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

Why Xiaomi is getting blocked and what to do first

Forgotten password on Xiaomi Redmi is a bad situation, but it is solvable. Modern Xiaomi smartphones use several levels of protection: a pattern lock, PIN-If you typed the wrong code too many times, the system could lock the device for 5 minutes, an hour, or even require a reset. The key is not to panic or try to guess the combination at random, which will only make the problem worse.

The first thing to check is whether your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). Many unlocking methods require access to Xiaomi servers. If you don't have Internet, try connecting to another network or using it. SIM-Also make sure the battery is at least 30% charged - discharging during a reset can turn the phone into a brick".

If you've previously linked a device to a Mi Account, the chances of successfully unlocking without losing data are much higher, but even without a binding, there are working methods, from official to technical (via Fastboot or ADB), then we will analyze all the options in steps, taking into account the models of the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and other popular lines.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account.

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from your Mi Account (or you can restore them).
• 🔄 The device was tied to the account before being blocked.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the option to Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Follow the system instructions for resetting the lock password.

If the buttons Forgot your password? no, try entering any password 5 times in a row - after that, a recovery link should appear. Some firmware (MIUI 13/14) may require a Wi-Fi connection to activate the option.

⚠️ Note: If you bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie his Mi Account, this method won’t work).

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it on the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.

Method 2: Unlocking with Find Device (Remotely)

Find Device (similar to Google’s Find Phone) not only allows you to track the location of Xiaomi Redmi, but also unlock it remotely.

• 🌍 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔒 Find Device has been activated in settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 📱 You remember the data from your Mi Account.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
3. In the menu on the left, select Find Device (or Find Device).
4. The map will show your Redmi. Click on it, then select Unlock (or Unlock).
5. Confirm the action with a password from the account.

After that, the lock password on the phone will reset, and you can set a new one. If the Unlock option is inactive, then the Find Device function has been disabled in the device settings.

Method 3: Hard Reset (full reset via Recovery)

If the previous methods didn’t work, the radical method is Hard Reset, which will delete all data from the phone, including photos, messages and apps, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 8/9/10/11/12, Redmi 9A/9C/10A and others.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (or Power + Volume Up if the screen is unresponsive).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Volume Up + Power. For Redmi Note 10/11/12: Volume Up + Power (hold 10-15 seconds). For older models (Redmi 4/5): Volume Up + Power + Home (if there is a physical button).

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

The phone will reboot in factory condition, and at the setup stage you will be asked to restore data from the backup (if it was created in the Mi Cloud).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI 12+) After Hard Reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was linked to the device. If you do not remember them, the phone will remain locked (so-called account binding after a reset).

Turn it off. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Battery charging at least 50%

Another phone is on hand to record the process (in case of errors)

Check the button combination for your model-->

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is unavailable or the phone asks for Mi Account after reset, you can try unlocking via Fastboot, USB-It's a cable and basic command line knowledge that's suitable for bootloader models).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📦 The Mi Flash Tool or ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not - see spoiler below).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot Mode (a hare in a hat-eared image will appear).
3. Connect the phone to the computer.
4. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
5. Launch the utility, log in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions on the screen.
6. If the bootloader is unlocked, you can flash the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (this will delete all data).

If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center. Wrong actions in a Fastboot can turn a phone into a brick.

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Unlocking through Fastboot is the only way to bypass Mi Account binding after Hard Reset, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Method 5: Using ADB (without data loss)

If debugging is on USB (USB Debugging) was enabled before blocking, you can try to delete the file with the password through ADB. This method will not work if:

• ❌ Debugging by USB was offline.
• ❌ The phone has not connected to this computer before (no confirmed key is available).
• ❌ The device is not recognized in ADB (drivers not installed).

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux).
3. Enter the commands in order: 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 rebooting, the lock password should be reset.

If you type in the su command, you have an error, you don't have root permission on your phone, and it won't work.

What to do if nothing helps: service center and alternatives

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact the service center Xiaomi. Official SC can unlock the phone on the purchase documents (check or warranty card). The cost of the service is from 1000 to 3000 rubles, depending on the model.
2. Use paid online services. There are sites on the Internet that offer remote unlock for 500-1500 rubles. Careful: 80% of these services are scams. Before paying, check reviews on independent sites (for example, 4PDA).

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the Mi Account, it is impossible to officially unlock it, in which case only the firmware through EDL Mode (emergency mode), but it requires special equipment (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008) and knowledge.

⚠️ Note: Forums often advise using programs like Miracle Box or UFi Box to bypass Mi Accounts (MIUI 9–11 and can damage current models (Redmi Note 10)+, Redmi 12).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi