Forgot the password on Xiaomi: how to unlock the phone without losing data in 2026

Forgetting the password to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it is not a hopeless one. Many users immediately resort to a hard reset via Recovery Mode, losing all data: photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. However, there are ways to get around the lock without deleting information if you act correctly and quickly.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven methods that will help you unlock Xiaomi Redmi, POCO or Mi with data storage. It is important to understand that the effectiveness of each method depends on the version of the MIUI, the device model and whether functions like Find Device or USB debugging have been previously activated. Some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, linking a Mi Account), others work even without it.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level (must be at least 30% to avoid sudden shutdown).
• 📶 A stable Internet connection (for methods using cloud services).
• 🖥️ Access to a computer (required for some methods of using the ADB Or Mi Flash Tool).

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable way is to use a tied Mi Account.It works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 10 and newer, but requires that:

• 📧 The account was added to the phone before the lock.
• 🌐 The device had access to the Internet (at least once after the account was linked).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore them).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and password from your account.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new unlock password.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously disabled sync with Mi Cloud or reset your phone without logging out, this method will not work, and it is not available if the device was bought from hand and the previous owner did not delete your account.

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If you don’t remember the password from Mi Account, try to restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use a backup email or a linked phone number.

2.Use of Find Device mode (remote unlock)

Find Device (similar to Google's Find Phone) not only allows you to track Xiaomi's location, but also remotely unlock it.

• 📍 The function was activated before blocking in the Mi Cloud settings → Find Device.
• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Geolocation enabled on the device.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as on the locked device.
3. Select your phone from the list of devices.
4. Click Unlock Device (or Unlock Device).
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the password will reset, and you can log in without losing data. If the Unblock option is inactive, then the function was not enabled in advance.

3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging by USB (USB Debugging) and access to a computer. It's one of the few ways to get around a lock without losing data, but it requires technical skills.

What you need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB Tools.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → cmd) and type: adb devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), move on. If not, install the drivers or try another cable.
3. Enter the command to delete the file with the password: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once you reboot, the lock screen should disappear, and if no permissions error appears, then the USB debugging has been disabled, and the method will not work.

Install ADB Tools (download from official website)|

Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging (if requested)|

Check the visibility of the device with the adb devices| command

Download drivers for your Xiaomi model (if necessary)-->

4. Bypass locking via Fastboot (without data reset)

This is a good way to do things with a bootloader. If you've previously unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, you can try flashing a modified kernel that bypasses the lock screen. Importantly, it only works on phones with Qualcomm chipsets (e.g., Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) and requires knowledge of fastboot commands.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the archive with modified boot.img for your model (see forums like XDA Developers or 4PDA).
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the device to the PC and check its visibility with the command: fastboot devices
4. Modified boot.img: fastboot flash boot.img
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Wrong firmware boot.img This can cause a device to blink (completely inoperable). Use only files designed for your model and version. MIUI.

5. Reset password via TWRP (for hardened devices)

If your Xiaomi has customized TWRP recaps installed, you can manually delete password files, which does not cause data loss, but requires:

• 🔧 Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📁 Knowledge of the structure of the Android file system.
• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60%.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Power to enter TWRP.
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Open the /data/system/ folder.
4. Delete the following files (if any): gesture.key (for the pattern lock), password.key (for the pattern lock), PIN-code), locksettings.db (for password).

Reboot → System

If you have a Password incorrect error after you reboot, try re-deleting the files or check if they are backed up in /data/system/backup/.

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TWRP is the only way to unlock Xiaomi without losing data if USB debugging is disabled and Mi Account is not tied, but it requires a custom recovery pre-installed.

6. Alternative methods (if nothing has worked)

If none of the above methods worked, there are less reliable, but sometimes effective options:

• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center, provide proof of purchase (check or box), and specialists can unlock the phone without reset.The service is paid (from 1000 to 3000 rubles), but guarantees the safety of data.
• 🔄 Recovery via Mi Flash Tool. Suitable for devices with a locked bootloader, but requires firmware official MIUI through EDL Mode.Risk of data loss — ~30%.
• 📱 Use exploits for specific models. Forums sometimes publish vulnerabilities that can bypass the lock (e.g., Redmi). 5A or Mi A2). The relevance of such methods is limited – they are quickly closed with updates.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid 5-minute unlock services from untested craftsmen. Often, these "specialists" simply perform a factory reset and charge for "hard work".

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi