How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi if you forget your password: the full guide 2026

Introduction: Why the smartphone is blocked and what to do

The forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that one in five users encounter, and the reasons range from trivial inattention to buying a used phone with an already installed code. But the result is one: the device turns into a brick, and access to photos, messages and applications is blocked. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and informal ways to restore access.

It’s important to understand that unlocking depends on whether your phone is tied to your Mi Account, USB debugging enabled, and backup data. For example, on Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi 10C models with the latest MIUI 14, the reset algorithm may differ from older devices on MIUI 11. We’ll look at all the current methods, from the simplest (via email) to the most complex (firmware via Fastboot).

⚠️ Warning: Any unlock method other than Mi Account recovery will result in complete loss of phone data (photos, contacts, messages).If encryption is enabled on the device, it will be impossible to recover information after reset even through specialized programs.

Method 1: Recovery through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only way to unlock Redmi without losing data, but it only works if:

• 📧 The phone is linked to your Mi Account (you have previously logged in).
• 🌐 The device has access to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔒 Find Device is activated in the settings.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm your identity through SMS-code.
5. Create a new unlock password.

If there is no button on the screen, forget the password?

• 🚫 The device is not tied to the Mi Account.
• 🚫 Find Device is disabled in security settings.
• 🚫 The phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the account (you need to contact him).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If Mi Account recovery is not available, you can reset your phone to factory settings, which will delete all data, but unlock the device, and this works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi 12 and older versions.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery Mode menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
5. Once completed, restart the phone (Reboot).

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Prepare. SIM-re-activation card

Remember your Google account details (required after resetting)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9T or Redmi Note 8 Pro after reset may require data input from Mi Account, which was tied to the phone earlier.If you do not know this data, the device will remain locked (Mi Cloud Lock), in which case only contacting the service center Xiaomi with proof of purchase will help.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If resetting via Recovery didn’t help (for example, because of Mi Cloud Lock), you can try to delete the password via Fastboot mode, USB-cable and installed drivers Xiaomi.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi PC Suite (official software from Xiaomi) or Android SDK Platform Tools (to work with ADB and Fastboot).
2. Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (its serial number will appear), run the command to unlock:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase frp




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On new Redmi models (released after 2022), the fastboot erase frp command may not work due to enhanced protection (OEM Unlock), which is officially possible only after waiting 7-14 days after the developer account is linked.

Method 4: Use ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can delete the file with the password through ADB. This method is suitable for devices that have at least once connected to a computer in developer mode.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is displayed, do:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

After the reset, the password will be reset. If the commands do not work, try the alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 The path to the password files may be different. If the phone still requests a password after completing the commands, try resetting the settings via Recovery. 2).

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not help (for example, because of Mi Cloud Lock or Fastboot, it remains to contact the official service.

• 📱 Phones purchased from hands without decoupling from previous accounts.
• 🔐 Devices with damaged firmware or blocked loader.
• 📄 Apparatus for which proof of purchase is required (check, warranty card).

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (to confirm possession).
• 🆔 Passport (for identification of the person).
• 💳 Payment for services (from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model).

Xiaomi service centers in Russia and CIS can be found on the official website, the average unlock time is from 1 to 3 days, in some cases it may be necessary to send the device to a central service (for example, if the model is rare or you need to replace the motherboard).

💡

Before visiting the service, take a photo of the IMEI phone (dial *#06#) and the serial number (on the box or under the battery) to speed up the identification process.

Unlocking Methods Comparison: Which One to Choose

To determine the method, evaluate your situation on the table:

💡

If the phone is bought by hand and locked to the previous owner, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the service with a check. Attempts to bypass the Mi Cloud Lock through informal methods can lead to a complete loss of service of the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Redmi, users often face typical problems:

1. Mi Cloud Lock: This device is locked: This occurs after a reset if the phone was tied to Mi Account, and the solution is to contact the service with proof of purchase.
2. Fastboot doesn't see the device: Check the drivers (install Mi) PC Suite, try another one. USB-cable or port. Windows may need to disable driver signatures.
3. ADB gives a "device unauthorized" error: So the USB debugging was not confirmed on the phone. If the screen is locked, this method will not work.
4. After reset, the old password requires: On some firmware (MIUI 12.5 and later), resetting through Recovery does not delete the password file completely.

⚠️ Note: Do not use Mi Account Unlock Tool or Xiaomi Tool. V2 They often contain viruses or can permanently brick the phone by blocking the bootloader. Official unlocking tools are only available through Xiaomi's website.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions