Xiaomi’s “Activate This Device”: What to Do If You Forgot Your Activation Password

The message “Activate This Device” on Xiaomi’s screen is one of the most frustrating situations for smartphone owners of this brand, which appears after resetting, firmware or buying a used device and requires you to enter a password from your previous Mi Account account. If you forget the login details or bought a phone without detaching from the old owner, activation becomes impossible. In this article, we will analyze all the working ways of bypassing the lock, from official to technical, taking into account the latest Xiaomi security updates in 2026.

It's important to understand that Xiaomi is struggling with security bypasses, so the methods that worked in 2022-2023 may not be useful today. We analyzed current user reports on the 4PDA forums, XDA Developers and Mi Community support to collect only proven solutions. If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact a service center, so as not to turn the phone into a brick.

Why is Activate This Device and What Does It Mean?

The “Activate This Device” message is part of the Mi Cloud Activation Lock protection system that links the device to your Mi Account, and it works in three ways:

• 🔄 Resetting settings via Recovery or in the phone menu without decoupling from your account.
• 📦 Buying a used device that was not properly “given” by the previous owner.
• 🛠️ Failed firmware or software update that damaged account data.

The system requires you to enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was last associated with the device. If you forget this data or the phone was stolen / lost by the previous owner, activation becomes impossible through standard methods. Xiaomi deliberately complicates the circumvention of this protection to reduce the number of thefts and fraud with devices.

Since 2023, the company has tightened its policy: even after a reset via Fastboot or EDL, confirmation from the previous owner may now be required, including models on the Qualcomm Snapdragon (such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13T) and new devices on MediaTek (such as the POCO X5 Pro).

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and the seller did not untie it from your account, contact him and ask him to do it through account.xiaomi.com (Devices section.

Official ways to unlock (if you are the owner)

If your device is yours but you have forgotten your Mi Account password, try the official methods first.

1. Restoring access to Mi Account

If you remember the email or phone number associated with your account, reset the password:

1. Go to the recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.
2. Enter your email/phone and follow the instructions (confirmation code will be sent to the mail or SMS).
3. After recovering the password, try activating the device.

If you have two-factor authentication enabled (2FA), you will need access to a backup code or a confirmation device, and without that, it will be more difficult to restore an account – you will have to contact Xiaomi support.

2. Unlocking the device via Mi Cloud

If you remember your account information, but your phone still requires activation:

• 🌐 Log in to i.mi.com under your account.
• 📱 Go to the Devices section (Devices).
• 🔗 Find a locked phone and click Remove Device).
• ⚠️ Confirm the action (may be required) SMS-code).

After that, restart the phone, the lock should disappear. If the device does not appear in the list, then it is tied to another account (for example, the previous owner).

3. Appeal in support of Xiaomi

If you cannot restore your account, but you can confirm ownership (checks, box, IMEI), contact us for support:

• 📧 Write to service.ru@xiaomi.com (for Russia) or through the form on the official website.
• 📄 Attach scans of documents (check, warranty card, passport).
• 🔢 Indicate. IMEI Devices (can be found via *#06# or on the sticker under the battery).

The process can take anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks.In some cases, Xiaomi requires you to send the device to a service center for verification.This method only works for original owners!

💡

If you bought the phone from the official Xiaomi store (for example, on the Mi Store or from authorized sellers), attach a copy of an e-check to the support letter - this will speed up the unlock process.

Unofficial Unlocking Methods (at Your Own Risk and Peril)

If the official methods didn’t work, there are technical methods of bypassing, which require skills in working with firmware, ADB, Fastboot or soldering iron. Xiaomi does not approve of such actions, and they can lead to:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty.
• 🔥 Turning the phone into a brick (unworkable state).
• 📵 Block IMEI (rare).

We're only describing these methods for educational purposes, and if you're not sure, you should consult a specialist.

1. bypassing the Fastboot and EDL modes

For Qualcomm devices (most flagships and mid-budget models), you can try resetting the lock via EDL (Emergency Download Mode).

• 💻 Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool, QFil or EDL Authorized Account.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Instructions (simplified):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power to enter the EDL (some models need to close test points on the board).
3. Connect your phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash (it is important to choose clean all and lock for a full reset).

⚠️ On new models (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) EDL It can be blocked – you will need an authorized Xiaomi account to unlock it.

2. exploit vulnerabilities in firmware (exploits)

Some older models (e.g. Redmi Note 8/9, POCO F1) run exploits that allow you to bypass the lock via ADB or Fastboot. Example for Redmi Note 9 Pro:

fastboot oem unlock_go


fastboot flashing unlock




fastboot oem edl

You can then flash the device through EDL. However, on new firmware (MIUI 14+), these commands are often blocked. An active community of enthusiasts is watching for new vulnerabilities - keep an eye on updates on XDA Developers.

3. Replacement of motherboard or memory module

The last resort, replacing a board or a memory chip, is used in service centers if other methods have failed, which is expensive (between 5,000 and 15,000 rubles) and risky, but sometimes the only way to bring a phone back to life.

• 🔧 On board, replace eMMC/UFS-chip (where the lock is stored).
• 🔄 Or you can install a new card with the same model (but you will need a transfer) IMEI).

This method does not guarantee 100% success, as on new models, the lock can be linked to a hardware identifier (SLA or Secure Boot).

Download the firmware for your model|Install Qualcomm drivers|Prepare the cable. USB (better-than-original)|Backup of important data (if the phone is working at all)|Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

Xiaomi models, which are more difficult to block

Since 2022, Xiaomi has divided devices into two categories in terms of protection:

On devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra is implemented at the Secure Boot level, and it is almost impossible to get around it without Xiaomi authorization. 9000+.

What to do if you bought a used Xiaomi with a lock

If you have been a victim of a scammer and bought a phone with a Mi Account tied, your actions are:

1. Contact the seller and demand to untie the device. If he refuses, demand a refund (under the law on consumer protection, you can return the goods of inadequate quality).
2. Check the IMEI on imei.info – if the phone is blacklisted (stolen), it is better to return it to the seller.
3. Contact the police if the seller has disappeared, provide correspondence, checks (if any) and details of the seller (phone number, account on Avito/Yula).

If the seller is unavailable and the phone is not stolen, only the technical methods of unlocking remain (see section above).

⚠️ Warning: Buying Mi Account-locked phones is a common scam. Always check the device before you buy: ask the seller to reset your settings and make sure that no activation request appears after the reboot.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid running into Activate This Device again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Untie the device from Mi Account before selling or resetting: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account. Click Remove Account. Confirm the action with a password.

Keep your account details safe.

Do not reset your settings through Recovery

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Mi Account

If you frequently reflash your phone, use unofficial lock-bypass firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS), but remember that this violates the warranty conditions and can lead to unstable operation.

💡

The only legal way to unlock is to restore access to the original Mi Account or to seek proof of ownership in support of Xiaomi. All other methods carry risks and can be blocked in new versions of MIUI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi blocking