How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone if you forgot your password: 5 proven ways

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter at least once in their lives. According to service center statistics, 68% of device locks are related to lost access codes, not hardware breakdowns. But before you panic or carry your phone to the workshop, it’s worthwhile to figure out: most modern Redmi, POCO and Mi models provide legal ways to restore access without losing data.

It is important to understand that the term “password hacking” in the context of legal access restoration implies the use of official tools from Xiaomi. All methods described in this article are consistent with the company’s security policy and do not violate the user agreement. We strongly recommend not to contact dubious services or programs that promise “instant hacking” – this is fraught with not only loss of warranty, but also leakage of personal data.

In this article, you will find step-by-step instructions for all relevant scenarios, from unlocking through the tied Mi Account to working with the Fastboot mode for power users. Particular attention is paid to the Xiaomi 13/14 series, Redmi Note 12 and POCO F5 models, where the procedure has its own nuances. If your device is older than 2020, check the section with alternative methods - they may require additional actions.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account: the official method

The easiest and safest way to regain access to your smartphone is to use a Xiaomi account, which works on all devices with MIUI 12 and later, provided that:

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account
• 📧 The account has confirmed an email or phone number

After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the system will automatically offer the recovery option through the account. If this does not happen, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm your identity through SMS-code.
4. Create a new password to unlock the screen.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Account or used unofficial firmware, this method may not work.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode: When nothing helps

If Mi Account is lost and other methods are not available, the radical solution is hard reset, which will remove all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed apps, but restore the phone to work. On Xiaomi models from 2022-2026, the procedure looks like this:

Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button

Press the volume up + power for 10-15 seconds

Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the buttons

Select your language using volume buttons

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From the Recovery menu, go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm

Once confirmed, the device will restart and begin the cleaning process, which will take 3-7 minutes, and the screen will display the message Data wipe complete - this is a signal of a successful reset.

⚠️ Note: On devices with locked bootloader (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ After reset, you may need to log in to the same Mi Account that was tied before locking, and without that data, the phone will become a brick".

Critical information for POCO F4/F5 owners: Recovery automatically activates Anti-Rollback protection on these models, making it impossible to roll back on previous MIUI versions.

3. Unlocking via Fastboot: for advanced users

The Fastboot method is suitable for those who have previously unlocked the bootloader on their Xiaomi, a more complex but effective way to save some data.

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📥 Archive with firmware for your model

Step-by-step:

1. Put your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power.
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices
3. To unlock the bootloader, run: fastboot oem unlock (new models may require fastboot flashing unlock)
4. Flush the original firmware through the command: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

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Before you run through Fastboot, be sure to check the MIUI version on the official Xiaomi website. Installing an inappropriate firmware can damage the communication module.

4.Use of Find Device: If the phone is stolen or lost

Xiaomi’s Find Device service not only tracks the location of a smartphone, but also remotely locks it or erases data, a method that can be useful if:

• 🚨 Your phone is stolen and you want to protect your personal information.
• 🔍 Device lost but connected to the internet
• 🔒 You need to unlock the phone for the new owner (when selling)

Instructions for use:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device from the list.
3. Press Erase Device (Erase Device).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

The erasure process will take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the model, and once completed, the phone will reboot in factory condition.

⚠️ Note: Erase Device only works when the phone is on an active Internet connection. If the device is turned off or in flight mode, the command will be executed when you first connect to the network.

5. Alternative methods for older models (until 2020)

Xiaomi devices until 2020 (e.g. Redmi Note 7, Mi 9, POCO F1) They have vulnerabilities that allow them to bypass the lock without completely resetting. EDL (Emergency Download Mode).

This will require:

• 🖥️ PC with Mi Flash Tool Program
• 🔌 Cable with support EDL (or special adapter)
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format for your model

Procedure:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Close the contacts Test Point (location depends on the model).
3. Connect. USB-cable – the device is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect closure of contacts or use of incompatible firmware can cause the power module to fail. For models older than 5 years, we recommend contacting the service center.

6.What to do if nothing helps: contact the service

If all of these methods do not work, the last option is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 🔐 Mi Account Access Lost and Phone Requires Authorization After Reset
• 🛠️ The charging connector is damaged and it is impossible to connect to the PC
• 📱 The device does not turn on or hung on the logo after a failed firmware

The cost of unlocking in official services varies from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the work.

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Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found through the map on the website mi.com/ru/service/location. Avoid “gray” workshops – they often use illegal unlock methods, which will void the warranty.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi