The situation of a user forgetting a digital code, a pattern lock or an account password is one of the world's most stressful modern technologies. Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners often face a locked screen that turns the device into a useless piece of plastic and glass. Resetting is the only guaranteed way to restore access to the system if standard data entry methods have exhausted themselves.
But it's not without nuance, especially given the aggressive security policies of MIUI and HyperOS. Just pulling out the battery, as it was in the era of button phones, will not work, because modern lithium-polymer batteries are not removable. You will need a clear understanding of the sequence of actions, so that you do not turn the attempt to unlock into a complete lock device on IMEI.
In this article, we will discuss all legal and technical methods of bypassing screen protection, we will look at the standard means of recovery through the account, forced reset via the Recovery menu, and the use of specialized software for the PC. It is important to understand that most methods will lead to complete deletion of data, so the approach should be considered.
Recovery of Access through Mi Account
The most civilized and secure way to get back to your device is to use the Xiaomi Cloud service. If you have the Internet on your smartphone and you have your Mi Account tied, it allows you to remotely control your device, and this works even if you don't remember your current unlock password, but remember your account data.
You can go to the official cloud service site from any other device (computer or phone), and by entering your credentials, you will be taken to the control panel where the "Find Device" function is available, where you can not only track the geolocation, but also initiate a data cleanup command.
- π Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi. ID.
- π± Select a locked device from the list at the top of the screen.
- ποΈ Click the βWipe Dataβ button to delete the password and all files.
- π Wait for sync: the phone must be on and connected to the network.
The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require a computer on hand or a developer mode. However, if the smartphone is turned off or in aeronautical mode, the command will only be executed after it's connected to the network. Remote reset via Mi Cloud only works if the Find Device function was activated before locking.
β οΈ Note: After a remote reset, the phone will reboot, but may require a password from Mi Account to confirm ownership (Anti-theft protection.
Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu
If cloud services don't work or the device doesn't have Internet, the Recovery Mode system recovery menu comes to the rescue, a deep layer of the Android operating system designed to diagnose and reset, and is logged in with a combination of physical buttons to bypass a locked screen.
The login procedure may vary depending on the shell version. Most current models with MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS require confirmation of action via vibration or prolonged pressing, and be prepared for all user data (photos, contacts, applications) to be permanently deleted.
βοΈ Preparation for Hard Reset
Instructions for discharge:
- Turn off your smartphone completely.
- Press the volume button and the power button at the same time.
- Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button while continuing to keep the volume.
- In the menu that appears, select the language (if any) and go to the Wipe Data item.
Once you select Wipe All Data, the system will ask you to confirm the action. On newer versions of the firmware, you may need to press and hold the power button for 5-10 seconds to confirm the action, and this is done to protect against accidental reset in your pocket.
| Model/Series | Button combination | Features of the entrance | Confirmation of discharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi/Redmi (New) | Volume + and Nutrition | You need to let go of the food at the logo | Long power pressing |
| POCO (F/X series) | Volume + and Nutrition | Standard entrance | Touching the screen or button |
| Older models (until 2018) | Volume + and Nutrition | Instant login to the menu | Choosing through volume buttons |
| Devices with FaceID | Volume + and Nutrition | May require double pressing | Password entry (if installed) |
Once the cleaning process is complete, the phone will automatically restart, and it can take up to 5-10 minutes to boot up as the system recreates the file structure, and don't interrupt this process even if the screen goes out.
Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool and Fastboot Mode
For more advanced users, there is a tool called Mi Unlock, which is officially designed to unlock the bootloader before flashing, but indirectly allows you to reset the device if other methods don't work, which requires a Windows PC.
The main challenge is to link the device to an account, so if the smartphone is locked and you can't log in, it's not officially possible to link it, but if the device has been previously tied, this tool can help clear the memory partitions.
What's a Fastboot?
The following is the procedure for working with Mi Unlock:
First you need to download and install the utility from the official website. Then switch the phone to Fastboot mode (volume down + power button, a hare will appear fixing the android). Connect the cable to the PC.
If the device is not tied to the developerβs account, the program will give an error, in which case the method is powerless without prior access to the system, an important security feature of Xiaomi, which protects against theft.
- π» Run Mi Unlock Tool on your computer and log in to your account.
- π Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode and connect USB-cable.
- β Press the "Unlock" button. If status permits, the process will take a few seconds.
- β³ In case of an error "Account mismatch" unlocking is impossible without the password of the owner.
β οΈ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool always results in the complete deletion of all data on the device.
Google Find My Device Services
Google's ecosystem also provides powerful tools for managing the device: Find My Device allows you to remotely lock, call your phone, or erase data, a method that is relevant if the phone has been enabled with Internet and geolocation.
Unlike Mi Cloud, it uses a Google account, which is often the primary login to the Play Market. If you remember the password from Gmail, the chances of success are high. The service's interface is simple and intuitive, even for beginners.
To use it, go to android.com/find. Select your device from the list. You will be prompted to do three things: call, lock, or clean the device. Select Erase Device.
Once confirmed, the phone will receive a reset command. It's important that the device is online at that point. If it was offline, the command will be executed as soon as the smartphone is online. This can happen in hours or even days.
Specialized software and FRP bypass
In cases where standard methods do not work due to a forgotten Google account (FRP Lock) or Mi Account, users turn to third-party software. Programs like Mi Flash Pro, SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek processors), or paid solutions like DruPhone can help.
These tools allow the device to be stitched around standard checks, but require technical knowledge. Misuse can lead to the βbrickingβ of the phone β a state where it ceases to respond to any commands.
Particular attention should be paid to the procedure of circumvention FRP (Factory Reset Protection is a Google protection that requires you to enter a password from an account synced to the device before the reset. Bypassing this protection often requires changing the region, using TalkBack or specialty devices. APK-file.
The process of firmware through the SP Flash Tool looks like this:
1. Download the firmware scatter file.
2. Select the "Format All + Download" mode.
3. Connect the phone turned off with the volume button clamped.
4. wait for the green circle (success).β οΈ Note: Using third-party software to bypass protection FRP This may be considered a violation of the terms of use of Google and Xiaomi services, and only use these methods on personal devices.
Prevention and backup
The best way to combat loss of access is to back up regularly, and Xiaomi owners are advised to set up automatic sync with Mi Cloud or Google Drive, so that you donβt have to worry about photos and contacts in the event of a reset.
It's also worth writing your passwords in a secure location or using a password manager. Remembering complex combinations for multiple services is a thankless task. Use biometrics (fingerprint, FaceID) as an additional, but not the only, method of protection.
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Set up automatic sync with your Google Account right now.This will take 1 minute, but save your phone book in case of any breakdown or reset.
Donβt forget to check your accounts periodically.If you havenβt changed your Mi Account password in a long time, make sure your recovery phone number is up to date. Otherwise, you risk losing access to the cloud forever.
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Regular backup is the only 100% guarantee that resetting your password will not be a disaster for your personal files.