Why Redmi 8 is blocked and what to do
Xiaomi Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) is still a popular budget device, but its owners often face lock problems. The reasons can be different: a forgotten pattern lock, a failure after the MIUI update, blocking the Mi Account when buying a used phone or activating anti-theft protection through the Find Device feature. In some cases, the phone does not even turn on, showing the words “This device is locked” – this means a blocked bootloader.
It is important to understand that unlocking methods depend on the type of lock. For example, resetting a pattern lock through Recovery will not help if the device is tied to a Xiaomi account with an SMS confirmation. And unlocking the bootloader will require an official Mi Unlock Tool and waiting 7-30 days (depending on the status of the account). In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including bypassing the lock without losing data and restoring access via Fastboot.
Before you start, check:
- 🔋 Battery level (minimum 50% – when unlocked via Fastboot, the phone should not turn off).
- 📶 Availability of original USB-cables (cheap cables may not transmit data in Fastboot mode).
- 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (Mi Unlock Tool requires an official utility that does not work on the macOS/Linux).
If you bought a Redmi 8 with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie your account, the only legal way is to contact them and ask them to remove the device from their Mi Account account, otherwise you will have to contact the service center with proof of purchase.
Method 1: Reset the pattern lock via Recovery (without data loss)
If you just forgot your password or pattern lock, but remember the data from your Mi Account, you can try resetting the screen lock through Restore Mode.This method only works on Redmi 8 with an unlocked bootloader and a tied Xiaomi account.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button.
- Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
- Select a language and go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe Password.
- Confirm the reset by entering the data from the Mi Account (email and password).
If the Wipe Password is missing, the bootloader is locked and you need another method, and this method will not work if the phone has Find Device enabled.
Turn off the phone.|Clip Volume Up + Power|Choose a language in Recovery|Find the Wipe Password item|Enter the Mi Account data-->
⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After resetting the password, it may be necessary to reactivate the device through SMS or a call to a tied number. SIM-No card, the phone will be locked again.
Method 2: Unlocking with Mi Account (if the phone requires an account after a reset)
A common situation: you have reset via Recovery or Fastboot, but after you turn on Redmi 8 asks you to enter data from your previous Mi Account. This means that the device is tied to another user's account.
Option 1: Legal (recommended):
- 📧 Contact the previous owner and ask them to remove the device from their personal account in the Devices section. → Delete.
- 🔄 After deleting, restart the phone - the lock will be removed automatically.
Option 2: FRP reset bypass (for advanced):
If you cannot contact the previous owner, you can try bypassing Factory Reset Protection (FRP) through Fastboot.
- 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
- 📲 Firmware MIUI Redmi 8 (the version must match the current version on the phone).
- 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (download from the official website).
Process:
- Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (clamp Volume down + Power).
- Connect to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices
- Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool by selecting the Clean All option (this will delete all data, including account binding).
⚠️ Attention: Reset FRP through the firmware may lead to a lock IMEI, If the phone is blacklisted by the operator, check the status before the procedure. IMEI at imei.info.
What to do if the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't load device" error
Method 3: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool
If you turn on Redmi 8 and see the words "This device is locked. Please unlock it via Mi Unlock," it means the bootloader is blocked. This is Xiaomi's standard firmware protection. To unlock it, you need the official Mi Unlock Tool utility and the Mi Account that was tied to the phone at least 7 days ago.
Step-by-step:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool (2026 version)
- Sign in to your Mi Account on your phone and to your PC utility (should be the same account!).
- Put Redmi 8 in Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
- Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the utility.
- Wait 7-30 days (depending on your account status) and try again.
| Account status | Waiting time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New account (less than 30 days) | 30 days | Requires a binding SIM-card-to-account |
| Account over 30 days old | 7 days | You can speed up by linking your phone to your account in advance. |
| Account with a confirmed number | 0 days (sometimes) | It rarely works, depending on the region. |
Once you successfully unlock the bootloader, you can flash custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), but you lose the official warranty.
1. Disable the antivirus on the PC.
2. Use another USB-cable (original from Xiaomi).
3. Run the utility on behalf of the administrator.-->
Method 4: Bypassing the lock through EDL-The mode (for experienced users)
EDL-The only way to unlock Redmi 8 is if the bootloader is locked and the Mi Unlock Tool is not working (EDL-cable or Deep Flash Cable) and knowledge of fastboot commands. It's suitable for cases where the phone is:
- 🔒 Completely locked (does not turn on, does not respond to buttons).
- 🔄 Obsessed with Mi logo after failed firmware.
- 📵 Not defined in Fastboot ("waiting for device" error").
Algorithm of action:
- Download the MIUI Fastboot firmware for Redmi 8 (e.g., from here).
- Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all_lock.bat (to lock the loader) or flash_all_except_storage.bat (data retention).
- Transfer the phone to EDL-Mode: Adb reboot edl If ADB It doesn't work, use it. EDL-cable (close contacts) TEST POINT board-board).
- Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL It can permanently damage IMEI If you're not sure what you're doing, you can contact the service center. EDL in the service - from 1500 to 3000 rubles.
Method 5: Restore Access through Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods did not work, the official way remains to contact the Xiaomi service center.
- 📱 The phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the account.
- 🔐 Blocked. IMEI post-fast-fast.
- 🛠️ Replacement of the board or memory chip (for example, after a fall).
What will be required to unlock:
- 📄 Check or contract of sale (to confirm ownership).
- 🆔 Passport of the owner.
- 📱 The phone itself (even if it doesn’t turn on).
Cost and timing:
| Type of lockdown | Cost (₽) | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting the Mi Account | 1000–2000 | 1–3 |
| Unlocking the loader | 1500–2500 | 3–7 |
| Rebuilding IMEI | 2000–4000 | 5–10 |
Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service. Before visiting, check by phone whether they are engaged in unlocking accounts - some centers refuse such orders.
💡
Contacting the service center is the only legal way to unlock the Redmi 8 if the previous owner does not respond or the phone is blocked by the operator.
Method 6: Alternative methods (at your own risk)
If you're willing to take risks, you can try informal unlocking methods that are suitable for power users and can result in a loss of warranty or a phone breakdown.
Method 1. Firmware through SP Flash Tool
This works if the Redmi 8 is equipped with a MediaTek chip (in some regions, versions with the Helio G80 were produced).
- 🖥️ Utility. SP Flash Tool.
- 📄 Firmware in scatter format.
- 🔌 USB-Type C Cable with Data Transfer Support.
The process is similar to firmware via Fastboot, but uses a different software.
Method 2: Bypassing ADB (only for Android 9 and below)
On older versions of MIUI (before Android 10), you could delete gesture.key or password.key via ADB. This method doesn't work on current firmware now, but if you have the older version:
- Connect your phone to your PC and enable USB Debugging.
- Follow the commands: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key
- Reset the device.
⚠️ Note: Use of unofficial firmware or modified firmware boot.img This can result in a Mi Account being blocked or a network loss (if the firmware is not for your region).