How to open a smartphone Xiaomi Redmi 4: all the ways to unlock the screen and account

Forgot the pattern lock on Xiaomi Redmi 4 or the phone requires data entry from Mi Account after reset?The situation is familiar to many owners of budget Xiaomi smartphones, especially if the device was bought from hand. The Redmi 4 (codenamed prada) is one of the most popular models of 2016, but its protection system often becomes a headache. FRP (Factory Reset Protection, Fastboot reset and Mi Account reset without data loss.

The Redmi's main problem 4 — It's a link to a Xiaomi account that you can't delete using standard methods, and even after a Recovery reset, the phone may require a username and password from the previous owner. MIUI 8–14 (And we've got the global and Chinese versions, and we've only selected the working solutions. 430 (Redmi 4 Prime/Pro) Snapdragon 435 (Redmi 4X) instructions differ - see the compatibility table below.

If you are not sure about your device model, check it by the label on the box or by using the ##4636## command in the phone app (Phone Information section), which will help you avoid mistakes when choosing the unlock method.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 4 is blocked and what to do

Redmi 4

1. A forgotten pattern lock/PIN-code

The most common thing that happens is that the user changes the password and forgets it, and in this case, a Recovery reset helps, but only if the Mi Account link is disabled, and if the meter is active, the phone will require the previous owner to enter the data after the reset.

2.Blocking Mi Account (FRP)

Activates after resetting if the device was tied to a Xiaomi account. Even if you bought the phone with your hands, the previous owner could not untie the account. FRP).

Hardware locking (IMEI, serial)

It's less common, usually after a failed firmware or motherboard repair, and then the message appears on the screen, "This device is locked" or "Invalid." IMEI". Refrigeration is required through EDL-treatment or referral to a service center.

⚠️ Note: If a phone is stolen or lost, unlocking through the Mi Account bypass may be considered a violation of the law.

Before you start unlocking, check:

• 🔋 Battery charge (at least 50% to avoid shutdown during the process).
• 📶 Having a backup of data (unlocking often leads to loss of information).
• 🔧 Access to a computer with Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers installed (depending on the model).
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (required for downloading firmware and tools).

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

If you remember the data from your Xiaomi account, or if the previous owner is willing to provide it, it's the easiest and most secure way to do it, and it works even after you reset your settings.

Steps to unlock:

1. On the locked screen, click "Forgot Password?" (or "Forgot Password?" on English firmware).
2. Select the method of recovery: SMS or through Mi Account or.
3. Enter the linked phone number or email, then confirm the code from the message.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

If the phone requires the previous owner's information, try contacting them. If you buy from hand and have no contacts, switch to alternative methods.

⚠️ Note: Reference to the Mi Account on Redmi 4 can be maintained even after a Fastboot reset.If you are not the original owner, official access restoration is not possible - you will need a bypass FRP.

What to do if you do not have access to your Mi Account:

• 📧 Try to restore your password through account.xiaomi.com (you need access to an email or phone).
• 🔄 If your account is tied to a number that is no longer in use, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).
• 🛠️ To get around FRP Use the methods in the following section.

💡

If the phone asks for an old password after resetting, but you don’t know it, try entering 123456 or 000000 – sometimes this works on Chinese firmware.

Method 2: Bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection on Redmi 4

FRP

Google

Mi Account

Redmi 4

Recovery

Fastboot

Method 1: Emergency Call (works on the MIUI 8–10)

1. On the lock screen, click "Emergency Call".
2. Dial ##4636## and the test menu will open.
3. Go to Usage Statistics → Back (back) → Click on the Settings icon (cogs).
4. Turn on "Debugging by" USB" in the section For Developers.
5. Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi Flash Tool for firmware (see Method 4).

Method 2: Through ADB (requires an unlocked loader)

1. Install Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Connect Redmi 4 to your computer and open the command line in the adb folder.
3. Enter the commands: adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1 adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings
4. After execution, go to the settings and disable Mi Account.

Compatibility table of FRP bypass methods:

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 12 and new roundabout FRP through an emergency call or ADB It often doesn't work. In this case, you'll need to run a firmware through EDL-Authorization mode (see Method 5).

Method 3: Recovery reset (without data loss)

If Redmi 4 does not activate the Mi Account binding, resetting via Recovery will help remove the pattern lock or PIN-However, this method removes all data from internal memory.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice), then: Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm
4. After resetting, restart the device (Reboot).

What to do if you need a Mi Account after reset:

• 🔄 Try entering data from your Xiaomi account (if you have previously linked it).
• 📱 If the phone was bought with hands, contact the seller to unbundle the account.
• 🛠️ Use the roundabout FRP (Method 2) or firmware via Fastboot (Method 4).

Limitations of the method:

It does not work if the Mi Account protection is enabled.

Deletes all data, including photos, contacts and applications.

Some firmware may require a password even after resetting.

Method 4: Unlocking via Fastboot (firmware)

If standard methods don’t work, it’s still running through Fastboot, which is suitable for all Redmi 4 models, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Miui Download website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Install the Mi Unlock Tool and unlock the bootloader (can take up to 72 hours).
3. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
5. Once completed, the phone will restart with a clean system.

Advantages of the method:

• 🔧 It works even when you block Mi Account (if the bootloader is unlocked).
• 📱 Installs official firmware without viruses.
• 🔄 You can choose a version. MIUI (global).

Disadvantages:

- Deleting all data.

Requires Bootloader unlocking (this may not be possible on new Xiaomi accounts).

- Nana MIUI 12+ You may need to be authorized to use the EDL.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware on Redmi 4X Snapdragon 435 processor could cause loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save it via the command *#06#.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool is only possible 1 time every 30 days for one account. If you have previously unlocked another phone, you will have to wait or use another account.

Method 5: Unlocking through EDL (power-user)

EDL

Redmi 4

EDL cable

TestPoint

Xiaomi

When you need an EDL:

• 🔧 Phone not switched on (brick).
• 📱 Blocking Mi Account on the MIUI 12+.
• 🔄 It is impossible to unlock the bootloader in the standard way.

Instructions (simplified):

1. Download the firmware in.mbn format for your model.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in mode EDL (via TestPoint or a special cable).
3. Use Mi Flash Pro or QFil for firmware.
4. Once completed, the phone will restart in clean condition.

Risks of the method:

Without authorization from Xiaomi, the firmware will not start (you will need an account with developer rights).

A wrong firmware can permanently disable the phone.

- On the Redmi. 4X after EDL might fly IMEI.

Where to get authorization for EDL:

• 🔧 Officially – through the Xiaomi Authorized Service Center program (only for service centers).
• 💰 Unofficially – buying an account with rights (risk of blocking).
• 🤝 Sharing with other users on forums (e.g, 4PDA).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often face problems, and let's look at the most common errors and their solutions:

1.The phone is not included in Fastboot/Recovery

• 🔋 Check the battery charge (minimum 30%).
• 🔌 Try another charger or cable.
• 🖥️ Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on the processor).

2. Mi Flash Tool is giving an error

Error codes and their significance:

3. After firmware no network (IMEI invalid)

• 📡 Restore. IMEI Engineer Mode (code #3646633##).
• 🔧 Use tools like this. SN Writer or MauiMeta.
• ⚠️ If IMEI Not recovering, contact the service center.

4.The phone is stuck on the Mi logo after firmware

• 🔄 Repeat the firmware by selecting the Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool.
• 📱 Try a different version of the firmware (for example, an older one).
• 🔧 If it doesn't help, run through EDL.

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If after unlocking the phone requires activation via Mi Account, but you do not know the data, the only legal way is to contact the previous owner. FRP New firmware often leads to locking the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions