How to Recover Your Password on Xiaomi Phone: All the Working Techniques of 2026

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and can’t unlock the phone? This situation is familiar to many β€” according to statistics, one in five users has experienced at least one loss of access to a smartphone. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal recovery methods that work even without access to a Mi Account or backup.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of unlocking – from the simplest reset via Find My Device to complex manipulations in the Fastboot and EDL modes. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for different models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11, etc.), and also warn against common errors that can turn your phone into a β€œbrick.” If you are looking for a 100% working way without losing data, immediately go to the section about unlocking through Mi Account (if the account was tied).

1. Password recovery via Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

Xiaomi’s safest and most recommended method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all models released after 2018, and allows you to unlock the device without resetting data, the main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

  • πŸ”Ή On the lock screen, tap Forgot your password? (or Forgot password on English firmware).
  • πŸ“± Select Restore via Mi Account.
  • πŸ”‘ Enter the username (email or phone number) and password from the Mi Account. If you do not remember - restore access through the official website.
  • πŸ“² Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (depending on your account security settings).

⚠️ Warning: If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your phone, you'll need to enter a code from the Mi Security app or backup code. Without it, unlocking is impossible, you'll have to use other methods.

β˜‘οΈ What to do if you don’t remember your Mi Account

Done: 0 / 4

2 Unlocking through Find My Device (Google)

If Xiaomi has Google's Find My Device enabled, you can reset your password remotely, and this method only works if you meet three conditions:

  1. The phone is connected to the Internet.
  2. Geolocation and remote control permission are included.
  3. You remember the Google account details that were added to the device.

How to do this:

  1. Go to Find My Device from another device.
  2. Sign in with the same Google account as you do with a blocked Xiaomi.
  3. Select your phone from the list of devices.
  4. Click Lock Device β†’ Enter a new password (e.g., 123456) β†’ Confirm.
  5. After 5-10 minutes, a field will appear on the phone to enter a new password.

πŸ” Important: Once unlocked in this way, all data on the phone will be saved, but some applications (e.g., banking) may need to be re-authorized).

πŸ“Š What Unlocking Method Have You Tried Before?
Through the Mi Account.
Reset to factory settings
Fastboot/EDL
I went to the service center.
Never blocked.

3. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If previous methods failed, a hard reset remains – the complete deletion of all data from the phone, including the password – which is suitable for any Xiaomi model, but has a critical disadvantage: you will lose all files, photos and settings. On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip (for example, Xiaomi 13) after reset, you may need to log in to Mi Account to activate.

Instructions for phones with physical buttons (e.g. Redmi 9A, POCO M3):

  1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
  2. Press the Power Button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds at the same time until the Mi logo appears.
  3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data β†’ Wipe All Data β†’ Confirm the action.
  4. After the reset, the phone will reboot and prompt you to set it up as new.

For models without physical buttons (e.g. Xiaomi Mix Fold 3):

  • πŸ”Œ Connect your phone to charge.
  • πŸ”„ Press the power button. + Volume up 20.+ A few seconds before the menu appears.
  • πŸ“± Use touch buttons on the screen to navigate.
What to do if your phone requires an old Mi Account after a reset?
If the phone requests the data of the previous Mi Account after the reset, this means that the Mi Cloud Lock function was activated. In this case, unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check or a box from the device. Self-attempts to bypass can result in complete blocking IMEI.

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is a method that is suitable for users who are willing to work with the command line. It allows you to reset the password without losing data on some models, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, this method will not work.

What you need:

  • πŸ–₯️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
  • πŸ”Œ USB-cable (preferably original).
  • πŸ“₯ Archive with firmware for your model (you can download on the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode:


Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds.





2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).





3. Check the connection by the command:


   fastboot devices


(Serial number of the device must be displayed).





4. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked):


   fastboot oem unlock


* Newer models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) require Mi Account to be linked to the device in advance.





5. Slice stock recovery:


   fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


(The file recovery.img must be in the folder with ADB).





6.Reboot to recovery and perform reset.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect commands in Fastboot can damage firmware. If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the service center. 10C) An authorization file may be required to unlock.

5. Unlock through EDL mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a β€œemergency” firmware mode that allows you to restore the phone even in case of serious failures. It is used by service centers and requires special equipment (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008). Self-use of EDL without experience can lead to complete loss of IMEI or turn the phone into a β€œbrick”.

When you need an EDL:

  • πŸ”§ The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
  • πŸ”’ Password is forgotten and other methods do not work.
  • πŸ“± You need to flash your phone from scratch (for example, after a failed update).

How to log into EDL:

  1. Turn off the phone.
  2. Press the Power button + Volume up + Volume down at the same time.
  3. Connect. USB-cable to PC – the device must be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

To run through EDL, you will need:

ComponentDescriptionWhere to find it.
Firmware.mbnFirmware file for your model in EDL formatXiaomi Firmware Updater
Mi Flash ToolOfficial firmware utilityXiaomi website
QDLoader DriverDriver for phone recognition in EDL modeInstall automatically or manually through Device Manager
Authorization fileAuth file to unlock firmware (required on new models)You can ask for support from Xiaomi

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL without authorization file on Xiaomi 2022 models+ The year of release will result in a lockdown. IMEI. It can be restored only in the official service center.

πŸ’‘

Before you run through EDL, be sure to check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. Using firmware from another model will lead to the device’s failure.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods have not worked, the last option is to contact an official service center, which is relevant in the following cases:

  • πŸ” The phone requires a Mi Account you don't remember.
  • πŸ“± The device is locked after a failed firmware.
  • πŸ”§ We need to rebuild. IMEI post-dump EDL.

What will be required to unlock:

  • πŸ“„ Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
  • πŸ“¦ Phone box (it has a serial number).
  • πŸ†” Passport of the owner.

The cost of unlocking in the service depends on the model and the reason for blocking:

Type of lockdownAverage cost (β‚½)Timeline
Password reset (without data loss)1 500–3 0001-2 hours
Unlocking the Mi Account3 000–5 0001-3 days
IMEI Recovery After EDL4 000–7 0002-5 days

πŸ” Tip: Before visiting the service center, call to see if they work with your model.Some new phones (like Xiaomi 14) require special hardware to unlock.

πŸ’‘

If the phone was purchased abroad (e.g., the global version of the Redmi Note 12), it may not be possible to unlock through a Russian service center.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having to deal with a forgotten password, follow these tips:

  • πŸ” Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional way to unlock.
  • πŸ“ Write your password in a secure location (such as Google Keep or Google Keep). 1Password).
  • πŸ”„ Regularly back up through Settings β†’ System system β†’ Backup.
  • πŸ“§ Link Mi Account and make sure you have access to backup email.

πŸ”§ Configuring the backup PUK-code:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Passwords and Security β†’ Lock screen.
  2. Select Reserve. PIN-code and set an easy-to-remember code (e.g. 0000).
  3. This PIN can be used to unlock if you forget your primary password.

⚠️ Warning: Never use your date of birth, simple sequences (1234, 0000) or repeating numbers as your password.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi

πŸ”Ή Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data?
Yes, but only if the phone is linked to Mi Account or Google Account and you remember the login details, in which case use the methods in section one or two, if the accounts are not linked, the data will be lost when you reset.
πŸ”Ή What to do if your phone asks for an old Mi Account?
This means that the phone has activated the Mi Cloud Lock function, which can only be unlocked through the official Xiaomi service, providing proof of purchase, and bypassing the lock yourself will lead to the loss of IMEI.
πŸ”Ή Does unlocking work through ADB, if USB-debugging not included?
No. To use ADB, debugging must be activated in advance in the developer settings (Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI Version β†’ 7 taps to unlock the developer menu). If debugging is turned off, this method will not work.
πŸ”Ή Can you unlock Xiaomi with the Mi Unlock Tool?
Mi Unlock Tool is designed to unlock the bootloader, not reset the password. It won't help if you forget the pattern lock or the key. PIN-To unlock your password, use the methods described in this article.
πŸ”Ή Why, after the firmware through EDL the network is not working?
This means that the IMEI partition was damaged when the firmware was installed, and can only be restored at the service center with the help of special equipment (IMEI Repair Box), and attempts to fix the IMEI can lead to a complete loss of communication.