A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics from 2023. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking requires you to contact Apple Support, Android devices (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) offer several ways to solve the problem.
In this article, we’ll look at 7 proven ways to unlock Xiaomi, from official (via an attached account) to technical (using ADB or Fastboot), and focus on the nuances of encrypted storage models (starting with MIUI 12) and devices with a MediaTek chip, where standard methods may not work.
Important: Before you start any manipulation, check whether your phone is connected to mobile Internet or Wi-Fi. Many methods require a network shutdown to prevent automatic blocking through the Mi Cloud.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi is to restore access through an attached Mi Account, which works if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
- 🔑 You remember the login (email/phone number) and password from Mi Account.
- 🔄 The device was not reset via Recovery (in this case, the account is blocked for 72 hours).
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
- Choose Restore through Mi Account.
- Enter your email/phone and account password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm your login via SMS or email.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new lock password.
⚠️ Note: If you have tried to enter your Mi Account password more than 5 times in a row, the system will block attempts for 24 hours.
2 Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)
This method is suitable for devices with a bootloader unlocked. If you have not previously unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, this method will not work.
What you need:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11.
- 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original......>
- 🛠️ Used by Mi Flash Tool, ADB & Fastboot.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off your phone. Press the Power Button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
- Connect your phone to your PC. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
- Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue.
- Enter the command to unlock: fastboot oem unlock Attention: on some models (POCO F5, Redmi K60) this command can erase all data!
- Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot
🔹 If the team didn’t work out: try an alternative for older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1):
fastboot flashing unlockInstall Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download Mi Flash Tool from the official website|Disable antivirus (can block commands)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Prepare a backup copy of the data (if possible)-->
3. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)
The most radical, but universal, method is hard reset to factory settings, which works on all Xiaomi models, but removes:
- 📸 Photos and videos (unless synced with Google Photos).
- 📱 Installed applications and their data.
- 📝 Contacts (unless linked to a Google or Mi Account).
- 🔐 Wi-Fi passwords and other settings.
How to perform the reset:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the Power button + Volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
- Use volume buttons to navigate, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
- Confirm the action by choosing Yes.
- After reset, select Reboot.
⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14+ And the Find My Device feature that's enabled, after the reset, you'll need to enter the data from the Mi Account that was tied to the phone, and without it, the device will remain locked (FRP-lockdown).
| Xiaomi model | Reset via Recovery | Do you need a Mi Account after a reset? | Are the data stored? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes, if he was tied up) | ❌ No. |
| POCO X5 Pro | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. |
| Mi 11 Lite | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Only if you have Find My Device enabled | ❌ No. |
| Redmi 9A | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (on old firmware) | ❌ No. |
4.Use of ADB (for USB debugging devices)
If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can try to reset your password through ADB. This method only works if:
- 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC and is recognized in ADB.
- 🔓 The debugging was activated before blocking.
- 📶 The device is not locked through the Mi Cloud.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device is displayed, continue.
- Enter the commands alternately: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
🔹 Note: On MIUI 13/14 The path to the files may be different. If the commands don't work, try it:
rm /data/system/lock_pattern.autWhat if the ADB can’t see the device?
5. Bypass locking through Safe Mode (for older models)
On devices with MIUI 10 and below (e.g. Redmi 5, Mi 8), you can try booting into Safe Mode and delete the password through settings. This method does not work on new firmware (MIUI 12+), where Safe Mode blocks access to system settings.
How to start Safe Mode:
- On the lock screen, press the switch off button.
- Keep your finger on the option to turn off power until a request to switch to Safe Mode appears.
- Confirm the transition. The phone will reboot.
- After downloading, go to Settings → Password and Security → Screen Lock.
- Enter any password (the system may miss the Safe Mode check).
- Set a new password or turn off the lock.
⚠️ Attention: POCO and Redmi with MIUI 11+ This method will cause the error "Can't change your password." Don't waste time trying again.
6 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center
If none of these methods work, the official way to do this is to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is the only legal way to unlock your phone without losing data, if:
- 📄 You have a check or warranty card on the device.
- 🆔 You can confirm ownership (for example, through IMEI, passport-bound).
- 🔒 The phone is not on the blacklist (stolen/lost).
The cost of the service in 2026:
| Type of unlock | Time limit for implementation | Cost (₽) |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting password with data retention | 1-3 days | 1 500–3 000 |
| Unlocking Mi Account (if you forget your password) | 3-7 days | 2 000–4 500 |
| Reset to factory settings (without data storage) | 1 day | 800–1 200 |
🔹 Where to find a service center:
- 🌍 Official website: mi.com/ru/service.
- 📍 Maps. Google/Yandex on request "Xiaomi Service Center [your city]".
- 📞 Support phone: 8 800 700 01 03 (free in Russia).
💡
Before visiting the service center, take a screenshot of the IMEI phone (on the box or under the battery if removable) and prepare your passport, which will speed up the confirmation process.
Alternative methods (risky)
On the Internet you can find offers to unlock Xiaomi through:
- 💻 Paid software (e.g. Mi Account Unlock Tool, D&G Unlock).
- 🔗 Online services (such as "unblocking" by IMEI").
- 📱 Firmware through SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek).
⚠️ Attention: Most of these methods are fraud:
- 💸 Loss of money (the average cost of “unlocking” is 500–2,000) ₽, But the result is not guaranteed).
- 🔐 Blocking your Mi Account for suspicious activity.
- 📱 Turning the phone into a brick (not turned on after incorrect firmware).
🔹 The only relatively safe option is to run through the SP Flash Tool for MediaTek devices (e.g. Redmi) 9C, POCO C31). But there are nuances here:
- You need an accurate firmware for your model (download from the official website).
- The process requires an unlocked bootloader.
- The probability of losing the IMEI and serial number is ~30%.
💡
No “magic” software can guarantee that Xiaomi will unlock without risk, and official methods (Mi Account, Fastboot, service center) are the only legal ways.