted if they are not saved to the cloud. However, if you do not remember the unlock code, this is often the only way out.
In this article, we will take a look at all the current methods, from using a Mi Account to hardware reset via the Recovery menu, and learn how to act in different scenarios to return your smartphone to work.
Before you start taking action, it's worth checking the obvious: it's possible that the lock is not caused by a forgotten password, but by a system failure. Try simply restarting the device by holding the power button. Sometimes this helps to reset the temporary interface glitch.
Use the "Forgot Password" function through Mi Account
The most civilized and safe way to unlock Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which only works if the smartphone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and the corresponding button is displayed on the lock screen.
After several failed attempts to enter the code, the screen may appear with the words "Forgot the password" or "Forgot the pattern lock." By clicking on it, the system will prompt you to log in to your Mi Account, which allows you to verify your identity remotely.
- 🔑 Enter the username and password from Mi Account that was activated on the device.
- 📱 Wait for the server to verify the data and confirm the right to reset.
- 🔄 The smartphone will be automatically unlocked or will offer to install a new access code.
If there is no internet on your phone, this method won’t work until you’re connected to the network. Make sure the date and time on the device are set correctly, as sync errors can prevent authorization on Xiaomi servers.
Resetting passwords through Find Device
Find Device is a powerful remote management tool built into Xiaomi’s ecosystem that not only tracks the location of a lost gadget, but also manages its lock.
To use this method, you will need another device (computer or other phone) with Internet access. You must know exactly the username and password from Mi Account, which is activated on the locked smartphone.
Go to i.mi.com and log in. Select your device list. From the control menu, find the Wipe data button, which will force all data from internal memory, including the lock files.
⚠️ Warning: Once you complete the "Erase Data" command, the phone will return to factory settings. All personal files that were not synced to the cloud will be permanently lost.
The deletion process can take a few minutes. The smartphone should stay on and connected to the network. Once the procedure is complete, the device will restart, and you can configure it as new.
Hardware reset via Recovery Mode
If software methods are not available, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level mode built into the firmware of each Android device, and is logged in by a combination of physical buttons, allowing you to bypass the lock screen.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to turn off the phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release power, continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select Wipe All Data.
The system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to enter the word "yes" or selecting the appropriate item, and after confirmation, the formatting process will begin, which can last from 10 seconds to several minutes depending on the memory capacity.
When completed, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first run after reset will be a long one, as the system will reassemble its configuration files.
Unlocking through ADB (for advanced users)
Method of deleting password through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is only suitable for devices where pre-debugging was enabled USB. If you didn’t activate this mode in the Developer Menu before blocking, this method won’t work.
The method is to delete the system file that stores the password hash, so the phone connects to the computer and sends a special request through the command line.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyOr, for PIN-code:
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyOnce the command is executed, the device must be restarted. On some versions of MIUI, the system can ignore the deleted file when downloading and restore protection, so the method is not universal.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods
The choice of how to delete a password depends on the specific situation: access to the Internet, knowledge of the password from the account and the settings previously included. Below is a table that helps to determine the method.
| Method | We need the Internet. | I need a Mi Account. | Data security |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Forgot the password" button | Yes. | Yes. | Data is retained |
| Find Device Service | Yes. | Yes. | Total reset |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No (but after) | Total reset |
| ADB Teams | No. | No. | Data is retained* |
As you can see from the table, the only way to save data without knowing the password is to use the built-in recovery function or ADB (subject to pre-setting).
It's worth noting that the new HyperOS models are getting more secure, and once reset via Recovery, the phone will ask for a password from a previously entered Mi-account (FRP Lock), which is a theft protection that can't be circumvented by simple methods.
⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and it requests the account of the previous owner after the reset, it is officially impossible to unlock it without the participation of the seller.
Reset Protection (FRP) and Google Account
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security is closely linked to Google and Mi Account accounts. After a forced reset, the phone will require the account credentials that were synchronized with the device before being locked when first set up.
This is done so that the attacker who stole the phone can't just dump it and use it as his own, and if you forget the password from both Mi Account and Google, the unlocking process becomes much more complicated.
In this case, the official procedure requires contacting the authorized service center Xiaomi with a check to purchase the device, and documentary proof of ownership is the only legal way to remove the activation lock.