How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget your password: 7 proven ways

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-Can't log in after flashing or buying a used device? This problem is familiar to thousands of users — according to statistics, one in five owners of Redmi or a second-hand device. POCO Fortunately, it is possible to unlock Xiaomi without data loss in 80% of cases, and in the rest – to return the phone to work even after a hard reset.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking (including official and engineering methods), their pros and cons, and give checklists for each option. Particular attention will be paid to the models 2023-2026 with MIUI 14/15, where the manufacturer has tightened protection. If your phone is locked after an update many or shows the error "Too attempts" - here you will find a solution.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method that works on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi) 4X Xiaomi 14 Ultra) if the phone was linked to a Mi Account, the main condition is to remember the login (email/phone number and password, otherwise you will need to restore access through [the official website of Xiaomi](https://account.xiaomi.com).

Instructions:

• 📱 On the lock screen, tap "Forgot Password?" (or "Forgot Password?").
• 🔑 Select "Login via Mi Account" and enter the data.
• 📧 Confirm the entrance through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
• 🔓 Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work. In such cases, a reset via Fastboot (see section 4). MIUI Global, if the account region does not match the firmware region.

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote)

Find Device not only allows you to track your phone, but also remotely reset your password when the device is connected to the Internet, which works even if the screen is locked, but requires:

• 🌐 Active connection to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
• 🔄 Synchronization with Mi Account enabled.
• 📍 The "Find the device" function must be activated in the settings.

How to reset your password:

1. Go to [Find Device page](https://i.mi.com/) and log in.
2. Select the locked device from the list.
3. Click "Delete data" → "Reset password".
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

⚠️ Warning: This method removes all data from the phone (photos, messages, apps) if the device is encrypted (default in the device) MIUI 12+), It will not be possible to recover files after reset. Before using the method, check if there is a backup in the Mi Cloud.

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If Find Device is disabled but your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, try unlocking it via ADB (see Section 3).

3. Unlock through ADB (without data loss)

A method for advanced users that allows you to delete a password file (gesture.key or password.key) without resetting your phone.

• 🔌 The phone's debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → Developer → Debugging by USB).
• 🖥️ Access to a computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📶 The phone is detected in the system (even if the screen is locked).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order adb shell su cd /data/system rm *.key
4. Reboot the phone: reboot.

After the reboot, the password will be reset, but the data will remain. If the su command does not work, then the phone does not have root permissions - try an alternative method:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Install ADB-Driver (download from [official website](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools))|Enable debugging on USB pre-lock|Connect your phone to your PC with the original cable|Check if the device is detected in adb devices-->

4. Hard Reset (hard reset) via Recovery

If previous methods failed, it is still a full reset via Recovery mode, which deletes all data but is guaranteed to unlock the phone, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO F3/F4/F5 and the flagship Mi 13/14.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) After Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was previously linked (protection) FRP). If you don't remember your username/password, the phone will turn into a brick. In such cases, only the firmware through Fastboot (section 5) will help).

5. Firmware via Fastboot (for power users)

If you're after Hard Reset, you need data from Mi Account, and you don't know it, the only way to do that is to flash it through Fastboot, which is a complicated process, but it works 100 percent.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (download from the official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index)).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic.
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
3. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Power + Volume down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh, the device needs to be determined.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Flash, and it takes 5-10 minutes.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot removes all data, including MIUI and user files. On some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50) After firmware, it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader, which takes up to 72 hours (requires binding to the Mi Account).

6 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If all the independent methods do not work, you need to contact the official service center.

• 🔒 Broken screen phones (no password interface visible).
• 📱 Devices purchased from hands where the previous owner did not untidy the Mi Account.
• 🛡️ Models with hardware lock (for example, after a failed firmware).

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🆔 Passport (to confirm ownership).
• 💳 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles, depending on the model).

⚠️ Note: Informal service centres may offer “circumvention” FRP" for a lower price, but it's fraught with:

• 🚫 Loss of guarantee.
• 🔄 Possibility to re-block after update.
• 🛡️ Risk of installing unofficial software with viruses.

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Xiaomi’s official service is the only legal way to unlock phones with a Mi Account tied if you don’t remember your account details.

7. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If your case doesn’t fit the standard instructions, try these options:

For phones with a memory card connector:

• 📁 If you have a memory card installed on your phone, try retrieving it and connecting it to another device through a card reader. SD, not in the internal memory.

For devices with unlocked loader:

• 🔓 If you previously unlocked Bootloader, you can flash custom Recovery (TWRP) You can find the instructions on the forum. [XDA Developers](https://forum.xda-developers.com/).

For Android 8.0 and lower phones:

• 📞 On the old versions. MIUI (Like Redmi. 4A or Mi A1) You could call a locked phone, and you could access the settings when you called it, and the new versions fixed this vulnerability.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi