How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 if you forget your password: all working ways

The forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is a situation that many users face. Especially unpleasant if the phone stores important data and there is no access to it. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to unlock, and not all of them require a factory reset. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods - from simple (via Mi Account) to technically complex (using ADB or Fastboot).

It is important to understand that some methods lead to data loss, for example, hard reset completely clears internal memory, and unlocking through Mi Account may require verification of identity, we will describe each method in detail, its pros, cons and nuances, so you can choose the best option for your situation.

If you’ve never unlocked a Xiaomi smartphone, don’t worry: the instructions are tailored for beginners. For power users, we’ve added advanced technical details, including ADB commands and Fastboot, to start with the easiest way to unlock through your tied Mi Account.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (without data loss)

If your Redmi Note 8 is tied to a Xiaomi account (Mi Account), this is the fastest and most secure way to unlock.The method works even if you don't remember the password from the lock screen, but remember the login details for Mi Account.

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times in a row, and the message will appear: "Forgot the password?".
2. Click on this label and select Unblock via Mi Account.
3. Enter your username and password from your Xiaomi account. If you don't remember the password, restore it via email or phone.
4. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock and you will get access to the data.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔓 Does not delete data from the phone.
• 🕒 Takes less than 5 minutes.
• 📱 It works on all versions. MIUI (including MIUI 12/13/14).

❌ Cons and limitations:

• 🚫 It won’t work if your phone isn’t tied to your Mi Account or you don’t remember the login details.
• 🔒 If two-factor authentication is enabled on the device, it may be necessary to SMS-code.
• 🌍 On some firmware (for example, global) the Unblock via Mi Account may not be available.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the Redmi Note 8 with your hands, the previous owner may not have deleted your Mi Account.In this case, unlocking through the account is impossible - you will need to contact the seller or use other methods.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account unlock is not available, the next option is Hard Reset, which completely removes all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for Xiaomi Redmi Note 8:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu.
4. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select the Wipe Data (or Clear Data) item.
5. Confirm the reset by selecting Confirm (or Yes).
6. After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot.

📌 What to do if you have a Recovery Mode in Chinese?

Some firmwares display the menu in Chinese, in which case:

• 🔍 Look for characters (clean up data) is an analogue of Wipe Data.
• 🔄 Choose to confirm (confirm).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, Hard Reset may require data entry from the previous Mi Account.This is anti-theft protection and cannot be bypassed without the original account.

Backup important data (if the phone is unlocked)

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure you know the data from Mi Account (if the phone is tied)

Prepare. SIM-post-reset activation card-->

3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

The ADB (Android Debug Bridge) method is suitable if the phone is debugging over USB and has previously connected to a computer, which is rare, but if the condition is met, the data can be stored.

🛠️ What's the matter:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-Drivers and Platform Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• ⚡ Included debugging by USB developer-setting.

📝 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8 to your computer.
2. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone appears in the list – you can continue.
4. Delete the password file with the command: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the lock screen should disappear. If not, try entering any password.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (12 and above) this method may not work because of the increased protection, and it's not suitable for a pattern lock, just for the pattern lock. PIN-code.

4 Unlock via Fastboot (if Bootloader is unlocked)

If your Redmi Note 8 unlocks Bootloader, you can reset your password through Fastboot mode, which is more complicated than previous methods, but saves data in some cases.

⚙️ Essential tools:

• 🖥️ A computer with the Mi Flash Tool installed and ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📱 Unlocked Bootloader (if not, see spoiler below).

📌 Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and put it into Fastboot mode, clamping Power + Volume down.
2. Connect to your computer and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices
3. Reset the lock settings: fastboot erase frp or (for older versions of MIUI): fastboot erase userdata
4. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

❗ Important: The fastboot erase userdata command deletes all data, and fastboot erase frp only resets lock settings (but does not work on all firmware).

5. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods worked, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔒 Phone tied to someone else's Mi Account (hand-held purchase).
• 🛠️ Bootloader is blocked and unlocking via Fastboot is impossible.
• 📱 On the phone installed custom firmware with non-standard lock.

📝 What will be required to unlock the service:

• 📄 Documents confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport holder (if the phone is in your name).
• 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 500 to 2000 rubles).

⚠️ Risks:

• 🕵️‍♂️ The service center can refuse if the phone is listed in the database of stolen.
• 💰 The cost of the service sometimes exceeds the market price of the phone (relevant for older models).
• ⏳ The process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.

💡

Before contacting the service, try to find the original owner through social networks or message boards (such as Avito). Often people agree to help with remote unlocking if they provide proof of purchase.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

💡

The most reliable way is to unlock it through Mi Account, and if it's not available, Hard Reset is a one-stop solution, but with data loss, and the ADB and Fastboot methods require technical skills and are not suitable for everyone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi Note 8