How to unlock Xiaomi if you forgot your password: 6 proven ways (2026)

Why Xiaomi is blocked and what to do

Forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation faced by one in five smartphone users of the brand. According to statistics of service centers, 68% of the requests for blocking are associated with spontaneous activation of protection after an update. MIUI shift SIM-Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires a mandatory iTunes connection, Xiaomi devices offer several alternative ways, from recovering through a Mi Account to low-level commands through a mobile phone. ADB.

The main problem is that most methods require pre-preparedness: USB debugging enabled, a tied account or backup. If you have never set these settings up, the chances of unlocking without losing data are reduced to 30%. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods for the 2019-2026 models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T), and explain why some “people’s” methods (like calling a locked phone) stopped working after the MIUI 14 update.

Before you start the instructions, answer the key question: do you need to save data or just unlock your phone? This depends on the choice of method. If the device does not have important files, the fastest way is to reset via Recovery Mode (it takes 5-10 minutes), if you want to save photos, contacts or messages, you will have to use more complex schemes with Fastboot or contact the service center.

Method 1: Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only way that Xiaomi considers legitimate and does not result in a loss of warranty.

• 📱 The phone is linked to your Mi Account (you have logged in at least once).
• 🌐 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember your email and password (or you can restore them).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the Restore option via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email and password from your linked account, and if you don't remember the data, go to account.xiaomi.com and restore access.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (depending on your account security settings).
5. Set a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his account, this method will not work.In such cases, Xiaomi requires the provision of a purchase check to unlock through support. Without a document, the device can only be unlocked through a full reset (see Method 3).

💡

If you have two-factor authentication enabled in Mi Account, prepare backup codes or access to a Google Authenticator (Authenticator, Authy) in advance. Without them, it will be extremely difficult to restore access to your account.

Method 2: Unlocking through ADB (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging by USB (USB Debugging) and there's access to a computer.It's the only way to get around the lock without losing data, but it requires technical skills.It works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 10, POCO F4 Xiaomi 12 Pro.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Installed Xiaomi drivers and tool ADB (You can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

If the device appears in the list, do:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

After the reboot, the phone will unlock, but you may need to set a new password.

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It's not going to work, and it's not going to work, and it's useless to try to activate it on a locked phone, because Xiaomi blocks that setting from changing without unlocking it.

Method 3: Recovery Mode (complete data cleanup)

It is the most reliable, but also the most radical method: it removes all data from the phone, including photos, apps and settings, suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the old (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and new (Xiaomi 14, POCO X6 Pro).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
6. Select Reboot to reboot.

After resetting, the phone will be like new – you will need to reconfigure it, including the binding of the Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, POCO F5) After the reset, you may need to enter data from your previous Mi Account (protection) FRP). If the phone was bought with hands, it will be impossible to unlock it without the help of the previous owner.

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for tech-savvy)

This method is more complicated than ADB, but it works even if the USB debugging has been disabled. It will require an unlocked bootloader, which automatically resets all data. It is suitable for models with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (most Xiaomi and POCO).

What needs to be done:

1. Install Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Load the phone into Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Power + Volume down.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
4. Sign in to your Mi Account (should match the one tied to your phone).
5. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader.
6. After unlocking, run your phone through Fastboot using the command:

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img


fastboot erase frp




fastboot reboot

Important: Unlocking the bootloader erases all data and can result in some features being blocked (like Widevine L1 for watching Netflix in HD).

Method 5: Bypassing the lock through the Xiaomi service center

If independent methods did not help, you need to contact an authorized service center.

• 🔒 Phone bought from hands and tied to someone else's Mi Account.
• 📱 The device emits an error "This device is locked" after resetting.
• 🛠️ We need to save the data, but debugging USB switched off.

What will be required to unlock:

• Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• Passport of the owner (to confirm the purchase).
• Data from Mi Account if the phone is tied.

The cost of the service in official Xiaomi services varies from 1,500 to 5 000 rubles, depending on the model and complexity. The average unlock period is 1-3 days. Informal services can offer "bypass FRP" cheaper (500-1,500 rubles), but this is fraught with:

• 🚨 Loss of guarantee.
• 🔄 Possible re-block after update.
• 📵 Risk of firmware damage.

💡

The official service is the only legal way to unlock Xiaomi without losing data if its own methods don’t work. Unofficial “masters” often exploit vulnerabilities in the firmware that Xiaomi closes in new updates.

Method 6: Alternative methods (with limited effectiveness)

There are dozens of “secret” ways to unlock online, but most of them are either outdated or only work on older versions of MIUI.

1. Unlock by Call (only for MIUI 10 and older)

• Call the locked phone from another device.
• Take the call and quickly go to the settings (sometimes the lock menu disappears).
• Turn off the password in Settings → Lock the screen.

❌ Not working. MIUI 12/13/14 due to vulnerability correction.

2.Use of Safe Mode mode

• Press the power button before the off menu appears.
• Slip and hold off until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
• In Safe Mode, try to remove an app that may have blocked the screen (such as a third-party locker).

⚠️ It only works if the lock is caused by third-party software, not a system password.

3. Reset via Find My Device (for devices with Google services)

• Go to the Find My Device website.
• Select a locked phone and click Erase Data.
• Confirm the action - the phone will be reset to factory settings.

❌ Does not work on phones without Google services (for example, on Chinese firmware).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware failure (e.g., damaged eMMC memory), in which case only repairs at the service center will help.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions