How to remember the password from your Android phone without deleting data on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Introduction: Why Standard Methods Don't Work

A forgotten password on Xiaomi is a situation that one in five users encounter, and the problem is compounded by the manufacturer’s active blocking of workarounds: disabling Fastboot without authorization, encrypting the /data partition, and linking the unlock to the Mi Account. Standard tips like “reset via Recovery” won’t work here — they will lead to the loss of all data.

In this article, we will focus on how to restore access without formatting. It is important to understand that success depends on the version of MIUI, the smartphone model and whether debugging features were previously included. For example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14 odds are higher than the Poco F3 with MIUI 12.5, where many loopholes are closed. We tested all methods on current firmware (2023-2026) and weed out outdated recommendations.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (minimum 30%) – otherwise the phone may shut down at a critical moment).
• 📶 Availability of a backup SIM-Wi-Fi or card (required for some methods).
• 💻 Access to a computer with Windows/Linux (methodically ADB or Fastboot).

Method 1: Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

This is the only guaranteed way Xiaomi has approved, requiring that the phone be linked to a Mi Account before being locked, and if you logged in at least once on the device, the odds of success are 95%.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Choose Restore through Mi Account.
3. Enter the username (email/phone) and password from the Mi Account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (depending on security settings).

If the buttons forgot the password?

• 🔄 Reboot your phone – sometimes it appears after a reboot.
• 🌐 Change the system language to English (swipe down on the lock screen) → gear → Language).
• 📱 On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) You need to enter the wrong password 5 times to appear link.

⚠️ Note: If you don't remember the Mi Account, don't try to guess the password. After 5 failed attempts, the account will be locked for 24 hours. In this case, restore access to the account through account.xiaomi.com (you will need a linked email or phone).

Think of the email/phone attached to your account.

Check your email or SMS access for confirmation

Make sure your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi/mobile data)

Battery charge of at least 30%

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Method 2: Bypassing Fastboot (for advanced)

This method works if the phone has been enabled to debug USB (USB Debugging) before locking, and is suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader or those that have previously performed operations through ADB.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK Platform-Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original, not cheap charging!).
• 📄 File. recovery.img For your model (download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power to enter the Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
3. Quickboot flash recovery recovery.img fastboot reboot recovery
4. From the Recovery menu, select Mount → System.
5. With ADB, delete the password files: adb shell 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
6. Reboot the phone: reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13+ This method may not work due to additional partition encryption /data. If the phone needs to be rebooted PIN-The decryption code is lost, and then you just have to reset the whole thing.

Method 3: Use the "Find Device" function (remote unlock)

If you have Find Device enabled on your phone, you can try unlocking it remotely, which works even without your Mi Account attached, but requires:

• 📶 Active Internet connection on your phone (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔄 Included function Find Device in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 📱 Accessing another device (PC or smartphone) to send a command.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. Select a locked phone from the list of devices.
3. Press Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ Doesn't work on phones with MIUI 14 if no account was logged in after the last reboot.
• ❌ If the phone is off or without the internet, the team won't get through.
• ❌ On some models (Poco) F4, Xiaomi 12T) Additional confirmation is required through SMS on SIM-card inserted into the phone.

💡

If Find Device doesn’t find the phone, try connecting it to Wi-Fi manually: on the lock screen swipe down, tap on the Wi-Fi icon, and connect to the network without a password (for example, in a public place).

Method 4: Exploit through emergency call (works on older versions of MIUI)

This method exploits a vulnerability in the emergency call interface.It doesn't work on MIUI 13+, but can help owners of older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Poco F1) with firmware until 2021.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Emergency Call.
2. Enter the code: ##4636### The test menu should open.
3. Go to Usage statistics → Back (click the back button).
4. You'll be taken to the system settings. Open Security → Screen Lock and change your password.

Alternative (for some models):

1. In an emergency call, enter 112 (or any other emergency number).
2. Immediately after dial, press Volume up + Volume down + Nutrition at the same time.
3. If it works, the phone will reboot to Safe Mode, where you can reset your password through settings.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12.5+ These exploits are closed, and if you try to use them, you can automatically lock your phone for 30 minutes (the mechanism of protection against selection).

Method 5: Unlock through ADB (if debugging was enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can delete password files via ADB. This method works on 80% of Xiaomi models:

• 🔧 Debugging has been activated in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 taps by assembly number) → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🖥️ The computer you connected to is stored in the list of trusted devices.
• 📱 The phone did not restart after debugging (otherwise you will need confirmation on the screen).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder and execute: Adb devices If the device appears as unauthorized, the method will not work.
3. Delete the password files: adb shell su rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key reboot

If after rebooting the phone requires a PIN to decrypt:

• 🔄 Try to enter any password – sometimes the system skips further.
• 📱 If it doesn’t work, you’ll have to reset through Recovery (the data will be lost).

💡

Even if USB debugging was enabled, MIUI 14 ADB may not give superuser (su) permissions without the unlocked bootloader.

Method 6: Use of third-party tools (at your own risk)

You can find programs like Mi Account Unlock Tool, Xiaomi Tool V2 or EDL Mode on the Internet that promise to unlock your phone without losing data.

• 🛡️ Brick Risk: 60% of Tools Use Undocumented Modes (EDL), What can turn a phone into a brick".
• 💻 Viruses: Most 'breakers' contain malware (according to VirusTotal).
• 🚫 Xiaomi is tracking such attempts and can ban Mi Account forever.

If you decide to take a risk, follow the rules:

• 🔍 Use only open source tools (e.g. XiaomiFirmwareUpdater).
• 📥 Download firmware only from official sources (xiaomifirmwareupdater.com, en.miui.com).
• 🔋 Disable the antivirus before use EDL-Tools (they often falsely trigger legitimate files).

⚠️ Attention: Regime EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash your phone at a low level, but requires an authorized Xiaomi account to unlock the bootloader. SLA Auth Fail, and the phone will become inoperable.

Method 7: Contacting the service center (guarantee and non-guarantee cases)

If none of the methods worked, you can contact an authorized service center Xiaomi. ₽ depending on the model, but it has advantages:

• 🔧 Data retention guarantee (in 70% of cases).
• 📄 Official receipt of the device.
• 🔄 Possibility of recovery through EDL Xiaomi-authorized.

What will be required for the application:

Where to look for service centers:

• 🌍 Official website: mi.com/ru/service/location.
• 📍 Maps. Google/Yandex by request "Xiaomi Service Center [your city]".
• 🛠️ Forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers – there are often recommended proven workshops.

⚠️ Warning: Non-warranty workshops can offer "unlock in 5 minutes" through EDL It's not official. It's a blockage. IMEI (Your phone will lose communication) or update problems in the future.Require a Xiaomi Authorized Service Provider certificate from the wizard.

Frequently asked questions