How to open Xiaomi Redmi 5: all ways to unlock your smartphone

Xiaomi Redmi 5, released in 2017, is still a popular budget smartphone thanks to reliable hardware and support for MIUI. But what if you forget your password, pattern lock or phone locked after resetting due to the binding to Mi Account? In this article, all the current ways to unlock Redmi 5 (codename rosy), including bypassing factory restrictions and working with the bootloader.

We will look at both software methods (via Fastboot and Recovery) and hardware solutions for cases where the smartphone does not respond to the connection to the PC. Importantly, the procedures for the Redmi 5 are different from newer models (for example, the Redmi Note 5 or Redmi 5 Plus), so instructions from other guides may not work. All methods are tested on MIUI 10-14 firmware (including global and Chinese versions).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you remember the data from the Mi Account tied to the phone, this is the easiest way to unlock. Xiaomi Redmi 5 supports access restoration through the web interface, but there are nuances:

• 🌍 The smartphone must be connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔄 Synchronization with Mi Cloud should be enabled on the device (checked in account settings).
• ⏳ After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the system will block attempts for 24 hours.

To unlock Redmi 5 via Mi Account:

1. On the locked screen, tap Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
4. Create a new password or pattern lock.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's account, official unlocking is impossible without the data of the previous owner.

2.Reset via Recovery Mode (without loss of data)

The method is suitable if you do not remember the password, but Mi Account on the phone is not tied (or you know the account details). Recovery on Redmi 5 allows you to bypass the screen lock, but does not work on firmware newer MIUI 12.5 if the function "Data Protection" is enabled.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the Power for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power + Volume Up at the same time before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – Power).
4. After the reset, the phone will restart. At the setup stage, skip the account binding (if required).

Turn off phone | Press Power + Volume Up| Wait for Recovery menu (lago Mi)| Select Wipe All Data| Confirm reset

-->

If the phone requires Mi Account data to be entered after reset, then the binding has been activated before, in which case, go to the unlock section of the bootloader.

3. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

Official unlocking of the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is required for:

• 🔓 Bypassing Mi Account lock after reset.
• 📱 Custom firmware installations (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🛠️ Restoring access if the phone is “bricked” after a failed update.

The procedure takes 72–168 hours (3–7 days) due to Xiaomi’s policy.

1. PC with Windows 10/11 and Mi Flash Tool drivers.
2. Mi Account linked to your phone (or new if the device is not activated)
3. USB Type-C cable (original or high-quality)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (version 5.5.224.24 or later).
2. Sign in to the program under the same account as on the phone.
3. Put Redmi 5 to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down)
4. Connect your phone to your PC. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock.
5. Wait for the SMS confirmation (will come in 3-7 days).

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will perform a full reset. All data, including photos and messages, will be deleted. If the phone has been enabled synchronization with Mi Cloud, some data can be restored after unlocking.

4. bypassing the Mi Account lock after reset (unofficial methods)

If Redmi 5 requires Mi Account data after reset, and you don't know it, there are no official ways to circumvent it. However, there are informal solutions that work on MIUI 10-12 (newer patches are closed).

• 🚨 Possible total loss of the phone ("brick»).
• 🔒 Xiaomi could be blocked IMEI devices for the use of informal methods.
• 📵 The warranty is cancelled (even if it is still valid).

The most reliable method is firmware via EDL Mode (emergency mode) using the Mi Flash Pro tool.

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm 9008 drivers.
• 📂 Fastboot firmware for Redmi 5 (version rosy_global_images).
• 🔌 Cable with support EDL (or modified cable for forced transfer to 9008 mode).

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the firmware from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Transfer the phone to EDL Mode: (a) Turn off the phone. (b) Close the Test Point contacts (on the board next to the battery) and connect USB-cable. c) The device Qualcomm must appear in Device Manager HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Run Mi Flash Pro, select the firmware folder and press Flash.

1. Open the back cover of the phone (need a mediator).

2. Disconnect the battery plume.

3. Close the contacts. + and - batteries for 2-3 seconds, then plug in USB-cable.

-->

5. Unlock via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

The method only works if Redmi 5 has previously been activated debugging USB (USB Debugging) and the computer is authorized on the list of trusted devices. This is rare, but if the condition is met, it will take 5 minutes to unlock.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) and type: 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
3. After the reboot, the screen lock will be reset.

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This command will open a password change menu where you can set a new PIN or pattern lock.

⚠️ Attention: On firmware MIUI 13+ This method may not work because of changes in the structure of the system files, in which case only unlocking the bootloader or firmware through the system will help. EDL.

6 Hardware methods (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Xiaomi Redmi 5 doesn’t respond to the power button, doesn’t charge or hovers over the Mi logo, the reasons may be hardware:

• 🔋 Failed battery (blown, loss of capacity).
• 🔌 Damaged charging connector or power controller.
• 📱 Flying firmware after a failed update.

Diagnostics and solutions:

Redmi 5 hardware repairs may require:

• 🛠️ Replacement of the battery (original code — BM47 or BM48).
• 🔧 Replicating the charging connector (a frequent problem after falls).
• 📟 Firmware EMMC via the programmer (if the phone is not detected in any mode).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after falling or getting moisture, don't try to stitch it - check the hardware first. Connecting to a PC in this state can cause a short circuit and damage the motherboard.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 5, users often face typical problems. Here’s how to prevent them:

• 🔄 Mi Unlock Tool: Make sure your Mi Account is logged in for at least 72 hours. If your phone is new, wait 3-7 days.
• 📵 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Check the cable (should support data transfer), try another USB-port or disable the antivirus.
• 🔋 After firmware, the phone discharges in 2 hours: This is normal for the first 2-3 charging cycles. perform battery calibration (discharge to 0%, then charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 🌐 No network after reset: Go to Settings → SIM-Maps and mobile networks and select the operator manually.

If after unlocking the bootloader, the phone stopped seeing SIM-Cards, check status. IMEI:

1. Enter the dialer *#06#.
2. If Null or 00000000 is displayed, restore the IMEI via the SN Write Tool (requires a backup or box from the phone with the original IMEI).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions