The sudden appearance of the “This device is locked” on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone comes as a surprise to many users.This lock is part of the Mi Account protection system, designed to protect the owner’s personal data in the event of theft or loss of a gadget. Often owners face a problem after buying a device from their hands, resetting the settings to factory settings or simply forgetting the password from their account.
This warning will not be ignored because it blocks access to basic MIUI or HyperOS functions. The phone becomes a brick, allowing only emergency calls, and understanding the nature of this protection is the first step to regaining control of the device.
In this article, we will go into detail about all the legal ways to bypass a lock, explain why it occurred, and provide step-by-step instructions for different scenarios, and it is important to act carefully so as not to aggravate the situation and not to lock the device permanently.
Reasons for the appearance of lock on the screen
The main reason for activating the "This device is locked" mode is the "Find Device" function in the Mi Account settings. If you performed a Hard Reset via the Recovery menu without first logging out of your account, the security system regards this as a potential theft.
Another common scenario is buying a used phone, where the seller may forget to untie the device from its cloud storage, in which case the new owner is faced with a requirement to enter someone else's login and password, and the lock can occur after a failed flashing or malfunctioning of the Android system files.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to guess the password by brute force will lead to a temporary lock of the Mi Account for 12 or 24 hours, which will significantly delay the process of restoring access.
Xiaomi’s protection system binds a unique device identifier (IMEI) to a user’s account on the company’s servers, which means that simply flashing or replacing the software won’t help remove the restriction, as the verification takes place on the server side when you connect to the Internet.
Checking the blocking status through IMEI
Before you start to act, you need to understand the current status of the device. IMEI-If your phone turns on and shows the lock screen, the code can often be found by clicking on the "Emergency Call" button and typing *#06, IMEI usually indicated on the factory box or under the tray for SIM-map.
With the code, you can use official or third-party verification services to determine whether the device is listed as stolen or simply blocked by an account, and in some cases, the status can be "Clean", which makes it easier to unlock through support.
Use the official form on the manufacturer's website or trusted services to enter data. Never pass the IMEI code to suspicious individuals on social networks promising to "separate" for money, as this can lead to the cloning of your device.
The official way to unlock through support
The most reliable and safe method is to contact Xiaomi technical support, which is suitable if you are the legal owner and can confirm the fact of purchase, you will need to keep the original check or warranty card, which clearly shows the serial number of the device and the date of purchase.
The process is this: you create a ticket on the official forum or through the feedback form, attach a photo of the purchase document and a photo of the device with the box, the company employees check the data and, if all matches, provide an unlock code or instructions for unbinding.
- 📄 Take a picture of the check so that all the details of the store are visible.
- 📱 Take a clear photo of the back cover of the smartphone and the box with stickers.
- 📧 Send a request to the official email support of your region.
- ⏳ Expect a response within a period of time. 3-7 workday.
The main advantage of this method is a 100% guarantee of maintaining the health of the phone and all its functions. Official unlocking does not violate the integrity of the software and does not require complex technical manipulations.
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When buying a used phone, always demand a check and a box from the seller, and also ask to demonstratively exit the Mi Account before transferring money.
Using Mi Unlock Tool to Reset the Tether
If you have access to a computer and you're willing to lose all the data on your phone, you can try the standard bootloader unlocking procedure. The Mi Unlock Tool is designed for developers, but is often used to reset protection. However, it's important to understand that if the phone is already locked with the message "This device is locked," this method may not work without first detaching the account.
However, if the device just requires login, and you remember the data, but the system is buggy, this method will help. You will need to download the utility on your PC, put the phone in Fastboot mode (clamping the volume buttons) and connect the USB cable.
☑️ Preparation for unlocking
The process of unlocking via a PC takes a certain amount of time, and often the system sets a wait timer (72 hours to 7 days) before allowing the lock to be removed, an additional security measure designed to deter abusers.
⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool completely erases all user data. Photos, contacts and applications will be permanently deleted.
Once the instructions in the program are successfully executed, the phone will restart, and if the binding is successfully removed, you can configure the device as new, otherwise, if the server does not miss the request, you will have to look for other ways to solve it.
Alternative methods and password reset
In situations where official methods are not available, users often look for workarounds, one of which is to restore access to an account through i.mi.com. If you remember a phone number or email but have forgotten your password, try to restore access through the SMS code. Once you change your password on the site, you need to wait a while (usually 24 hours) before logging in to the phone.
There are also specialized service programs, such as Mi Account Remove Tool or ADB scripts. They exploit vulnerabilities in specific versions of MIUI. However, their effectiveness depends on the processor model and the Android version. For example, on MediaTek processors, it is often easier to unlock a device than on Snapdragon.
For advanced users, the Test Point method is available to enter EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, allowing you to reflash the device at a low level, bypassing the standard bootloader protection, but it requires disassembling the phone and having a special cable.
Risks of using third-party software
Comparison of Access Restoration Methods
So to make it easier for you to choose the right option, we've developed a summary table that will help you assess the risks, the complexity and the need for documentation for each method, and you don't have to choose the method at random, you have to weigh the pros and cons.
| Method | You need a check. | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official support | Yes (required) | Yes. | Low. |
| Mi Unlock Tool | No. | No. | Medium |
| Password recovery | No. | Yes. | Low. |
| Service Software (ADB) | No. | No. | Tall. |
As you can see from the table, the only way to save data is to remember your password or to call in support with a check, and all other methods involve completely resetting the device to factory status.
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Without a check and access to the account, it is almost impossible to legally unlock a modern Xiaomi due to the high level of server protection.
Preventing problems in the future
To never again encounter the word "This device is locked," you should follow simple digital hygiene practices. Always log out of your Mi Account before selling or transferring the device to another person. → Mi Account. → Get out.
It is also recommended to write passwords to a secure location or use password managers. Forgotten password is the most common reason for blocking. Regularly back up important data in the cloud or on your computer, so that in the event of a reset, you do not lose valuable files.
When buying used equipment, be sure to check that you are not tied to other people's accounts right in the store or when you meet with the seller. Turn on your phone, connect to Wi-Fi and make sure that the system does not require input of other people's data.