Forgot the password on Xiaomi: how to unblock without losing data?

Forgetting the password from Xiaomi’s smartphone is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one. Even if the screen is locked and access to data seems lost, there are official and informal methods to regain control of the device. The main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the system can lock the phone for 24 hours or completely erase all data.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi (including the models of Redmi, POCO, Black Shark), from the simplest to technically complex. Importantly, the effectiveness of the method depends on the version of MIUI, the presence of a tied Mi Account account and the status of the phone (on / off, whether there is access to Recovery). Some solutions require a computer, others work directly from the lock screen.

If you have critical files on your phone, you should contact Xiaomi's service center, which uses specialized equipment to extract information without completely resetting. But if there is no time to wait and the risk of data loss is acceptable, follow our instructions.

So for convenience, we've arranged the methods by complexity, from the easiest to the most time-consuming, and start with the first section and move on to the next one, only if the previous one didn't work.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your Xiaomi is tied to your Mi Account and the lock screen has a "Forgot Password?" button, you're in luck. This is the safest and fastest way to get back access without losing data. This works on most devices with MIUI 12 and later, but can be disabled in some regions (for example, on firmware for the EU).

Algorithm of action:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot password?" (or "Forgot password?" on English firmware).
2. Enter the username and password from your Mi Account (the same as used in the Mi Cloud app).
3. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Create a new one. PIN-code.

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Note: If you don't remember Mi Account data, restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use a linked email or phone number. Without access to your account, this method won't work.

If the button "Forgot your password?" on the screen is not, it means:

• 📱 The device is running on the old version. MIUI (till 10th).
• 🔒 The phone was bought with your hands and is not tied to your account.
• 🌍 The firmware is modified (for example, customized) EU ROM).

2. Reset password via Find Device (remote unlock)

Google's Find Device feature not only allows you to track Xiaomi's location, but also remotely reset your lock password.

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 The “Find Device” function was activated in the Settings settings → Mi Account → Find Device.
• 🔑 You have access to the Mi Account linked to the device.

Step instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select a locked phone from the list of devices.
3. Click on "Delete Data" (or "Erase Device").
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

After that, the phone will reboot and reset to factory settings, all data (photos, contacts, messages) will be deleted, but the lock will disappear, which is suitable if you are willing to sacrifice information to access the device.

Important: If the phone is off or not connected to the network, the reset command will be executed only after it is turned on and the Internet appears.

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Before using Find Device, check if your phone is connected to your home Wi-Fi. If so, turn on the router, this will speed up the execution of the command.

3. Unlocking through Recovery Mode (hard reset)

If previous methods failed, the Recovery hardware reset is left, which removes all data from the phone, including the password, but requires physical access to the device, and is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, regardless of the MIUI version.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.

From the Recovery menu, select:

1. Language (usually English or Chinese).
2. Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or "Cleaning Data").
3. Confirm the action (may be required to enter) PIN from SIM-maps, if they are installed).
4. Reboot → Reboot to System.

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Note: Some models (such as Xiaomi 12T or Redmi Note 11) may require data entry from Mi Account after resetting via Recovery if the Mi Cloud Lock feature was previously activated.

If the phone requires an old password after reset, then FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection was turned on, in which case only unlocking through Mi Account or service center will help.

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If resetting via Recovery doesn’t help (for example, because of Mi Cloud Lock), then unlocking via Fastboot mode is left, USB-cable and basic command line knowledge, suitable for unlocked bootloader devices).

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (Fastboot version) ROM).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (unless Windows finds them automatically).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down.
3. Connect your phone to your computer. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh. The device must be determined.
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to end (5-10 minutes).

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Note: Fastboot flashing deletes all data and can result in a loss of IMEI if the wrong firmware version is selected. On models with a locked bootloader, this method will not work without first unlocking through the official Xiaomi website.

If the phone requires authorization to Mi Account after firmware, then the account was tied to the device, in which case only official unlocking through Xiaomi support will help.

Download the Mi Flash Tool|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot|Check the phone model|Download the correct Fastboot firmware ROM|Prepare a standby USB-cable-->

5. Bypassing the lock via ADB (for older versions of MIUI)

On devices with MIUI 9-11 (released before 2020), password bypassing through USB debugging (ADB) sometimes works. The method requires that the option to debug over USB in the developer settings be previously enabled.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (Linux/macOS).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key reboot

Once the phone is rebooted, it must turn on without asking for a password. If there is an adbd cannot run as root error, then you do not have a superuser license (root), and the method will not work.

Limitations:

• ❌ Not working. MIUI 12+ (due to changes in the security system).
• ❌ Requires pre-activation of the debugging by USB.
• ❌ May cause system failures (reset after unlocking is recommended).

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods worked, and the data on the phone is critical, there's an official service center, and Xiaomi provides a device-backed unlock service, which is the most reliable, but also the longest.

What will be required:

The cost of the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the model and complexity of the work, and in some cases, the service center can offer data extraction without a complete reset (cost - from 3,000 rubles).

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Warning: Don't go to informal workshops that promise to unlock in 5 minutes, and often these "specialists" use illegitimate methods that can damage firmware or lead to blocking of IMEI.

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The official service center is the only way to unlock Xiaomi with the preservation of warranty and without the risk of turning the phone into a brick.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi