Forgot Xiaomi pattern lock: the complete guide to unlock

The situation of picking up a smartphone and realizing that you can not log in is familiar to many. If you forget the pattern lock Xiaomi, do not panic, as modern devices offer several scenarios for solving the problem. Owners of Redmi and Xiaomi Mi devices often face locking the screen due to forgetfulness, rush or accidental change of pattern by children.

There are many ways to restore access, but the choice of the specific method depends on the version of the MIUI operating system and the security settings that were active before the lock. Some methods allow you to save personal photos and contacts, while others require complete deletion of data. In this article, we will discuss all the current options in detail.

It is important to understand that data protection in modern smartphones is the first priority, so the system will prevent unauthorized access. Before you start taking action, you need to assess which tools have been configured on your device before, which will save time and help avoid unnecessary manipulation of firmware.

Depending on your device model, whether it’s a budget Redmi Note or a flagship Xiaomi 13, the algorithm may vary slightly. However, the basic principles of security remain the same throughout the brand ecosystem.

Using a Mi Account to reset the lock

The most civilized and safe way that developers have in mind is to use Mi Account. If a locked smartphone has logged in to Xiaomi and enabled Find Device, unlocking will go as smoothly as possible, which works on most versions of the MIUI shell, but in recent security updates, its availability may be limited.

First, you need to enter the wrong pattern lock several times in a row, usually 5 or 10 attempts, and then the lock screen should show the words "Forgot the key?" or "Forgot the password?" By clicking on this link, the system will prompt you to log in to your Mi Account. Enter the username and password that were used on the device.

⚠️ Note: If Find Device has not been activated before locking, this method will not work. Security requires this option to be activated before remote control.

Once you have successfully logged in, the system will suggest resetting your current password or pattern lock, prompting you to set a new access code or remove the screen lock altogether, which is ideal because it doesn't require deleting personal data or saving all files.

In some cases, especially on older versions of Android, you may need to connect to your account after you enter your account. If the internet isn't working, try using your mobile network or finding an access point. Without connecting to Xiaomi servers, you won't be able to verify your account's authenticity.

Reset via Google’s Find Device service

An alternative that is often overlooked is the use of Google services, which means that if you have logged in to your Google account and geolocated your phone, you can unlock your device remotely, which is especially relevant if you don't remember your Mi Account, but remember your Gmail password.

To do this, take any other gadget (computer, tablet or phone friend) and go to the site android.com/find. Log in the Google account that is associated with the locked smartphone. in the list of devices, select your model Xiaomi or Redmi.

The service interface will offer several actions: "Call", "Block" and "Clear the device." We're interested in the cleanup function, because it allows you to delete the pattern lock along with all the data. It's a radical method, but it is guaranteed to remove the lock screen.

• 🔒 Open the “Find My Device” website in your browser.
• 📱 Select a locked smartphone from the list.
• 🗑️ Press the “Erase Device” button).
• ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the resetting settings.

And it's worth noting that after this procedure, the phone will go back to factory settings, and all the photos, contacts, and apps will be deleted if they're not synced to the cloud, but you'll get access to the system, and you can reconfigure the phone as new.

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Check your contacts and photos sync status regularly in Google’s settings so you don’t lose important information at a critical time.

Recovery Mode (TWRP or Stock)

If online methods are unavailable due to lack of internet or forgotten account passwords, the only reliable option is Hard Reset via the recovery menu, a process that completely erases the user’s memory partition, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state.

To enter Recovery mode on Xiaomi devices, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons. It is important that the device is completely turned off before the procedure begins. If the phone freezes, press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the shutdown.

Clip Volume Up + Power (hold until logo appears)

Once the Mi logo appears, you can release the power button by holding the volume button, and the main Recovery menu will open, and the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.

From the menu, select Wipe Data, then confirm the choice of Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about data loss - this is a standard security procedure. Once the process is complete, select Reboot to restart. The first run can take up to 5-10 minutes.

Unlocking through ADB and computer

For advanced users who previously included debugging USB In the developer menu, there's a way to unlock it through the computer, USB-cable and installed set of drivers ADB (Android Debug Bridge).

The method is to delete the files responsible for storing graphic keys through the command line. If debugging was active, the computer will let the phone into the system even when the screen is locked. Connect the smartphone to the PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.

Enter the adb shell command to access the device shell. If the connection is successful, a debugging permission request may appear on the phone screen – this must be confirmed if it is possible to unlock the screen at least partially (for example, through a fingerprint).

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key


adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Once these commands are executed, you need to restart the device, and the pattern lock will be deleted, and you can specify a new one, but on modern high-security versions of MIUI, this method often does not work without root rights.

⚠️ Note: On Android 10 and above devices, access to system files via ADB No root rights closed. This is mostly effective on older models or custom firmware.

Unlocking the device with Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool is primarily designed to unlock the bootloader, but in some cases helps reset screen protection if the phone is tied to an account, a process that is more complex and requires waiting (7 to 30 days).

To use this method, you need to download the program to your computer, log into your Mi Account and transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (pressing the power button and volume down), the program will show the status of the device's binding.

If you decide to unlock the bootloader, all data will be automatically deleted, which can be a salvation if other methods do not work, and logging into the account on the device itself is impossible, but remember that after this procedure, FRP (Google Account) protection will work.

Mi Unlock is a good option if you plan to install custom firmware or get root rights later, and it’s a long and long way to simply unlock the screen, requiring a stable Internet connection and time.

Prevention and backup

To avoid the situation of forgetting the pattern lock, you should set up the right security system in advance. Modern biometrics allows you to use a fingerprint or facial recognition, which is much more convenient and reliable.

Set up Smart Lock in Android security settings, which allows you to keep your phone unlocked in certain places (such as at home) or when connecting to trusted devices (Bluetooth watches, car) and reduces the need for constant password input.

• 🔐 Change passwords regularly and write them to a secure location.
• ☁️ Enable automatic data sync with Mi Cloud and Google.
• 📸 Backup important photos to an external disk or cloud.
• 🔋 Keep an eye out for security updates MIUI.

It is also recommended to link the phone number and backup email to your Mi Account, which will allow you to restore access to your account even if you lose your password. Remember that the security of your data depends primarily on your prudence.

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Regular data synchronization is the only way to ensure that when you reset your settings, you will not lose important contacts and photos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)