How to delete passwords on Xiaomi devices: the complete guide

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can’t unlock your phone or TV? This is a familiar situation for many users — especially after a long break in use of the device or after buying used equipment. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and informal password reset methods that work on most models of Redmi, POCO, Mi and Xiaomi TV.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of password removal, from standard reset via Mi Account to advanced solutions using ADB and Fastboot. Importantly, some methods lead to complete data cleansing, so try the methods first without losing information. If you are the owner of the Xiaomi 11T Pro, Redmi Note 12 or newer model, pay attention to the section on unlocking through EDL - this is the only working option for devices with a locked bootloader.

Warning: Attempts to bypass security may result in IMEI blocking or anti-rollback activation on some firmware, and if the device is linked to a previous owner’s account (Mi Cloud Lock), additional steps will be required, which we will also consider.

1. Standard password reset via Mi Account (without data loss)

The safest way to do this is to use the "Forgot Password?" feature on the lock screen, which works if:

• 🔹 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔹 You remember the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone
• 🔹 Find Device is not activated on the device (remote lock)

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or email (the code will come to the linked number / mail).
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

💡

If the "Forgot Password?" button is not active, check your Internet connection. Some MIUI 14+ firmware requires you to manually switch to mobile data even if Wi-Fi is connected.

⚠️ Note: If the device was purchased from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to contact the previous owner to unblock the account or use methods from the unlock section through the user's account. EDL.

2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (complete data cleanup)

If you don't remember the Mi Account data or the device isn't connected to the network, the only official way is to hard reset via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data including photos, apps and settings, but is guaranteed to unlock the device.

Suitable for:

• 📱 All smartphones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (Except for models with a locked loader)
• 📺 Xiaomi TVs TV (series A, S, P, E)
• 🖥️ Xiaomi Pad tablets

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press the button combination: For smartphones: Volume up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds) For TVs: Menu + Volume down on the remote + Power button on the case

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Reboot

Turn off the device

Check the battery power (minimum 30%)

Prepare a button combination for your model

Make sure there is no important data (all will be deleted)

-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ and a blocked bootloader after reset may be asked to enter a password from Mi Account. If you do not know the data of the previous owner, you will need to unlock through the EDL (see section 5).

3. Unlock the pattern lock via ADB (without data loss)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the password from Mi Account, you can try to delete the key file through ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method only works when debugging is enabled. USB lock-in.

Conditions required:

• 🔧 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Additional settings → For developers → Debugging by USB)
• 💻 A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or high quality)

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Check the device connection: Adb devices should show your Xiaomi serial number.
3. Delete the pattern lock file: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot the device: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the pattern lock will reset and you can install a new one. If the command doesn't work, try an alternative method:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




reboot

4. Delete password via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

If you have a bootloader unlocked, you can reset your password through Fastboot without completely clearing the data, a method that is suitable for power users and requires a PC.

Supported models:

• 📱 Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO loader-free
• 🚫 Does not work on devices with MIUI 14+ and locked bootloader

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears. Connect the device to your PC.

fastboot devices

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot erase all

fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13/14 and enabled File-Based Encryption, the fastboot erase userdata command can lead to an unbootable state, in which case you will need a complete flashing through Fastboot or EDL.

Reset via Recovery

Mi Account on the lock screen

ADB

Fastboot

None of the above.-->

5. Unlock via EDL (for locked bootloader)

If previous methods have not worked, and the device has a locked bootloader and is tied to someone else’s Mi Account, the only way out is to unlock through the device. EDL-Emergency Download Mode: This method requires special equipment (EDL-cable or Deep Flash Cable and firmware knowledge.

Suitable for:

• 🔒 Devices with Mi Cloud Lock (linked to someone else's account)
• 📱 Xiaomi models 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/F5 bootloader
• 📺 Xiaomi TVs TV lock-in

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot ROM firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website or the XDA Developers forum.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Connect the device to the PC in mode EDL: For smartphones: use EDL-cable or close the Test Point contacts on the board (disassembly required). For TVs: connect via USB-A port on the back, holding the Menu button on the remote.

Mi Flash Tool

Refresh

COM:XX (EDL)

Clean All

Flash

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking through EDL It may lead to a blockage. IMEI on some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50). Before the procedure, check if your device supports authorization. EDL (forum-wise XDA or 4PDA Lists of compatible models).

💡

Unlocking through EDL is the only way to bypass the Mi Cloud Lock, but requires special equipment and risks "bricking" the device if you make a mistake.

6. Alternative methods (for experienced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can try advanced solutions, which require technical knowledge and don't guarantee 100% results.

Ways for experienced users:

• 🔧 Flip-through TWRP: Install custom recovery (TWRP) and manually delete password files (/data/system/locksettings.db). It only works on devices with unlocked bootloader.
• 🖥️ Use of exploit: For some models (Redmi) 9, POCO X3) There are vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass the lock without resetting. CVE-2022-20427.
• 📡 Passage OTG: On some firmware, you can connect the mouse through OTG-cable and blindly unlock the device (if known gesture pattern).
• 🔑 Service codes: For Xiaomi TVs TV Sometimes resets through the engineering menu (code # #3646633## on the remote control).

Example of commands to delete passwords via TWRP:

adb shell


su




cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update secure set value='0' where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update secure set value='0' where name='lockscreen.password_type';




.quit




reboot

⚠️ Note: Using exploits may disrupt work MIUI For example, after using DirtyCOW on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, some users reported blocking their account for “suspicious activity".

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📄 Provide a check or confirmation of purchase (if the device is warranty). 🔐 If the phone is linked to someone else’s account, you may need a certificate from the previous owner.
2. Buy an official unlock code: 💰 On sites like UnlockJunky or Official Unlock, you can order an unlock code for the user. $10-$50. 🔍 Check reviews before paying – lots of fraudulent services.

The cost of unlocking in service centers:

If you decide to contact the service, specify in advance:

• 🔹 Will the data be saved after unlocking?
• 🔹 Do you have a job guarantee (some centers remove responsibility for loss) IMEI).
• 🔹 Does it work with your model (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra requires special hardware).

FAQ: Frequent questions about password removal on Xiaomi