A forgotten digital password on a Redmi smartphone instantly blocks access to contacts, photos and applications, leaving the owner in front of a screen that persistently rejects any entered combinations.
There are several ways to restore access to the device, but the choice of method directly depends on the security settings that were previously activated, and operating system versions MIUI. It is important to understand that modern data encryption protocols make it impossible to simply select the code without losing information. If you have not created a backup in advance, some methods will lead to complete deletion of user files from the internal memory.
In this article, we will examine in detail the legal and technical ways to bypass the blocking. We will consider the use of cloud services Mi Account, tools from Google, as well as a hardware reset through the mode Recovery. Each method has its own nuances that must be taken into account before starting the procedure.
Using the Mi Cloud service for remote unlocking
The most reliable and safe way to unlock a device Redmi without losing data (in some cases) is to use the official cloud service Mi Cloud. This method will only work if a number of strict conditions are met: the phone must be turned on, connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or a mobile network), and it must also be logged into Mi Account.
To start the procedure, you must go to the official website i.mi.com from any other device, be it a computer or another smartphone. Enter the login and password for your account Xiaomi. If your login information is also forgotten, use the password recovery procedure on the same page, indicating the associated phone number or email.
After successful authorization in your personal account, find the section Find device (Find Device). The system will try to determine the location of your locked gadget. If the device status is displayed as “Online”, a set of management tools will become available to you.
⚠️ Attention: The remote unlock feature via Mi Cloud may not be available on new versions of MIUI 12.5 firmware and higher due to increased privacy policies. In such cases, the system will only offer the data clearing function.
In the control menu, select the option Unlock. The system will send a command to the smartphone, which will forcefully remove the pattern key or digital PIN code. After this, you can enter the settings menu and set a new password. Please note that this feature does not work if the phone is offline or turned off.
If the Unlock feature is grayed out, try sending a Sound command first to make sure the phone is actually receiving signals from the server.
Google Find My Device as an alternative
If the account Xiaomi has not been set up, but the profile Googleis active on the phone, you can use the proprietary search tool from the search giant. The principle of operation is similar to the previous method, but the infrastructure is used Google Services. This method is relevant for devices with version Android up to 9 inclusive, since in newer versions the function of remote password change was abolished for security purposes.
Go to the page android.com/find and log in under the topic Google accountthat is linked to blocked Redmi. The service will display a map with the approximate location of the device. In the side menu, select the command Lock device.
Here you will be asked to enter a new temporary password. After confirming the actions, a field for entering this new code will appear on the screen of the locked phone. By entering it, you will have access to the desktop. Next, you should immediately delete the old forgotten password in the security settings.
- 📱 An active Internet connection on a locked smartphone is required.
- 🔐 The method only works if the “Find my device” function was previously enabled in Google settings.
- ⚠️ On Android 10 and later, only the full function is available clearing data.
It is worth noting that after successful unlocking via Google, it is recommended to check the synchronization settings. Make sure that your contacts and photos are saved in the cloud to avoid similar problems with loss of access in the future.
Reset settings via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When remote methods are not available, the only solution is a hard reset, known as Hard Reset. This procedure returns the phone to its factory state, completely erasing all user data, including photos, messages and installed applications. Use this method only as a last resort.
To enter recovery mode, you must completely turn off your smartphone Redmi. Then hold down the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button (Power) at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears Mi, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume until the main menu appears Recovery.
Navigation in this menu is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is confirmed with the power button. You need to find the item Wipe Data and select it. In the next menu, confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will ask for final confirmation - press Confirm.
☑️ Preparing for Hard Reset
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, the phone will ask for the password for the Mi Account or Google Account that was synchronized earlier. This is anti-theft protection (FRP Lock). If you do not know these passwords, the phone will remain locked even after a reset.
The formatting process may take from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the amount of memory used. When finished, the phone will automatically reboot. The first startup will be long, since the system will initialize the files again.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the phone to the computer via a USB cable and repeat the procedure. On some Redmi models, you need to hold down the volume down button instead of up.
Unlocking via USB and ADB debugging
For advanced users who previously had USB debugging activated in the “For Developers” menu, there is a method for deleting the password file through a computer. This method allows you to save data, but requires the installed driver ADB on the PC and the cable itself for connection.
Connect the blocked one Redmi to the computer. Open the command line on your PC in the tools folder Platform-tools. Enter the command to test the connection: adb devices. If a window appears on your phone's screen asking for permission to debug, there is no way to confirm it without unlocking the screen, making this method unworkable for completely locked devices without first setting it up.
However, if permission was previously given ("Always allow from this computer"), you can run a command to delete the system file that stores access keys:
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyOr, in the case of a digital password:
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyAfter executing the command, reboot the device. The lock should disappear and you should be able to log in by swiping or entering any combination. Immediately after logging in, set a new strong password.
| Method | Saving data | Prerequisites | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Yes | Internet, Mi Account | Low |
| Google Find My Device | No (on new Android) | Internet, Google Account | Low |
| Hard Reset | No | Physical access to buttons | Medium |
| ADB Command | Yes | Debugging via USB, PC | High |
Features of unlocking different versions MIUI
The interface and access recovery options vary significantly depending on the shell version MIUI. Users of older versions such as MIUI 10 or 11had more options to reset their password without losing data through built-in security mechanisms. In new versions, such as MIUI 13, 14 and HyperOS, the security policy has become more stringent.
In modern firmware, remote unlocking via a web interface is often replaced by a locking function with a message on the screen. This is done so that even if the phone is lost, an attacker cannot access the data, knowing only the password from the cloud. Data encryption is now tied to the device more tightly.
If you have custom firmware installed or received Root access, standard methods can won't work. In such cases, it often helps only to flash the device through the mode Fastboot using the official tool Mi Flash Tool. However, this procedure requires an unlocked bootloader, which in itself is a difficult task.
On new versions of MIUI, priority is given to protecting user data, so methods without losing information are becoming less accessible to the average user.
It is recommended to regularly update backups on your computer or cloud. This is the only guarantee that if you need a full reset, you will not lose important documents and memories.
Prevention of locks and password management
In order not to find yourself in a situation where the phone turns into a “brick” due to a forgotten code, it is worth using modern methods of biometric protection. Smartphones Redmi equipped with fingerprint scanners and facial recognition modules. Configuring these features allows you to log into the device without entering numbers in most cases.
However, the digital password remains the main security measure that is required after a reboot. Write it down in a safe place, such as a password manager on another device or a paper notepad kept in a safe. Don't use obvious combinations like 1234 or year of birth, as they are easy to guess, but don't choose too complex sequences that are difficult to remember.
It's also useful to configure the function Smart Lock in Android's security settings. It allows you to keep the phone unlocked in certain conditions: when it is at home (geofence), connected to a trusted Bluetoothdevice (for example, headphones or smart watches) or when it is in the owner's pocket.
⚠️ Attention: The Smart Lock feature reduces the overall level of security of the device. Do not activate it if you store confidential financial information or access to corporate resources on your phone. Regularly checking the health of your accounts is also an important part of prevention. Make sure that your phone number and backup email are up to date so that at a critical moment you can restore access to your account.
Regularly checking the health of your accounts Mi And Google is also an important part of prevention. Make sure your phone number and backup email are up to date so that you can regain access to your account at a critical moment.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to unlock Redmi without losing data if the Internet is not turned on?
Unfortunately, no. All remote unlock methods require a connection to the server to transmit the command. Without the Internet, only a reset via Recovery is possible, which deletes all data.
What is FRP Lock and how to bypass it?
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google protection that requires you to enter your account password after a reset. There are no official ways to bypass it without entering a password; this is protection against theft.
How many times can you enter the wrong password?
Usually, after 5 unsuccessful attempts, the phone is locked for 30 seconds. With each subsequent block, the waiting time increases. After many attempts, you may be required to enter the password for your Google account.
Will calling the phone help to unlock?
On very old versions of Android (before 5.0), there was a bug that allowed you to get into the settings through the call menu. On modern Redmi with current versions of MIUI, this method does not work.
Is the counter of incorrect entries reset to zero after a reboot?
No, the counter and blocking time are saved even after turning the phone off and on. You can reset the timer only by completely waiting for the specified time or resetting the settings.