Forgot the password from the phone Xiaomi Redmi: how to unlock without data loss

A forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that one in five users encounter, and according to service center statistics, 18% of smartphone calls from this brand are due to unlocking the screen, a problem compounded by the fact that modern models (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or Redmi K60) use hardware encryption, which means that an incorrect reset can lead to a complete loss of information – photos, contacts and even backups.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking - from official (via Mi Account) to technical (using Fastboot and other devices). EDL-Important: methods vary depending on the version MIUI (12, 13, 14) and phone models. 9A s MIUI 12 will work one algorithm and on the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G s MIUI 14 is completely different. We'll give you the nuances for each situation.

Before you start, check:

• 🔄 Do you have a Mi Account (even if you don’t remember the password)?
• 📱 Is the latest version installed on the phone? MIUI (This affects the availability of certain functions)?
• 🔌 Is there access to a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers?

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The safest method is to use a Xiaomi account if the phone was tied to it, suitable for all Redmi models, including new (Redmi Note 13 Pro) and old (Redmi 5 Plus), the main condition: the phone must be activated the option to Find the device in the security settings.

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in to your account (if you forgot your password, restore it via email or SMS).
3. Select the Find Device tab → find the blocked Redmi in the list.
4. Click Unlock the screen and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has two-factor confirmation enabled (2FA), You will need to enter the code SMS It's not possible to unlock it without it!

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If you don't remember the email linked to Mi Account, try to restore it through the phone number on the password recovery page.The system will show part of the email (e.g. v***@gmail.com).

The speed of unlocking depends on the model:

2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

If you don’t have a Mi Account attached or don’t remember the login details, you can try resetting your password through Recovery Mode, which works on MIUI 12-14, but doesn’t guarantee data security on encrypted models (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and later).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language → Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 14 and hardware encryption (e.g., Redmi) K60 Ultra will result in complete deletion of data, including photos in the DCIM and files in Download. SD-map, if used.

Turn off the phone from charging|Extract SIM-card (not necessarily)|Prepare the charged battery (>30%)|Finding the original USB-cable

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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

• 🔓 The phone's debugging on. USB (even if the password is forgotten).
• 💻 There is a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool program.
• 📱 The phone model supports unlocking the bootloader (list on the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_... For the Redmi Note 7).
2. Unpack the archive in the folder C:\MiFlash.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot: Press Power + Volume down.
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select the firmware folder and click Refresh → Flash.

⚠️ Note: New models (Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Before the firmware, you must unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool application. Without this, Mi Flash will give an anti-rollback error.

4.Using EDL mode (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to unlock Redmi if other methods have failed.It allows you to flash the phone at a low level, bypassing the MIUI lock.

• 🔧 Testpoint rations (on some models).
• 💾 Special cable. EDL or boxing (for example, UFi Box).
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn format (not.tgz!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware. EDL For example, for the Redmi Note. 10 Pro. sweet_eea_global_images_...).
2. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode: adb reboot edl or close the testpoints (you need to disassemble the phone).
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware in the EDL It can permanently damage the memory module (eMMC). 9T with eMMC 5.1 chip, the use of firmware for UFS 2.1 will lead to a "brick".

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If you don't succeed, you just have to go to the official service center, and Xiaomi has two types of unlocking:

• 📄 Guaranteed (free, but you need a check and a box).
• 💰 Paid unlocking (cost – 1,500–3,000) ₽ model-wise).

What will be required:

• 📱 Phone itself (charge at least 50%).
• 📄 Purchase documents (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🔑 Passport of the owner (to confirm ownership).

Timeline for release:

⚠️ In unofficial services can offer unlocking for 500-1000 ₽, But the risks are high, from the installation of pirated software to damage to the motherboard. Xiaomi official centers use proprietary equipment (Mi Authorized Tool), which guarantees the safety of data (on models without encryption).

Alternative methods (with limitations)

If the standard methods don't work, you can try workarounds, which are not suitable for all models, but sometimes they save you.

Method 1: Calling a locked phone

• 📞 Call your phone from another device.
• 🔁 During the call, swipe up quickly to access the screen buttons.
• 🔧 Open the Settings. → Password and security and change password.

It works on MIUI 12 and older, but does not work on MIUI 14 (there the call blocks access to settings).

Method 2: Using Smart Lock

If you have a Smart Lock set up on your phone (location unlock, Bluetooth device, or face recognition), try:

1. Bring the phone to a trusted device (such as a Mi Band or a Bluetooth car).
2. Return to a familiar place (home, work) if geo-unlocking is enabled.

Method 3: ADB-Teams (if debugging was included)

If you activated USB Debugging before blocking, you can delete the password file via ADB:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

After the reboot, the phone unlocks, but the app data may reset.

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On models with MIUI 14 and hardware encryption (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro+), none of the alternative methods will work – you will need a complete reset or call the service.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Xiaomi Redmi, users often make critical errors that lead to data loss or “bricking” the phone.

Error 1: Using unofficial firmware

Downloading firmware from dubious sites (for example, xiaomifirmware.com instead of the official website) is fraught with:

• 🔴 Installation of spyware.
• 🔴 Damage to section EFS (responsible IMEI).

Mistake 2: Interrupting the firmware

If you turn off the cable during firmware through Fastboot or EDL, the phone can:

• 🔴 Stop turning on (hard brick).
• 🔴 Lose data in the userdata section.

Mistake 3: Miscalculating the wrong mode in Mi Flash

The Mi Flash Tool has three firmware modes:

• Clean all – deletes everything, including data.
• Clean all and lock – the same + locks the bootloader.
• Save user data – saves data (does not work on all models)

Choose clean all to unlock, but be prepared for data loss.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions