Forgot the password from the Xiaomi phone - what to do?

Why Xiaomi Phone is Locked and What to Do

You have your own Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 or POCO X5 Pro, enter the usual password and suddenly the screen shows an error: "Incorrect" PIN-Try again in 30 minutes. The situation is familiar to many: passwords are forgotten, children accidentally change settings, and sometimes the phone gets locked after unsuccessful attempts to unlock with a fingerprint. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi smartphones, from official methods to technical workarounds.

The rule is, don't panic. Even if it says "Device locked. Try again in 24 hours," there's a way out. Xiaomi provides a few legal ways to restore access, but their effectiveness depends on whether Mi Account was previously tied, whether Find Device is enabled, and which version of MIUI is installed on the phone, and we'll look at options for different scenarios, from a simple reset via account to complex firmware manipulations.

It’s important to understand that some methods will lead to complete loss of data on the phone. If the device stores important photos, contacts or documents, try the methods without reset first. And remember: the newer the Xiaomi model (for example, Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Turbo 3), the harder it is to get around the lock without official tools.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and recommended way Xiaomi uses is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone was synced to Mi's account before being blocked
• 🌐 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• 🔑 Remember the login and password from the account

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? on English firmware).
2. Select the Restore option via Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm the entrance through SMS-code or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to create a new one. PIN-code-key.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to the Internet, this method will not work, and Xiaomi may request additional verification (for example, a passport scan) if the account was created a long time ago or from another region.

Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network|Check if you remember the username and password from Mi Account|Have a second phone or computer on hand to receive SMS/email-code|Charge your phone at least to the minimum. 30% Avoiding shutdown during the process-->

If you don’t remember Mi Account data, try to restore it to account.xiaomi.com, which requires access to a linked email or phone number, and in extreme cases, you can contact Xiaomi for support, but the recovery process can take up to 7 days.

Method 2: Use the Find Device function (remote unlock)

Find Device (similar to Google’s Find Phone) not only tracks Xiaomi’s location, but also removes all data or unlocks the screen remotely.

• 🔍 The function was activated in the settings before blocking
• 📶 Phone's connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 You are ready to reset your settings (data will be lost)

Step-by-step:

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 a locked phone from the menu (if multiple devices are tied).
4. Click Delete Data (Erase Device)
5. Confirm the action. The phone will be reset to factory settings, and the password will be removed.

⚠️ Warning: After a remote reset, the phone will require re-association with Mi Account when you first turn on, and if you don't remember your account information, you can't unlock the device without contacting the service center.

Yeah, looking for a lost phone.|Yeah, I remotely blocked the device.|No, but I know it exists.|No, I first heard about it.-->

Alternatively, if Find Device is not activated but the phone is connected to a Google Account, try using Google’s Find Device service, but on new Xiaomi models (with MIUI 14+), this method is often blocked by the manufacturer.

Method 3: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If previous methods failed or Mi Account is not tied, hard reset via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data on the phone, including photos, messages and apps, but is guaranteed to remove the lock screen.

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (Redmi, POCO, Mi):

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the button combination: 🔧 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition 🔧 For older devices (until 2019): Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button to select the item.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm the action and wait for the reset to be completed (5-10 minutes).

Reboot

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 12 and later after the reset may be a request for data entry Mi Account, which was previously tied (FRP If you do not remember the account, you will not be able to unlock the phone yourself - you will need to contact the service center with proof of purchase.

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is not available or requires Mi Account, you can try to flash the phone over Fastboot.This method is suitable for users who are ready to work with the command line and have access to the computer.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 📦 Firmware for your model (download from the official website)
• 🛠 Tools: Mi Flash Tool and ADB/Fastboot

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Xiaomi (you can download en.miui.com).
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
3. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons: Volume down + Power Hold 10-15 seconds until the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
4. Connect your phone to your computer and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select and specify the path to the folder with the firmware.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) You may need to unlock the bootloader Unlock:

1. Send a request to unlock through the official website (Mi Account binding is required).
2. Wait 7-15 days (depending on the region).
3. Once approved, use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.

💡

Before you run your firmware through Fastboot, check the phone model in Settings → About Phone → Model. Installing firmware from another model will cause the device to fail!

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all previous methods have failed or you are afraid of damaging your phone, the most reliable solution is to contact an authorized Xiaomi service center.

• 📱 Phones from FRP Lock (requires you to enter Mi Account after resetting)

What you need to unlock in the service:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase)
• 🆔 Passport of the owner
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge) >20%)

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and complexity of work, in some cases, the service may refuse to unlock if the phone is listed in the database of stolen devices or has unofficial firmware.

💡

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are engaged in unlocking the screen – not all centers provide this service.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, including the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If you see a message saying "This device is bound to a Mi Account" after a reset, it means that the phone is linked to the previous owner's account (current for used devices), in which case unlocking is possible only through the official service with the provision of proof of purchase.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions