You turned on your Xiaomi smartphone after you bought it, reset it, or upgraded it, and suddenly you have the message "Activate This Device" on your screen asking you to enter your Mi Account information. Or worse, the phone asks you to activate the device, but it doesn't accept your username/password, even though you're sure you're entering it correctly. What is this error, why does it happen, and how to remove it without losing data? Let's sort it out in order, without complicated terms and without too much water.
The word “Activate This Device” is part of Xiaomi’s protection system that links the smartphone to your Mi Account, which the manufacturer has suggested is to protect your data if the phone is stolen or lost, but in practice, users often encounter this error in the most unexpected situations: after a factory reset, when buying a used phone, or even after a regular software update.
The key thing to understand is that it's not a virus, it's not a malfunction, it's not a firmware bug. It's a Xiaomi mechanism that works when the system is not sure if the device is in the hands of the rightful owner, and then we'll tell you where the sign appears, how to get around it legally, and what to do if you bought the phone from your hands and don't know the previous owner's details.
Why Activate This Device is Coming – 5 Reasons
An activation error on Xiaomi does not occur for nothing, and here are the most common scenarios where the system requires you to confirm the rights to the device:
- 📱 Reset to factory settings without decoupling from Mi Account.If you reset your phone through Settings → Reset or through Recovery, but not deleted the linked account, the system will require you to enter the data of the old owner.
- 🔄 Firmware update with errors. Sometimes after updating through Ota Updater or Fastboot, the smartphone “forgets” account data and requires re-activation.
- 🛒 Buying a used phone. The previous owner didn't untie the Mi Account, and now you can't use the device.
- 🔧 After repairs at a service center (e.g., a replacement of the mainboard), the phone may require re-activation.
- 🚨 Lock-in IMEI. If the device was stolen and locked through Find Device, it is impossible to unlock it without the data of the original owner.
Important: "Activate This Device» ≠ «This device is locked. The second sign means that the phone is locked. IMEI (For example, after theft, and you can unlock it only through the official Xiaomi service with purchase documents.
How to remove Activate This Device – Step-by-step
If you see the words “Activate This Device”, try the standard activation method first:
- Connect your phone to stable Wi-Fi (mobile internet may not work).
- Enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was linked to the phone earlier.
- If the data is correct, the device is activated automatically.
If this method has not worked, then go to alternative methods, and their effectiveness depends on the reason for the blocking:
Try another way to connect to the internet (e.g., a mobile hotspot)
Make sure you enter data from the correct Mi Account (possibly another account was linked to your phone)
Check if two-factor authentication is enabled (if yes, you will need a code from SMS)
Reboot the phone and try again in 10-15 minutes-->
Method 1: Reset via Mi Unlock (if you know your account details)
If you are sure that you are entering the correct data, but the system does not accept them, try unlocking your phone through the official Mi Unlock Tool software:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
- Run the program on your PC and log in under the same Mi Account that is tied to the phone.
- Connect your phone to your computer in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when the device is off).
- In the program, press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.
⚠️ Note: This method only works if the account is not blocked for suspicious activity.If Xiaomi suspects a hacking attempt, access to Mi Unlock may be temporarily restricted.
Method 2: Bypassing EDL-The mode (for advanced users)
If standard methods don't work, you can try flashing your phone in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which requires:
- 🖥️ Windows computer;
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original);
- 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model;
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if previously unblocked – you will need to wait 72-168 hours).
Instructions:
- Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Install Qualcomm drivers and run the Mi Flash Tool.
- Transfer the phone to EDL mode: adb reboot edl Or press Volume up + Volume down + Power on the device turned off.
- In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL It erases all data from your phone, including photos and apps, and it also risks building a device if you choose the wrong firmware.
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
What to do if you bought a used Xiaomi with “Activate This Device”
Situation: you bought your phone with your hands, and the previous owner didn't untie your Mi Account, and now you turn on the activation request, but you don't have the old account data.
Option 1: Contact the seller
The easiest and most legal way to do this is to ask the seller:
- 📱 Untie your device from your Mi Account via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section).
- 🔑 Provide temporary access to your account so you can activate your phone yourself.
- 📄 Give a check or a warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed, you can contact the Xiaomi service center to unlock).
Option 2: Contact the Xiaomi Service Center
If you can't get in touch with the seller, you can try unlocking the phone officially.
- 📄 Check or sales contract (proof that you are the legal owner).
- 📱 The phone itself is called "Activate This Device».
- 🆔 Passport for identification.
Contact Xiaomi’s official service, which can help with unlocking if you have documents, but this method does not always work, especially if the phone was bought abroad.
Option 3: Bypassing third-party services (risky!)
You can find money-based "circumvention" offers online, and it's usually like this:
- You pay 500-2000 rubles to an unfamiliar “master”.
- It remotely connects to your phone and flashes it through EDL or Fastboot.
- As a result, the lock is removed, but the warranty on the phone burns.
⚠️ Attention: 90% of these "masters" are scammers who either won't do the job or will stitch the phone with a curved firmware, after which it will stop turning on. If you do, look for reviews on independent sites (for example, if you do decide to do this, 4PDA) And don't pay the money in advance.
💡
Before buying a used Xiaomi, always check if the Mi Account is untied. Ask the seller to reset the settings in front of you and make sure that the phone does not require activation after the reboot.
Xiaomi models that most often have an activation error
Some Xiaomi smartphones are more prone to activation problems due to firmware or hardware protection features, and here is a list of models that most often encounter “Activate This Device”:
| Model | Reason for frequent blocking | Difficulty unlocking (1–5) |
|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 8/8 Pro | Popularity in the secondary market + strict binding to the Mi Account | 3 |
| Redmi 9/9A/9C | Often sold with unrelated accounts | 2 |
| Poco X3/X3 Pro | Problems after upgrading to MIUI 13/14 | 4 |
| Mi 10/10T/11 | Complex protection on flagships, lock after the replacement of the fee | 5 |
| Redmi Note 10 Series | Activation errors after reset via Recovery | 3 |
If your model is on this list, be especially careful when buying from hand or resetting. For example, on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, an activation error may appear even after a normal upgrade if the phone was previously tied to another region (for example, the Chinese version of MIUI).
How to avoid activation problems in the future
To avoid running into “Activate This Device” on your Xiaomi, follow these rules:
- 🔗 Always untie your Mi Account before selling. → Xiaomi account → Devices and remove the phone from the list.
- 🔄 Back up before reset. Use Settings → Additionally. → Backup to save data in case of blocking.
- 📱 Buy phones with only proven history. Before buying a used device, ask the seller to reset with you.
- 🔐 Do not use one Mi Account on multiple devices, which may cause suspicions in the security system Xiaomi.
- 🔄 Update your firmware only through official channels. Avoid custom firmware if you are not sure of its security.
If you frequently reset your phone (for example, for testing), get a separate Mi Account specifically for this purpose, which will help to avoid blocking the main account.
💡
The most common reason for blocking is to reset your settings without detaching your Mi Account. Always delete your device from your account before selling or transferring it to another person!