How to find or reset a PIN on a Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions for all models

A forgotten PIN on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users face. According to service center statistics, 18% of device locks are due to the loss of the unlock password. Unlike a pattern lock or a fingerprint, a PIN requires accurate digit input, and after 5 failed attempts, the phone can be locked forever. But don't panic: there are legal ways to restore access that do not require contacting the service center.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking a PIN code on Xiaomi in 2026, including official tools from MIUI, bypassing through the Mi Account, as well as emergency measures for devices without connection to the account. Particular attention will be paid to the models of Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 and Mi 13, where the procedure may differ due to hardware features. Importantly, none of these methods guarantee the safety of data in a hard reset – but we will show how to minimize losses.

1.Official method: Unblocking through Mi Account

The most reliable and recommended Xiaomi method is to use a tied Mi Account. It works on all devices with MIUI 10 and later, including the latest HyperOS firmware. The main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network), and you remember the username and password from the account.

Algorithm of action:

• 🔄 Enter the wrong PIN 5 times in a row until the message appears "Device locked. try later or log in via Mi Account".
• 📱 Click on the button "Unblock via Mi Account" (can be called "Forgot password?").
• 🔐 Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
• 📲 Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Account in settings (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization, this method will not work, and blocking through an account may not be available on devices with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).

Make sure your phone is connected to the internet.

Check the battery charge (minimum 20%)

Prepare a login/password from Mi Account

Have access to email/SMS to confirm

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2 Unlocking through Find Device (Remote Control)

Find Device, which is similar to Google's Find Phone, not only tracks Xiaomi's location, but also remotely resets its PIN, which works even if the phone is not connected to the mobile Internet, but requires:

• 📍 Actively linking the device to the Mi Account.
• 🌐 Connecting your phone to Wi-Fi (even if your mobile internet is off).
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 15%.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same account as on the locked device.
3. Select your phone from the list of devices.
4. Click "Delete data" → "Erase the device".
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Once reset, the phone will reboot and prompt it to be configured as new, which deletes all data but unlocks access. If the device has enabled MIUI Backup, some of the data (contacts, photos) can be restored after logging in.

3. Recovery Mode reset (without data loss?)

Recovery Mode is often marketed as “safe,” but it’s a myth. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and newer resets, resetting through recoveries always results in data deletion unless the official Mi Unlock Tool is used. However, in some cases (for example, on older Redmi 4X or Mi A1) models, you can bypass the lock without completely resetting.

The procedure for the models until 2020 of release:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data".
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On new devices (Redmi Note 11, POCO F4 This method will completely clean up internal memory, including photos and applications, and after reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously associated (Factory Reset Protection function).

Yeah, and I remember the password.

Yeah, but the password's forgotten.

No, not tied.

I don't know, I haven't checked.

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4.Use of ADB (for advanced users)

If the phone is enabled debugging via USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version → 7 times press to activate developer mode → Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging via USB), you can try resetting the PIN code through ADB. The method works only when connected to a previously authorized computer.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: 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
4. After rebooting, the PIN code will be reset.

⚠️ Note: This method requires root rights, which are disabled by default on Xiaomi. If you haven't had root access before, it won't work. MIUI 13+ HyperOS Xiaomi blocks such manipulations via Anti-Rollback – the phone can go to “Fastboot” mode with the requirement of authorization.

1. Install Mi PC Suite drivers from the official website.

2. Use the original USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).

3. Reboot the phone and PC.

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5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods did not work, the official service remains. Xiaomi provides an unlock service upon presentation of a document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card or box with IMEI). The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region.

What will be required:

• 📄 Passport or other identification document.
• 🛒 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 📱 The device itself with a charge of at least 30%.
• 🔑 IMEI phone (can be found on the box or via the command *#06# on another device).

The unlock period is from 1 to 3 working days. Some service centers offer express service (for 1-2 hours), but its cost is higher by 30-50%. Please note: if the phone was purchased informally (for example, brought from abroad), the service may refuse to unlock without a document on legal import.

Alternative methods (with risks)

On the Internet, you can find suggestions for unlocking Xiaomi through “magic” programs like Mi Account Unlock Tool or D&G Unlock Tool, which promise to reset the PIN code without losing data, but in practice:

• 🚨 90% of these programs are fraud (require payment but do not work).
• 🔓 The remaining 10% exploit vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI (until 2019).
• 🛡️ Using informal tools can lead to blocking IMEI activate the anti-Rollback, after which the phone will become a brick".

If you do decide to experiment, follow the rules:

1. Check out reviews on independent forums (e.g. 4PDA or XDA Developers).
2. Do not enter data from Mi Account in suspicious applications.
3. Create a backup via Fastboot (if you have access to this mode).

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No program guarantees 100% unlocking of new Xiaomi models (2022 and later) without data loss.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of a forgotten PIN code again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔑 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as your primary method.
• 📝 Write the PIN in a secure location (for example, in the Mi Password Manager or Google Passwords password manager).
• 🔄 Update regularly MIUI — New versions improve access recovery mechanisms.
• 📱 Link the phone to Mi Account and enable synchronization (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization).

We also recommend activating the Smart Lock function (Settings). → Lock screen → Smart Lock, which allows you to disable PIN code in secure places (such as at home or at work). On HyperOS devices, this option is called Smart Lock and supports geolocation, Bluetooth devices and voice recognition.

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On Xiaomi models with NFC (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+), you can configure unlocking via a contactless card. Add the card to Settings → Connected Devices → NFC and activate the “Unlock Card” option.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi