Forgot a digital password on Xiaomi: how to unlock your phone without losing data

Forgetting your smartphone password is a difficult situation, but it is not a hopeless one, especially if we are talking about Xiaomi devices, where the manufacturer has provided several ways to restore access, the main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the phone can lock up for 24 hours or completely erase all data.

In this article, we will discuss Xiaomi’s legitimate unlocking methods (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark models) that run on current versions of MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS. From simple resets via Mi accounts to advanced ways using ADB and Fastboot.

⚠️ Important: If the phone has enabled data encryption (Settings option) → Additionally. → Encryption, if you reset via Recovery or Fastboot, all files will be deleted without recovery. Check this in advance if the phone is not already fully locked.

The methods in this article range from the simplest to the most complex. Start with the first section, you may not need to go into technical details.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (the fastest way)

If your Xiaomi has a Mi Account attached and activated (even if you don’t remember the password from it), this is your chance to unlock the phone in 5 minutes.The method works on most models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and others with MIUI 12+.

Algorithm of action:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the recovery option through your Mi Account.
3. Enter an email or phone number linked to your account, and it will receive an SMS or a confirmation code.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen – the system will prompt you to create a new password or PIN-code.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔓 No resetting required – all data remains in place.
• ⚡ Fast - takes no more than 5-10 minutes.
• 📱 It works even without a computer.

❌ Cons and limitations:

• 🚫 It won’t work if your Mi Account wasn’t tied to your phone before being blocked.
• 🔒 If two-factor authentication is enabled on the account (2FA), You will need access to a backup email or phone.
• 📵 On some firmware (for example, the global version for Europe) the button Forgot the password? may not be available.

2 Unlocking through Find Device (Remote Control)

Another official way Xiaomi is using Find Device, which allows you to remotely unlock a device if it is connected to the Internet and has the option to Find a device (Settings → Mi Account → Find Device).

Step instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. In the menu, select Find Device (or Find Device in Russian).
3. Your smartphone will be displayed on the map – click on it.
4. On the right side of the screen, select the Unlock option.
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

🔹 What to do if your phone is not displayed in Find Device?

• 📶 Make sure your phone has mobile internet or Wi-Fi on (even if the screen is locked, some models support background connectivity).
• 🔄 Try restarting your phone – sometimes it helps to activate your network connection.
• ⏳ Wait 10-15 minutes – location data may be updated with a delay.

💡

If you don’t remember the password from your Mi Account, try to restore it through the official account.xiaomi.com/pass/reset site.

3. Reset password via Recovery Mode (with loss of data)

If previous methods failed, you’ll have to resort to a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI or HyperOS.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Power. For some older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X): Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery

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

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Erase the data → Erase all data

Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

Reboot → Reboot to System

⚠️

Note: If the phone has enabled data encryption (Settings → Additional → Encryption), then after resetting via Recovery, it will be impossible to restore files.

📌 How to avoid data loss during resetting?

• 🖥️ If the phone previously connected to the computer with debugging permission USB (USB Debugging: You can try to extract files through ADB (see section 5).
• ☁️ Check if sync with Google Account or Mi Cloud is enabled – some of the data (contacts, photos) may have been saved to the cloud.

Make sure your phone is at least 30 times charged%|

Download the latest firmware for your model (in case of errors) |

Prepare. SIM-Mobile Internet card (if Wi-Fi is not connected)|

Write it down. IMEI phone (in case of activation problems after resetting)-->

4. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method via Fastboot is suitable if:

• 🔓 The phone has disabled the option. OEM Unlocking (unlocking the boot loader).
• 🖥️ You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool tool.
• 📥 You are ready to download the official firmware for your model.

⚠️

Attention: Fastboot missteps can turn your phone into a brick.If you're unsure of your skills, you'd better go to a service center.

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool on your computer.
2. Download the official firmware for your model from en.miui.com (select the Fastboot version).
3. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Click the "Loudness Down + Power" buttons before the rabbit logo appears.
4. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the downloaded firmware.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
8. Wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

🔧 Frequent mistakes and their solutions:

5. Data extraction via ADB (if debugging was enabled)

If the phone previously had USB debugging enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version → 7 taps to activate developer mode → Developer settings → USB debugging), you can try extracting data via ADB before resetting.

This will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Android installed SDK Platform-Tools.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔌 Debugging permission on a locked phone (if the phone asks to confirm the connection, this method won’t work).

Data extraction commands:

adb shell


su




cp -r /data/media/0/ /sdcard/backup/ # Copying user data




exit




adb pull /sdcard/backup/ C:\Xiaomi_Backup\ # Copy data to a computer

⚠️

Note: On the newer versions of MIUI 14+ and HyperOS, access to /data via ADB is limited. If commands don't work, try an alternative method using TWRP (see next section).

📁 What data can be saved?

• 📸 Photos and video (folder) DCIM).
• 🎵 Music and downloads (Download folder).
• 📞 Contact and SMS (if they are not synchronized with Google/Mi Cloud).
• 📄 Documents from Documents or Files folders.

6.Install custom Recovery (TWRP) for unlocking

If standard methods didn't work, and the data on the phone is critical, you can try installing custom Recovery (TWRP) and reset your password or backup through it, which is suitable for users who are willing to take risks and have experience with firmware.

🔧 What's the matter:

• 📱 Unlocked boot loader (option) OEM Unlocking must be enabled before blocking).
• 🖥️ Computer with ADB and Fastboot.
• 📦 File. TWRP For your model (you can download it on twrp.me).

Instructions:

1. Download the image TWRP for its model (for example, twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lancelot.img for Redmi 9).
2. Put your phone in Fastboot mode (see section 4).
3. Connect your phone to your computer and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lancelot.img
4. Then reboot to the TWRP: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-lancelot.img
5. From the TWRP menu, select Mount → Enable MTP to copy the data to your computer.
6. To reset your password, go to Wipe → Format Data (Warning: This will delete all data!).

❗ Risks of the method:

• 🚨 Wrong firmware TWRP may result in loss IMEI or a breakdown of the communication module.
• 🔒 On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12/13 setup TWRP It is blocked by anti-rollback protection (Anti-Rollback).
• 📵 After installation TWRP You may need to re-flash the original Recovery to work properly. OTA-update.

💡

TWRP is an extreme method that should only be used if other methods have failed and the data on the phone is critical. For most users, it is easier and safer to reset the phone via Mi Account or Recovery.

7. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If all of these methods have not worked or you are afraid to damage the phone by self-manipulation, the best way to go is to contact the official service center Xiaomi.

📍 How to Find a Service Center:

• 🛒 In large cities, there are often authorized partner centers (for example, Svyaznoy, M. Video).

💰 Cost and timing:

⚠️ What to Consider When Choosing a Service:

• 🔍 Check if the center has the status of an authorized partner of Xiaomi (list on the official website).

🔹 What to take with you service:

• 📱 Phone itself (preferably with a charge of at least 50%).
• 📄 Checks or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 🔑 Login and password from the Mi Account (if you remember).
• 🆔 Passport (may be required to prove ownership).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi