How to open a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 5: all ways to unlock in 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the brand's most popular budget smartphones, released in 2017 but still in active use, PIN-Unlocking a device can be a daunting task, as in this article we will discuss all the current ways to open Redmi 5 – from standard methods to advanced technical solutions, including bypassing the lock without losing data (where possible).

It is important to understand that unlock methods depend on the type of protection: it can be a graphical password, digital. PIN-Some of the ways you need to connect to a PC, some of the ways you need to connect to a computer, others work directly on your phone. MIUI Redmi 5 that affect the unlocking process (e.g., Fastboot mode and Recovery reset restrictions).

If you're not sure about your technical skills, you should go to a service center, but most of the techniques you're describing can be done yourself, so you have to follow the instructions and not skip the steps.

1 Unblocking through Xiaomi account (Mi Account)

The easiest way to unlock Redmi 5 is to use a tied Mi Account.

• 🔗 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 📧 Remember the username (email or phone) and password from the Xiaomi account.
• 🔒 On the lock screen there is a button "Forgot your password?" (appears after 5 failed attempts to enter).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong password / pattern lock 5 times in a row.
2. The message will appear “Forgot the password?” – click on it.
3. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account associated with the device.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If the "Forgot Password?" button doesn't appear, try connecting to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes the problem is router restrictions) and check if access to your Mi Account is disabled in the security settings (this may have happened after a reset or firmware).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously changed your Mi Account password but haven’t updated it on your phone, unlocking through your account may not work.

2.Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode

If you don't remember the data from your Mi Account or it doesn't fit, the only reliable way to unlock it is to hard-reset it through Recovery mode, which will remove all data from your device, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to your phone.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 5:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the power button and the volume button at the same time.
3. Hold them until the Mi logo and the Recovery menu appear.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

• 🌐 Choose a language (usually English or English ).
• 🔄 Find the Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
• 🗑️ Confirm the reset by selecting Wipe All Data.
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot to restart.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Redmi 5 may need to re-authorize your Mi Account after a reset (even if you don’t remember it) and this is due to the Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature).

3. Unlock through ADB (for power users)

If Redmi 5 is included in the debugging USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking the device through ADB (Android Debug Bridge is free of data loss:

• 🔌 You previously connected your phone to your PC and allowed debugging.
• 🖥️ The computer has Xiaomi drivers installed and ADB.
• 📱 The device is determined in the system (check in Device Manager).

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC via USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, go further.
4. Delete the password file (for the pattern lock or PIN): adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or for PIN: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
5. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the lock screen should disappear. If not, repeat the steps or try an alternative command:

adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

locksettings.db

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If the adb device command doesn’t show the device, try reinstalling Xiaomi drivers or using another one. USB-cable (preferably original).

4. Firmware via Mi Flash (to delete Mi Account)

If, after resetting via Recovery, the phone requires authorization to a Mi Account that you don't remember, the only way out is to completely flash through the Mi Flash Tool.This method deletes all data, including account binding, but requires:

• 💻 Windows computer (7/10/11).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cables (low-quality cables can interrupt firmware).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware for Redmi 5 (download only from the official Xiaomi website or trusted sources like xiaomifirmware.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
2. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 5 (Rosy model for global version or vincent for Chinese).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi5_Fastboot).
4. Turn off your phone and press the power button + volume reduction to enter the Fastboot (the image of a rabbit in a hat will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your PC, open Mi Flash and press Refresh – the device must be determined.
6. Select the firmware folder, select Clean All mode (full clean) and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Mi Flash resets DRM-This could lead to problems with Widevine. L1 (Lower quality streaming on Netflix, Disney+ In order to recover the keys, you will need an official firmware through the OTA post-unlock.

5. Bypassing locks through service codes (for some versions of MIUI)

On older versions of MIUI (before MIUI 10), there was a way to bypass the lock through service codes. For Redmi 5, this doesn't always work, but you can try:

1. On the lock screen, dial the emergency call (emergency call button).
2. Enter the code ##3646633# or ##4636##
3. If the engineering menu opens, go to Connectivity → Wi-Fi and connect to the network.
4. Return to the lock screen and try unlocking through Mi Account (see section 1).

On newer versions of MIUI, these codes are usually locked, but if you have old firmware, the method may work, and sometimes entering ##7780## to reset settings (but not data) helps.

If the service codes don’t work, try another way – downloading in Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to turn off power - a suggestion will appear to go to Safe Mode.
3. In Safe Mode, try to remove the lock app (if it’s third-party) or reset your password through settings.

6. Alternative methods: programs and services

If the standard methods did not work, you can use third-party programs, but be careful: many of them require payment or contain malware.

• 🔓 Mi Account Unlock Tool – a utility for removing the binding to the account (does not work on all versions) MIUI).
• 🛠️ SP Flash Tool - an alternative to Mi Flash for firmware through MTK-chips (but Redmi 5 on Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, so it's not always suitable).
• 🌐 Official Xiaomi service – if the phone is tied to the account, but you do not remember the data, you can contact the support with proof of purchase (check, box).

Examples of Mi Account Unlock Tool:

1. Download the program from a trusted source (for example, forum.xda-developers.com).
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. Run the utility and follow the instructions (usually you need to enter the device’s IMEI).
4. Once completed, restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial programs can lead to blocking IMEI or turning your phone into a brick. Always check the reviews and reputation of the source before downloading.

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Before using third-party software, try all official unlock methods.Most problems with Redmi 5 are solved via Recovery or Mi Flash without risking the device.

7 What should I do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi service center - official partners can unlock the device by serial number (purchase confirmation is required).

Before the service visit:

• 📄 Take with you the documents on the phone (check, warranty card, box).
• 🔢 Find out. IMEI Devices (printed on or under a battery).
• 📞 Check if you have an authorized Xiaomi service in your city (list at mi.com).

If your phone is locked due to theft or loss, it is not possible to unlock through the service, which is against Xiaomi’s policy, in which case it is better to purchase a new device.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 5