Forgot graphical password on Xiaomi 8 Pro after the reboot – how to unlock the smartphone

The situation is familiar to many: rebooted Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro, and after turning on the phone requires you to enter a graphical password, which you suddenly forgot. Don’t panic – even if access to the device is blocked, there are official and informal ways to restore access. The main thing is to act consistently and not try to find the code at random (this can lead to a complete lock of the device).

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking the Xiaomi 8 Pro after a reboot, including authorization via Mi Account, reset via Recovery and Fastboot, as well as alternative solutions for cases where standard methods do not work.

Importantly, if you bought your phone with your hands or you don't remember your Mi Account, the chances of unlocking without losing data are minimal, and you'll have to resort to a full reset, but there are some nuances that we'll talk about below.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended way Xiaomi uses is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the login (email/phone number) and password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 The "Find the device" function was activated in the settings.

After 5 failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, the "Forgot your password" button (or similar) will appear on the screen.

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
2. Confirm your identity via SMS or email (the code will come to the mail / phone).
3. Reset your graphical password and set a new one.

⚠️ Note: If your phone is not connected to the network, the "Forgot Password?" button may not appear, in which case try connecting to Wi-Fi via the Quick Settings Panel (if available on the lock screen).

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If the “Forgot Password” button is not active, try entering any pattern lock 5 times in a row – sometimes the system offers alternative unlock options after several failed attempts.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (with loss of data)

If Mi Account is lost or the phone is not connected to the Internet, a hard reset via Recovery Mode remains, which will remove all data from the device, including photos, contacts and installed applications. On Xiaomi 8 Pro models with a blocked bootloader, the reset via Recovery may not work – you will need to unlock through Fastboot.

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (English / Chinese), then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Reboot your device with Reboot → Reboot to System.

Once reset, the phone will turn on as new. If you previously tied your Mi Account, you will need to enter the data to confirm ownership (this is protection against theft).

Turn off the phone.

Slam Power + Volume Up

Select Wipe Data from the Recovery menu

Confirm the deletion of all data

Reset the device-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if Recovery Mode is not available or reset through it did not help. ADB/Fastboot original USB-Attention: Unofficial firmware or errors in executing commands can lead to a "brick" (breakdown) of the device.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
2. Turn off the Xiaomi 8 Pro and press Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined, reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware may require Mi Account authorization after a Fastboot reset, even after a full reset.If you don't remember your account details, your phone will remain locked.

Mi Account

Recovery Mode

Fastboot

I went to the service center.

I've tried nothing.-->

4. Alternative methods (without loss of data)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking it through ADB This method only works if the debugging has been activated before the lockdown.

Instructions:

1. Connect Xiaomi 8 Pro to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or for newer versions of Android: adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
3. Reset the phone. Once turned on, the graphical password should reset.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 12/13/14 This method may not work because of changes in the structure of password storage, and after deleting files, you may experience errors in the system — be prepared to reset if the phone starts to glittle.

Another option is to use services like Dr.Fone or Tenorshare 4uKey, which promise to unlock without losing data, but their effectiveness depends on the version of MIUI and the state of the bootloader, which starts at $30, and there is no guarantee of success.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts failed, you need to contact an authorized service center.

• 📄 Check or purchase warranty (proof of ownership).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 1000 to 3 000 rubles).

Xiaomi service centers in Russia and CIS usually unlock the device within 1-3 days, in some cases it may be necessary to send the phone to the central office (for example, if the lock is associated with Mi Account of another region).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial workshops often offer "bypass" locks through firmware in mode EDL. It's risky:

• This can cause the IMEI to be lost (the phone will stop catching the network).
• It violates the warranty (if it is still valid).
• It does not guarantee 100% results – new MIUI firmware often blocks such methods.

6.How to recover data after reset

If unlocking requires a complete reset, some of the data can be recovered — but only if the sync was previously enabled or a backup was created.

Recovery methods:

If the sync is not configured, there is hope for data recovery software like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver, but its effectiveness on today’s encrypted smartphones (FBE) is minimal, with less than 20 percent chance of returning something of value.

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The only reliable way to save data is through regular backups. Set up automatic sync with Google Drive or Mi Cloud in your phone settings (Settings → Accounts → Sync).

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock, it is easier to remember.
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (e.g., Google Keep with encryption).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Improvement of access restoration mechanisms.
• 🔗 Attach Mi Account and turn on "Find device" (Settings) → Mi Account → Find the device).

It is also useful to configure Smart Lock to trusted locations or devices. For example, the phone can be configured to unlock automatically at home or when connected to a trusted Bluetooth headset. This feature is available in Settings → Screen Lock → Smart Lock.

If you often forget passwords, consider using a password manager (like Bitwarden or 1Password) these apps store all your codes in encrypted form and sync between devices.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi 8 Pro