Xiaomi device is locked – how to unlock a smartphone or tablet

A locked Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that users face for various reasons, from the banal forgetfulness of the password to the activation of the Mi Account protection after resetting. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi unlocking is complicated by binding to a Mi Account, which can require confirmation even after hard reset. This article will help you understand why the device was blocked, what are legal ways to restore access, and what to do if standard methods do not work.

It's important to understand that unlocking methods depend on the reason for the lock, PIN-code, locking after failed password attempts, or activating Mi Cloud protection after resetting to factory settings. Some methods (such as bypassing Fastboot) require technical skills, others (such as recovering through Find Device) are available even for beginners. We will look at all options – from the simplest to the most advanced, including official Xiaomi tools and alternative solutions.

We warn you in advance: attempts to bypass the lock informal methods (for example, through the firmware of a custom recaveri) can lead to loss of warranty, and in some cases, to a complete "bricking" of the device. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better to contact the service center.

Reasons for blocking Xiaomi devices: why it happened

The locking of Xiaomi rarely happens by accident, most often it is the result of one of the following scenarios:

• 🔒 Forgotten password/pattern lock is a classic situation where a user changes the way they lock and forgets the new code.
• 📱 Reset to factory settings without detachment Mi Account – after Hard Reset, the device requires the entry of account data that was previously associated.
• 🚨 Activation of Mi Cloud protection – if the Find Device function is enabled on the device, after resetting it will be blocked before entering the username / password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 Failed attempts to unlock the bootloader – with frequent input of the wrong password, the system can lock the device for 24-72 hours.
• 📦 Buying a used phone with a tied someone else’s account – the previous owner did not untidy Mi Account, and now the device requires his data.

The Mi Account lock is particularly insidious, and even if you reset your device through Recovery, the first time you boot it, it will require you to enter the username and password from the account that was tied before the reset, which is a measure of protection against theft, but it also creates problems for legitimate users who have forgotten data or bought the phone "out of hand."

Another common reason is a bootloader lock, and if you tried to unlock it through the official Mi Unlock tool, but you interrupted the process or entered incorrect data, the device may go into a Fastboot state requiring unlocking, in which case you either have to wait for unlocking through the official channel, or use alternative methods (which we will discuss below).

Official ways to unlock: what Xiaomi offers

Xiaomi provides a few legal ways to unlock, but they only work if certain conditions are met. Let's take them in order.

1 Unlocking through Find Device (Mi Cloud)

If the device is enabled with the Find Device function and it is connected to the Internet, you can try to unlock it remotely:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account you have linked to your phone.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click Unlock the device and confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if the device is connected to the network (via Wi-Fi or mobile Internet). If the phone is discharged or disconnected from the network, unlocking through Mi Cloud will not be available.

2. Restoration of access through Mi Account

If you remember the username and password from Mi Account, but the device is locked after reset, just enter this data when you first turn on.

• 📧 The account must be confirmed (with a linked phone number or email).
• 🔗 The device must have access to the Internet to verify data.
• ⏳ If you have entered the wrong password several times, the system can block attempts for 24 hours.

If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it through account.xiaomi.com, which requires access to your email or phone number, and without that information, it will be extremely difficult (and sometimes impossible) to restore your account.

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If you don’t have access to an email or number linked to your Mi Account, try contacting Xiaomi with proof of device ownership (check, box, etc, IMEI).

3. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock

If the device is locked during the Fastboot step (for example, after a failed attempt to unlock the bootloader), you can use the official Mi Unlock Tool:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website.
2. Sign in with the same account that is linked to the device.
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi may require waiting 72 hours to 7 days before unlocking (depending on the model and account status.

Informal Unlocking Methods: Risks and Opportunities

If the official methods didn’t help (for example, you don’t remember Mi Account details or bought a phone with someone else’s account), there are still informal methods, which require technical skills and are fraught with risks, but in some cases can be the only way out.

1. bypassing Mi Account through EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

Regime. EDL It allows you to flash the device around standard checks:

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm drivers installed.
• 📂 Firmware for your model (can be found on the forums) 4PDA or XDA Developers).
• 🔧 Firmware (e.g. Mi Flash Tool or QFil).

Firmware-through process EDL complex and includes the following steps:

1. Put the device in mode EDL (usually by closing the contacts on the board or through ADB).
2. Connect the phone to the PC and start the firmware program.
3. Select the firmware and wait for the process to be completed.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL This method is recommended only for power users or in service centers, and note that after firmware, you may need to re-activate the device, which is not always possible without the original Mi Account.

2.Use of vulnerabilities in older versions of MIUI

Some versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 12) contained vulnerabilities that could bypass the Mi Account lock:

• 🔄 Go to Recovery Mode and replace system files.
• 📱 Use it. ADB Delete your account files (for example, /data/system/mi_account.xml).
• 🔧 Use special scripts to bypass verification.

However, in the new versions MIUI (starting MIUI 13 and above) most of these vulnerabilities are closed:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty.
• 🔄 Unstable operation of the device.
• 📵 Loss of access to certain features (e.g. Mi Cloud or Find Device).

If you do decide on this method, look for relevant instructions in thematic forums (for example, for example, for the most recent information, 4PDA), Be prepared for the fact that they may not work on new firmware.

3. Flashing through TWRP (squirrel)

Another way to get around the block is to install a custom Recovery. TWRP through it:

1. Make a backup of data (if possible).
2. Delete files responsible for blocking (/data/system/locksettings.db, /data/system/mi_account.xml).
3. Switch modified firmware without checking Mi Account.

This will require:

• 🔓 Unlocked boot loader (otherwise) TWRP fail to).
• 📱 Compatible version TWRP for your model.
• 🖥️ Computer with ADB and Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: Installation TWRP On devices with a locked bootloader without official unlocking can lead to complete loss of performance.In addition, some Xiaomi models (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro or Xiaomi) 11T) have anti-Rollback protection, which blocks the firmware of older versions MIUI.

Unlocking through the service center: when it is the only way out

If all of these methods have not worked or you do not risk using them yourself, you can contact the service center.

• 📱 The device is blocked by someone else’s Mi Account (for example, after buying a used phone).
• 🔧 You do not remember your account information and cannot recover it.
• 🚫 Attempts to self-unlock led to errors in the operation of the device.
• 📦 You have documents confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).

Xiaomi’s official service centers can unlock the device upon presentation of:

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase (check, contract of sale).
• 📦 Boxes from the serial number device.
• 🆔 Passports of the owner (if the device was purchased officially).

The cost of unlocking in the service center varies from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model and the complexity of the work, in some cases, you may need to replace the motherboard (if the lock is associated with hardware restrictions).

⚠️ Warning: Beware of "service centers" that offer to unlock Mi Account in 5 minutes without documents, most often scammers who either stitch the device with loss of functionality or do not return the phone at all after payment.

If you bought the device with your hands and you don’t have documents, try contacting the previous owner and asking them to untie the Mi Account remotely (via Find Device).If that’s not possible, the only legal way out is to contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (for example, correspondence with the seller).

What to do if Xiaomi is blocked after the update

Sometimes the lock happens after the update. MIUI. It could be related to:

• 🔄 Failure in the update process (for example, if the phone is dead or the update is interrupted).
• 📱 Conflict of new firmware with user data.
• 🔒 Automatic activation of Mi Account protection after update.

In such cases, try the following steps:

1. Hard Recovery Reset: Turn off the device. Press Volume up. + Power to log in to Recovery. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data. Confirm reset and restart the device.
2. Fastboot firmware: Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode. Use the Mi Flash Tool for firmware.
3. Reverse to the old version MIUI: If the lock occurred after the update, sometimes it helps to roll back to the previous version of the firmware. However, this is only possible if the bootloader is unlocked.

⚠️ Warning: If the device left Bootloop after the upgrade, don’t try to interrupt the process! wait for the battery to drain completely, then plug in the charging and try logging in to Recovery or Fastboot.

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If Xiaomi does not turn on or is blocked after the update, the first thing you can do is try to reset the settings through Recovery. If this does not help, then run the official firmware through Fastboot. Using unofficial firmware in this case can aggravate the problem.

How to avoid blocking Xiaomi in the future

To avoid getting blocked again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Untie Mi Account before selling: If you sell or transfer a device, be sure to delete your account in the settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Delete the account).
• 📝 Save data for recovery: Write down the username, password and backup email from Mi Account in a secure location (for example, in the password manager).
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware: In new versions MIUI Fix vulnerabilities that can be used for unauthorized access.
• 📱 Set up backup unlocking methods: B MIUI You can add a fingerprint or face recognition as an alternative. PIN-code.
• 🔗 Check the device when buying used: Before buying a phone with your hands, ask the seller to reset the settings and make sure that the Mi Account is untied.

It's also useful to enable Find Device, which not only helps you find a lost phone, but also allows you to unlock it remotely.

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Find Device.
2. Turn on the option and confirm the action.
3. Make sure that the device is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi.

If you often forget passwords, consider using a password manager (such as Bitwarden or KeePass) to help avoid situations where access to a device is lost due to a lost device. PIN-code.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi