Xiaomi phone requires password after reboot: 7 working ways to unlock

You turned on Xiaomi after you rebooted, upgraded, or reset your settings -- and instead of your desktop, you see a lock screen that requires you to enter a password? This is familiar to many smartphone owners of this brand. Even if you're sure you're entering the right code, the system may not accept it. The reasons range from a MIUI malfunction to a factory protection activation after a hardware reset.

In this article, we'll look at all the possible scenarios why Xiaomi asks for a password after the reboot, and what to do about it. Importantly, the methods differ depending on whether you remember the password, whether you were tied to a Mi Account, and what phone model you were holding. Some solutions require technical skills, others only a few minutes of time.

Why Xiaomi Asks for Password After Rebooting: 5 Reasons

Before we go into unlocking, we need to understand what caused the problem, and here are the most common reasons:

• 🔄 Resetting settings via Recovery. Even if you run Wipe Data, the system can retain a binding to your Mi Account and require confirmation after the first download.
• 🔧 Update MIUI If the firmware has been interrupted or installed in a breach, the security module can block access by requesting an old password.
• 🔒 Activation of factory protection on some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3) after discharge FRP (Factory Reset Protection, even if it has not been set up before.
• 📱 Conflict with security applications: Antivirus or stock utilities (e.g., Security in the MIUI) Sometimes they block access after rebooting.
• 🔋 Hardware failure: Damage to the memory module (eMMC) or security controller can result in cyclical password requests.

If the phone asks for a password after updating through OTA, most likely, the fault in the dm-verity module will help, in this case, flashing through Fastboot. If the request appeared after resetting through Recovery, the problem lies in the binding to Mi Account - here you will need data from the account.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) After unsuccessful firmware manipulations, Secure Boot can work, which blocks any attempts to unlock without official software.

Method 1: Enter the correct password (if you remember it)

This may seem obvious, but many users start to try the combinations at random, locking the phone completely.

• 🔢 Enter the code slowly by checking the character register (input) MIUI The keyboard can automatically switch to capital letters).
• 🔄 If the password doesn’t fit, try the old combination – sometimes the system remembers the previous code after resetting.
• 📱 On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi) 9T) After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the button “Forgot the password?” appears – it redirects to restore via Mi Account.

If you use a pattern lock, look for the hint below the input field. In MIUI 12/13, it may contain information about the last successful unlock (e.g., "Last input: 3 hours ago").

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If the phone asks PIN-code SIM-cards instead of lock password, remove the SIM and restart the device – sometimes this removes the conflict of security modules.

Method 2: Unblocking with Mi Account (if an account is linked)

If the phone is tied to the Mi Account, the most reliable way to unlock is to use the data from this account. The instructions are relevant for most models, including the Redmi Note 11, POCO F4, Xiaomi 12T:

1. On the lock screen, tap the Forgot Password button? (or Forgot Password).
2. Select the recovery option through Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
4. Confirm the login via SMS or backup email.
5. Follow the system's instructions for resetting the lock password.

If the buttons forgot the password? no, try:

• 📧 Enter the wrong password 5 times – sometimes this will activate the recovery option.
• 🔗 Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile (on some models without the Internet, the recovery option does not appear).

⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, unlocking through the account will not be possible.

Method 3: Recovery reset (if no Mi Account binding)

If the phone is not tied to a Xiaomi account or you are ready to lose data, you can perform a hard reset via Recovery mode. This method works on most models, but devices with a MediaTek processor and Secure Boot enabled may need to log in through Mi Account even after the reset.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Nutrition (on some models – Volume Up + Volume Down + Nutrition).
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Restart the device via Reboot.

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure that the battery is >30%

Download the firmware for your model (in case of errors)

Prepare. OTG-cable (if required, through the USB)

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If the phone needs a password again after reset, it is activated. FRP-protection, in this case:

• 🔑 Try entering data from the Mi Account that was tied before the reset.
• 📥 If the account is unknown, you will need to firmware through Fastboot (see Method 5).

Method 4: Bypassing a lock through ADB (for advanced users)

If you have USB debugging enabled and have access to your computer, you can try to delete the password file via ADB. The method only works on MIUI until version 12.5 (on newer versions Xiaomi has closed this vulnerability).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line and type in: adb shell su 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 reboot
3. After resetting, the password should be reset.

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13+ and Snapdragon processors 8 Gen 1/2 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro, 13 Ultra: This method does not work due to the enhanced protection of Keymaster 4.0.

Yes, tied and data saved.

Yeah, but the data is lost.

No, not tied.

I don't know, I bought my phone with my hands.-->

Method 5: Fastboot Firmware (Extreme Method)

If none of the previous methods worked, you'll have to completely flash through Fastboot mode, which will delete all the data, but it will bring the phone back to working order.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
2. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz).
4. Press Refresh, then Flash.
5. Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 5-10 minutes).

Once the firmware is installed, the phone will boot as new, and if you request Mi Account, the firmware hasn't removed the binding, so only contacting the service center with proof of purchase will help.

Method 6: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all independent attempts to unlock failed, the official service remains.

• 🔐 The phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account (for example, after buying from hand).
• 🛠️ Activated. FRP-Protection on models with MediaTek.
• 📱 Damaged section. /data And the firmware doesn't help.

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (to confirm ownership).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner.
• 📱 The device itself with a battery charge of at least 50%.

The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock, and in some cases (for example, if the eMMC is damaged), a replacement of the motherboard may be required.

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Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service/center. Contact only authorized workshops – unofficial services can use illegal unlocking methods, which will lead to the loss of warranty.

Method 7: Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If you're willing to take risks, you can try informal unlocking methods that are suitable for power users and can result in a loss of warranty or device breakdown.

Options:

• 🔓 Use exploits (e.g. DirtyCOW for older versions) MIUI). Requires root rights and team knowledge ADB.
• 📱 Firmware custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) It doesn't work on all models because of a closed bootloader.
• 🔧 Memory soldering (for phones with damaged eMMC) is performed only in specialized workshops.

Warnings:

• On models with Snapdragon 865/870/888 (Mi 10, Mi 11, Black Shark 4), unofficial firmware can block IMEI.
• Using exploits on MIUI 14 and later activates anti-rollback protection, after which the phone can turn into a brick.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi