How to activate Xiaomi Redmi smartphone: from unpacking to ready to work

The first inclusion of the new Xiaomi Redmi smartphone is an exciting moment, but many users face unexpected difficulties already at the activation stage. SIM-maps – even basic steps can turn into a puzzle, if you do not know the nuances of the work MIUI. This article will help you avoid typical errors and activate as quickly as possible, regardless of whether you bought Redmi Note 12, Redmi. 13C or earlier model.

We will not only discuss the standard procedure of first setup through the installation wizard, but also alternative methods for cases when the smartphone does not respond to actions. Particular attention will be paid to unlocking regional restrictions (if you purchased a device abroad), setting up a Mi Account account without being tied to Chinese services, as well as diagnosing hardware problems that may masquerade as a “non-activated” state. All instructions are relevant to MIUI 14/15 and new firmware 2026 year-end.

Preparing for activation: what to do before the first switch on

Before you press the power button, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps.This will save you from having to interrupt the setup process due to a missing one. SIM-card or discharged battery.

• 🔋 Battery Charging: Even if your smartphone is new, plug it into the charger for 15-20 minutes. Minimum charge level to activate is 10%, but it’s best to wait 30-40% to avoid a sudden shutdown.
• 📶 SIM-card: use nano-SIM (or eSIM for supported models) if you have two SIM-cards, insert the first one into the slot SIM1 — It usually has the best antenna coverage.
• 🌐 Wi-Fi connection: write down your network password in advance. At the setup stage, your smartphone may not be able to go back if you can't connect.
• 📱 Backup: Prepare a second phone or computer to find solutions if something goes wrong (e.g., you need to download drivers for Fastboot).

A critical mistake many users make is using a non-original charger when first turned on, which can cause a power controller to fail, especially on Redmi Note 11 and later models, which have implemented protection against poor-quality adapters.

Standard activation: step-by-step instruction through the setup wizard

If your smartphone responds to the power button and loads to the MI logo, follow this algorithm.The process may vary slightly depending on the MIUI version, but the overall sequence is maintained.

1. Press and hold the Power button (usually located on the right) for 3-5 seconds until the Redmi logo appears.
2. Select the interface language. For Russian users, we recommend Russian (Russia), not Russian (Ukraine) or other options - this affects the regional settings of services.
3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network. If your network is hidden, tap Other Networks and enter the name (SSID) manually.
4. Accept the User Agreement and Privacy Policy, without which further settings will be blocked.
5. At Sign-in to Mi Account: If you already have a Xiaomi account, enter your username and password. If not, click Create an account and follow the instructions. Use a valid email (not temporary) as it will receive a confirmation email. To bypass the account binding (if a used smartphone), click Skip, but note that certain features (such as Find Device) will not be available.

Set up biometric authorization (fingerprint or facial recognition) on Redmi Note 12 Pro models+ newer 3D-face-scanner.

Select a theme and complete the setup. The system will suggest installing recommended applications, you can opt out by unchecking all the boxes.

Insert SIM-slot-card SIM1|

Connect to the original charger |

Write down the password from Wi-Fi|

Prepare data to create a Mi Account (email, phone) |

Check that the Power button is not locked (some models have a physical switch)-->

If you need to be linked to a Chinese phone number (+86) at the time of signing in to Mi Account, your device is designed for the Chinese market, and the solution to this problem is described in the section “How to circumvent regional restrictions”.

Activation without activation SIM-maps: possible problems and solutions

Many users are trying to activate the smartphone without SIM-It's possible, for example, to use a card only over Wi-Fi, but there are nuances to this:

• ✅ New models (Redmi) 12/13): The master setup allows you to skip the step with SIM-a card, but a warning may appear about limited functionality (for example, the inability to call via Wi-Fi Calling).
• 🚫 Chinese versions: no SIM-A Chinese person can block access to basic features, including Play Market, in which case the bootloader will need to be unlocked.

If you see a message, "Put in the message." SIM-You don’t have a map to continue, try the next steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and wait for firmware updates (if available). SIM-cards.
2. Click Emergency Call on the lock screen, then type ##4636##. From the testing menu, select Phone Information and try to return to the setting.
3. Reset settings via Recovery (hold Power + Volume Up when the phone is off), but this will result in data loss.

Unblocking regional restrictions (for Chinese versions)

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones designed for the Chinese market have a number of limitations: no Google Play, no Russian language in the firmware, binding to Chinese services.

The most reliable way is to install a global ROM.

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website (requires a binding to the Mi Account and wait 7-15 days).
2. Download the firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (choose Global or EEA).
3. Swipe the device through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.

Warning! Installing unofficial firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) is warranty-free and may lead to problems with Widevine L1 (loss of HD support on Netflix/Disney+).

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If you are not sure about your skills, use the Mi Unlock Status Checker service (available at en.miui.com/unlock) to check if your device bootloader is unlocked.

Diagnostics of hardware problems masquerading as a “non-activated” state

If the smartphone doesn’t turn on at all or is getting stuck on the MI logo, the problem may be hardware, and here are the most common “symptoms” and their causes:

• 🔄 Cyclical reboot: damaged boot or recovery partition. Solution - flashing through Fastboot.
• 🔋 Not charged/unplugged: Power controller or battery is faulty. Check the charger (should support Quick Charge 3.0)+).
• 📵 No network after activation: antenna damaged or no modem drivers (relevant after failed firmware).
• 🔑 Power button is not working, it's possible to break the plume or get moisture.

For diagnosis:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check if it is detected in Device Manager (Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 or the like should appear).
2. Try Recovery (hold Power + Volume Up) if the menu appears, it's a problem in the firmware, if not, it's in the hardware.
3. Use Test Mode: dial ##4636## → Test → check all modules on the phone turned off.

Attention! If the smartphone has been repaired before (for example, changing the screen), the flexible plume connecting the board to the power button may be damaged, in which case activation through software methods is impossible - soldering work is required.

Activation of a used smartphone: how to delete the old Mi Account

When buying Xiaomi Redmi from hand, you may encounter a binding to someone else's Mi Account. Even after resetting through Recovery, the system may require the username and password of the previous owner.

Official method (if the seller cooperates):

1. Ask the seller to remove the device from your account at account.xiaomi.com (Device Management).
2. Perform a full reset via Settings → About Phone → Resetting.

Informal methods (if the seller is not available):

• 🔓 Through EDL-Mode: requires an authorized Xiaomi account and programmer (e.g. Mi Flash Pro) suitable for Qualcomm processor models.
• 📱 Passage ADB (It doesn't work on all firmware):

adb shell


am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings$DeviceAdminSettingsActivity




(Read more about manually disabling the Mi Account Administrator)

Attention! Unofficial unlocking methods can lead to IMEI blocking (since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has implemented protection against such manipulation). If the smartphone stops catching the network after bypassing, this is a sign of IMEI blocking, and it can only be restored through the service center with the original check.

Frequent activation errors and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes that make activation more difficult.

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The most dangerous error is interrupting the firmware process via Fastboot, which can lead to a “bricking” of the device (completely inoperable), especially on models with a MediaTek processor (for example, Redmi 10A).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions