Previous articleActivate this device on Xiaomi: how to unlock if you forgot the administrator password

Why is the “Activate This Device” Error Error and What Does It Mean?

The message “Activate this device” on Xiaomi’s screen is a security mechanism that works when you try to activate the device after resetting your settings or firmware. The system requires you to enter a password from your Mi Account account associated with your phone or an administrator password (if the device was used in a corporate environment). If you forget this data, the phone turns into a “brick”: you can neither call, install applications, nor even log into settings.

The main reasons for the error:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings without detachment Mi Account (especially relevant for devices with MIUI 12+).
• 📱 Buying a used phone that wasn’t properly untied by the previous owner.
• 🔧 Failed firmware via Fastboot or Recovery interrupted during activation.
• 🏢 Corporate Policy: The device was tied to Android Enterprise or Xiaomi Device Management.

It is important to understand that “Activate this device” is not an operator lock, but Xiaomi’s software protection, which is associated with the hardware device identifier (IMEI), which can not be avoided by simply reflashing – you will need official unlock methods or contact the service center.

Method 1: Unblock with Mi Account (if your account is linked)

If your phone was yours and you remember the username/password from Mi Account, but the system still requires an “administrator password,” try the following steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi on the activation screen (if you have one). Without the Internet, unlocking is impossible.
2. Enter the Mi Account (email or phone number + password) and if you have forgotten your password, use the recovery form.
3. If you have a mistake, “Couldn’t verify your account,” check it out: 🌍 Account region: it must match the firmware region (e.g. Global for international version). ⏳ Waiting time: After several failed attempts, Xiaomi blocks entry for 24 hours.

If an account is tied but the system insists on an "administrator password," it's possible that the device was locked through Find Device.

1. Go to i.mi.com from another device.
2. Log in and check if the Remote Lock function is active.
3. If yes, remove the lock through the web interface.

⚠️ Note: If the device was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, unlocking through the account is impossible. In this case, an official contact with Xiaomi service with proof of purchase (check, contract) will be required).

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Mi Account doesn’t help and the device isn’t locked through Find Device, you can try unlocking the bootloader and flashing clean firmware.This method is suitable for Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models with the bootloader unlocked (or if you’re willing to wait 7 to 30 days for unlock approval).

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Launch your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device → Press <power button> + <volume down button> until the hare appears in the eardress cap.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. Sign in with the same Mi Account as your phone.
4. If the bootloader is locked, press Unlock and wait until it is completed (it may take up to 720 hours!).
5. After unlocking, run the device through the Mi Flash Tool using the official firmware (you can download it on new.c.mi.com).

⚠️ Note: Fastboot erases all data, including IMEI and DRM-Keys (on some models) This can lead to loss of Widevine features L1 (no HD Netflix) and mobile network problems. It is recommended to make the backup persist and nvram before firmware.

Method 3: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If none of these methods work, the official way to do this is to go to a service center, and that's the only legal way to unlock it, if you:

• 📱 The device is tied to someone else’s Mi Account (for example, after buying used one).
• 🔒 The bootloader is locked and the wait for unlocking is too long.
• 🏢 The phone was locked through Android Enterprise.

What will be required to unlock:

• 📄 Documents for purchase (check, invoice, contract of sale).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📧 Data of the previous owner (if you bought used - try to contact the seller to debunk Mi Account).

The cost of unlocking official Xiaomi services varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the lock. In some cases (for example, when you steal), unlocking may not be possible.

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Before you go to the service, check if your model is covered by the warranty. If so, unlocking can be free. You can find out the status of the warranty at IMEI at mi.com/global/verify.

Method 4: Bypassing EDL-regime (risky method)

For power users, there is an EDL-mode unlocking method that allows you to flash the device without standard restrictions, but requires:

• 🔌 Authorized EDL-cable (or homemade with closing contacts).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm devices).
• 📁 Firmware file in.mbn or.elf format (not all firmware is suitable!).

Step-by-step (for Qualcomm devices):

1. Download the firmware for your model (e.g. from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
2. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers.
3. Transfer your phone to EDL: Turn off your device → Close contacts on testpoint (location depends on the model) → Connect to your PC.
4. In Mi Flash Pro, select a firmware file and click “Flash”.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL This method can permanently kill the device (e.g., burn an eMMC chip) and is recommended only for Redmi models. 4X, Redmi Note 5 and older – on new devices (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)+) EDL Often blocked at the hardware level.

What to do if nothing helps: alternatives

If all methods are exhausted, and the phone still requires activation, consider the following options:

• 🔄 Sale of parts: some models (e.g, POCO F1 Redmi Note 7 is of high value in the spare parts market (display, battery, camera).
• 🛠️ Replacement of the motherboard: services offer replacement of the fee for a new one (with another) IMEI), But it is expensive (from 7000 rubles).
• 📱 Used as a “smart display”: If the phone is turned on but not activated, it can be connected to the PC as an external monitor (via a computer). USB-C → HDMI adapter).

For devices with a broken screen (but a serviceable motherboard), there is a chance to recover data through ADB if USB Debugging commands to extract data were enabled:

adb pull /sdcard/ DCIM_backup


adb pull /data/media/0/ Downloads_backup

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If the device is locked through Android Enterprise (corporate policy), unlocking is possible only through the domain administrator. IT-department of the company that owned the phone.

How to avoid problems in the future: prevention of blocking

To avoid running into “Activate This Device” again, follow these simple rules:

• 🔑 Untie Mi Account before selling: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Get out and remove the device from the list on i.mi.com.

For enterprise devices:

• 🏢 Set up Android Enterprise correctly: Use Work Profile instead of full device management.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi