Forgot the password from the Xiaomi phone: how to unlock without losing data and reset the lock

Forgetting the password from Xiaomi smartphone is a bad situation, but it is fixable, PIN-There are official and informal ways to get back to the device, but the main thing is not to panic or try to find a combination at random: after 5-10 unsuccessful attempts, the phone can lock permanently or require a reset before factory settings.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods of unlocking without loss of data (if they are tied to a Mi Account) and with a full reset (if there are no other options). Instructions are suitable for all models of the brand: Redmi Note 12/11/10 Pro, POCO F5/X5, Mi 13/12/11 and older devices on MIUI 14/13/12.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and safe method is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if you've logged in on your phone before and you haven't turned off Find Device, and the advantage is that the data on your phone will be saved if you follow all the steps correctly.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On the lock screen, tap the button "Forgot password?" (or "Forgot password?" on English firmware).
• 🔑 Select the recovery option via Mi Account (can be called Sign in to Xiaomi Account").
• 📧 Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
• 🔄 Confirm the unlock through SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If the "Forgot Password" button is not available, try:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or mobile network (if the internet is turned off, turn it on through the notification panel, swiping your finger down from the top edge of the screen).
2. Enter any password 5 times in a row - a restore button should appear.

⚠️ Note: If you don't remember the Mi Account, don't try to guess the password. After 10 failed attempts, the account will be blocked for 24 hours.

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If you have Mi Cloud sync enabled, check the MIUI/Backup/AllBackup folder for backups after unlocking, and you may have saved contacts, SMS and photos.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (complete data cleanup)

If the Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the data from it, then all that remains is a hard reset through Recovery Mode, which will remove all the data from your phone, including photos, apps and settings, and only use it if other methods have failed.

Instructions for all Xiaomi models:

1. 🔌 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. 🔄 Press the button combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For older devices (until 2018): Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

⚠️ Warning: Phones with a bootloader locked after a reset may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously tied. If you don't remember them, the phone will turn into a "brick." Check the bootloader status through the official Xiaomi tool.

Record the IMEI of your phone (on the box or under the battery)

Download the firmware for your model from [miui.com](https://miui.com)

Prepare. OTG-Mouse cable (if the sensor is not working)

Charge your phone at least 50%

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3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is not available or the phone is in error when reset, you can use Fastboot mode, USB-All data will be deleted, but the chance of successfully unlocking the phone is higher than through Recovery.

Step-by-step:

1. 💻 Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Unlock Tool by Xiaomi).
2. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down. + Power before the appearance of the Fastboot logo (robot with an open stomach).

cmd

platform-tools

fastboot devices

(Serial phone number should be displayed)

fastboot oem unlock

(Unlock the bootloader if it is blocked)

fastboot erase userdata

fastboot erase cache

fastboot reboot

Once the phone is restarted, it will be completely cleared. If you request Mi Account, use the instructions in the first section.

4. Bypassing the lock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

This method works only if the phone has previously been enabled debugging by USB (USB Debugging) and you confirmed your connection to this computer. If not, skip the section.

Instructions:

1. 🔌 Connect your phone to your computer through USB.
2. 🖥️ Open the command line and execute: Adb devices (should appear serial number of the device).
3. 🔑 Enter commands to delete password files: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/password.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
4. 🔄 Reboot your phone: adb reboot

In other cases, the data will be deleted.