Xiaomi phone is locked: how to unlock if you forgot your password

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users face. Screen locking protects personal data, but if you can't remember the combination, the phone turns into a brick. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several formal and informal ways to unlock, the main thing is to act carefully so as not to lose important files or damage the system.

In this article, we will discuss all current methods of unlocking without loss of data (if possible) and with a complete reset. MIUI 12/13/14, including the specifics of working with Redmi, POCO and flagships of the Xiaomi series 12/13/14. We also explain why some “folk” methods (like flashing through the windows) EDL) This can damage the device and how to avoid it.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 Remember the username and password from Xiaomi account.
• 🔄 Find Device has been activated in the settings.

If the conditions are met, follow the following steps:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select the option to Unblock through Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your Mi Account.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

Once you've successfully logged in, the system will suggest you create a new password or a graphical key, and the important thing is, if the phone isn't connected to the network, that method won't work, and you'll need an alternative way.

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

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, you'll be hard-resetting through Recovery Mode, which will remove all data from your device, including photos, contacts and apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5):

Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds)

Connect the charger (the battery must be charged at least 30%)

Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Prepare a backup (if the phone has previously synced with the phone) Google/Mi Cloud)-->

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume combination up and hold for 5-7 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Once rebooted, the phone will be like new, you will need to reconfigure it, and if you have previously synced with Google or Mi Cloud, some of the data (contacts, notes) will be restored automatically.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔧 You have access to a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for your model.
• ⚙️ You are ready for possible data loss (depending on the method you choose).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable.
4. Open the command prompt (CMD) in the folder with the platform-tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers manually.

1. To reset your password without losing data (only for some models) enter:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase locksettings

1. Reset the device:

fastboot reboot

Note: this method does not work on all devices; newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12) may require full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool, which will result in deleting all data.

💡

Before using Fastboot, check if the bootloader is unlocked on your phone. If not, unlock it through the official Xiaomi website (you will need a tied Mi Account and wait 7-30 days).

4.Use of the service "Find Device" (Find Device)

If the phone has Find Device enabled, you can unlock it remotely via a web browser, which works even if the phone is turned off, but requires:

• 🌐 Access to the Internet on a blocked device (at least for a short time).
• 🔒 A confirmed Mi Account with a confirmed email/telephone.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click Unlock Device (Unlock Device)
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the phone will unlock, but all data will remain in place (as opposed to a reset via Recovery).If the device has been turned off, unlocking will work the next time you connect to the Internet.

💡

Find Device is the only official way to unlock without losing data if the phone is not connected to a PC, but it only works when the internet is active on a smartphone.

5. Unlocking through EDL Mode (extreme case)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency boot mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader.This method can permanently block the IMEI or damage the communication module, so use it only if other methods have not worked.

Unlocking through EDL will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 📂 Firmware for your model (for example, fastboot-ROM from the Miui Download site).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm chips).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Close the Test Point contacts (location depends on the model) or use the adb reboot edl command if the ADB was enabled.
3. Connect the phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL may result in loss IMEI Or "bricking" the device, and if you're not sure what you're doing, you can call a service center.

6. Alternative methods (with limitations)

If standard methods don't work, you can try workarounds, which are not suitable for all MIUI models and versions, but sometimes they do:

For example, to call a locked phone:

1. Call your number from another device.
2. Take a call on a locked phone.
3. During the conversation, try to open the settings and disable the lock.

This method rarely works, as newer versions of MIUI have limited access to settings during a call.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi