Turning on your smartphone Xiaomi turns into stress when, instead of the usual desktop, you see a screen asking you to enter a password, which you may not even have guessed. The situation when the system Android blocks access at the boot stage can arise for various reasons: from accidental activation of the protection function to a failure after a firmware update.
Most often, users encounter two types of blocking: a request Pattern or PIN to unlock the screen, which the system requires confirmation before a full download, or more serious protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which requires entering account data Google or Mi Account. Understanding the nature of this problem is the first step to successfully restoring the device's functionality.
Do not panic and take the phone to a service center immediately, since in most cases the problem can be solved yourself using standard recovery tools or special combinations of actions. Below we will analyze in detail the action algorithms for various blocking scenarios.
Reasons for the password request at the boot stage
Before taking active steps, you must clearly identify which password your device is asking for. The security system MIUI can block the entrance at different stages of equipment initialization. If the phone asks you to enter a pattern immediately after the logo appears Mi, this means that the user data encryption protection has worked.
In some cases, the request appears after an unsuccessful attempt to reset the settings through recovery. If you tried to do Wipe Datawithout knowing the current unlock password, the system may ask you to confirm your identity before formatting the internal memory. This is done so that an attacker cannot simply erase data from a stolen phone.
⚠️ Attention: Repeatedly entering the wrong password can lead to temporary blocking of the device for 30 seconds, 1 minute, or even complete erasure of data if the automatic reset function is enabled after 10 unsuccessful attempts.
It is also worth considering that after the update operating system to the new version Android, some old methods of bypassing blocking stop working due to the closing of security vulnerabilities by developers Xiaomi. Therefore, methods that worked a year ago may be useless today.
Standard methods for restoring access through Mi Account
If the device requires entering a password from Mi Account, this is the most favorable scenario. This protection is tied directly to the manufacturer’s ecosystem. To unlock, you will need access to the Internet, as the phone must contact the authorization servers.
Go to the official website i.mi.com from a computer or other smartphone. Enter your phone number or email that was used when registering on the problematic device. If you have forgotten your password, use the access recovery function by following the on-screen instructions to reset your credentials.
- 🔑 Make sure that the SIM card to which the account is registered is active on your locked phone to receive an SMS confirmation code.
- 🌐 Check the stability of your Wi-Fi connection, as authentication servers may not respond if the connection is weak. signal.
- 📱 Try entering your account password Googleif you previously linked these two accounts in the security settings.
After successfully logging into the web interface, find the “Search for device” section. If the phone is online, you can send a command to remotely unlock or reset the screen password. This function only works if the “Find device” option was previously activated in the phone settings.
If you changed your phone number, but remember your Mi Account login, try restoring access through the linked email or backup number specified during registration.
Resetting settings via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
When it is impossible to remember the password, the only option is a full reset device to factory settings. This process will delete all user data, including photos, contacts and applications, but will return the phone to functionality. To enter recovery mode, you must use a combination of hardware buttons.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then hold down the volume up button Volume Up and the power button Powerat 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.
Volume Up/Down - Move through the menu
Power - Confirm selection
In the menu controlled by the volume buttons, find item Wipe Data and confirm the selection with the power button. Next select Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to enter your screen unlock password. If the system does not require a password at this stage, confirm the reset.
☑️ Preparing for Hard Reset
⚠️ Attention: After performing a Hard Reset on modern versions of Android, FRP protection will work. The phone will require you to enter the login and password for the Google account that was synchronized with the device before the reset. Without this data, the phone will remain a “brick.”
The formatting process can take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory. When finished, the phone will automatically reboot. The initial setup will take longer than usual as the system will re-index files and check licenses.
FRP protection features and bypass methods
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is an anti-theft mechanism built into the Android kernel. If you reset using the buttons, but did not log out of your account Google in advance, the system will require authorization when you first boot. This is a critical point that often confuses users.
| Android version | FRP protection level | Bypass difficulty | Required tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android 9 (Pie) | Medium | Low | PC, cable, special. utilities |
| Android 10/11 | High | Medium | Two phones, Bluetooth |
| Android 12/13 | Critical | High | Paid boxes, service Software |
| HyperOS (new) | Maximum | Very high | Service center only |
There are workarounds through vulnerabilities in the browser or accessibility menu, but they are constantly closed by security patches. For example, on some models there is a method for activating TalkBack through specific gestures, which allows you to open the browser and download an APK file to reset the scan.
Why can’t FRP simply be disabled?
FRP is recorded in a protected memory section (persist), which is not erased during normal formatting of user data. This is done on purpose so that even flashing the phone does not unblock the thief.
If you do not have account information and simple methods do not help, the only legal solution is to contact the service with a purchase receipt. Engineers can reprogram device identifiers by removing the link to the old account.
Using Fastboot mode for flashing
For advanced users, there is a method for completely flashing the device through the mode Fastboot. This method allows you to record a clean system image, ignoring some boot errors, but it requires a computer and an installed driver ADB.
Enable fast boot mode by holding down the volume down button Volume Down and the power button. Connect your phone to PC with a cable. On your computer, launch the console and enter the command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the device is detected, you can try to unlock the bootloader with the command fastboot oem unlock, however, on modern ones Xiaomi this will require obtaining a special unlock code from the official website, which is impossible without access to your account. Therefore, this method is more often used to install custom recovery TWRPif the bootloader has already been unlocked previously.
- 💻 Install drivers Qualcomm or MediaTek depending on the processor of your smartphone.
- 📂 Download the official firmware (Fastboot ROM) specifically for your model, for example
mi_9_global. - 🔌 Use the original USB cable connected to the USB 2.0 port on the motherboard (at the back of the PC).
The firmware process through the utility Mi Flash Tool will completely clear the memory. Select the mode Clean all, but avoid the mode Clean all and lockif you are not sure of the source of the firmware, as this may permanently block the device if the region does not match.
Fastboot mode gives maximum control over the system, but requires high technical literacy. An error at this stage may make it impossible to turn on the phone (Hard Brick).
Preventing blocking and saving data
So that the situation with a forgotten password does not take you by surprise, it is important to regularly take precautions. The most important recommendation is to always remember the data from your Google i Mi Account. Write them down in a safe place or use a password manager.
Regularly back up important data to cloud storage Google Drive or on your computer. In your phone settings, enable the “Find my device” function and make sure that geolocation works correctly. This will allow you to remotely control access to the gadget in an emergency.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or the new HyperOS shell. Always check the latest support for your specific model.
It is also not recommended to turn off the lock screen completely. Even a simple swipe or a simple PIN code creates the first level of encryption, which protects your data from accidental access if the phone falls out of your hands or the screen malfunctions in your pocket.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What to do if the phone says “Device is locked” after a reset?
This FRP protection has activated. You need to enter the Google account that was the main one on the phone before the reset. If you don't remember your password, recover it through the Google website on another device, wait 24 hours, and then try entering new data on a locked phone.
Is it possible to unlock Xiaomi without losing data?
Without data loss, this is only possible if you remember the pattern or password. Using service codes or special apps on modern versions of Android, it is almost impossible to remove the screen lock without formatting the memory due to the encryption of the userdata section.
Will calling a phone help to remove the lock?
On very old versions of Android (up to 5.0) there was a method when, with an incoming call, you could minimize the lock screen and get to the menu. On modern Xiaomi Android 10+ this method does not work, since the call interface opens on top of the lock screen and does not provide access to the system.
How many times can you enter the wrong password?
Usually 5 attempts are given. After this, the phone is blocked for 30 seconds. With each subsequent series of unsuccessful attempts, the blocking time increases. After 10-20 unsuccessful attempts, the system may offer to erase all data to remove the lock.
Does the firmware region (Global vs China) affect the difficulty of unlocking?
Yes. Chinese versions of firmware often have stricter restrictions and are tied to Chinese services, which can complicate the recovery process through global Google accounts. Global versions (Global ROM) are more loyal to standard reset procedures.