Forgot the password on the Xiaomi phone – how to unlock without losing data?

Why Xiaomi Phone is Locked and What to Do

Forgotten password on Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that one in five users face. The reasons are different: rare use of a pattern lock, change of the pattern lock. PIN-It's like forgetting the code and forgetting it instantly, or even locking it down after a failed input attempt (like a child using a phone), but the result is one: access to the device is closed, and the screen says, "Device locked. Try again in 30 minutes".

The worst part is when you don't have a backup on your phone, but you have important data inside, like photos, WhatsApp correspondence, work documents, or access to banking applications. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to unlock (including official and technical), their pros and cons, and give you tips on how to avoid data loss. Importantly, the methods vary depending on the model (Redmi Note 10 vs Xiaomi 13 Pro), the version of MIUI, and whether you have a Mi Account attached.

If you are reading this article on a locked phone through another gadget, go straight to the section Unlocking via Mi Account, as this is the fastest and safest way. If your account is not tied or you do not remember your password, read about alternative methods, including Fastboot and other methods. EDL-regime.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

This is the only way Xiaomi considers legitimate and does not result in a data dump.

• 🔗 Your phone is linked to your Mi Account (even if you don’t remember your account password).
• 📶 Internet access (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 There is a button on the lock screen: Forgot your password? MIUI 12/13/14).

If all conditions are met, follow the instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap on Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Enter the username (email or phone number) from the Mi Account associated with the device.
3. Confirm the entrance through SMS-code or backup email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t remember the Mi Account, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com. Note that Xiaomi may request a passport scan to verify identity – this is a standard security procedure.

Check your internet connection (Wi-Fi must be turned on)

Make sure you enter the correct email/phone from your Mi Account

Try to reset your account password through your computer

If the button "Forgot your password?" is not, go to other ways.-->

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If Mi Account is not tied or you can't restore access, you'll have a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which deletes all the data on your phone, including photos, apps and settings. Use it only as a last resort!

Instructions for most Xiaomi models (Redmi 9, POCO X3, Mi 11 Lite, etc.):

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to Recovery Mode (English or Chinese menu).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some Factory Reset models).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the reset to be completed.
7. Restart the phone (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: Newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was previously tied (even if you don't remember it) after a reset (FRP). If the account is not restored, the phone will turn into a brick".

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is a firmware mode that allows you to interact with your phone through a computer, and it's suitable if you:

• 🔧 You have a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed.
• 📥 You can download the official firmware for your model.
• 🔓 The phone's unlocked. OEM Unlock (if not, the method will not work).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform-Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Download the official firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (choose the Fastboot version).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to log into Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
5. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools and type: fastboot oem unlock If the command does not work, try: fastboot flashing unlock
6. After unlocking, download to Recovery and reset (Wipe Data).

⚠️ Note: On new models (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) The fastboot oem unlock command may not work due to the bootloader lock. EDL-regime (see next section).

Method 4: Unlocking through EDL (Extreme Deep Flash)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that bypasses all locks, including Mi Account and Mi Account. FRP. Used when other methods don't work:

• ⚠️ Requires a special cable (EDL cable) or circuits of the circuit board.
• 💻 You need skills with Mi Flash Tool and firmware.
• 🚨 The risk of turning your phone into a brick if you make a mistake.

Instructions (simplified version):

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool and firmware in.tgz format for your model.
2. Turn off the phone and transfer it to EDL: Method 1: Use EDL cable (interconnects contacts when connecting to USB). Method 2: Disassemble the phone and lock the test points on the board (seek instructions for a specific model).

Device Manager

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

COM

Flash

Wait for the firmware to finish (5-10 minutes) and restart the phone.

💡 Useful advice: If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the service center. EDL in Russia is 1000-3000 rubles (for 2026).

💡

Before running through EDL, make sure to check the firmware compatibility with your model. For example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (sweet model) will not work for the Redmi Note 10 (mojito model).

Method 5: Bypassing the lock through ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the phone is debugging on USB (USB Debugging, you can try to delete the file with the password through ADB. This method rarely works (only if debugging was activated before blocking), but does not require data resetting.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (even if it is locked).
2. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools.
3. Enter the commands in turn: 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
4. After resetting, the password should be reset.