When the screen of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is blocked and access to critical system functions is suddenly blocked, many users panic, PIN-A code or password that was set too long ago. MIUI HyperOS won’t let you just open the menu without proof of identity.
However, there are proven methods to bypass the lock screen or completely reset your device to factory settings. It is important to understand that standard logging into the Settings section from a locked screen is not possible for security reasons, but we can use system utilities to restore access. Below we will look at all the available ways to solve this problem, from cloud services to engineering menus.
Before you take action, you need to be aware of the risks. Most unlocking methods, especially those involving resetting through Recovery, will result in the complete deletion of user data. Photos, contacts and apps will be destroyed if they were not synced to the cloud. So if you have the ability to remember the code or find it in the records, it is better to spend time doing this than washing your phone.
Use Find Device for remote access
The most civilized and safe way to unlock is to use Xiaomi’s official Find Device service, which allows you to remotely control your smartphone if you have the Internet on and your Mi Account is tied, and you’ll need a computer or other smartphone with network access to start with.
Go to the official website of the service and log in under the same account that was used on the locked device. If the data is correct, you will see a list of your devices. The system will offer several actions, among which we are interested in the lock or unlock function, as well as erasure of data. In some versions of the firmware, you can change the screen password directly through the web interface.
- 🔒 Open your browser and go to i.mi.com.
- 📱 Enter the username and password from your Mi Account.
- 🌐 Make sure your phone has active mobile internet or Wi-Fi.
- ⚙️ Select the “Erase Data” or “Unblock” function in the device menu.
⚠️ Note: This method only works if the phone has previously turned on the "Find device" function and there is an active connection to the network.
Once the command is successfully executed, the phone will receive a signal to reset the security mechanisms, and if you choose to erase the data, the device will reboot, and you can configure it as new, having access to all system settings, which is the most reliable way for those who are worried about the security of their data and have a backup.
Resetting through Recovery Menu mode
If remote access is not possible, a built-in recovery menu known as Recovery Mode comes to the rescue, a low-level system that boots separately from the main operating system, and this is where you can perform a hard reset that will delete the forgotten password along with all the files.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then you need to press the key combination. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the volume button and the power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up-down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. After selecting, the system can ask you to confirm the action by asking you to type in the word "yes" or re-press the combination of buttons. This is protection against accidental reset.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
The cleaning process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once completed, a success message will appear on the screen. Select Reboot or Reboot to System. The phone will reboot, and you will be taken to the initial settings screen, where the password will no longer be requested.
Features of unlocking with a Google account
After resetting via Recovery, modern versions of Android (starting at 5.1 and above) trigger FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, which means that when you first boot the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset.
This is done to prevent thieves from using stolen phones after flashing them, and if you know your Google account, just type it in. If you don't remember Google email, things get complicated, you have to restore access to your account through your computer or use special workarounds that are often closed by security updates.
- 📧 Think of the email address linked to the Play Market.
- 🔑 Restore your password through Google’s website on another device.
- 📲 Wait for the time to sync (sometimes you have to wait 24 hours).
- 🛡️ Don’t try to guess the password many times – your account will be temporarily blocked.
⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with your hands and the previous owner didn't log out of your Google account, you won't be able to activate the device without it.
In some cases, if the Internet on the phone is not configured, FRP may not be activated immediately, but modern MIUI firmware requires a Wi-Fi connection at the welcome stage. Without this, you will not be able to skip the step of entering a Google password. Be prepared to look for a router with a known password or use an access point from another phone.
Using ADB to access the system
For more advanced users, there is a method of unlocking or accessing settings through debugging. USB (USB Debugging: This only works if the feature was activated in the Developer Menu before locking the phone.
If debugging is enabled, you can connect the phone to your computer and use console commands. ADB (Android Debug Bridge. It can delete files that store password hashes or send a command to reset. However, on modern versions of Android, access rights are limited, and a simple adb shell command may not be able to perform critical actions without root rights.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyThese commands theoretically delete key files, but in practice require root access that the average user does not have. However, ADB sometimes allows you to back up data or run a specific application that will block the lock screen, a complex path that requires installing the drivers and tools of Platform Tools on a PC.
List of required files for ADB
It’s worth noting that if you haven’t enabled USB debugging beforehand, it’s useless, and trying to enable it through special adapters or hacks on a locked screen tends to be unsuccessful on the latest versions of MIUI due to increased security requirements.
Comparison of Xiaomi Unlocking Methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the main ways to enter or reset the lock, each method has its own requirements and consequences.
| Method | Data retention | We need the Internet. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find Device | No (when dumped) | Yes. | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No. | Medium |
| Google Find My | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| ADB Commands | Maybe. | No. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, most effective methods involve loss of information. The only way to save data without a password is to have a valid sync with the Mi Cloud or Google Photos cloud until the moment of locking. If the sync was not configured, it will be impossible to return photos and contacts after reset using software methods.
If your phone is just lying at home with a dead battery, start by charging and trying to remember the code. If your phone is lost or stolen, use remote services. For cases of complete forgetting of the password, only a hard reset via Recovery remains.
Frequent errors and problems when unlocking
Users often have difficulty even following instructions, and one of the most common problems is that the phone doesn't respond to buttons when trying to log in to Recovery, which can be due to the specific model or the state of the buttons.
Sometimes, when you reset, the phone says, "Device is locked," and you want the bootloader unlocked, which is when you've manipulated your system files or custom firmware before, and when you're working on your firmware, you don't have to do that unless you've touched the bootloader.
- 🔋 Battery discharge: Phone may not turn on in Recovery if charge is less 5-10%.
- 🖱️ Failure of buttons: sticking the volume button will not allow you to enter the recovery menu.
- ☁️ Network absence: without a network, you will not be able to check your Mi or Google account after a reset.
- 📱 Operator lock: If the phone is locked to a specific operator, a reset will not remove this lock.
💡
If the volume buttons don’t work, try connecting. USB-This is the cable to the computer when you turn on the phone, and on some models, this emulates the push of the buttons and allows you to enter recovery mode.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of "bricking." If you interrupt the reset process (take out the battery or discharge the phone at this point), the file system can damage, as a result of which the phone will stop loading at all, so always monitor the charge level before starting any operations with Recovery.
Prevention of blocking and safety advice
To avoid such situations in the future, a few simple digital hygiene rules are recommended: First, always back up your sensitive data in the cloud, and Google Drive and Mi Cloud provide plenty of free space for contacts and notes.
Second, write complex passwords to a safe place. Using biometrics (fingerprint, facial recognition) is convenient, but always have a backup digital code that you remember. Biometrics may not work when you reboot or have a low battery charge, and then the code becomes the only key.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use simple passwords like "1234" or "0000," but don't choose too complex combinations that you can't remember.
Check your account status regularly, go to your security settings and make sure your phone number and recovery email are up to date, which will help you quickly restore access if you forget your Mi Account or Google password.
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Regular data synchronization and remembering the password from Mi Account is the best insurance against losing access to your phone.