Forgot the password on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: how to unlock your phone without losing data

Forgetting your smartphone password is a frustrating situation, but it’s not a hopeless one. Especially when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, a model that is still popular thanks to its robust hardware and flexible MIUI firmware. Unlike new Android 12+ devices, there’s still a chance to get around the lock without completely resetting, but only if the key conditions are met.

The main problem of owners of Redmi Note 8 Pro is the lack of an official tool to unlock through Google Account (as on “pure” Android). Instead, Xiaomi binds unlock to Mi Account, but this method does not always work. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from simple (if you remember the username from Mi Account) to radical (via Fastboot or EDL).

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (if an account is linked)

The safest and most official way 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.
• 🔄 Synchronization is enabled on the device (checked in Settings) → Mi Account).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and account password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm with a code from SMS or Mi Security app.
4. Follow the system instructions – the phone unlocks without data loss.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password and your phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work. SMS to the attached number - make sure that SIM-card.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the data, you have a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will remove all the data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the procedure is nuanced due to the custom MIUI bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons, you'll be taken to the Recovery menu. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection.
4. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions of Factory Reset).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (it will take 2-5 minutes).
6. Reboot your phone with Reboot → Reboot to System.

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged.

Save your phone's IMEI (written on the box or under the battery)

Prepare a backup of important data (if the phone has been unlocked before)

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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is a good way to do this if you're ready to work with the command line and you have access to a PC. It allows you to reset your password without losing data, but it requires an unlocked bootloader. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the bootloader is locked by default, so you'll have to unlock it first through the Mi Unlock Tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (or Mac/Linux fixed ADB/Fastboot).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
• 🔑 Mi Account tied to your phone (even if you forget your screen password).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on PC.
2. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Volume down + Power.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions to unlock the bootloader (can take up to 72 hours!).
5. Once the bootloader is unlocked, use the password reset command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
6. Reboot your phone with the command fastboot reboot.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on the Redmi Note 8 Pro resets all data on the device, even if you are not running Wipe Data manually.

4.Use of ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can try to reset your password through ADB. This method rarely works on locked devices, but it sometimes helps if the phone was connected to a PC before locking.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and check if the PC sees the device: adb devices If the list is empty, debugging is not enabled – the method will not work.
3. If the device is detected, follow the commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After resetting, the password should be reset.

On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this method only works on older versions of MIUI (up to MIUI 12). On newer firmware, lock files are stored elsewhere, and deleting them can lead to a reboot cycle.

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If ADB doesn’t see the device, try switching USB connectivity mode to File Transfer (MTP) in the notification curtain (if the phone is unlocked at least for the duration of the connection).

5 Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a mode for firmware to bypass standard restrictions. It is used by service centers and requires special equipment (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008) or soldering work to close contacts on the board. For the Redmi Note 8 Pro (Mediatek Helio G90T chipset), this method is more difficult than for devices on Snapdragon, but it is possible.

What will be required:

• 🔧 Firmware box (such as UFi Box, EasyJTAG) or soldering iron for closing EDL-point.
• 💾 Firmware (Stock) ROM) Redmi Note 8 Pro (you can download it on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
• 💻 The Mi Flash Tool program or SP Flash Tool (for Mediatek).

⚠️ Warning: Misconduct in the EDL They can turn your phone into a brick, and without experience, you'd better go to a service center:

1. Download the correct firmware version for your model (check by IMEI or the sticker under the battery).
2. Connect your phone in EDL mode (via Box or contact closure).
3. Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool by selecting the Clean All option.

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EDL-The mode is the last chance to bring the phone back to life if other methods have not worked, but without special equipment or soldering skills, the risk of damaging the device is extremely high.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods did not work, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi.

• 🔓 Unlock the phone through EDL iron-free».
• 📱 Recover data (in some cases).
• 🔧 Sweep the phone with the official firmware with a guarantee of efficiency.

The cost of the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the region and the complexity of the work.

• 📄 Bring a check or a box from your phone (to confirm ownership).
• 🔑 If you remember, the username and password from Mi Account - this will speed up the process.
• 📱 Make sure the phone is charged (the service can charge extra for charging).

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial services may offer unlocking cheaper, but the risk of running into scammers or unqualified craftsmen is high.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi Note 8 Pro