Forgot the password on Redmi: how to unlock the phone

The situation when you pick up your phone smartphone and realize that you cannot remember the login combination causes panic in many. This is a common problem faced by device owners Xiaomi and Redmi all over the world. The lock screen is the first line of defense to protect your personal data, photos, and banking information from prying eyes. However, if you forget the pattern, PIN code or digital password, the device turns into an impenetrable fortress.

Fortunately, the system Android and shell MIUI provide several mechanisms for restoring access. Depending on the firmware version, the presence of a linked account and the enabled debugging functions, solutions may differ. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the legal and technical ways to regain control of your gadget, starting from the simplest methods and ending with a full reset through recovery mode.

It is important to immediately understand: modern security measures are created so that an attacker cannot simply gain access to the phone. Therefore, in most cases, if the password is lost forever, you will have to sacrifice data on the internal drive. Resetting settings is a radical, but often the only possible measure. Let's look at action algorithms that will help you solve this problem as efficiently as possible.

Using the "Forgot password" function via Mi Account

The most civilized and safe unlocking method is available to those users who have previously linked their phone to the ecosystem Xiaomi. If you've signed in to your device and have Find My Device turned on, you can reset the lock remotely. This method does not require connecting a cable to a computer and works through any browser. Mi Account and Find My Device is enabled, you can reset the lock remotely. This method does not require a cable connection to the computer and works through any browser.

First, you need to go to the official website of the cloud service Xiaomi from another device (a computer or a friend’s phone). Enter your credentials: phone number or email that was used to register on the locked device. The system will require identification confirmation, often via a code from SMS or a backup email.

⚠️ Attention: Remote password reset via the website will only work if the locked phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). If the device is offline, the reset command will be queued and executed immediately after the connection appears.

After successful authorization in your personal account, select the device management section. Find your model in the list Redmi and click on the unlock icon. The system will send a command to the phone, which will forcefully reset the current pattern or digital code. After this, you can set a new password or completely disable the screen lock in the settings.

Reset settings through the Recovery menu (Hard Reset)

If the remote method is not available or the function "Find my device" was not activated, you will have to resort to a hard reset. This method is called Hard Reset and is performed through a special service menu Recovery Mode. It completely clears the internal memory of the phone, returning it to its factory state, but is guaranteed to remove the screen lock.

The procedure for entering recovery mode may vary slightly depending on the version MIUI, but the basic algorithm is the same for most models. Redmi. First you need to completely turn off your smartphone. Then you need to hold down a certain combination of physical buttons and hold them until the brand logo appears.

• 🔘 Press the button Volume Up and the button Power at the same time.
• 🔘 Hold the keys until the logo appears Mi or Redmi.
• 🔘 Release the power button, but continue to hold Volume Up until the main Recovery menu appears.
• 🔘 If a robot image appears with the inscription "No command", briefly press the power button, then press Volume Up again.

In the Recovery menu, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down to move the cursor) and the power button (to confirm the selection). You need to find the item Wipe Data or Erase data. After selecting, confirm the action by pressing Wipe All Data. The system will warn you that the process is irreversible - confirm again.

After the cleaning process is completed, the phone will automatically reboot. The first startup may take longer than usual as the system performs initial setup. You will be greeted by a welcome screen where you will need to select a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

FRP protection and the need to enter a Google account

After performing a reset via Recovery you may encounter additional protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection). This is a security mechanism Googlethat requires confirmation of the owner's identity after resetting the settings. If a Google account was entered on the phone, the system will require you to enter the password for it.

This is done so that a stolen phone cannot simply be reset and sold. If you have forgotten not only the password for the screen, but also the password for your Google account, the situation becomes more complicated. You will have to restore access to Gmail through the password recovery procedure on another device.

Blocking type	Required data	Risk of data loss	Difficulty
Lock screen	Mi Account or reset	High (when reset)	Low
FRP (Google)	Google login and password	No (if access is available)	Medium
Mi Account Lock	Mi Cloud password	No	High
Bootloader	Resolution from Xiaomi	Full wipe	Very high

In some cases, if the phone was not connected to the Internet during the first setup after the reset, the FRP check step may be skipped. However, modern versions Android require a network connection almost immediately. Be prepared to enter your account information.

What to do if you forgot your Google password?

Use the account recovery form on the Google website from a trusted device. If restoration is not possible, you will need to contact the service center with purchase documents to confirm ownership.

Unlocking through the Find My Device service from Google

An alternative to the branded service Xiaomi is a standard tool from the search giant - Find My Device. This method works similar to the Mi Account method, but uses Google's infrastructure. It is effective if you are logged into your Google account on your phone and geolocation is enabled.

Log in to the site android.com/find from any browser. Log in using the same account that is used on the blocked one. Redmi. If the phone is online and visible on the map, you will have three options: play sound, lock the device or erase data.

Selecting a function Erase device initiates a remote factory reset. This action will delete all files, photos and applications, but will also remove the screen lock password. After the operation is completed, the phone will reboot and you can set it up as new.

⚠️ Attention: The remote erase function only works when there is an active Internet connection on the phone. If the device is turned off or in airplane mode, the command will be executed only after it is turned on and connected to the network.

This method often works faster than manufacturer services, since it is native to the operating system. However, as in the case of Recovery, after this procedure FRP protection will work, and entering Google account data will become a mandatory setup step.

Using ADB to remove the lock (for advanced)

For users who previously enabled the mode on their phone USB Debugging (USB Debugging), there is a softer way to remove the lock without losing data. This method requires a computer and an installed package of tools Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

Connect your phone to the PC via the original cable. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer in the folder where ADB is installed. Enter the command to check the connection:

adb devices

If your device with status is shown in the list device, then the connection is established. Next, you can try to delete the file that stores information about the graphic key. Enter the following command:

adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

For digital passwords or PIN codes, the command may differ depending on the Android version, sometimes you need to delete the file password.key or locksettings.db. After executing the command, reboot the phone with the command adb reboot. On the lock screen, you can enter any combination, and the phone will be unlocked.

It is worth noting that on modern shells MIUI 12, 13, 14 and higher, access to system files via ADB without root access is often limited. Therefore, this method should be considered as an auxiliary option for older models or specific configurations.

What to do if the phone is locked by a Mi account after a reset

Sometimes after resetting the settings, the user is faced with an activation screen Mi Account. This happens if the Find My Device function was active at the time of blocking. The system requires you to enter the password for the account Xiaomithat was previously used on the phone. This is serious protection against theft.

If you remember your login (phone number or email), but forgot your password, use the "Forgot password" link directly on the lock screen or on the website i.mi.com. Follow the instructions to reset your password via SMS or email. After successfully changing the password, enter the new data into the phone.

In the case when access to the account is completely lost (the number has been changed, the email has been deleted), it is almost impossible to legally unlock the device. Official support Xiaomi requires the provision of a purchase receipt and a box with an IMEI code to unlock it at the service center. Attempts to bypass this protection using software methods often lead to damage to the device.

To avoid similar situations in the future, always write down data from your accounts in a safe place. Linking your phone to cloud services is a double-edged sword: it protects data if it is stolen, but can create problems if you lose access to the account itself.

Prevention and creation of backups

The best solution to the problem of a forgotten password is to prevent it or minimize its consequences. Regular creation backup copies (backups) will allow you not to worry about losing photos and contacts if you need to reset. The shell MIUI has a built-in tool for this.

Go to the menu Settings → About phone → Backup and restore. Here you can configure automatic saving of data to the cloud Xiaomi Cloud or to an external drive. It is also useful to set up synchronization of contacts and calendar with your Google account.

• ☁️ Enable synchronization of contacts with Google in your account settings.
• 📸 Set up automatic photo upload to Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
• 💾 Periodically make a full backup of the system to your computer via cable.
• 🔐 Write down your PIN codes and pattern keys in a password manager.

Use biometric unlocking methods, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, as additional funds. Although they do not replace the main password, using them reduces the likelihood that you will forget the number combination, since you enter it less often.

⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface and the location of items may vary depending on the version of MIUI and the Redmi model. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the settings by entering the name of the function.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to unlock Redmi without losing data?

Without losing data, you can unlock your phone only through Find My Device services (Mi Cloud or Google), if they were configured in advance and the phone is connected to the Internet. In other cases, especially when using Hard Reset, the data will be deleted.

What is FRP and how to bypass it?

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google protection that requires you to enter your account after a reset. You can officially bypass it only by entering the correct data. Third-party bypass methods are often unsafe and can disrupt the system.

Will a button reset work if the phone is turned off?

Yes, Recovery mode is available even when the phone is turned off. You need to use a combination of physical buttons (Volume + Power) to turn on the device in a special mode. The battery charge must be sufficient to carry out the procedure.

Will resetting delete files on the SD memory card?

Usually, the standard Wipe Data procedure in the Recovery menu does not affect the external SD memory card. However, for complete security, it is recommended to remove the card before starting the reset procedure.

How many times can you enter the password incorrectly?

After several unsuccessful attempts, the phone is locked for a certain time (30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.). After many attempts, you may be required to enter your Google account or the data will be automatically reset if such a function was enabled in the security settings.