The situation where the beloved Xiaomi turns into a "brick" due to a forgotten password or account lock is familiar to many users.The screen goes out, requiring the input of a pattern lock, PIN-Mi Account code or password, and the memory refuses to remember the right combination, at which point panic is not the best advice, because the wrong actions can lead to complete loss of data or lock the device.
There are several proven methods to bypass security and restore access to the system. The choice of the specific method depends on which lock is installed: a standard lock screen, a Google account (FRP) or binding to the Xiaomi cloud service. In this article, we will discuss all the options in detail, from simple software resets to deep flashing through the engineering menu.
It's important to understand that a complete reset is a radical measure, and it will inevitably delete all user data: photos, contacts, messages and installed apps. So if you have the slightest chance of remembering a password or accessing an account through recovery on another device, it's best to start with that. However, if there is no backup, follow the instructions below.
Diagnosis of the type of blocking and preparation
Before you start taking action, you need to clearly identify the nature of the problem. Locks are divided into several layers of protection, and the method of circumventing them is radically different. If the screen just asks for a pattern lock after rebooting, this is one scenario. If the device requires a password from Google Account after reset or writes "This device is locked to Mi Account" - these are more complex cases that require a specific approach.
The first step should always be to prepare the workplace. You'll need a stable Internet connection, because some methods require checking the activation servers. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, as cheap analogues may not provide the required data rate or a stable
voltage. Some methods require a computer with a Windows operating system.
⚠️ Note: Attempt to select a password by brute-force on modern versions MIUI This will temporarily lock the device on 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 A minute or more. 10-15 Failed attempts to lock the phone 24 This will make it impossible to do anything without completely draining the battery.
Be sure to charge your smartphone to a minimum of 60%.The reset and subsequent setup process can take time, and a sudden power outage during the formatting of the /data system partition can damage the file system and turn the device into a non-recoverable bootloop. If the phone responds to presses, back up important data via the cloud or PC, if possible.
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
The most affordable and common way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the built-in Recovery Mode, which works even if you can't unlock the screen, but the phone responds to button presses, and it allows you to clear the user data partition by removing the forgotten password.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the device. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. A menu with several items in English or Chinese will appear on the screen.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. After choosing, confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about the loss of data once again - confirm by selecting Confirm. The process will take from 10 seconds to several minutes.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Once the process is complete, the phone will offer a reboot to system, the device will reboot, and the initial setup will begin, as if you were buying in-store, but there is an important nuance to the current versions of Android and MIUI.
Mi Account Problem and Activation Block
Owners of Xiaomi devices often face a more serious problem - locking through Mi Account. If the phone was enabled to search for the device and sync, then after reset via Recovery, the system will require you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account, which was previously associated, this is done to protect against theft.
If you remember the account information, just enter it. If the account is unknown (for example, the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the device), the situation becomes complicated, and you can officially unlock such a phone only by contacting the service center with a check for the purchase and a box that indicates IMEI.
There is a myth that you can bypass this lock through flashing. On modern versions of MIUI (starting at 9-10 and above), the account binding is stored on the server and is tied to a unique device identifier. Simply changing the firmware from Global to China or vice versa will not remove the activation lock, and in some cases can aggravate the situation by blocking the ability to use the network.
| Type of lockdown | Bypass method | Data security | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| pattern lock / PIN | Hard Reset (Recovery) | No (removed) | Low. |
| Mi Account (Forgotten Password) | Recovery via i.mi.com | Yes (remote reset) | Medium. |
| Mi Account (Alien) | Only check/service | No. | Tall (brick) |
| Google FRP | Complicated bypass (ADB/patches) | No. | High-pitched |
Use Find Device for remote resetting
If your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) but you can't get on the menu, you can use the cloud service Find Device, which allows you to remotely erase all data and reset the lock password, which is the only way that works without physical access to the recovery menu, but it requires pre-setting.
To do this, go to i.mi.com from any other device (computer or tablet). Sign in with the same Mi Account that was used on the locked phone. In the interface, select your device from the list. If it is online and the search function is enabled, you will have options: Call, Message and Clean Device.
Select the clean option. Once confirmed, the phone will receive a command to reset completely. Importantly, this method does not remove the lock on the Mi Account itself, it only deletes the screen password. After the reboot, the phone will still require you to enter the password from Mi Account to activate.
Unlocking the bootloader (Unlock Bootloader)
For advanced users who want to gain full control of the device or install custom firmware, unlock the bootloader is required. However, if the phone is locked with a password, the standard path through the Mi Unlock app on the PC may not be available, since the phone requires the input of a pattern lock to confirm.
In this case, Fastboot mode helps. Turn off your phone and press the Volume Down button along with the power button. A hare in a hat-eared android repair will appear on the screen. Connect the phone to your PC.
Run the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer, if the Mi Account on your phone and computer matches, and from the moment you link the ACC
Over 168 hours (7 days) have passed, you can unlock the bootloader. Once you unlock successfully, the phone will automatically reset the data completely, and this is the only legal way to remove complex locks if you have access to your account but no screen access.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will void the manufacturer's warranty in most regions, and it also reduces the security of the device, making data vulnerable to physical access by an attacker (Magisk/Root).
What to do if nothing helps
In cases where standard methods fail, the device goes into a loop reboot or requires a password from an unknown account, the only technical paths that remain are the use of EDL (Emergency Download Mode), a low-level firmware mode available to engineers.
Entering EDL usually requires disassembling the phone and closing special contacts on the board (Test Points) or using a specialized cable. In this mode, the phone is defined by the computer as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
However, starting with certain versions of MIUI, firmware through EDL requires an authorized Mi Account with engineer rights. A regular user will not be able to flash the phone officially. There are paid remote unlock services that have access to such accounts, but their use carries the risk of transferring personal data to third parties.