Forgot the password from the Xiaomi phone? 7 proven ways to unlock

A forgotten password on a Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users encounter, especially when the phone stores important data such as photos, work correspondence or access to banking applications. Fortunately, the manufacturer has provided several official and informal unlock methods that work even without access to the Mi Account.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, from the simplest (via a Xiaomi account linked) to radical (full reset via Fastboot). Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, enabled debugging over USB), so if you read this article in advance, pay attention to the section on blocking prevention. For owners of old models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and new flagships (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, POCO F6 Pro), the instructions are universal, but may differ in detail – we will specify them in the compatibility table.

We warn you right away that no method guarantees 100% data security. If the phone is encrypted (default activated when you set the password), unlocking without reset is almost impossible. But let's get this straight.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and secure method is to use a Xiaomi account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or you can restore it through the email/SMS).
• 🔄 The device was not reset to factory settings after the last authorization.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter your email/phone and account password. If you don't remember, click Forgot your password? and follow the recovery instructions.
4. After successful authorization, the system will prompt you to create a new password or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, this method will not work. In this case, you will need to contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase (check, box with a box of the phone). IMEI).

2. Reset password via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or older models on MIUI 10-12. On new firmware (MIUI 14+), it does not always work, but it is worth trying.

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if there is one).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Password (on some models, the path may be different: Advanced → Wipe Password).
5. Confirm the action and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On devices with encryption enabled (Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption: This method can result in the loss of all data, as the system will require the entry of an old password after restarting.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot Method Requires a Computer, USB-It's a cable and basic command line knowledge:

• 🔧 You have unlocked bootloader (if not, see section 5).
• 💻 Access to PCs with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• 📱 The phone is determined by the computer in Fastboot mode.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → cmd).
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed – continue.
4. Password reset (for MIUI 11-14): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, Xiaomi 12T) After this procedure, you may need to re-authorize in Mi Account. If the account is not tied, the phone will be permanently blocked!

4.Using ADB (if USB debugging was enabled)

This is the only way to unlock your phone without losing data, but it only works if you activated USB Debugging in the developer settings before locking it. If so, you're in luck!

Algorithm:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices
3. Delete the password file: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once rebooted, the password will be reset, but all data (photos, messages, apps) will remain in place.This method works on MIUI 12-15, but may require root rights on new firmware.

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If the phone still requires a password after completing the commands, try entering any arbitrary code (e.g., 1234).

5 Unlock bootloader (if other methods did not help)

If all previous methods did not work, the radical option remains – unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool, which will lead to a complete reset of the phone, but will allow you to install custom firmware or bypass the lock.

What will be required:

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable.
• 📋 Xiaomi account tied to phone (required!).
• ⏳ 72-168 Waiting hours (unblocking time for new accounts).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the program under the same account as on the phone.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the program.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 10 minutes).

Once you unlock the bootloader, you can flash your phone through Fastboot or TWRP, bypassing the lock. Minus: all data will be erased, and the warranty (if any) is canceled.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is the only legal way to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection) lock on Xiaomi, without which the phone will require authorization in the old Mi Account after the reset.

6. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can contact the official service center.

• 📱 Phones with the previous owner’s Mi Account blocked.
• 🔒 Devices with Encryption enabled and lost password.
• 📄 Models that are not subject to other methods (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) A2 pure Android).

What to bring with you:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase).
• 📦 Original box with IMEI.
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the model and the reason for the lock, and in some cases (for example, if you are a thief), you may need a police certificate.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of forgotten passwords again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition as an additional way to unlock.
• 📝 Write your password to a secure location (for example, in Google Keep or an encrypted notebook).
• 🔄 Regularly sync your data with Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 🔧 Turn on Debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the additional → For developers).

We also recommend setting up Smart Lock in security settings: this will automatically unlock the phone in trusted places (home, work) or when connecting to trusted devices (smart watches, Bluetooth headphones).

Comparison of Unlocking Methods

FAQ: Frequent questions