Forgot the pattern lock on the smartphone Xiaomi Redmi – what to do in 2026?

The forgotten pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi is a situation that one in five users encounter, according to service center statistics. PIN-If you look at a code or a password, it seems like a simple pattern to remember, but that's what's often a cruel joke: your brain automates the action, and after a month, you can't remember the sequence of dots. MIUI locks the device after 5 failed attempts, suggesting either wait 30 seconds or drop the phone to factory settings.

In this article, the current 2026 unlock methods for all Redmi models (from Redmi) 9A Up to Redmi Note 12 Pro+), including the circumvention of Mi Account, ADB, Fastboot and Hidden Features MIUI. We won’t advise “just reset” – instead, we’ll discuss methods with minimal data loss, and explain why some “people-made” methods (like calling a locked phone) stopped working after Xiaomi’s security updates.

1 Unblocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most reliable and legal method is to use a tied Mi Account, which works on all Redmi devices with MIUI 12 and later, but requires two conditions:

• 🔹 The phone was connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) before being blocked.
• 🔹 You remember the username and password from Mi Account (or tied) email/phone number).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot the pattern lock? (appears after 5 unsuccessful attempts).
2. Select Sign in via Mi Account.
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. Create a new pattern lock or PIN-code.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was not connected to the network before locking, this method will not work - Xiaomi requires confirmation through the company's servers.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number provided during registration.

2. reset the pattern lock via ADB (without loss of data)

The method is for advanced users, but it stores all the data on the phone. It works if the Redmi is enabled to debug over USB (even if it was activated once before).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux.
• 🔌 USB-cable (original or quality).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from the official Android website).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the blocked Redmi to your computer.
2. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) in the folder with adb.exe.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device appears in the list, move to the next step. If not, install the Xiaomi drivers and try again.
4. Delete the file with the pattern lock: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After rebooting, the lock screen will disappear, but you will have to reconfigure the protection (PIN, password or new pattern lock).

Install ADB and Fastboot|Download Xiaomi drivers for your model|Connect your phone to the original cable|Check the visibility of the device by the team `adb devices`-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (if debugging over USB is disabled)

If USB debugging wasn’t enabled in advance, you’ll have to switch to Fastboot mode and reset your settings, which deletes all the data, but you can restore it through your Mi Cloud backup (if it was created).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command line in the folder with fastboot.exe.
4. Enter the command to reset: fastboot erase userdata Then: fastboot erase frp And reboot the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) may require data input from the Mi Account that was tied to the phone after this procedure».

4. Bypass locking through Recovery mode (hidden method)

A little-known method that works on MIUI 13 and older, it doesn't require a computer, but it only works if you've previously turned on the developer mode.

How to unlock:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select the language (English / Chinese), then go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Find /data/system/ and delete files: gesture.key (pattern lock) password.key (if PIN was installed) locksettings.db (lock settings)

Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 14 File Manager access in Recovery can be blocked. /data/ It doesn’t open – this method won’t work.

Reset via Mi Account|Used ADB|Recovered via Fastboot|Returned to service center|Never blocked-->

5. Unlock through Xiaomi Service Center (Official Repair)

If none of these methods work, you have to go to an authorized Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

• 📄 You will need a purchase document (check, warranty card) or a box from a phone with a serial number.

How to find the official service:

1. Go to the Xiaomi support website.
2. Enter a phone model (e.g. Redmi Note 11).
3. Select the nearest service center on the map.
4. Check by phone if they are unlocking the pattern lock (not all centers provide this service).

6. Alternative methods (with caution!)

There are dozens of magical ways to unlock things online, from calling a locked phone to using special applications, 90% of which don't work on current versions of MIUI, and some of which can harm the device, and some of which work (but are risky) for real-life options:

Method 1: Delete gesture.key via TWRP

If the phone has a custom TWRP recap, you can manually delete the file with the pattern lock:

1. Enter TWRP (Plug Power + Volume Up).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete /data/system/gesture.key.
4. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP It's not possible to use a locked phone without an unlocked bootloader, and this method is only suitable if you've already installed a custom recavator.

Method 2: Use of MIUI vulnerabilities (for older versions)

There was a bug on MIUI 10-11 that allowed you to bypass the lock via an emergency call, and it's now closed, but some firmware has a different trick:

1. On the lock screen, tap on the emergency call.
2. Enter ##4636## (test menu).
3. If the menu is opened, return to the home screen via the Back button – sometimes this removes the lock.

🔴 Important: MIUI 12 and later, this method doesn't work. Don't waste time on life hacks like this if you have fresh firmware.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of a forgotten pattern lock, follow these tips:

• 🔐 Use it. PIN-code instead of a pattern lock – it is more difficult to forget, and enter not much longer.
• 📱 Link your phone to Mi Account and enable data synchronization in your settings.
• 🔄 Regularly back up through Settings → System and device → Backup.
• 📝 Write down a pattern lock or PIN in a secure location (for example, in Google Keep with encryption or in a notebook).
• 🛠️ Put the debugging on. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → For developers).

💡 Useful advice: Set up a smart lock in MIUI — A feature that automatically unlocks your phone in trusted places (such as at home or work). → Screen locking → Smart Lock.

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The most reliable way to unlock is to link to Mi Account + sync enabled, even if you forget the pattern lock, restore access through your account without losing data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi