How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone: from a pattern lock to MI-account

Forgot the password from Xiaomi and now the phone has turned into a “brick”? or bought a used device with a tied someone else’s MI-account that prevents you from using the device? Situations vary, but there is always a way out. In this article, 5 working ways to unlock, relevant for all models Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO and Black Shark (including the latest on HyperOS).

It is important to understand that the methods differ depending on what is locked – the lock screen (PIN, password, fingerprint), Mi Account (requires confirmation after reset) or bootloader (for firmware custom software). We will analyze each case separately, taking into account the nuances of Xiaomi: from bypassing the pattern lock through Fastboot to legally deleting the MI-account without losing data.

Spoiler: Starting in 2023, Xiaomi tightened its security policy – a reset via Recovery now automatically locks the device for 72 hours if it was tied to a Mi Account.

1. unlock the screen (PIN, password, pattern lock)

If you just forgot the combination to unlock the screen, but remember the data from the MI-account, the problem is solved in 5 minutes. EDL-regime.

Let's start with the simplest one:

• 🔑 Through MI-account: after 5 failed attempts to enter, the button “Forgot the password” will appear?» → Enter the username/password from the Mi Account associated with the phone, and it works on all models except for HyperOS devices without internet.
• 📞 SMS/calling: on some firmware (MIUI 12 and older) you can call your phone from another device - during the call, the interface for the response opens, where settings are sometimes available.
• 🔧 Recovery Reset: Universal method, but erases all data and can lock your phone for 72 hours if your MI-account was tied.

If these methods do not work, go to Fastboot:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect to your PC and use the command: fastboot oem unlock Note: new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) require you to pre-unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.

⚠️ Note: once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including photos in the internal memory, will be deleted from the phone. ADB (described below).

2. unlock MI-account (if the phone requires an old account)

The most common problem with buying a used Xiaomi is linking to someone else's MI-account, and even after resetting via Recovery, the phone will require the username and password of the previous owner.

• 📩 Official Deletion: Contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from the list in the Mi personal account.
• ⏳ Wait 72 hours: If you reset your phone through Recovery and your account is not deleted, Xiaomi locks your device for 3 days.
• 🛠️ Passage EDL: It requires a special cable and software (Mi Flash Pro), but allows you to flash your phone without being tied to your account. 90% models other than Xiaomi 13T/14 new-chip.

For EDL-method:

Install Qualcomm drivers|Download the firmware for your model|Prepare a TestPoint cable or close contacts|Installation of Mi Flash Pro-->

Detailed instructions for firmware through EDL:

⚠️ Attention: firmware through EDL on models with HyperOS (for example, Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13 Pro)+) It can cause a hard-brick (total download failure) if you use the wrong version of the software!

3. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

If you want to install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or get root rights, you first need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows you to do this, but the process takes up to 7 days:

1. Link MI-account to your phone in settings: Settings → Additional → Developer → Mi Unlock status.
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the program.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power) and connect to the PC.
4. In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock. If the account is tied for less than 7 days, a waiting timer will appear.

Newer models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13) have added Anti-Rollback protection, which means that you can’t roll back to the old firmware once the bootloader is unlocked, and some devices (such as POCO F5) require additional confirmation via SMS.

💡

If the Mi Unlock Tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" error, try using the 3.5.613.30 version of the program, which bypasses some of the restrictions on new devices.

4. Unlock through ADB (without data loss)

If the phone is debugging on USB, You can delete the lock files through ADB, It doesn't erase user data. It works on the MIUI HyperOS, but requires prior preparation:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer (check "Always Allow from this computer»).
• 🖥️ Install Android SDK Platform-Tools.
• 📝 Enter commands: Adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm

Note: HyperOS may require an additional command adb shell am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MASTER_CLEAR_NOTIFICATION.

⚠️ Note: if the phone is encrypted, deleting locksettings.db will result in loss of access to internal memory.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If independent attempts were not successful, the official service remains. Xiaomi provides the unlock service for a fee (from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model), but there are nuances:

• 📄 A check or a contract of sale is required (to confirm ownership).
• ⏱️ Term of execution - from 3 to 10 working days.
• 🔄 The warranty on the device is reset.

You can find the addresses of the service centers on the official website, and the alternative is authorized partners, for example, Svyaznoy or M. Video, but the price may be higher there.

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Officially unlocking the service is the only legal way to remove the MI-account without the risk of “bricking” the phone.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

• 🔌 "USB Unrecognisable: Install Xiaomi drivers USB Driver and try another cable (preferably original).
• ❌ "Command not allowed" in Fastboot: means bootloader is not unlocked.
• 🔒 "This device is locked after firmware: you stitched the wrong version MIUI. Check firmware compatibility with your model on Xiaomi Firmware Updater.

Another common mistake is trying to unlock Xiaomi with “magic” programs like the Mi Account Unlock Tool. 99% of these tools are scams that either don’t work or install malware.

7 Unlock after firmware (Bootloop)

If your phone is stuck on the MI (bootloop) logo after a failed firmware, try the following steps:

1. Press Volume Up + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
2. If it doesn’t help, go to Recovery (Loudness Up). + Power) and select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. If Recovery is not available, run your phone through Fastboot: fastboot flash boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash userdata userdata.img The.img files must be from the firmware for your model!

On models with HyperOS (Xiaomi) 14, Redmi Note 13) To exit the bootloop may require firmware through EDL file-based prog_emmc_firehose.mbn.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions