How to unlock Xiaomi if you forgot your password: 5 proven ways (2026)

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-The situation is familiar to millions of users — according to statistics from Mi Community, one in 5 smartphone owners of the brand at least once faced with a lock screen. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and alternative methods of access restoration. But it is important to act quickly: after 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the device can completely lock for 24 hours or even erase all data (on models with a computer system). MIUI 13+ and the included function Data Protection).

In this article, you will find the most current ways to unlock for all modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5). We will break down methods from the simplest (via Mi Account) to the radical (Hard Reset), and also tell you how to avoid data loss. If your phone is not connected to the Internet or is not tied to a Mi Account, don’t worry, there are solutions for you too.

⚠️ Warning: Methods of using ADB Or Fastboot requires basic computer skills, and incorrect commands can cause a complete loss of data or a brick-and-brick device to become a brick. If you're not sure, contact Xiaomi's service center.

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (the safest way)

If your Xiaomi smartphone is tied to your Mi Account (even if you don’t remember the password from it), this method will help unlock the device without losing data.Works on all models with MIUI 8 and newer, but requires an Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Here's how to do it:

• 🔄 On the lock screen, enter the wrong password 5 times – will the button Forgot password appear? (or Forgot password).
• 📱 Click on it and select Restore via Mi Account.
• 🔑 Enter the logins and password from your Mi Account. If you do not remember, use the recovery function via email or phone.
• 📲 After successful authorization, the system will offer to reset the password of the lock screen - confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: If the Find Device function is enabled on the device, additional verification may be required after unlocking. SMS Or email. On Xiaomi models. 12T and newer may also request PIN-code SIM-card.

2. Password reset via SMS (only for older versions of MIUI)

This method worked for MIUI 7 and earlier versions, but still can work on some low-end Redmi models (e.g. Redmi) 5A The point is that the system allowed you to reset your password through sending. SMS from another phone.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot your password? → Restore via SMS.
2. Enter the phone number associated with the device (should match the phone number) SIM-smartphone-card).
3. On another phone will come SMS with a confirmation code – enter it in the appropriate field.
4. Set a new password or pattern lock.

🔴 Limitations:

• ❌ Not working. MIUI 12+ and flagship models (Xiaomi) 11/12/13, POCO F4/F5).
• ❌ Requires active SIM-Original number card (not suitable for hand-buyed devices).
• ❌ Some of the scalings may require additional PIN Mi Account.

3. Hard Reset (complete reset) - radical method

If previous methods failed, hard reset remains, which removes all data from the device (photos, contacts, apps), but is guaranteed to unlock the phone, and is suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X5 and Xiaomi 13 Lite.

There are two ways to do Hard Reset:

Method 1: Recovery Mode (without PC)

• 🔋 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
• 🔄 Press the power button. + volume up until the Mi logo appears.
• 📱 In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power to confirm).
• 🔄 After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Method 2: Using Fastboot (with a computer)

If your phone is not loading or Recovery Mode is not available, use Fastboot:

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press the power button + volume down to log in to Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your computer via USB.
4. In the command line (Windows) type: fastboot oem edl Then: fastboot flashing unlock
5. Confirm the unlock on the phone (if you receive a request).
6. Swipe the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (instructions on the official website).

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 Pro) before resetting via Fastboot, you will need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool. SMS-confirmation).

4. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if the phone is enabled debugging over USB (USB Debugging) and there is access to the computer. It allows you to reset the password without losing data, but requires skills with ADB.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
3. Enter the commands in turn: 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 will be reset.

🔹 Important nuances:

• 🛠️ Nana MIUI 14 The path to the files may be different (for example, /data/system/de/...).
• 🔒 If su does not work, root rights are required (their receipt cancels the guarantee).
• 🖥️ In some models (POCO F4 GT) Xiaomi is blocking ADB lock-screen.

💡

Before using ADB, check if USB debugging is enabled: go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click 7 times on the line with the version. Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB.

5. Official Unlocking through Service Center

If none of these methods work, you should contact a Xiaomi authorized service center, which is the only legal way to unlock your phone without risking damage, especially if:

• 🔐 The device is linked to the Mi Enterprise corporate account.
• 📱 The phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account.
• 🔧 The model has a hardware lock (for example, on Xiaomi Black Shark for gamers).

📌 What's needed:

⚠️ Attention: In informal services may offer to "bypass" the lock through firmware for money:

• 💸 The cost can reach 50-70% phone price.
• 🔄 After such an intervention, the device may lose its warranty.
• 📵 There is a chance to get a "brick" (default machine).

💡

Officially unlocking at the service center is the only way to keep the warranty and avoid security issues.Average runtime: 1-3 days.

6.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid having to deal with a forgotten password, follow these tips:

• 🔑 Use a password manager (such as Bitwarden or KeePass) to store PIN-code.
• 📱 Set up biometric unlocking (fingerprint or facial recognition) in Settings → Screen locking.
• 🔄 Make regular backups via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📧 Link Mi Account to current email and phone (check in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account).
• 🔐 Enable two-factor authentication for Mi Account in your security settings.

🔹 Preventive measure: Write down IMEI Your phone (dial *#06#) and keep it safe, which will help in case of loss or theft of the device.

⚠️ Warning: Never store passwords in notes on your phone or in messages, and attackers can access them through vulnerabilities in messengers (such as WhatsApp Web).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi