Forgot the password on the Xiaomi phone: ways to unlock

The situation when you pick up a Xiaomi smartphone, and the screen meets you with a requirement to enter PIN-A code or pattern lock that you just can't remember causes panic in any user, which can happen after a long break in use of the gadget or after a failed attempt to change the access code to a more complex one. POCO Often, the system is blocked by MIUI It becomes an insurmountable barrier.

Fortunately, the Chinese giant’s engineers have devised several scenarios for restoring access to the device, depending on whether the Mi Account was linked to the phone, whether Find Device is enabled, and which version of the Android operating system is installed. In this article, we will detail all legal reset methods, from soft methods to full Hard Reset.

It is worth warning right away that most methods associated with resetting a screen password result in the complete deletion of user data. Photos, contacts and correspondence will be erased unless you have previously made a backup in the cloud. So before you start taking action, try to remember the combination or check the records where you could have saved it.

Using a Mi Account to Unlock the Screen

The easiest and fastest way to restore access to your smartphone is to use the built-in unlock function through your Xiaomi account, which only works if you have previously logged in and enabled Find a Device. After five false attempts to enter a password, the lock screen should show the words “Forgot your password” or a countdown timer.

Click on this link and the system will prompt you to enter the username and password from your Mi Account. It is important that the device at this point has an active Internet connection via mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the data is entered correctly, the phone will prompt you to create a new pattern lock or digital code, replacing the old one.

⚠️ Note: If you have recently changed your Mi Account password, wait 24 hours before trying to unlock it.

In some versions of the firmware MIUI This function may be hidden or require confirmation through SMS - to the number attached. SIM-The card to which the account is registered is active and is located on the phone or other device to receive the confirmation code.

Resetting settings via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If you can't access your account, you'll have to resort to a more radical method, which is to reset all settings to factory settings through the Recovery Mode menu, which is guaranteed to delete the forgotten password, but with it all the files stored in the phone's internal memory disappear. Charge the device to at least 50-60%, since the process of flashing system files is energy-intensive.

To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the button combination: usually Volume Up and Power. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume key. You will see the Main Menu menu, where the navigation is done by volume buttons and the choice by the power button.

From the menu, select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After completing the process, which will take a few minutes, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new, requiring initial setup.

⚠️ Warning: Newer versions of Android (11, 12, 13 and higher) may require a password from a Google account that was synced to the phone before being locked after being reset via Recovery (FRP).

Delete passwords through Find Device

An alternative to local unlocking is remote management via the web interface cloud.mi.com. This method is effective if the phone is connected to the network, but you can't unlock the screen to enter data. Go to the site from a computer or other smartphone, log in to your Mi Account.

In the service interface, select your device from the list of available gadgets. Among the control functions, find the "Erase device" button, which will force the process of resetting data on the phone, which will automatically delete the forgotten password of the screen lock.

The advantage of this method is that it doesn't require physical manipulation of the smartphone buttons. However, if the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will only be executed after it appears on the network.

Bypassing FRP (Google Account)

Once the settings are reset, modern Xiaomi smartphones will activate FRP (Factory Reset Protection).If you don't remember the password from the Google account that was on the phone, the device will remain locked even after Hard Reset. You can bypass this limitation, but methods are constantly changing depending on the version of MIUI and the Android security patch.

One common way is to use TalkBack or special applications to activate via the browser, the essence of the method is to call the voice assistant or accessibility settings to get into the browser and download the necessary necessary APK-Reset files. This process is technically complex and requires care.

There are many video instructions for specific models, as security holes are closed with updates, and if standard methods don’t work, users have to look for current month ways to bypass FRP for their version of the software.

Unlocking through computer and ADB

For advanced users, there is a method of unlocking or deleting a password through USB debugging, if it was pre-enabled in the developer settings, which will require a computer, a USB cable, and an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit.

Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line. If you're allowed to access the file system, you can try to delete the files that store the password hash.

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

Depending on the type of lock:

adb shell rm /data/system/password.key

Once the command is executed and the device is restarted, the password will not be requested, but on modern versions of Android with disk encryption, this method rarely works, since without unlocking the screen, access to the file system for ADB is closed by default.

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If you have USB debugging enabled but your computer can't see your phone, try installing the original cable or ADB drivers for Xiaomi. Sometimes, pressing the volume key when you connect the cable helps.

Smartphone firmware via Fastboot

If a software failure or a forgotten password has caused the system to fail completely, the final argument is flashing through Fastboot mode. This is a deep recovery layer that overwrites all partitions of the phone's memory. This will require the Mi Flash Tool utility and the official firmware in.tgz format.

Enter Fastboot mode by pressing down Power and Volume buttons on the phone turned off. Connect the device to your computer. In Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and Clean All mode. Starting the process will update the system and remove all locks, including forgotten passwords and accounts (except for binding to your Mi Account if activation lock is enabled).

This method requires a stable Internet and precise firmware selection for a particular model (global, china, eea), and an error in choosing a regional version can cause some functions, such as NFC or certain frequencies, to fail.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware with Clear All mode will void warranty in some regions if there is any interference with the code. Use only official images from miui.com.

Prevention and backup

To avoid the “forgetting your password” situation from taking you by surprise in the future, you should set up your backup in advance. Xiaomi smartphones have a built-in Mi Cloud that automatically saves contacts, messages, notes and system settings. Regular synchronization will allow you to recover data even after a complete reset.

You also recommend setting up biometric unlocking, like a fingerprint or facial recognition, which is not only more convenient, but also serves as an alternate key if you forget the digital code. PIN-code that is easier to remember, but use it only as a last resort.

Write your accounts and passwords down in a paper notebook or use a trusted password manager that you can access from other devices. Storing important data in one place is key to peace of mind when using modern gadgets.

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Regular sync with Mi Cloud and Google is the only way to ensure that data is kept safe in case of any crashes or locks on your device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)