How to Recover Your Password on Xiaomi Phone: The Complete Guide

When you pick up your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO and realize you've forgotten the unlock code, it always takes you by surprise. The lock screen turns into a non-criminal fortress, hiding all your contacts, photos and important documents. This happens to users of any model, whether it's a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 13. The main thing at this point is not to panic, because most problems are solved if you act consistently and in cold blood.

There are several proven ways to restore access to the device, and the choice of method depends on whether the account was tied to Mi or Google, whether debugging is enabled on USB and which version of the MIUI or HyperOS shell is installed. In some cases, you can save the data, in others, you will have to make sacrifices for security, and we will analyze all the options from a simple reset through the cloud to full formatting through the Recovery menu.

Before you start taking action, it's worth evaluating the scale of the problem. If you just forgot the digital code but remember the pattern lock (or vice versa), the task is simplified. However, if everything is forgotten, including accounts, the process can take longer. It's important to understand that modern Android security systems are designed to protect the owner's data from outsiders, so there is no magic button to bypass the protection without losing data.

Using Mi Cloud to Remotely Unlock

The most gentle method, which allows you to remove the lock screen without losing personal files, is possible only if you meet a number of conditions: first, the phone must be signed in to the Mi Account; secondly, the device must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network); and thirdly, the function "Find the device" should be activated. If these conditions are met, you can change the password remotely.

First, you need to go to the official website of the cloud service from a computer or other smartphone. Enter your credentials. The interface allows you to control the device remotely. Find the locking item in the menu and set a new temporary password. After synchronization, try entering it on the locked screen.

• 📱 Open your browser and go to i.mi.com.
• 🔐 Sign in using the same Mi Account as on a locked phone.
• 📍 Select the menu item "Find Device).
• 🔄 Click on the "Block" button and enter a new access code.

If the Internet on your phone is unstable, the command may not reach immediately, in which case, try sending an SMS from another phone to the SIM card number installed in the locked gadget. The text should be special: block#new password. However, this method does not work on all versions of firmware and often requires pre-configuring in the security menu.

⚠️ Note: After successfully unlocking through the cloud, it is strongly recommended to immediately change the password in the security settings so that the new code is not too simple or obvious.

Resets via Recovery (Hard Reset) menu

When remote methods are not available, the only guaranteed way to regain control of the device is Hard Reset, a process that completely erases all user data, returning the phone to factory status. This is a radical, but often the only possible measure. Before you start, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60% charged so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.

Recovery mode is entered by a combination of physical buttons. Most Xiaomi and Redmi models need to press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, then release power, keep the volume high. When the Recovery menu (usually a black screen with text) appears, you can release all the buttons.

Navigation in this menu is done by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of Recovery, you first need to select a language (English), then go to the Wipe Data menu -> Wipe All Data -> Confirm.

Once the reset is confirmed, the formatting process will begin, which will take 10 seconds to a few minutes. Upon completion, the phone will automatically restart. The first download after the reset will last longer than usual — that's OK, the system will set up files. You just have to reset the original setup.

Google FRP and Mi Account Protection

Once you complete the reset, Android’s security system activates a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), requiring you to enter a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, and similarly, Xiaomi’s Mi Account protection works, so that the thief cannot use the stolen phone after the reset.

If you remember your credentials, just type them in. Problems start if you forget them too. In the case of Google, try to restore your account via your computer by going to the Google password recovery page. If your phone requires a Mi Account and you don't remember your password, use the i.mi.com recovery function by verifying your identity via a linked phone number or email.

• 🔒 FRP Blocks your phone after resetting before entering your old Google account.
• ☁️ Mi Account requires a password from your Xiaomi account.
• 📞 Recovery is possible through a linked phone number.
• 📄 Check of purchase can help in the service center to remove the lock.

There are many myths about how to bypass this protection through special codes or programs, but with the release of new versions of MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS, security holes are quickly closed, and the use of questionable software can lead to complete failure of the device (the “brick”).

⚠️ Note: When buying a used Xiaomi phone, always check if the previous owner’s Mi Account is logged out. Otherwise, after the reset, you will get a locked device that cannot be activated without the seller’s participation.

Unlocking through ADB (for advanced users)

For users who have pre-installed USB Debugging in the Developer Menu, there is a more flexible method that allows you to delete the files responsible for locking the screen without losing any other data, which requires a computer and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) driver installed.

Connect your phone to your PC through quality USB-Open the command line on your computer (cmd) in the tool folder ADB. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the phone has an offer to allow debugging and you confirm it (or have already confirmed it), the list will show your device.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/password.key




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

Executing these commands will delete files that store information about the pattern lock or digital password. After that, you need to reboot the device with the adb reboot command. When turned on, the phone may ask you to enter any code or swipe the finger - the lock should disappear. However, on new versions of Android, this method works less and less due to the increased permissions to access system files.

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Use the original cable to connect to your PC. Cheap charging-only cables don't transmit data, and your computer won't see your phone in debugging mode.

Specifics of different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The recovery procedure may vary depending on the version of the shell installed. Owners of older devices with MIUI 10 or MIUI 11 may face less stringent protection, while MIUI 14 and the new HyperOS have enhanced encryption mechanisms. For example, in new versions, resetting via Recovery without knowing the password of the lock screen may require additional authorization.

Regional firmware features are also worth considering: Global versions (Global) often have closer integration with Google services, while Chinese versions (CN) are more tied to Xiaomi’s ecosystem, which affects which account will be requested in priority after a reset.

If you have a two-sim phone, try to get it out. SIM-This can sometimes help avoid automatic activation attempts over a mobile network, giving you time to connect to familiar Wi-Fi, where authorization can be more successful.

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The newer the MIUI/HyperOS version, the harder it is to bypass standard security methods without losing data.

Prevention: How to avoid problems in the future

To prevent a forgotten password from happening again, you need to implement a few useful habits: modern biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition) make access much easier, but a digital code or pattern lock remains a mandatory backup method. Write this code in a safe place - in a notebook or password manager.

Check sync status regularly, make sure your contacts, photos and notes are saved in the cloud, so even if you have to do Hard Reset, you will only lose your application settings, not your personal information, and it’s also helpful to keep at least some of your Mi Account password in mind.

• 📝 Write complex passwords in a physical notebook.
• ☁️ Check the sync of Mi Cloud once a month.
• 🔢 Set simple but not obvious PIN-emergency code.
• 📸 Make backup copies of important data to your computer.

Remember that security is a balance between convenience and security: passwords that are too complex are easily forgotten, passwords that are too simple are easily matched, and balance the balance and be careful when setting up new devices.