Forgot the password from Xiaomi smartphone and can not unlock the screen? This situation is familiar to many — especially if the device was lying idle for a long time or the password was entered automatically by fingerprint. Fortunately, there are several official and informal ways to return access to the phone without losing data (or with minimal losses). In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking, including recovery through Mi Account, resetting to factory settings, using ADB and even bypassing lock on older models.
It is important to understand that not all methods are universal – their effectiveness depends on the phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), the version of MIUI (13, 14 or HyperOS), as well as on whether the device is tied to a Xiaomi account and whether the Find Device function is enabled. We will describe each option in detail, indicate its pros and cons, and also warn against common errors that can turn the phone into a “brick”.
If you're looking for a way to find out your current password (rather than reset it), you can't do that without the specialized hardware (like UFED or Chip-Off) that you use in service centers. All other methods on the Internet are frauds. But you can reset your password and retrieve your device yourself -- read on.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is a tied Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
- 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore them).
- 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
- Select the Restore option via Mi Account.
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
- Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
- Set a new password or pattern lock.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the network, this method will not work, and Xiaomi can request confirmation via the Internet. SMS Even with the right password from your account, it is a security measure.
💡
If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, restore it to the official account.xiaomi.com. Use a backup email or a linked phone number.
2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)
If the Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the radical method is a complete reset, which erases all the data from the phone (photos, contacts, messages), but returns access to the device. This is suitable for most models: Redmi 9/10/11, POCO F3/F4, Mi 10/11/12, etc.
How to make a Hard Reset:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button and select Turn off).
- Press the button combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up (for most models). 🔘 On certain devices (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) - Nutrition + Loudness down.
Mi
Recovery Mode
Wipe Data
Clear Data
Wipe All Data
Confirm the action of the power button.
Reboot
Disable your Google Account (if you remember your password) to avoid FRP-lock-in
Backup important data (if your phone is unlocked)
Charge your phone at least 50%
Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->
⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12) after discharge may work FRP-Google’s Factory Reset Protection, which requires a login and password from the last Google Account linked to it.
3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)
If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can reset your password through your computer using a tool ADB (Android Debug Bridge. This method is suitable for devices with MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, but requires pre-preparation.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.
- 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
- 📱 Included debugging by USB developer-setting.
Instructions:
1. Connect the phone to the PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the commands in order:
adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key # for pattern lock
rm /data/system/password.key # for PIN/password
4.Reboot phone: adb reboot⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI And HyperOS might not work because of the increased security, and once you reboot, you might want to use your old password, and then only Hard Reset will help.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
4. Bypass locking through Fastboot (for tech-savvy)
If ADB It didn’t help, and Hard Reset leads to FRP-In locking, you can try flashing your phone through Fastboot mode. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for Xiaomi models where official firmware is available.
Step-by-step:
- Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website.
- Unpack the archive with the firmware in the folder with Fastboot tools.
- Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
- Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line in the firmware folder.
- Enter the command for firmware: fastboot flash all (or fastboot flash) all_except_storage, If you want to save data).
- Upon completion, type in fastboot reboot
⚠️ Attention: The wrong firmware can permanently damage your phone. If you're not sure what you're doing, contact the service center. Also note that unlocking the bootloader erases all data and resets your settings.
Mi Account|Hard Reset|ADB|Fastboot|Nothing helps-->
5. Alternative methods (for older models)
Xiaomi phones older than 2018 (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Mi 5) sometimes run security holes to bypass locks without data resetting.
Method 1: Emergency call
- 📞 On the lock screen, press Emergency Call).
- 🔢 Enter the code: ##4636### will open the test menu.
- 🔧 Return to the home screen via the Home button (if any).
- 🔓 Sometimes this allows you to access settings and disable passwords.
Method 2: Recovery Reset (alternative)
On some MIUI firmware 9-10, you can reset your password without losing data:
- Go to Recovery Mode (as in the Hard Reset section).
- Select Mounts and Storage → Format /data.
- Confirm the formatting, then restart the phone.
⚠️ Attention: These methods do not work on all devices and can cause system failures (MIUI 12+) they're useless.
6. What should I do if nothing helps?
If all of these methods do not work, there are two options:
| Method | Pluses | Cons | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact the Xiaomi Service Center | Guaranteed result, data retention (sometimes) | Long (3-7 days), expensive (from 2000) ₽) | 2000–5000 ₽ |
| Self-repair (replacement of memory chip) | Bypassing any lock, 100% result | Requires soldering equipment, the risk of damaging the phone | 1000–3000 ₽ (spare parts) |
| Buying a new phone | Quick, no hassle. | Expensive, data loss | From 10. ₽ |
If you choose to use the service, choose official Xiaomi centers – they work with original firmware and have access to account databases. Avoid “handicraft” workshops that offer “hacking in 5 minutes” – this is often a scam.
Important: On HyperOS phones (2026), it is almost impossible to get around locking without data loss – even service centers offer only a full reset.