How to unlock Xiaomi if you forget your password: from Mi Account to the engineering menu

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics. Unlike other brands, Mi, Redmi and POCO phones have a unique security system associated with a Mi Account. This makes unlocking difficult, but also opens up additional opportunities for access recovery. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven methods for logging into Xiaomi without a password – from official solutions to technical workarounds, including instructions for devices with MIUI 12/13/14 and older versions.

It's important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, Recovery resets work on 90% of models, but requires Mi Account confirmation after rebooting. And ADB is only suitable for devices with USB debugging enabled. We will describe each option in detail, specify its limitations and risks, and provide unique data on bypassing locks on new firmware in 2026, where Xiaomi has tightened protection. If you're looking for a way to lose data, look at the Find Device and Google Smart Lock sections.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and legal way is to use a tied Mi Account, which works even after a hard reset, because Xiaomi attaches the device to the account at the hardware level.

1. Go to the login page: on the lock screen, tap the button Forgot the password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select Recovery via Mi Account: Enter an email or phone number linked to the device.
3. Confirm your identity: you will receive an SMS with a code or a letter with a link to reset your password.

If you don’t remember your account details, try to restore access through Xiaomi’s official website. Importantly, after 5 failed attempts to enter, the system will block the recovery for 24 hours. Also note that some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require re-activation of the device after a reset via Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand, the previous owner could not untie his Mi Account. In this case, unlocking through the account is impossible - you will need to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

For devices with MIUI 14 and later Xiaomi introduced an additional check: after recovery through Mi Account, you may need to enter an old password or PIN-If you don't remember it, move on to the following methods.

2. Use the Find Device function (remote unlock)

Xiaomi’s Find Device service not only tracks the phone, but also manages it remotely — including unlocking it.

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 🔑 You remember the data from the Mi Account tied to the phone.

Instructions for unlocking:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Press Unlock Device (Unlock Device).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the phone unlocks within 5-10 minutes, and if the Unlock Device option is inactive, then the device is disabled or not connected to the network, in which case, try other methods.

3. Recovery Mode reset (hard reset)

If previous methods failed, the device will be reset via recovery mode, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Newer models (Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12) may require the Mi Account that was tied to the device to be reset.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume combination upwards for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) using volume buttons and confirm the choice with the power button.
4. After reset, select Reboot to reboot.

Some devices may have different paths, such as POCO F5, where you can choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data, and if you want to enter Mi Account after you reboot, and you don't remember the data, you'll have to contact the service center with a check to buy it.

Turn off your Google Account (if you remember your password)

Backup important data (if available)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure you know your Mi Account details (if your phone is tied up)-->

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13 and later after reset via Recovery, the Anti-Rollback Protection function may work. This means that the phone will refuse to boot if the firmware has been pumped to an older version.

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The Android Debug Bridge (ADB) method is suitable if the phone has previously been enabled to debug via USB. This is rare, but if you activate it before locking, the chances of success are high. You will need a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB program.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (cmd) and type: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key For PIN-coded devices, use: rm /data/system/password.key
3. Reboot your phone with the command: adb reboot

Once the reboot is over, the lock should disappear. If no devices/emulators found error occurs, then the USB debugging is off and this method will not work. Also on MIUI 14, Xiaomi added protection against such manipulation, so the method may not work on new firmware.

5. Bypassing the lock via Google Smart Lock

If your Xiaomi has Google Smart Lock set up, you can unlock it without a password using a trusted device or location.

• 📍 You are in a trusted location (such as at home or work) that has been added to your Smart Lock settings.
• 📱 You have a trusted device (such as a smartwatch or other phone) that has been tied.
• 👤 Trust Agents feature enabled in security settings.

How to check and use:

1. If the phone is connected to a trusted Wi-Fi network, it can unlock automatically.
2. Bring a trusted device (such as Mi Band) to your phone and the lock will be removed.
3. Try to enter any password – sometimes the system offers an alternative way to log in via Google.

On MIUI 14, the way to Smart Lock settings is: Settings → Passwords & Security → Screen Lock settings → Smart Lock. If the feature wasn’t set up in advance, this method won’t work.

Hardware methods: engineering menu and test points

For devices where software isn't working, there are hardware unlocking methods that require breaking down the phone and working with test points or engineering menus, which is suitable for Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Mi 5 and other older devices, and on new smartphones (Xiaomi 13T, POCO F5 Pro), it doesn't work because of the board's redesigned architecture.

Example of unlocking through test points:

1. Remove the back cover of the phone (need a mediator and a hair dryer to soften the glue).
2. Find two contacts on the motherboard signed as TP (test point).
3. Lock them with tweezers or wires while connecting the phone to the PC.
4. Install the drivers and run the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

This is a risky method, because if you do something wrong, you can damage the board, and then, after you run through the test points, you can have a Hardware ID Lock, and the phone becomes a brick, and we recommend using this method only as a last resort or contacting specialists.

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If you decide to disassemble the phone yourself, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws before disconnecting, this will help avoid errors in the assembly.

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods worked, there's an official service center, and Xiaomi provides an unlock service for owners who can confirm a purchase.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone was officially purchased).
• 🆔 Passport or other identity document.
• 📱 The device itself (even if it is not switched on).

The cost of unlocking varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region. In some cases, the service center may refuse if the phone is listed in the database of stolen devices or has an informal firmware.

For devices purchased abroad, the process may be complicated, such as Xiaomi, which purchased in China, may require a global service center through a feedback form on the official website.

Comparison of Xiaomi Unlocking Methods

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On devices with MIUI 14 and later, Xiaomi has increased protection: now, after a reset via Recovery or Fastboot, confirmation through Mi Account is required, even if the phone was not previously tied, which makes unlocking without account data almost impossible without contacting the service.

Frequently asked questions