Forgot the password on the Xiaomi phone - 7 working ways to unlock (2026)

Why Xiaomi Phone Is Locked and What to Do

Forgotten password on Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that affects one in five users, according to statistics of service centers, 63% of the requests for blocking are related to loss. PIN-The reasons range from trivial forgetfulness to failures after updating. MIUI. But the main thing is not a sentence for your device.

Xiaomi’s current phones, from the Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra, offer layered protection that makes it difficult to access without authorization, but also provides several legal ways to unlock. In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from simple resets via Mi Account to advanced solutions via Fastboot and EDL, and also explain how to minimize data loss.

It's important to understand that the choice of method depends on the phone model, the version of MIUI and whether the device is tied to a Xiaomi account. For example, on devices with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (for example, POCO F5), EDL mode is available, and on MediaTek (as in Redmi 10C) only Fastboot. We will analyze each scenario in detail.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (the most secure method)

If your Xiaomi is tied to a Mi Account and your device has mobile internet or Wi-Fi enabled, it works 95% of the time, and it’s officially supported by the company and doesn’t require any technical skills.

Conditions for successful unlocking:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the network (mobile or Wi-Fi).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 Synchronization is enabled on the device (checked by activity in the personal account).

Step-by-step:

1. On the locked screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter the login (email or phone number) and password from the account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new password for your phone.

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If the button "Forgot your password?" does not appear, try to enter any password 5 times - the system will offer alternative ways of login.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It does not work on devices with the Internet off.
• ❌ If the Mi Account is not tied or blocked, the method is useless.
• ❌ On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T s MIUI 14) confirmation via Trust Device (trusted device) is required).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If Mi Account doesn’t work, the next step is hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for all Xiaomi models except those that include FRP.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the Power + Volume Up for 10 seconds).
2. Hold the Power + Volume Up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

What to do if Recovery Mode is blocked:

• 🔒 In some models (for example, POCO X5 Pro) requires a password to be entered even in Recovery, in which case only Fastboot or EDL.
• 🔧 If the phone asks you to enter the old password, this is FRP-- Locked, resolved through Mi Account or service center.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ After resetting via Recovery, you may need to verify ownership through Mi Account. If the account is not tied, the phone will turn into a brick".

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is suitable for Qualcomm and MediaTek chips, but requires a computer and drivers installed. The main advantage is data retention (in some cases), but the wrong actions can lead to complete loss of information or lock the bootloader.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (original, undamaged).
• 🛠 Tools: ADB & Fastboot, Mi Flash Tool.
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download only from official sources).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log in to Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined – continue.
3. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked): Newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12) require a binding to Mi Account and wait 72–168 hours!
4. Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool by selecting Clean All (saves data) or Clean All and Lock (full reset).

Method 4: EDL Mode (for Qualcomm devices)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a "hidden" service mode that allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader. It only works on Qualcomm chips (for example, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Xiaomi 13 Pro or the Snapdragon 778G in POCO F4).

How to activate EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold Volume Up + Volume Down and connect USB-plug-in.
3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the screen goes out (the phone won’t turn on – that’s fine).
4. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Firmware via EDL:

• 📌 Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 📁 Select firmware in.mbn format (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• ⚡ Swipe your phone in Firehose mode (the instructions for each model are different!).

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect firmware in mode EDL If you are not sure, contact the service center. On new models (Xiaomi 14) EDL blocked without authorization of Mi Account.

Method 5: Bypassing the pattern lock through ADB (if USB-debugging is on)

If the phone was previously on USB-debugging, and the computer is added to the list of trusted devices, you can delete the file with a password through ADB. The method works MIUI 12-14 and does not require resetting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Check the connection: Adb devices
3. Delete the password files: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

What to do if ADB does not see the device:

• 🔌 Try another cable (original Xiaomi with data support).
• 🔄 Reinstall the driver ADB.
• 📱 If the phone asks for permission to debug, but the screen is locked, the method will not work.

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Method ADB It only works if it only works USB-The debugging was on before the lockdown. MIUI (14+) Additional confirmation may be required through the Mi Account.

Method 6: Official Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods fail, you have to go to an authorized service center, which is the most reliable, but also the most expensive way, and the cost of unlocking varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model and complexity.

What will be required to unlock:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
• 🔑 Mi Account Information (if the phone is tied).
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge of at least 50%).

Advantages of the service center:

• ✅ Data retention guarantee (in some cases).
• ✅ Official unlocking without the risk of "bricking".
• ✅ Recovery capability IMEI (If it was lost after a failed reset).

Addresses of service centers:

• 📍 Moscow: list on the official website.
• 📍 St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk – check on Yandex.Maps on request “Service center Xiaomi".

⚠️ Warning: Avoid handicraftsmen offering 500 rubles unlock, often resulting in loss of service IMEI or network lock (especially on eSIM models, such as Xiaomi 13 Lite).

Method 7: Alternative methods (for older models)

If you have an outdated model (Redmi 4X, Mi A1, Mi 5), you can try out lesser-known methods that no longer work on new devices.

1. Call reset (only for MIUI 8-9):

• 📞 From another phone, call the blocked Xiaomi.
• 🔄 Take the call and quickly go to Settings → Recovery and discharge.
• 🔙 Reset the settings to factory.

2. bypassing through Safe Mode (Safe Mode):

• 🔄 Reboot your phone by holding Volume Down before the logo appears.
• 🛡 In Safe Mode, remove apps that may have blocked the screen (such as third-party blockers).
• 🔙 Restart your phone in normal mode.

Use of the old MIUI vulnerability (up to version 10):

• 🌐 Connect your phone to Wi-Fi.
• 🔍 In the password entry bar, enter 1234567890 and hold the Volume key. + 10 seconds.
• 🔓 In some cases, this will open access to settings.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having a forgotten password, follow these guidelines:

1. Set up a backup:

• ☁ Enable automatic synchronization with Mi Cloud (Settings) → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization).
• 💾 Regularly create local backups through Settings → The phone. → Backup.

2. Use reliable ways to unlock:

• 🔐 Set up a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional method.
• 📍 Enable Smart Lock (location unlock or Bluetooth device).

3. Write down your password in a safe place:

• 📝 Use password managers (Bitwarden, 1Password).
• 📧 Send yourself a password to an email (encrypted message).

4. Check the security settings:

• 🔒 Turn off Settings. → Lockdown and protection → Blocking after restart (if not necessary).
• ⚡ Turn on the settings. → Special facilities → Menu food → Emergency Unlocking Mode (Available on the MIUI 14).

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Even if you use biometric unlocking, always set up a backup. PIN-On new models (Xiaomi 14) without PIN You can not update the firmware or reset the settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)