Forgot the screen lock password on Xiaomi: 6 proven ways to unlock

The forgotten screen lock password on Xiaomi is a situation that even experienced users face, and in panic, many people try to enter combinations at random, risking locking the device permanently or running automatic data cleanup. There are actually legal ways to restore access, and not all of them require a complete reset.

In this article, we will discuss all the current unlocking methods for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, from simple (via Mi Account) to technically complex (using ADB or Fastboot).

Important: the methods vary depending on the MIUI version and device model. For example, on the Xiaomi 12T Pro with MIUI 14, the reset through Recovery, which is successfully used on the Redmi Note 10 with MIUI 12.5, may not work.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

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

• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from your Mi Account (or you can restore them).
• 🔄 Find the device has been activated in the settings.

After 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the button Forgot password will appear on the screen.

1. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
2. Confirm your identity through SMS-code.
3. Create a new screen lock password.

If the Forgot Password button doesn’t appear, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the problem is router restrictions).Some models (POCO F4 GT, Xiaomi 13 Lite) may need to reboot the device.

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If you don’t remember Mi Account details, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. Use a backup email or linked phone number.

2. Reset password through Recovery mode (without loss of data)

This is suitable for devices with MIUI 12 and older, where password reset is implemented without being completely cleaned, and it only works if OTG (USB data transfer) has been enabled before or Mi Account is linked to the phone.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo (Recovery Mode) appears.
3. Select the language (volume buttons) and go to Wipe Data → Reset Password.
4. Confirm the password reset. The device will reset.

After the reboot, you will be asked to enter a new password, the data on the phone will be saved, but some settings (Wi-Fi, screen brightness) may be reset.

Turn off phone |Clamp Volume up + Power |Select language in Recovery |Find Reset Password |Confirm reset-->

3. Unlock through ADB (for advanced users)

The method requires preliminary activation of debugging by USB (USB Debugging) in the developer settings. If this feature was enabled before blocking, you can delete the password file through your computer.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with ADB.
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

After the reset, the password will be reset. devices/emulators Find, check out Xiaomi drivers on PC or try another USB-cable.

4. Complete reset via Fastboot (data loss)

If previous methods have failed, you will have to reset hard through Fastboot mode, which will delete all the data on your device, including photos, messages and apps, and only use it as a last resort!

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Nutrition before the screensaver with a rabbit in a hat (Fastboot).
3. Connect the device to your PC and start the command: fastboot flashing unlock (some models may require fastboot oem unlock).
4. Once the bootloader is unlocked, type: fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot

The device will reboot to the “out of the box” state. On models with MIUI 13+ (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) may require additional confirmation through the Mi Account even after the reset.

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Fastboot reset deletes all data without recovery. SIM-card and memory card, if installed.

5.Use of the "Find Device" (Mi Cloud) function

If the phone has Find Device enabled, you can unlock it remotely via the Mi Cloud web interface, which works even if the phone is not connected to Wi-Fi but requires an active mobile network.

How to unlock:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click Unlock and confirm the action.
4. Set a new password on your phone after unlocking.

Limitations of the method:

• ⚠️ It does not work on devices with the Internet off.
• ⚠️ Requires confirmation through SMS email.
• ⚠️ On some firmware (MIUI for Europe) the function may be disabled.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If you have not succeeded in unblocking yourself, contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 📱 The device itself (discharged by at least 30%).

The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model, the service center uses special software to reset the lock without loss of data (on some models), the average execution time is 1-3 days.

The service centers can be found on Xiaomi’s official website in the Support section. Avoid informal workshops – they may use illegal methods that will lead to IMEI blocking.

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The official service is the only legal way to unlock if you do not remember your Mi Account details and have not activated debugging via USB.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After 10 failed attempts to enter a password on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, the device can automatically reset to factory settings - without the possibility of canceling. To prevent this from happening, do not enter combinations at random.

Other common mistakes:

• ❌ Use of non-original USB-cables for connecting to a PC (may cause failures in the ADB).
• ❌ Trying to flash the device through Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader (leads to a brick).
• ❌ Ignoring data backup before reset (even if the method promises file safety).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for China (firmware versions) CN) Some methods (e.g., resetting via Recovery) can be blocked, and only contacting a service center will help.

If you bought the phone with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie their Mi Account. Otherwise, unlocking may not be possible without their involvement.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions