How to flash Xiaomi smartphone with a blocked Mi Account: all working ways

Locking Mi Account on Xiaomi smartphones is one of the most common problems faced by users of used devices or those who have forgotten the data from the account. The Mi Cloud security system connects the device to the account, and without unlocking it, even after resetting to factory settings, the phone requires entering a username and password. But what if access to the account is lost and the device needs to be flashed?

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods of Xiaomi firmware with a blocked Mi Account – from official methods (via Xiaomi Service) to alternative solutions (EDL, It is important to understand that some methods can violate the warranty or lead to a breeze (complete failure) of the device. We will describe in detail the risks, the tools necessary and give step-by-step instructions for different scenarios.

Before you start, make sure you have exhausted all legal ways to restore access to Mi Account. If the phone is bought with hands, try contacting the previous owner. Xiaomi can help with unlocking when providing a purchase check or other supporting documents.

If the legal methods have failed and the firmware is the only way out, be prepared for the process to take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on the model and the method chosen. Data security on the device is not guaranteed - in most cases, a full reset (Wipe Data) will be required.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the device after a reset?

Mi Cloud Lock (or Mi Cloud Lock) FRP — Factory Reset Protection was introduced by Xiaomi to combat smartphone theft:

When you first turn on the device or after resetting through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset system checks the link to Mi Account. If the account was previously added, and the login data is not entered, the phone is locked with the requirement of authorization. POCO, issued after 2017.

The locking works even if:

• 🔹 You bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn’t untie your account.
• 🔹 You have forgotten your Mi Account password and cannot restore access.
• 🔹 The device was reset via Recovery or Fastboot without first deleting the account.

Technically, the lock is implemented at the bootloader and firmware level, and even if you stitch your phone through Fastboot, without unlocking Mi Account, the system can request authorization again after the first boot.

How to Unlock Mi Accounts Officially

Before resorting to informal methods, try the legal ways. Xiaomi provides several unlock options, but all require proof of ownership.

1. Contact Xiaomi Support Team

• 📄 Prepare documents: purchase check, box with IMEI, warranty.
• 🌍 Go to the Mi Service website and select a region.
• 📞 Contact support via chat or feedback form, specify IMEI device and the reason for blocking.

2 Unlock via Mi Unlock Tool (for unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader was previously unlocked on the device, you can try using the official Mi Unlock Tool utility:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi.
2. Sign in to the tool under the same Mi Account that is tied to the phone.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock.

3. Restoring access to Mi Account

If your account is yours, but you have forgotten your password:

• 🔑 Go to the recovery page.
• 📧 Use a linked email or phone number to reset your password.
• 📱 If two-factor authentication is enabled, you will need access to a backup code or confirmation device.

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If the phone is bought with your hands, try contacting the previous owner via social media or marketplace (e.g. Avito, OLX). Often people agree to help with unlocking if the situation is explained.

Unofficial firmware methods with blocked Mi Account

If the official methods don't work, then there are alternative methods, and they fall into three categories:

1. Firmware via Fastboot (with lock bypass)

Suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader or models vulnerable to exploits (e.g. Redmi Note) 4/5, Mi 5/6). It will:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM For your model (download from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or fastboot from Android SDK.

2. Firmware via EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

Regime. EDL It allows you to flash your phone at a low level, bypassing the Mi Account lock, but it does require you to do it:

• 🔐 Authorized Xiaomi account to receive firehose files (or community leaks).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm devices).
• 💻 Knowledge of commands to switch device to 9008 mode (via ADB testpoint).

3.Blocking bypass through Recovery (TWRP)

For some models (Redmi Note) 7/8, POCO F1) There are custom recovery options (for example, TWRP), You can manually delete Mi Account files:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (otherwise) TWRP never set).
• 📁 Magisk firmware or Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt circumvent.
• 🛠️ Ability to work with ADB and the Android file system.

Step-by-step: Firmware via Fastboot

This method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, you will first need to unlock it (see section below).

Step 1: Preparation of tools

1. Download Fastboot ROM for your model from the firmware archive.
2. Install Android SDK Platform Tools (or download fastboot and adb separately).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without spaces (for example, C:\MiFlash\rom).

Step 2: Transfer your phone to Fastboot mode

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power for 10 seconds until the Hare in the Cap (Fastboot Mode) appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.

Step 3: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool

1. Open the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
2. Select a folder with unpacked firmware.
3. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
4. Select Clean All (Full Cleaning) or Clean All and Lock (Cleaning + Lock bootloader).
5. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (5-10 minutes).

Step 4: First download

After the firmware is installed, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can take up to 15 minutes - do not turn off the device or turn off the cable. If the Mi Account request appears again after the boot, then the lock is saved in the persist section - you will need to re-run the firmware to clean this partition (see the next section).

How to unlock bootloader on a locked device?

If the bootloader is locked, you can't flash the phone through the Fastboot, the system will refuse to accept commands. Unlocking the bootloader on a device with a locked Mi Account is possible, but requires bypassing protection.

Method 1: Mi Unlock Tool (if the account is linked to the device)

• 🔑 Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool under the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
• 📱 Connect your phone to Fastboot and follow the instructions of the program.
• ⏳ Expect 7-360 hours (depending on Xiaomi policy).

Method 2: Bypassing EDL (for devices on Qualcomm)

If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t work, you can try unlocking the bootloader through the EDL:

1. Put the phone in mode. EDL (For example, through testpoints or the adb reboot edl command, if ADB available).
2. Sweat a modified aboot or bootloader with unlocked status.
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware the Full Fastboot ROM Check-box Clean all and lock.

Method 3: Exploits for older models

For some devices (Redmi) 4X, Redmi Note 4) There are exploits that allow you to unlock the bootloader without waiting:

• 🔧 Use of the DeepFlash utility (for MTK-chip).
• 🔧 Patch-plated firmware boot.img through SP Flash Tool.

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Unlocking the bootloader through unofficial methods can result in a lock IMEI or the impossibility of air renewal (OTA). After unlocking, it is recommended to flash the official global firmware.

Firmware through EDL: risk-taking

Regime. EDL (9008) is the most powerful, but also the most dangerous, firmware method, which can even restore bricks, but if you do the wrong thing, it can finally kill the device.

What will be required:

• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for new models) or Micro-USB.
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm).
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format (firehose files).
• 🔧 Testpoints or a team to translate into EDL (For example, adb reboot edl).

Step-by-step:

1. Transfer to mode EDL: For Qualcomm: Press Volume Up + Loudness down + USB-cable (on some models you need to close the test points on the board). MTK: Use the adb reboot edl command or specialized utilities like MTK Bypass.

Firmware:

• Open Mi Flash Pro and select the firmware file.
• Connect the phone – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• Press Flash and wait until it is completed (the process can take up to 30 minutes).

Risks of firmware through EDL:

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If, after the firmware is through EDL If you don't, try flashing it back with a clean all and lock check, if that doesn't work, you may have a damaged bootloader and need to be repaired at the soldering station level.

Bypassing Mi Account through TWRP (bootloader)

If the device has custom Recovery installed (for example, TWRP), You can try to delete Mi Account files manually, and this method doesn't work on all models, but it can help you bypass locking without full firmware.

What will be required:

• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader.
• 📱 Established TWRP Recovery.
• 📁 Archive with files for bypassing (for example, Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip).

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
2. Make a backup of the persist section (in) TWRP: Backup → Choose persist).
3. Go to Advanced. → File Manager and delete files: /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip

Reset the device.

If the lock is left:

• 🔄 Try to flash Magisk to disable Mi Account checks.
• 🔧 Delete the files /data/miui/device_id and /data/miui/device_id_backup.
• 📱 Sweep through custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS) if the official firmware is not suitable.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you run Xiaomi firmware with your Mi Account blocked, users often face typical problems, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

1. Mi Account Locked Error After Firmware

If you have been using Fastboot or EDL lockdown remains:

• 🔹 Check the box with Clean All and Lock.
• 🔹 Remove the FSG and FSG partitions via the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔹 Try flashing custom firmware (like Havoc-OS) that ignores Mi Account checks.

2. The phone is not determined in Fastboot/EDL

If the PC does not see the device:

• 🔹 Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for the EDL) Mi Phone Driver (for Fastboot).
• 🔹 Try another one. USB-cable or port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 🔹 Disable driver signatures in Windows (via gpedit.msc).

3. "Anti-Rollback" error in firmware

The anti-rollback check fail message means you're trying to flash an older version of the firmware than the one installed now.

• 🔹 Find the firmware of the new version (check at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔹 Use Xiaomi Anti-Rollback Bypass (Risky!).
• 🔹 Flow through EDL clean-out.

4. There's no network after firmware (IMEI invalid)

If the mobile phone is missing:

• 🔹 Restore. IMEI Engineer Mode (code #4636##).
• 🔹 Scroll the modem section from the original firmware.
• 🔹 Check if the nvram partition is damaged (may require repairs).

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If the phone boots after firmware but is constantly restarted (bootloop), the dm-verity check is most likely not disabled. boot.img.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions