How to open Xiaomi Redmi 5A: unlock screen, account and restore access

The Xiaomi Redmi 5A is one of the most popular budget smartphones of 2017, but even years later, its owners face unlocking problems.A forgotten pattern lock blocked by Mi Account after resetting or buying a used phone with a link to someone else's account are situations that are familiar to many. Unlike modern models, the Redmi 5A has vulnerabilities that can be used to bypass locks, but requires caution: wrong actions can turn a phone into a brick.

In this guide, we will discuss 5 working methods of unlocking, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the specifics of the firmware Redmi 5A (codename riva). Particular attention will be paid to bypassing the binding of Mi Account without losing IMEI, a problem that is relevant for 80% of owners of used devices. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI (including MIUI 12.5), but some methods work on custom firmware like LineageOS.

1. unlock the screen: if you forgot the password or pattern lock

The most common situation is that the user has forgotten the unlock combination. There are two official ways to solve the problem on the Redmi 5A, but both require prior preparation.

Method 1: Reset via Mi Account (if your phone is linked to your account)

1. On the locked screen, tap Forgot your password? (bottom of the screen).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
3. Confirm the entry via SMS or mail.
4. Follow the instructions to create a new password.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was bought with hands and tied to someone else's account, this method will not work.Attempting to enter incorrect data more than 5 times will lead to the blocking of Mi Account for 24 hours.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery (full reset)

If you lose access to your account, you only have to reset hard. 5A for:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Warning: After Hard Reset, the phone will require you to enter the Mi Account that was tied before the reset.If it is not your account, the device will remain locked!

Turn off the phone from charging.

Make sure that the battery is >30%

Download ADB drivers for Xiaomi (if you plan to use a PC)

Save the phone's IMEI (printed on the box or under the battery)

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2.Mi Account bypass after reset: working methods for Redmi 5A

The main headache of Redmi 5A owners is blocking the Mi Account after a reset. It is officially impossible to get around it, but there are workarounds that are relevant for firmware before MIUI 11.

Method 1: Using a vulnerability in Fastboot mode

This method works on Redmi 5A with the bootloader unlocked.

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Enter the command: fastboot oem unlock-go If an error appears, try: fastboot flashing unlock
4. After unlocking the bootloader, reset through Recovery.

Note: This method may not work on new MIUI versions, as Xiaomi has closed the vulnerability in 2020.

Method 2: Firmware through EDL (Emergency mode)

The most reliable, but risky, way to do this is to run through EDL (Emergency Download Mode) and you'll need to:

• 🔧 Cable USB Type-C with support EDL (or special adapter).
• 💻 Mi Flash Tool and firmware for riva.
• 🔋 Battery charge >50% (to avoid bricks).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for Redmi 5A from Xiaomi website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the folder with the firmware.
4. Connect your phone in EDL mode (clip Volume Up + Volume Down + Power on the device off).
5. Press Refresh → Flash and wait until it’s finished (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL drop off IMEI and MAC-After the procedure, you will need to restore them through the engineering menu (#4636##) or programs like this. SN Writer Tool.

3. Unlock through ADB: if USB-debugging was included

If the phone has been activated before USB-Debugging, you can bypass the screen lock through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method won't help with Mi Account, but it will reset the pattern lock or PIN.

Instructions:

1. Connect Redmi 5A to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the ADB folder.
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (to display your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

After the reboot, the lock will be reset. If the commands don't work, try replacing gesture.key with password.key (for example, if the commands don't work). PIN-code).

4. Alternative methods: bypass without loss of data

If standard methods don't work, you can try lesser-known tricks. They're suitable for Redmi 5A on older versions of MIUI (up to MIUI 10).

Method 1: Emergency call + engineering menu

• 📞 On the lock screen, press the emergency call.
• 🔢 Enter the code ##4636## (Engineering menu opens).
• 🔧 Go to Usage Statistics → Back → Click on the Settings icon (cogs).
• 🔓 If the menu is open, go to Security and turn off the lock.

Note: This method is blocked on new firmware, but works on 30% of devices with MIUI 9.

Method 2: Use of Mi Account Unlock Tool

There are third-party programs (such as Mi Account Remove Tool) that promise to bypass the account's binding.

• ⚠️ 70% of these utilities contain viruses or spyware.
• 💰 Paid versions are often fraudulent (payment does not guarantee results).
• 🔧 An unlocked loader is required to work.

If you decide to take a risk, download programs only from trusted forums (XDA Developers, 4PDA) and check files through VirusTotal.

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

This will save apps and settings on the PC even if the phone is locked.-->

5.Official Methods: Unlocking Through Xiaomi

If the phone is bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, you can officially unlock it only through Xiaomi support.

1. Go to the Mi Account website.
2. Select Unlock Device and fill out the form with phone data (IMEI, serial number).
3. Attach a check or proof of purchase (if the phone used - the contract of sale).
4. Expect a response up to 7 days (depending on the region).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi requires original phone documents, if the seller didn't provide the check, the chances of unlocking are minimal. In 2023, the company tightened its policy: now even with a check can be refused if the device is listed as stolen.

Alternative: Contacting a Service Center

In some cases, Xiaomi service centers can help with unlocking for a fee (from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles).

• 📍 Official SC refuse to work with phones without documents.
• 💸 Unofficial workshops charge 500-1000 rubles, but there is no guarantee of data preservation.
• ⚠️ Risk of loss IMEI unskilled intervention.

6.IMEI recovery after unlocking

After the firmware through EDL or reset via Fastboot on Redmi 5A frequently IMEI and MAC-- No address, no correct address. IMEI The phone doesn't catch the network, but without it. MAC-The addresses are not running Wi-Fi. You can recover them in two ways:

Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu (for unblocked bootloaders)

1. Enter the dialer: ##4636###
2. Go to Information. → IMEI.
3. If the fields are empty, enter the original IMEI (indicated on the box or under the battery) via the command: AT +EGMR=1,7,"IMEI_1" AT +EGMR=1,10,"IMEI_2"

Method 2: SN Writer Tool (for unlocked bootloader)

It will require:

• 🖥️ PC with Qualcomm drivers installed.
• 📱 Phone's on mode. EDL.
• 📄 File. prog_emmc_firehose_8917.mbn (download 4PDA).

Instructions:

1. Run the SN Writer Tool and download the.mbn file.
2. In the IMEI field, enter the original values.
3. Connect the phone in EDL mode and press Start.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect input IMEI This can lead to a network lock (the phone will stop catching mobile Internet). IMEI You can find it on a sticker under the battery or on a box.

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IMEI recovery is a must-do step after any firmware through EDL. Without the correct IMEI, the Redmi 5A phone will not be able to call, send SMS or use the mobile Internet.

Unlocking methods comparison: what to choose?

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 5A