How to find out the password on the Xiaomi phone: proven methods

The situation when the owner of the Xiaomi smartphone forgets the pattern lock, PIN-A code or digital password is common, and it can happen after the infrequent use of a lock screen or because of the installation of a combination that is too complex for security. Owners of Redmi and Poco devices often face a lock that completely blocks access to the system, contacts and photos.

It's important to point out that modern versions of Android and the MIUI or HyperOS shells are built on powerful encryption algorithms, which means that simply "learning" or "seeing" a valid password is technically impossible to bypass security, and no service code or hidden menu will give you a forgotten combination of characters.

The only working solution is to completely reset user data, which removes all files from the internal drive, returning the device to a factory state. Although this seems a radical measure, it ensures that the device is regained control. Below we will discuss in detail all available methods and nuances that must be considered before starting the procedure.

Using a Mi Account to Unblock

The most civilized and safe way to restore access to the device is to use the cloud service Mi Account. If your smartphone was signed in to Xiaomi account and enabled the function “Find the device”, you can remove the lock screen remotely, this will require another gadget or computer with Internet access.

You have to go to the official website of the company's cloud service, and by entering your credentials, you have access to the management of the associated devices, and the system will offer several options, among which we are interested in the function of resetting the locking password, and after successfully completing the command, the smartphone will unlock, but the data will remain in place if the device is on the network.

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The remote unlock function only works if the smartphone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the device is offline, the command will be executed automatically when the Internet first appears.

It’s worth noting that this method isn’t effective on all firmware versions; new security updates have tightened privacy policies, and remote password resets are now often equated with full Wipe Data resets, but it’s a first step worth taking, as it avoids losing photos and documents in some scenarios.

• 📱 Go to i.mi.com from any available device.
• 🔑 Sign in with the same Mi Account as on a locked phone.
• 📍 Select your device in the list of available gadgets.
• 🔄 Click the “Unblock” or “Erase Data” button depending on the version MIUI.

Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If you cannot access your account or if Find Device has not been activated, the only option is Hard Reset, which is done through the Recovery Mode recovery menu, which is embedded in the phone’s memory regardless of operating system status, and is logged in by a combination of physical buttons when the device is off.

To enter, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu will appear on the screen, which is controlled by the volume button, and the choice by the power button.

In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data and then Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation of the action, as this process is irreversible. Once the reset is complete, the phone will restart and start as new. You will need to reset the original setting and enter the password from the Wi-Fi network.

⚠️ Note: After resetting through Recovery, Google protection will work FRP (Factory Reset Protection: To activate your phone, you’ll need to enter a Google account that was synced to the device before locking, and without that data, your phone will become a brick».

Unlocking through ADB command (for advanced)

There is a method that allows you to delete a lock key file without losing data completely, but it only works when a number of strict conditions are met: first, the phone must have USB debugging enabled. Second, the computer must have authorization to work with that particular device. If these conditions were not met in advance, the method will not work.

The essence of the method is to connect the smartphone to the PC and use the Android Debug Bridge toolkit. A special script is sent through the command line that deletes the gesture.key or password. After rebooting, the system does not find the file with the key and allows you to log in without a password. This method is relevant for older versions of Android (up to 6.0 inclusive) and some specific MIUI builds.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

On modern versions of HyperOS and new security patches, this method is almost useless because of changes in the structure of the access rights to system folders. However, if you have an old Redmi Note or Mi with Android 7-9 version, it is worth trying. This is the only chance to save data without using cloud backups.

• 💻 Install the drivers. ADB computer.
• 🔌 Connect your phone with a cable to your PC.
• ⌨️ Enter a command to delete the key file in the terminal.
• 🔄 Reboot the device with the adb reboot command.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

The choice of the appropriate method depends on the specific situation, the software version and the availability of preliminary training. Understanding the differences between methods will help to avoid unnecessary actions and waste of time.

As you can see from the table, Hard Reset is the most versatile, but also the most painful method. It works always, regardless of settings, but requires subsequent data recovery from the backup. The method through the Mi Account is preferred, because it gives you the chance to save information, but requires pre-configuration.

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If none of the software methods helped, perhaps the problem lies in the hardware malfunction of the buttons or touchscreen, which requires contacting the service.

FRP protection and Google account

The FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security system is a mechanism developed by Google to protect against theft, where if you reset through Recovery, the first time you download the phone, you will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the device before, so that an attacker who stole the phone can't just reset it and use it as a new one.

Many users forget not only the screen password, but also the data from the Gmail mail. In this case, the device is locked at the server level. It is almost impossible to circumvent this protection in legal ways. There are paid services and tools to bypass FRP, but their use carries risks from infecting the computer with viruses to completely locking the device on IMEI.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party software to bypass FRP It can be regarded by the manufacturer as an attempt to hack, which will lead to the blocking of Mi services at the hardware level.

If you remember your login but have forgotten your Google password, the recovery process will take time.You will have to use the procedure of restoring access through a trusted phone number or backup email. Only after successfully changing your password and waiting (sometimes up to 24 hours) will you be able to activate your Xiaomi.

Preventing blocking in the future

To prevent a forgotten password from happening again, it is important to set up your security system in advance. Modern biometrics (fingerprint scanner, face unlock) make life much easier, but a digital password is still needed as a backup method.

Check sync status regularly with Mi Cloud and Google Drive. Make sure your contacts, photos and notes are saved in the cloud. In case of an emergency reset, you can recover all important information in minutes after you enter your account. PIN-code or draw a pattern lock on paper and store it in a safe place.

Don't set too simple passwords like "1234" or "0000," but don't make them too complicated if you tend to forget them. The best option is a 6-digit combination that is easy to replicate with muscle memory.

• 🔐 Enable contact and photo sync in the cloud.
• 📝 Write down the backup unlock code to a safe place.
• 👆 Set up biometric unlock for quick access.
• 🔄 Check your Mi and Google account regularly.