A forgotten pattern, PIN or password on a Xiaomi smartphone instantly blocks access to the system, turning the device into an inaccessible brick and hiding all contacts, photos and important data behind the Android security screen.
Fortunately, the architecture of the operating system Android and proprietary shell MIUI provides for several scenarios for restoring access. However, it’s worth warning right away: in most cases, to ensure data security, the only working method is a full factory reset. This means the loss of all information that was not saved in the cloud or on external storage.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of unlocking the device. We will consider both standard methods through the account Mi Account, and more radical measures through the regime Recovery. You will learn what steps need to be taken first to minimize data loss, and what to do if the standard ways do not work.
Using Mi Account for remote unlocking
The most humane way to restore access to the device is only possible if a number of preconditions are met. If you have previously linked your smartphone to your account Xiaomi and enabled the device search function, you have a chance to do without completely deleting your data. This method works remotely, so you will need access to another gadget with Internet access.
First, you need to go to the official cloud services portal Xiaomi through the browser of any computer or other smartphone. Enter your credentials (username and password) that are used on the locked phone. The system will automatically detect linked devices and display them on the map if geolocation is enabled.
In the device management interface, find the icon of your phone and select the lock or unlock option. In some firmware versions, the function of setting a new temporary password is available, which will replace the forgotten key. After entering the new code on the website, wait a few minutes while the command is synchronized with the phone via the network.
The remote unlock function only works if the phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi at the time the command is sent.
It is worth noting that the effectiveness of this method directly depends on the version MIUI and regional settings. In the latest security updates, privacy policies have become stricter, and the ability to simply change the password without resetting data may not be available for some models.
Having an active Mi Account and the “Find My Device” function enabled are critical conditions for saving data when unlocking.
Resetting settings through the Recovery menu
If the remote method did not work or the account has not been linked, you will have to use the hardware recovery menu, known as Recovery Mode. This mode boots independently of the main operating system, allowing you to reset even when the screen is completely locked. The process requires strict adherence to the sequence of button presses.
To enter recovery mode, you must completely turn off the smartphone. Then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears Mi, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume key until the main menu appears Recovery.
In this menu, the touch screen, as a rule, does not work. 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 select the subsection Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action, usually you need to select the item Confirm.
☑️ Preparing for a hard reset
After confirmation, the process of formatting the internal memory will begin. The progress bar will show the status of the operation. Upon completion, the phone will automatically return to the main menu, where you need to select Reboot, and then Reboot to System to reboot to normal mode.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting via Recovery, the device may request confirmation of the owner through a Google account (FRP Lock). Make sure you remember the login and password for the Google mail that was synchronized on the phone.
Unlocking through the Find My Device service from Google
An alternative option for devices tied to the Google ecosystem is to use the service Find My Device. This tool is similar to the solution from Xiaomi, but works at the operating system level Android. It is especially useful if you do not remember the data from your Mi Account, but you know exactly the details of your Google account.
Go to the service website from any available device and log in under the same account that is used on the locked smartphone. In the list of devices, select your model Xiaomi. You will be offered several actions: call the device, block it, or erase data.
Select the “Erase Device” option. This command will delete all data including the forgotten screen lock password. The process will take some time and requires an Internet connection on your phone. Once the command is completed, the phone will reboot into the factory settings state.
| Method | Saving data | Requirements | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account | Possible | Internet, linked account | Low |
| Recovery Mode | No | Physical access to buttons | Medium |
| Google Find My Device | No | Internet, account Google | Low |
| ADB (Debugging) | Depends on rights | USB debugging enabled | High |
It is important to understand the difference between simple blocking and complete erasing. The Google service is primarily focused on the security of the owner's data in case of theft, so priority is given to deleting information rather than saving it if the password is forgotten.
What to do if the phone is not connected to the Internet?
If the device is offline, the reset command will be queued and executed automatically as soon as the phone connects to a Wi-Fi network or phone data.
Using USB debugging and a computer
For advanced users, there is a method for resetting the lock using a computer and a utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method only works if, before blocking, you managed to enable the “USB Debugging” mode in the developer menu and confirmed your trust in this computer.
Connect your smartphone to the PC using the original cable. Open a command prompt or terminal on your computer in the folder where the ADB drivers are installed. Enter the command to reboot the device into recovery mode: adb reboot recovery.
If the connection is successful, the phone will enter the desired mode. Next, you can try to delete the files responsible for locking the screen through the file system, or execute the reset command: adb shell recovery --wipe_data. However, modern versions of Android limit the direct removal of system files without root access.
This method is considered the most technically complex and does not guarantee results on new models with updated security patches. It is more suitable for older devices or situations where other methods are not available, but debugging was activated in advance.
Reset features on different Xiaomi models
The line of smartphones Xiaomi is extremely diverse, and the procedures may vary slightly depending on the series. For example, on budget models of the series Redmi entrance to Recovery is often carried out using the combination of buttons described above, while on flagships of the series Mi or Xiaomi with high refresh rate screens, the response to pressing may require greater clarity.
On devices with a scanner fingerprint built into the power button, the login algorithm may be complicated. Sometimes you need to first press and release the power button, and then immediately hold down the volume combination. On models without a headphone jack and with moisture protection, make sure that the buttons are not stuck and press with a clear click.
It is also worth considering the difference between the global version of the firmware (Global ROM) and the Chinese version (CN ROM). In Chinese versions, the Recovery menu may be partially in Chinese, and the device's remote search functions may work differently due to the lack of Google services by default.
⚠️ Attention: The Recovery menu interface may differ visually depending on the version of MIUI. If you see a menu in Chinese, be guided by the location of the buttons: Wipe Data is usually the second from the top.
Owners of devices with an unlocked bootloader have access to more advanced options, including flashing via mode Fastboot. However, for an ordinary user who has simply forgotten the password, the standard Recovery menu is quite enough to return the device to working order.
Data recovery after a reset
After successfully completing the reset and reboot procedure, the phone will start up like new. You will be greeted with an initial setup screen where you will need to select a language, connect to Wi-Fi and enter your account information. It is at this stage that the device's ownership (FRP) is checked.
If you previously enabled synchronization with the cloud Mi Cloud or Google Drive, you can restore some of the data. Contacts, calendar and notes are usually pulled up automatically immediately after entering your login. Photos and videos can be found in the appropriate sections of cloud storage.
To restore applications, go to the store Google Play or GetApps, go to the “Library” or “My Applications” section and select the “Not Installed” tab. There will be a list of all the apps that were previously downloaded to this device, which will allow you to quickly return to the familiar ecosystem.
When setting up a new device, immediately enable automatic synchronization of contacts and photos to avoid loss of information during resets in the future.
Unfortunately, files stored exclusively in the internal memory and not synchronized with the cloud (for example, voice recorder recordings, local game saves, downloaded documents), it is impossible to recover after a complete reset (Wipe Data) without using specialized expensive data recovery software, which does not provide a 100% guarantee.
What to do if the phone asks for a password for the old Google account after a reset?
This is FRP protection (Factory Reset Protection). You need to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized on the device before the reset. If you don’t remember them, you will have to restore access to your account through the recovery procedure on the Google website.
Is it possible to reset the password without losing data on Xiaomi?
Officially - no, if the method of remotely changing the password through Mi Account does not work when the Internet is active. All other methods involve formatting the partition with user data for security purposes.
How long does the reset process via Recovery take?
The formatting procedure itself usually takes from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the amount of internal memory. The first boot after a reset may take longer, up to 10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications.
Will the Mi Account password be reset after Wipe Data?
No, the password for the Mi Account itself is not reset. Moreover, after turning on the phone, you will need to enter this password to activate the device if the Find My Device function was enabled.