Xiaomi’s Active This Device – What it Means and How to Activate Your Device

The message “Active This Device” on the screen of a Xiaomi device is one of the most common problems that users face after resetting settings, buying a used gadget or updating firmware. This error means that the device is tied to the previous owner’s Mi Account and requires activation confirmation. Without the right actions, you will not be able to use a smartphone, smartwatch or Mi TV. TV full-capacity.

In this article, we will look at all the possible causes of the Active This Device message, official and alternative activation methods, and give recommendations on how to avoid blocking in the future. We will focus on devices with a blocked bootloader, because unlocking them requires additional steps, and if you buy a gadget from your hands or restore it after resetting, this guide will help bring it back to life.

Why is Active This Device coming to Xiaomi?

The message “This device is locked” or “Active This Device” is part of Xiaomi’s Mi Cloud Activation Lock, which works similarly to iCloud Lock on iPhones, and is designed to protect the device from theft or unauthorized use.

• 🔄 Resetting settings via Recovery or in the Settings menu → Resetting without a decouple from Mi Account.
• 📱 Buying a used device that was not properly “untied” by the previous owner.
• 🔧 Update of firmware with transition to a new version MIUI custom-made.
• 🔒 Locking the bootloader after an unsuccessful attempt to unlock.
• 🛡️ Activate Find Device in Mi Cloud before reset.

It is important to understand that Xiaomi does not provide official ways to bypass this lock without the data of the previous owner. EDL-The mode or paid services may lead to the complete loss of warranty or "bricking" of the device. However, there are legal ways to solve the problem - about them below.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the device with your hands and the seller did not provide details from Mi Account, contact him immediately. without the login / password from the associated account, unlocking may not be possible.

Official ways to activate Xiaomi devices

If you have access to a Mi Account that was linked to your device, follow these steps:

1 Activation through the original Mi Account

The most reliable and safe method, suitable for smartphones, tablets and smart watches Xiaomi:

1. On the lock screen, enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was associated with the device.
2. If you do not remember your password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com (access to email or phone is required).
3. Once you log in, the device unlocks automatically, and you may need an Internet connection.

If your device is not connected to the network (for example, due to a reset), use mobile internet or connect to Wi-Fi manually via the emergency call menu (on some models).

2. Unlock through the Xiaomi website (for a blocked bootloader)

If the device does not accept Mi Account data due to a blocked bootloader, try the official unlock method:

• 🌐 Go to the page. en.miui.com/unlock.
• 📝 Fill out the form with the device data (IMEI, SN, model).
• ⏳ Wait for the response from the support (may take up to 72 hours).
• 📥 Download the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions.

This method only works for devices that have been officially linked to your account, and it won't work for used gadgets.

3.Activation through Xiaomi Service Center

If the device was purchased officially (through the Mi Store or an authorized seller), you can contact the service center with a check.

• 📄 Check or guarantee card.
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 The device itself is called “Active This Device».

The service center can unblock if the device is not listed as stolen, and for used gadgets, this method does not work.

💡

If the seller of a used device refuses to provide data from the Mi Account, demand a refund. Under consumer law, selling a locked gadget without warning is a scam.

Unofficial activation methods (at your own risk)

If the official methods have not worked, some users resort to alternative methods, and we do not recommend using them, as they can:

• 🚨 Breaking the guarantee.
• 💥 «Brick the device (make it inoperable).
• 🕵️ Violate the law (if the device is stolen).

However, we will consider them for completeness of information.

1.Traffic bypass EDL-Mode (Engineering Mode)

The method is suitable for Xiaomi smartphones with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3). It will:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 USB Type C C Cable (original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and QFil.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (for example, fastboot-ROM).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loudness down + Food for entry EDL-Mode (the screen must be black).
3. Connect your smartphone to your PC and check the device definition in Task Manager (Qualcomm should appear) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: A faulty firmware or interrupted process can turn a device into a brick. Use this method only if you are confident in your actions.

2. Use of paid unlocking services

There are many services on the Internet that offer to unlock Mi Account for money (from 500 to 5000 rubles), they work according to the following scheme:

• 💰 You pay for the service and provide IMEI device.
• 🔓 The service remotely removes the lock through the database Xiaomi.
• ⚡ You receive an activation instruction.

Risks:

• 🕵️ Fraud (Many services take money and disappear).
• 🔄 Temporary unlocking (in a few days the block can return).
• 📵 Loss of functionality (e.g. Mi Cloud or Google Services failure).

If you decide on this method, choose services with reviews on forums (4PDA, XDA-Developers and don’t pay the full amount in advance.

How to Avoid “Active This Device” in the Future

To avoid the problem again, follow these rules:

Untie your Mi Account before selling or resetting

Buy devices only from official sellers

Do not update your firmware to unofficial versions without unlocking the bootloader

Create backup copies of data before resetting

Use the "Find Device" function only on your gadget-->

Pay special attention to uncoupling the Mi Account before selling or transferring the device to another person.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click Delete your account (password required).
3. Perform a reset of settings through Settings → Additionally. → Reset.

If you plan to flash the device, unlock the bootloader in advance through the official Mi Unlock Tool, which will take up to 720 hours (30 days), but will save you from problems in the future.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you activate Xiaomi devices, users face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked, check the status. IMEI The device is on imei.info. It may be listed as stolen and unlocking is impossible.

💡

If the device is hand-held and locked, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner. All other methods carry risks.

Features of activation for different devices Xiaomi

The unlocking process may vary depending on the type of device, and consider the nuances for popular categories:

1. Smartphones and tablets (Redmi, POCO, Mi)

The most problematic category due to the link to Mi Account and Google FRP. Main steps:

• 🔑 Use the original Mi Account or Google data (if enabled) FRP).
• 🔧 To Firmware via fastboot, unlock bootloader in advance.
• 📡 If your device is not connected to Wi-Fi, try activating via a mobile network.

2. Smart watches and fitness bracelets (Mi Band, Mi Watch)

Wearable locks are less common, but they're also possible.

• 📱 Connect your watch to your smartphone via the Mi Fit or Zepp app.
• 🔄 Reset via the clock menu (Settings) → Reset).
• 🔗 Link a new Mi Account through the app.

If your watch requires an old account, try resetting it to a new account. DFU-Mode (for Mi Band) 5/6 press the button on 10 seconds).

3. Mi TVs TV Mi Box

On Xiaomi TVs, Mi Account locking is rare but can occur after a reset.

• 📺 Connect the TV to the Internet via cable (Wi-Fi may not work during activation).
• 🔑 Enter the Mi Account data associated with the device.
• 🔧 If the TV does not receive data, reset via the Emergency Menu (click Menu). + Volume down on the remote when turned on).

For Mi Box (confixes) may require firmware through USB OTG officially.

4. Mi Router routers

Xiaomi routers are blocked less often, but if this happens:

• 🌐 Connect to the router via cable (Wi-Fi may be disabled).
• 🔧 Go to the control panel at 192.168.31.1.
• 🔑 Enter the username/password from Mi Account (by default — admin/admin, unless changed).
• 🔄 Reset the button (hold 10 seconds).

If the router requires an account of the previous owner, reset it to factory settings through UART-Port (soldling iron and experience with iron required).

What to do if nothing helps

If all of these methods fail, you have a few options:

1. Contact Xiaomi via the official website, provide proof of purchase (check, warranty) and describe the problem.
2. Sell the device for parts. Some service centers buy out locked gadgets to repair other devices.
3. Use it as a donor, for example, a screen or battery from a locked smartphone can be installed on another device.
4. We can call in microelectronics specialists. Some workshops offer flashing services through the Internet. ISP (Direct connection to the device’s memory, but it’s expensive and risky.

Before you write it off, check for hardware malfunctions, and sometimes locking Active This Device masks other problems (such as damaged eMMC memory).

⚠️ Warning: If a device is stolen, it cannot be unlocked legally, and the use of such a device can lead to legal consequences.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi activation