The situation when access to your own device is limited due to a forgotten security code is one of the most common problems among smartphone users. Sudden loss of the ability to log in not only blocks calls, but also access to important contacts, photos and banking applications. Most often, this happens after an update Xiaomi And Redmi. Sudden loss of the ability to log in not only blocks calls, but also access to important contacts, photos and banking applications. Most often this happens after an update. MIUI firmware or a long-term change in the locking pattern, which simply flew out of memory.
There are several proven ways to regain control over the gadget, but the effectiveness of each method directly depends on the current security settings and linking to accounts. It is important to understand that modern versions Android have a high level of data encryption, so simple bypass methods that worked several years ago may now be useless. In some cases, to maintain the privacy of user data, the only way out is a complete reset.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to assess the risks of losing personal information. If synchronization with the cloud has not been enabled on the device Mi Cloud or Google Drive, data recovery after the unlocking procedure will not be possible. Next, we will analyze in detail the algorithms of actions from the least radical to methods of completely formatting the memory.
Using the Find Device function through Mi Account
The most civilized and safe way to remove the screen lock is available to those users who have previously linked their smartphone to an account Mi Account and activated the device search service. This method allows you to remotely erase the security code without losing other files if the function was configured correctly. To implement the plan, you will need any other device with Internet access, be it a computer or someone else’s phone.
You need to go to the official device management portal and log in using the same credentials that are used on the locked gadget. The system will automatically determine the location of your Redmi or Pocoif it is online. In the management interface, you should select the option to clear data, which will lead to the deletion of the screen lock file.
⚠️ Attention: The remote unlock function will only work if the locked phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the device is in airplane mode or turned off, the command will be executed immediately after the connection appears.
After sending the command to the server Xiaomi the phone will reboot, and the next time you turn it on, the password request will disappear. However, it is worth considering that for security purposes, the system may require you to re-enter your Mi account password to confirm the owner’s identity. This is a standard anti-theft procedure that cannot be ignored.
If you do not remember your Mi Account password, use the recovery form on the login page using the associated phone number or backup email.
Resetting settings via Recovery mode (Hard Reset)
When remote methods are not available, you have to resort to a hard reset through a special recovery menu, known as Recovery Mode. This method is universal for all models Xiaomi, but it is guaranteed to delete all user data from the device’s internal memory. Before starting the procedure, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50% so that the phone does not turn off at a critical moment.
To enter recovery mode, you must completely turn off the smartphone and then hold down the key combination. Usually this is the volume up button and the power button, which are held simultaneously until the brand logo appears. As soon as a menu with several items appears on the screen, you can release the power button while continuing to hold down the volume until you go to the desired section.
☑️ Preparing for Hard Reset
In the menu, navigation is carried out using the volume buttons (up and down), and the selection of an item is confirmed with the power button. You need to find the section Wipe Data and confirm the action. The system will ask for confirmation as this is an irreversible operation. After the cleaning process is completed, select Reboot to reboot the system.
| Device model | Key combination | Menu features |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10 | Volume + and Power | Support for touch input in Recovery |
| Xiaomi Mi 11/12 | Volume + and Power | Mi-account confirmation required after reset |
| Poco X3/X4 | Volume + and Power | Standard text menu |
| Redmi 9A/10C | Volume + and Power | There may be a delay in entering the mode |
It is worth noting that on new versions of the shell MIUI 12 and MIUI 13 after such a reset, the device may request a password from a previously synchronized Google account. This is a security mechanism FRP (Factory Reset Protection)that prevents the use of stolen phones. If you do not remember this data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock your phone without contacting the service.
Hard Reset deletes all data, including photos and contacts, so use this method only as a last resort.
Unlocking through the Find My Device service from Google
An alternative option for devices integrated into the ecosystem Google, is the use of the service Find My Device. This method is similar to working with Mi Account, but uses a Gmail account. The condition for success is an active Internet connection on a locked smartphone and prior authorization in your Google account.
Go to the service website from any browser and log in to your profile. If the phone is identified in the list of devices, select it and click the “Clear device” option. The command will be sent instantly, and the gadget will return to factory settings, while removing the installed pattern or digital code.
⚠️ Attention: On some models with pure Android or specific security settings, this function can only lock the device forever, and not remove the password. Always check the description of the action before pressing the button.
The advantage of this method is that it works even if you do not remember the password for your Mi account, but remember the data from your Gmail mail. However, as in the previous case, all data in the internal memory will be irretrievably lost. SD memory cards usually remain untouched unless the option to format the external drive has been selected.
Once the procedure is complete, the phone will reboot and you can set it up as new or restore data from a Google backup. This is the standard access recovery path provided by the operating system developers Android to protect the owner's rights.
What to do if the phone is not visible in Find My Device?
If the device is displayed as “Offline”, the reset command will be queued. It will be executed automatically as soon as the phone appears on the network. Make sure that the geolocation and data transfer function was enabled before blocking.
Using USB and ADB debugging (for advanced users)
For technically savvy users, there is a method for removing blocking files through the debugging interface ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method will only work if, before locking the screen, the “USB Debugging” option was activated in the developer settings and the computer was given permission to access.
You need to connect the smartphone to a PC with installed drivers and platform tools. Special commands are entered through the command line to access system files that store information about the access key. Deleting a specific file gesture.key or password.key allows you to remove the lock without losing data.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db
This method is the most gentle on information, since it does not require formatting memory sections. However, on modern versions of Android with disk encryption enabled, this method often does not work, since system files are protected by superuser rights, which cannot be accessed without an unlocked screen.
If the command is successful, just restart the device and the lock screen will disappear. If there is an access error or the device does not respond, you will have to resort to more radical reset methods described above. The effectiveness of the method directly depends on the version of the Android security patch.
To work with ADB, download the official Platform Tools from the Android developers website to avoid viruses in third-party assemblies.
Unlocking features on different versions of MIUI
The procedure for restoring access may differ significantly depending on the version installed firmware MIUI. In older versions, such as MIUI 10 or 11, there were vulnerabilities that allowed you to reset your password through the recovery menu without account verification. In new versions, especially MIUI 12, 13 and 14, protection has been significantly strengthened. Users of new models are faced with mandatory verification of their Mi account after resetting the settings. This means that even after performing a Hard Reset, you will not be able to use the phone unless you enter the login and password for the account that was previously synchronized with the device. This is a serious barrier for those who have completely forgotten their credentials.
Users of new models Redmi And Xiaomi are faced with mandatory verification of the Mi account after resetting the settings. This means that even after performing a Hard Reset, you will not be able to use the phone unless you enter the login and password for the account that was previously synchronized with the device. This is a major barrier for those who have completely forgotten their credentials.
⚠️ Note: The interface and features of the Recovery menu may change with security updates. If the standard button combination does not work, try connecting the phone to the PC via a USB cable before entering recovery mode.
It is also worth considering the regional features of the firmware. Global versions (Global ROM) may behave differently than Chinese (China ROM) or Russian versions. In some cases, to remove the lock, you need to flash the device through a computer using the Mi Flash utility, which requires an unlocked bootloader.
Why does it ask for an old account after the reset?
This is protection against FRP theft. The phone remembers the last synchronized account. If you bought the phone second-hand and it is locked, you can only return it through the seller or a receipt of purchase from the service center.
Prevention and creation of backups
In order not to face the problem of loss of access in the future, it is extremely important to set up the right backup strategy. Regularly syncing contacts, photos and notes with cloud services ensures that even with a hard reset, you won't lose valuable information. Set up automatic photo uploading to Google Photos or Mi Cloud.
Write down your passwords for your main accounts in a safe place, for example, in a paper notepad or a specialized password manager, access to which does not depend on the smartphone screen being locked. It is also recommended to set up biometric unlocking using a fingerprint or face, duplicating it with a simple but memorable PIN code.
Regularly check the status of linking the device to accounts in the security settings. Make sure the Find My Device feature is enabled and the recovery phone number is correct. These simple steps will take a few minutes, but will save hours of nerves in a critical situation.
Is it possible to unlock a phone without losing data?
You can unlock your phone without losing data only through Find Device services (Mi Account or Google) if the phone is connected to the Internet. In all other cases, including resetting via Recovery, the data will be deleted.
What to do if the phone asks for an account after a reset?
You must enter the login and password for Google or the Mi account that was last synchronized with the device. If the data is lost, you will need to contact the service center with purchase documents.
Will unlocking work if the phone is turned off?
No, remote commands are executed only if there is an active Internet connection. If the phone is turned off, the command will be executed immediately after it is turned on and connected to the network.
Will information be deleted from the memory card during a reset?
Usually, during a standard reset (Wipe Data), only the internal memory is formatted. The memory card remains untouched unless you select the option to format the SD card manually.
How to enter Recovery if the buttons do not work?
If the physical buttons are faulty, you can enter Recovery using the ADB command: adb reboot recovery. This requires pre-enabled USB debugging.