Forgetting the password from Xiaomi is a frustrating but fixable situation. Unlike other brands, the phones offer several official and informal ways to restore access, the main thing is not to panic and carefully evaluate which method will work for you.
It's important to understand that not all methods are equally safe. For example, a Mi Account reset saves data, and a Hard Reset deletes it irrevocably. There are also nuances with models on MIUI 14+ and older versions of firmware. In this article, we will discuss all current methods, from the simplest to the most technically complex, and also warn about possible risks and pitfalls.
If you’re reading this article on a locked phone with another device, note right away: on Xiaomi models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2+ processor (like Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and MIUI 15+ reset via Fastboot, a Fastboot reset may require Mi Account authorization even after a full reset. This is an additional protection against theft that many users are unaware of.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is the use of a tied account Mi Account. It works on all models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and flagships of the Xiaomi 13 series, if:
- 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (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, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
- Choose Restore through 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).
If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try to enter any password 5 times in a row - the system will offer alternative ways to sign in. Some firmware (for example, MIUI Global 14.0.5) may require a Wi-Fi connection to verify your account.
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If you don’t remember the Mi Account password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com via email or a linked phone number. Don’t use third-party services to hack your account – this is fraud!
⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI China ROM (Unlocking your phone via Mi Account may require a Chinese phone number to be linked. If your phone is purchased in China, this method may not work without additional manipulation.
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the login details, you’ll be left with hardware reset — the complete deletion of all data from your phone — which works on all Xiaomi models, but has a critical drawback: you’ll lose photos, contacts, and apps if you don’t have a backup.
How to make a Hard Reset:
- Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it doesn't respond).
- Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery Mode menu, select the language (if there is one).
- Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
- Confirm the reset, wait for completion (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.
Newer models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, Redmi K60) may request Mi Account data entry after a reset if the device was linked to an account, which is a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) protection that is legally impossible to circumvent.
Make sure your phone is at least 30 times charged%|Download a backup of data (if you have access to a PC)|Prepare the data from the Mi Account (if the phone was tied)|Have your hand on it. SIM-post-reset activation card
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| Xiaomi model | Is a Mi Account Required After Hard Reset? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12/13/14 series | Yes. | FRP-The lock is activated if the phone was linked to the account |
| Redmi Note 10–12 | Yes (on MIUI Global) | In Chinese firmware, FRP may not work. |
| POCO F3–F5 | Yes. | Excluded: models for India (without FRP) |
| Xiaomi Mi A1–A3 | No. | Phones on pure Android, FRP like Google |
3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The method is suitable if:
- 🔧 You have access to the PC and USB-cable.
- 🛠️ You know how to use the command line (ADB/Fastboot).
- 📱 Bootloader unlocked on phone (if not, method won’t work).
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Platform Tools (ADB/Fastboot) on PC.
- Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
- Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
- Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is determined, continue.
- Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot
On some models (Xiaomi 11T, Redmi K40) after these commands, additional unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool may be required. Also note that this method does not work on a locked bootloader - it must be unlocked in advance through the official Xiaomi tool.
What if Fastboot can’t see the phone?
⚠️ Warning: The wrong commands in Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick. If you're not sure what you're doing, you better contact the service center. 888/8 Gen 1, where firmware errors are fraught with hardware breakdowns.
Reset via Mi Account|Hard Reset (Recovery Mode)|Fastboot/ADB|Talked to the service center |Never tried
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4.Use of Emergency Call mode (bypass for old models)
Xiaomi phones with MIUI 9-12 (e.g. Redmi Note 8, Mi 9) have a vulnerability that allows you to bypass the lock through an emergency call.
- On the lock screen, tap the Emergency Call.
- Type #4636## (test code)
- If the Testing menu opens, go to Usage statistics and try running Settings.
- In the settings, disable the password in the Security → Screen Lock section.
On newer versions of MIUI 13+, this bug has been fixed, but some users report success with a combination of **000000 (six zeros) in the emergency field.
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This method only works on firmware older than 2021, and on MIUI 13/14 it is blocked, and attempts to apply it can lead to a temporary lock of the phone (responding protection).
5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If all previous methods failed, the official service remains: Xiaomi provides a service of unlocking the documents confirming ownership of the phone.
- 📄 Phones on. FRP-lock-in.
- 🔒 Devices that cannot be logged into Mi Account (e.g., due to a change in email).
- 🛡️ Models with a blocked loader (Bootloader).
What will be required:
- The owner's passport.
- Check or box from the phone (proof of purchase).
- IMEI of the device (can be recognized through a sticker under the battery or on the box).
The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region. In some service centers may offer "alternative" ways of unlocking (for example, through the firmware test software), but this is not guaranteed and may deprive of warranties.
The addresses of official Xiaomi services in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are engaged in unlocking your model - some centers refuse service for phones purchased abroad.
6. Alternative methods (risky and illegal)
On the Internet you can find suggestions for “hacking” the lock Xiaomi through:
- 💻 Special programs (Mi Flash Tool, UFi Box).
- 📱 Custom Recovery firmware (TWRP).
- 🔓 Paid services "unblocking by" IMEI».
We do not recommend using these methods for several reasons:
- ⚠️ Loss of warranty: Any unofficial interference will void Xiaomi warranty.
- 💥 Risk of "bricking": Wrong firmware can bring your phone down.
- 🕵️ Fraud: Many “services” just take money and disappear.
- 📵 Lockdown IMEI: On new models, illegal unlocking can lead to a network lock.
If you do decide to take this step, at least:
- Use only proven tools (e.g. the official Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s website).
- Download firmware only from Miui.com or Xiaomi Firmware Updater.
- Back up IMEI and NVRAM before firmware.