How to Recover Your Password on Xiaomi Redmi: The Complete 2026 Guide

When you pick up your Xiaomi Redmi and find yourself forgetting your pattern lock or digital code, it is one of the most stressful digital worlds. In 2026, smartphones store vast amounts of sensitive information, from banking apps to personal photos, so locking your device is perceived as a critical problem. Fortunately, the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystems have multiple return scenarios, each with its own characteristics and risks.

Before you start taking action, you need to evaluate whether you remember your Mi Account password, whether you have USB debugging enabled, and whether you have access to your computer, and the answers to these questions will determine which of the following methods will work for you, and in some cases you can save the data, in others you will have to sacrifice the files to restore the functionality of the gadget.

It's important to understand that modern security systems Android and shells based on it were created precisely to protect against unauthorized access, which means that the "magic button" for instant password removal without traces does not exist, but the competent use of the standard developer tools allows you to solve the problem effectively.

Use the “Forgot Password” function through your Mi Account

The most civilized and safe way provided by the manufacturer is to use a Mi Account, which only works if the smartphone is connected to the network (Wi-Fi or mobile Internet) and the Find Device function has been activated in advance. If you enter the wrong pattern lock or code several times in a row, a timer or a “Forgot Password” button may appear on the lock screen.

Click on this button and the system will ask you to log in. You need to enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account. Once successfully verified, the server will send a command to unlock, and you can set a new way to protect the screen, which is unique in that it is the only method that allows you to remove the lock without completely deleting user data.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password from the Mi Account, you cannot restore access through this method, in which case you first deal with the restoration of access to the account through the official Mi Account website.

It is worth noting that newer versions of HyperOS firmware can be supplemented with biometric verification through a trusted device or Face ID if they have been configured, but don’t rely on this, as when the screen is completely locked, biometrics often turn off for security reasons.

📊 Have you ever had a screen lock?
Yeah, I forgot my password.
No, I'm using biometrics.
Blocked with a virus-encryptor
I bought a used locker.

Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If account access is not possible, the most common method is to reset to factory settings through recovery mode, a process known as Hard Reset that completely clears the device’s internal memory, returning it to the “out of the box” state. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery is at least 40-50% so that the phone does not turn off at a critical moment.

To enter Recovery mode on most Redmi models, you need to turn off the smartphone and then press the button combination. Usually this is a Volume Up button along with a Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the menu appears.

☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset

Done: 0 / 4

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action. The process can take several minutes, after which the device will restart.

⚠️ Warning: Once reset and turned on, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synced to the device previously (FRP), Bypass which is impossible without the owner’s data.

There is a nuance with new models where it may be necessary to enter the lock screen password to confirm a reset if it was recently installed. In such cases, the security system tries to prevent an unauthorized reset by an attacker. If the Recovery menu requires a password that you do not remember, this method may not be available without the use of specialized software.

Unlocking via Fastboot and PC

Fastboot is a low-level protocol designed to run firmware and diagnose Xiaomi devices, and allows you to interact with your phone at the bootloader level without having to go through the operating system. ADB/Fastboot and USB-good-quality.

To switch to Fastboot mode, turn off your smartphone and press the power button and Volume Down at the same time. The screen will show an image of a rabbit repairing an android, or the words FASTBOOT. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line or terminal in the folder with the ADB tools.

fastboot devices


fastboot erase userdata

The fastboot erase userdata command forcibly erases the user data partition, which is effectively equivalent to a Recovery reset, but sometimes works where the recovery menu is not available. However, on modern Locked Bootloader devices, this command may fail or require unlocking, which itself waits 168 hours (7 days).

What is FRP Lock?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection is Google's protection mechanism: If you reset your phone via Fastboot or Recovery, the first time you activate it, the device will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset. This is done so that the thief can not just dump the stolen phone and use it. Using Fastboot is effective only in conjunction with the unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, the capabilities of this method are limited to standard commands, which often duplicate the functions of Recovery. However, for advanced users, it is a powerful diagnostic tool. USB and ADB The method using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) It is one of the most flexible, but it has a critical requirement: the phone must be pre-enabled “Debugging by the phone”. USB» menu "For developers». If this option was activated before locking, and the computer you're connecting your phone to is previously authorized, you can access the file system. Connect your smartphone to your PC, open the command prompt, and enter a command to delete files that store your access keys. In older versions of Android, it worked flawlessly, in newer versions. MIUI 14 HyperOS and access rights are stricter. adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm Once you've done these commands, you need to restart the device, and if it's successful, the phone should let you go to the desktop without asking for a password, or let you enter any graphical key. However, if the phone is not authorized on this computer, ADB will not let you execute commands by requesting confirmation on the phone screen that you cannot press. There are also harvester scripts that automate this process, but their use requires caution. Antivirus programs can respond to such utilities as a threat, because their operation is similar to the viral one - they modify system files. The comparison of access recovery methods depends on the specific situation, device model and availability of pre-training. To structure the information and help you make a decision, we have compiled a comparative table of basic methods. Data Saving Method Needs PC Difficulty Requirements Mi Account Yes No Low Internet, password from Mi ID Recovery Mode No No No Average Physical Access to Fastboot Buttons No Yes High PC, Drivers Unlocked BL ADB Commands Yes (often) Yes High Included Debugging USB As you can see from the table, Mi Account is a priority because it saves your data, but it's the least reliable in situations where the password is forgotten, and Data Loss Methods (Recovery, Fastboot) are "heavy artillery" when other methods are exhausted. It's important to consider your device's model.Budget models of the Redmi A or Poco C series may have a simplified Recovery menu, while Xiaomi's flagship models 14/15 They have enhanced security, requiring mandatory authorization of the Mi Account even to enter the recovery mode. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing photos and contacts? The only guaranteed way is to log in through your Mi Account when you see the Forgot Password button on your lock screen. ADB, if debugging was included USB. In all other cases (Hard Reset, Fastboot) the data will be deleted. What if the phone says "Device locked" after reset? FRP (Factory Reset Protection. You need to enter a Google account and password that were synced to your phone before reset. If you don't remember them, you'll have to restore access to your Google account through a browser on another device. How long do you have to wait after 5 failed attempts to type? The lock time increases exponentially: from 30 seconds to 1 minute, 5 minutes, 15 minutes and beyond. After many failed attempts, the phone may offer a Mi Account reset or lock up for 24 hours. Don't try to match the code indefinitely, which can lead to a complete lockdown of the device by the server. Will the software to reset the password from the computer help? Most of the programs that promise to “remove passwords in 1 click” are either viruses or just perform the same Hard Reset that you can make with buttons. 💡The most reliable way to protect against problems with a forgotten password is to regularly sync important data with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud and store passwords in the password manager. Always try to use official account recovery methods first. If you have to go for radical measures like a Recovery reset, make sure you're prepared to lose local data. Regular backups are the best insurance against such situations in the future.