How to remove a pattern from Xiaomi if you forgot your password: all working methods

Forgot the pattern key on your smartphone Xiaomi and can’t unlock the screen? The situation is familiar to many - it is enough to enter the wrong pattern once, and the phone is blocked for 30 seconds, and then it completely requires you to enter your account Mi Account. But what to do if you don’t remember either the key or password for your account? Don’t panic: there are legal ways to remove the lock without contacting a service center.

In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods for unlocking Xiaomi (including models Redmi, POCO i Black Shark), from the simplest to the radical - taking into account versions MIUI 12–14 i Android 11–14. Important: some methods will lead to losing data, so first try the options without resetting the settings. If synchronization with Google or Mi Cloudis enabled on your phone, the chances of restoring contacts and photos after unlocking are higher.

Before you begin, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge level (not lower than 30%, otherwise the phone may turn off in the process).
• 📶 Availability of stable Internet (for methods with Mi Account or Find Device).
• 💻 Access to a computer (required for methods with ADB or Fastboot).

⚠️ Attention: On phones Xiaomi s chip MediaTek (for example, Redmi 9A, POCO C31), unlocking via Fastboot may not be available without authorization. In this case, only methods with Mi Account or reset remain.

1. Unlocking via Mi Account (official method)

If an account is linked on your phone Mi Account and the function Find Deviceis enabled, this is the fastest and safest method. Suitable for most models Xiaomiincluding Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4 i. others.

How it works:

1. After 5 unsuccessful attempts to enter the pattern key, a button will appear Forgot your password?.
2. Click on it and select Login via Mi Account.
3. Enter your login (email or phone number) and account password Mi.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If there are no buttons: Forgot your password? No:

• 🌐 Go to the site i.mi.com from another device.
• 🔍 Log in and select a blocked phone in the section Find Device.
• 🔓 Click Unlock (unblock) and confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: If you have previously changed the firmware or disabled Find Device in the settings, this method will not work. Also Xiaomi you may request proof of identity (passport photo) if the device is suspected of being stolen.

2. Resetting the pattern key via ADB (without data loss)

The method is suitable if the phone is turned on USB debugging and there is access to the computer. Works on Xiaomi s Android 5.0–11 (may not work on new versions due to security restrictions).

What you will need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed drivers ADB and Fastboot.
• 📱 USB cable (original to avoid connection problems).
• 🔧 Utility ADB (can be downloaded from the official website Android Developers).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect your phone to the computer and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Enter the command to check the connection:

   adb devices

   If the device is displayed, proceed further.

3. Delete the file from graphic key:

   adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

   or for new versions:

   adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

4. Reboot the phone:

   adb reboot

After the reboot, the graphic key will be reset, but all data on the phone will be saved. If the command does not work, try an alternative option:

adb shell
su
rm /data/system/gesture.key
exit
exit

⚠️ Attention: On phones. s MIUI 12+ i Android 12+ this method is often blocked by the system. If the key remains after a reboot, try other methods.

3. Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable if USB debugging is disabled, but there is access to the mode Fastboot. On Xiaomi phones with a Snapdragon processor (for example, POCO F3, Mi 11) this method works more stable than on MediaTek.

What need to do:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the buttons Power + Volume Downto enter Fastboot.
3. Connect the phone to the computer and open the command line line.
4. Enter the command to check the connection:

   fastboot devices

5. Reset the lock settings (data will be deleted!):

   fastboot erase frp

   or for new models:

   fastboot erase userdata

6. Reboot the phone:

   fastboot reboot

After reboot the phone will unlocked, but all data (photos, messages, applications) will be deleted. This method is similar to a factory reset, but it works even if the menu Recovery is locked.

Xiaomi model	Supports Fastboot?	Notes
Redmi Note 10/11	✅ Yes	Requires bootloader unlocking
POCO X3/X4	✅ Yes	Works stably on Snapdragon versions
Mi 11/12	⚠️ Partially	Mi authorization may be required Account
Redmi 9A/9C	❌ No	MediaTek blocks commands without authorization

4. Reset to factory settings via Recovery

If other methods did not help, there remains a radical method - hard reset. All data will be erased, but the phone will be unlocked. Suitable for all models Xiaomiincluding Redmi i POCO.

How to reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the buttons Power + Volume upto enter Recovery Mode.
3. Use the volume buttons to navigate and select Wipe Data (or Factory Reset).
4. Confirm the action (Yes).
5. After resetting, select Reboot to reboot.

If the menu Recovery in Chinese:

• 🔍 The third item from the top is Wipe Data.
• 🔍 Confirmation - the first item in the menu that opens.

⚠️ Attention: On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T), the menu Recovery can be locked with a password. In this case, it will help. only Fastboot or service center.

What to do if after resetting the phone asks for the old password?

This means that the function is enabled Factory Reset Protection (FRP)To bypass it, you need to enter the data from the last synchronized one. Google account or Mi Account. If you do not remember them, you will need an official unlock through the service center.

5. Contacting the Xiaomi service center

If independent attempts are unsuccessful, you can only contact authorized service center. This is the only legal way to unlock your phone without losing data if:

• 🔐 You do not remember the password for Mi Account.
• 📱 The phone is blocked after reset due to FRP.
• 🛠️ Model with chip MediaTek (for example, Redmi 9), where software methods do not work.

What is needed to unlock:

• 📄 Passport or other document confirming ownership of the phone.
• 💳 Receipt or warranty card (if the phone is under warranty).
• 📧 Access to email associated with Mi Account (if any).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region. In some cases, the service center may offer free unlockingif the phone is under warranty and you confirm the purchase.

⚠️ Attention: Do not contact unofficial workshops that promise unlocking "for 5 minutes." This may lead to loss of warranty or installation of unlicensed software.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid encountering the problem of a forgotten pattern key again, follow these simple rules:

• 🔑 Use PIN code instead of a pattern key - it’s easier to remember.
• 📱 Link your phone to Mi Account and turn on Find Device.
• 🔄 Synchronize data regularly s Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📝 Write down the password in a safe place (for example, in a password manager).

You can also configure Smart Lock in the security settings so that the phone is automatically unlocked in trusted places (for example, at home or at work).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about unlocking Xiaomi

❓ Is it possible to unlock Xiaomi without losing data?

Yes, but only if it is turned on on your phone USB debugging and you can use ADB. In other cases, the data will be erased.

❓ Why does the phone ask for the old password after resetting?

This is how the function works FRP (Factory Reset Protection). To bypass it, you need to enter data from the last synchronized account Google or Mi Account.

❓ Does unlocking via Mi Account work on all models?

No. Some phones (for example Xiaomi 13 or POCO F5may require additional authorization, including sending a photo of the document.

❓ Is it possible to unlock Xiaomi using Google Find My Device?

No, Google Find My Device does not support unlocking the pattern key on Xiaomi. Use only Mi Account or Find Device from Xiaomi.

❓ How much does it cost to unlock at a service center?

The cost depends on the model and region. On average - from 500 to 2000 rubles. On warranty phones, unlocking can be free.