How to log into a Xiaomi smartphone without a password: all working methods of 2026

A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that almost every smartphone owner of the brand has faced. Especially unpleasant when the phone stores important data, such as photos, correspondence or work documents. Fortunately, there are legal ways to unlock that do not require contacting the service center. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of logging into Xiaomi (including Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) without a password, from simple to technically complex.

It's important to understand that not all methods are equally secure. Some of them lead to complete data loss, others require prior preparation (for example, a tied Mi Account or enabled debugging over USB). We will describe each option in detail, indicate its pros and cons, and warn about the possible risks. If you are not sure about your abilities, you should consult a specialist.

Note: this article is relevant for MIUI 12-14 devices (including global and Chinese firmware versions). For older models (Xiaomi Mi 5, Redmi Note 4), some methods may not work due to the bootloader. At the end of the article, you will find an FAQ with answers to frequent questions.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from the Mi Account.
• 📲 The device previously had the settings option enabled. → Mi Account → Synchronization of data.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new one. PIN-code.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com. Use the linked email or phone number.

✅ Pros: No data reset, works on all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Black Shark 5).

❌ Cons: If the account is not tied or the password is forgotten, the method will not work, and will not help with hardware locking (for example, after unsuccessful attempts to enter a password).

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, the radical method is hard reset through recovery mode, which deletes all the data on the phone, including photos, apps and settings. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi 10, POCO F4, Mi 11):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the button combination: 🔧 Loudness up + Food for most models. 🔧 Loudness down + Power for some older devices (e.g. Redmi) 4X).

Mi

Recovery Mode

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Reboot → Reboot to System

⚠️ Note: After resetting on some Xiaomi models (especially with Chinese firmware), you may need to enter data Mi Account, which was previously tied. If you do not remember the username / password, the phone will turn into a brick".

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 times press to activate the developer mode, then Settings → Additional → For developers → USB debugging). If this option is not activated, the method will not work.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission!).
• 📦 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, move on. If not, check the drivers and cable.
4. Enter the command to delete the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 13/14 This method may not work because of the increased security, and after a reboot, the phone may require you to enter the old password, in which case only Hard Reset will help.

4.Using Fastboot to bypass lockdown

Fastboot is suitable for devices with a bootloader unlocked. If you have never officially unlocked it through Xiaomi, it won't work. It will also require a PC with drivers installed.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to Enter Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command line and check the connection: fastboot devices
5. Enter the command to unlock (does not work on all models!): fastboot oem unlock or to reset settings: fastboot -w
6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

✅ Pros: Does not require data reset if the bootloader is already unlocked.

❌ Cons: Official bootloader unlocking through Xiaomi takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting.

5. Bypassing the lock through Xiaomi service centers

If the independent methods did not help, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi, which is the most reliable, but also the most expensive way, the cost of unlocking varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model and region.

What will be required:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (checks, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner.
• 📱 Phone itself (preferably with a charge of at least 30%).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services may offer "unlock" through exploits or firmware swapping:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 🛑 Unstable phone operation.
• 🔒 Blocking your Mi Account for suspicious activity.

Alternative methods (with limitations)

There are other ways to bypass the lock, but they are either ineffective or carry risks. Let's take a look at them briefly:

6.1 Call to a locked phone

Some older versions of MIUI (up to 10th) had the ability to receive an incoming call, then access the settings through the call menu and disable the lock, and the newer firmware fixed the bug.

6.2.Use of emergency call mode

Similar to the previous method: on the lock screen, you press Emergency Call, then try to access system functions through dialing. MIUI 12+ does not work.

Special programs (e.g. Dr.Fone)

The Internet advertises programs like Dr.Fone, iMyFone LockWiper or Tenorshare 4uKey, and they promise to unlock it in a few clicks, but:

• 💸 Cost from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles.
• 🔍 Often not working on new Xiaomi models.
• 🛡️ May contain malware.

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If you do decide to use third-party software, download it only from official websites and check reviews on independent sites (for example, 4PDA).

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) as a backup method.
• 📝 Write it down. PIN-a code or password to a secure location (for example, in the Bitwarden or KeePass password manager).
• 🔄 Regularly back up your data through Settings → The phone. → Backup.
• 🔗 Link Mi Account and enable synchronization.
• 🔧 Enable Smart Lock (Settings) → Screen locking → Smart Lock for automatic unlocking in secure locations (e.g. at home).

It's also useful to know:

• On new Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 13, Xiaomi 14) after 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the phone is locked for 30 seconds. After 10 attempts, for 5 minutes.
• If you are selling or transferring a phone, make sure to do Hard Reset and untie your Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi