How to open a Xiaomi Redmi 3 phone: from resetting a password to unlocking the bootloader

Why Redmi 3 could be blocked and what to do about it

Xiaomi Redmi 3 (including modifications Redmi 3 Pro and Redmi 3S/Prime) is still a popular budget smartphone, but its owners often face lock problems. The reasons can be different: a forgotten pattern lock, locking Mi Account after resetting, activation of Anti-Theft mode or even software failures in the firmware MIUI. Unlike modern models, Redmi 3 has vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass the lock without official permission of Xiaomi – but only if you act on a clear algorithm.

It is important to understand that the methods of unlocking depend on the type of lock:

• 🔒 Forgotten password/pattern lock – solved by resetting via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 📱 Mi Account locking – requires bypassing protection or official de-linking.
• 🔧 Locked bootloader – you need to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (but Redmi 3 has workarounds).

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Redmi 3 for 2026, including methods for devices with damaged screen or without access to Recovery.

Method 1: Recovery Mode (if USB Debugging is enabled)

This is the easiest method, but it only works if the phone has previously been enabled debugging. USB (USB Debugging) or if you can log in to Recovery via a button combination. On Redmi 3, use Recovery login:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).


2. Press the power button + volume up until the Mi logo appears.




3. Release the buttons and the Recovery menu will appear.

In the Recovery menu on Redmi 3, the volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and the power button (select) are controlled.

1. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
2. Confirm the action (Confirm).
3. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

Attention! If the phone requires Mi Account data to be entered after the reset, then Find Device has been activated. In this case, move to Method 3.

Method 2: Unlock via Fastboot (if the bootloader is blocked)

If the phone doesn't load beyond the Mi logo or if this device is locked, it's a bootloader that can be unlocked in two ways on Redmi 3:

For official unlocking:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi.
2. Sign in to your Mi Account (should be tied to your phone!).
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (press the power button + volume down).
4. Connect to the PC and follow the instructions of the program.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and tied to someone else's account, official unlocking is impossible without the previous owner's data (EDL).

Method 3: Bypassing Mi Account lock (without waiting 72 hours)

If you need to enter Mi Account data after reset and you don’t know the previous owner’s login/password, you can use EDL or modified firmware. On Redmi 3, this works due to vulnerabilities in MIUI 7-9 (the newer versions may not work).

Procedure:

1. Download modified firmware for Redmi 3 (e.g. MIUI 8 Global with Mi Account bypass patch).
2. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 🔌 Turn off the battery (if possible). 🔧 Close Test Point (contacts on the board, usually near the USB-plug-in). 💻 Connect to a PC – the device is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Mi Flash Tool

Clean All

Important: Once the firmware is in place, the phone will be completely cleaned, including the Mi Account, but this method doesn't work on devices with MIUI 10+ if Find Device was previously enabled.

💡

If you can't find Test Point, use a special cable for EDL (sold on AliExpress) that automatically puts your phone into firmware mode when you connect.

Method 4: Firmware through EDL (for bricks and serious failures)

If Redmi 3 doesn’t turn on at all (the “brick”), doesn’t respond to buttons or hangs on the logo, the only way out is through EDL.

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10 (Qualcomm drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn format for Redmi 3 (for example, ido_XHDPI).
• 🛠 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

Instructions:

1. Install Qualcomm drivers (you can download here).
2. Transfer the phone to EDL (see Method 3).
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and press Refresh – the device should be determined as COM-port.
4. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: Do not turn off your phone while you are firmware! This can result in a hard brick that will only fix the flashing through the programmer.

💡

Firmware via EDL is the only way to bring Redmi 3 back to life with a damaged bootloader or “brick”.

Method 5: Unlock with damaged screen (if phone turns on)

If the Redmi 3 screen crashes, but the phone turns on and reacts to touch, you can unlock it without changing the display.

• 🖱 Mouse. OTG (plug in via adapter USB-C → USB-A).
• 🔌 Charged battery (minimum 30%).
• 📱 Other device to call a locked phone (if enabled) USB Debugging).

Algorithm:

1. Connect the OTG mouse to the phone – the cursor should appear on the screen.
2. If the mouse is not working, try connecting via ADB (if USB Debugging was enabled): adb shell input text 1234 & & adb shell input keyevent 66 (where 1234 is your password, 66 is the Enter button).
3. If nothing helps, reset through Recovery (see Method 1).

Important: Redmi 3 with MIUI 7-8 sometimes works bypassing the call: call the phone from another device, take a call and in the call menu try to open the settings (sometimes this allows you to bypass the screen lock).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking Redmi 3, users often face typical problems:

If you get this device is locked in Fastboot, it means that the bootloader is locked. On Redmi 3, it can only be unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool (officially) or EDL (unofficially).

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Before any firmware manipulation, check the phone model through the command fastboot getvar product. Redmi 3 should display ido (code name of the board).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions