Users of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones often encounter a situation where, after rebooting, the device asks for a pattern, PIN code or digital password that was forgotten. This is a standard measure Android securitydesigned to protect personal data from unauthorized access. However, for the owner himself, this becomes a serious problem, blocking access to calls and applications.
It is important to immediately understand the main rule: there is no official “Show password” button or a way to simply “turn on” the phone without entering a code, if one is installed. The only working option to return the device to functionality is Full data reset to factory settings, which will inevitably delete all information from the internal memory. If the data has not been synchronized with the cloud, restoring it will be extremely difficult.
Next we will look in detail at all the current methods for resetting the lock for Redmi Note, Redmi K and other models. You will learn how to use Mi account, Find My Device service, Recovery mode and special utilities. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid mistakes that can lead to permanent locking of the bootloader.
Method 1: Unlocking via Mi Account (The most secure)
If your device had an active Xiaomi account and the “Find my device” function was enabled, you can remove the password remotely. This method is preferred as it is legal and does not require a PC connection. First, make sure that the locked smartphone is connected to a Wi-Fi network or mobile data, otherwise the command from the server simply will not reach it.
Go from a computer or other phone to the official website i.mi.com. Enter the login and password Mi Accountthat was used on the locked gadget. After logging in to the interface, select your device from the list of available ones. If the device status is displayed as “Online”, management tools will become available to you.
Select the “Wipe Data” option. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action. Once the process is complete, the phone will reboot and the screen lock will be removed as the security settings will return to factory settings.
⚠️ Attention: This method will only work if the Find My Device feature has been previously activated in the phone settings. If the Internet on the phone is disabled, the command will be executed only after it appears on the network.
If you do not remember the password for your Mi account, try recovering it through the linked email or phone number on the account.xiaomi.com page before attempting a reset.
Method 2: Reset via Google Find My Device
Alternative Xiaomi's proprietary service is a standard tool from Google. This method is relevant for all versions Androidwhere you are logged into your Google account. The principle of operation is similar: remotely sending a command to erase data, which automatically removes the pattern.
Go to android.com/find and log in using the Google account that is synchronized with your Redmi. The map will show the device's location if it is online. In the side menu, select the “Erase Device” function.
Confirm deleting all data. The process can take from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the connection speed. Once completed, the phone will look like new, without any passwords set. You will need to go through the initial setup again.
- 📱 An active Internet connection is required on a locked smartphone.
- 🔐 You must accurately enter your Google account login and password.
- 💾 All photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted.
Method 3: Hard Reset via Recovery mode
If the Internet is turned off or you don’t remember account data, you will have to use hardware reset This method works at the physical layer and does not require access to the operating system. You will need to put your phone into mode Recovery Mode using a combination of buttons.
Completely turn off your Redmi smartphone. Then hold down the power button and the volume up button (“Volume +”) at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold “Volume +” until the main recovery menu appears.
In the Recovery menu, control is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button. Find the item Wipe Data and select it. Next, click Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After cleaning, select Reboot to reboot the system.
☑️ Algorithm of actions in Recovery
Please note that on new models with an updated version of MIUI or HyperOS, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection may work after such a reset. The phone will require you to enter the password for the Google account that was synchronized earlier. This is an anti-theft measure.
⚠️ Attention: On some Redmi models, entering Recovery may require a connection to Wi-Fi to confirm the owner's identity before performing a reset.
| Redmi model | Button combination | Features menu |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/9/10 | Power + Volume+ | Standard menu in English |
| Redmi K20 / K30 | Power + Volume+ | Wi-Fi confirmation required |
| Redmi 9A / 9C | Power + Volume+ | Simplified interface |
| Poco X3 / M3 | Power + Volume+ | Possible bootloader lock |
Method 4: Using ADB and USB debugging
This method is only suitable for experienced users and works under one critical condition: previously The phone had to have “USB Debugging” enabled in the “Developer Options” menu. If this option was disabled by default, the method will not work.
Connect your smartphone to the computer via a USB cable. Install ADB and platform-tools drivers on your PC. Open the command line (CMD) in the utilities folder and enter the command to test the connection: adb devices. If the device is displayed in the list, you can proceed to delete the lock file.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyThis command deletes the file in which the pattern is stored. Once done, reboot your phone. The password will no longer be required. For a digital PIN code, a file is used password.keywhich is deleted with a similar command.
What to do if ADB does not see the device?
If the list of devices is empty, check the drivers in Windows Device Manager. The phone may be detected as an "Unknown Device". Try a different USB cable or port. Also make sure that the screen is unlocked at least once after connecting, if possible.
It is worth noting that on modern versions of Android with disk encryption, this method may not be effective, since access to the partition /data without unlocking the screen is closed at the system kernel level. In such cases, the only option is a full reset via Recovery.
Method 5: Service centers and professional software
When software methods have been exhausted, and the data is critical, it makes sense to contact a specialized service. Professionals use hardware boxes (for example, UnlockTool or Chimera), which can interact with the phone's processor in test mode.
However, even professional tools do not guarantee data preservation on modern devices with a high level of encryption. Often the only solution is to reflash the device, which also leads to loss of information. The cost of such a service varies depending on the model and complexity of the blocking.
Do not try to use dubious apps from the Internet that promise “instant unlocking without data loss.” In 99% of cases, this is malware that will steal your data from your computer or damage the firmware of your smartphone, turning it into a “brick.”
⚠️ Attention: Official Xiaomi service centers will require a purchase receipt and a box from the device to confirm ownership before carrying out unlocking work.
FRP protection and subsequent setup
After successfully resetting your password, you will be faced with the initial setup screen. Protection can be activated here FRP (Factory Reset Protection). The system will ask you to enter the login and password for the last Google account that was added to the phone before the reset.
This is done so that an attacker who steals the phone cannot simply reset it and use it. If you remember your account details, simply enter them. If you forget them too, the recovery procedure will become much more complicated and may require contacting Google support.
After successfully entering your account, the phone will allow you to complete the setup. It is recommended to immediately enable synchronization of contacts and photos to avoid data loss in similar situations in the future. Also write down your passwords in a safe place or use a password manager.
Resetting via Recovery removes the password, but activates FRP protection, which requires entering your Google account information to complete the setup.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to unlock Redmi without losing data?
Official methods - no. Bypassing the screen lock without resetting data is only possible through the ADB service, if USB debugging was enabled in advance, or through Mi Account, if the Find My Device function allows remote unlocking (rare). In other cases, data deletion is inevitable.
What is FRP and how to bypass it?
FRP is reset protection. It requires you to enter your Google account after formatting. There is no official way to bypass it without account data. Unofficial methods (bugs, special software) often stop working after Android security updates.
The phone asks for a password for the Mi account after resetting, what should I do?
This means that the “Find device” function was active. You need to enter your Mi account password. If you have forgotten it, restore access to the i.mi.com website via email or phone number. Without this, the phone cannot be used.
Will flashing the phone help to remove the password?
Flashing via Fastboot is equivalent to a complete reset (Wipe Data). It will remove the password, but will also remove all data. In addition, on modern models, flashing is impossible without an unlocked bootloader, which cannot be unlocked if the phone is locked with a password.
Why does the button combination for Recovery not work?
Perhaps you release the buttons too early or too late. Try holding down the buttons, connecting the USB cable to the PC (sometimes this triggers entry into the mode), or make sure that the phone is completely turned off before starting the procedure. On some models you need to hold down Volume and Power.