How to unlock Mi Account on Xiaomi Redmi 8 for free: the full guide 2026

Forgot your Mi Account password or bought a Xiaomi Redmi 8 with a tied account? Mi Cloud lock system can turn a smartphone into a “brick” if you don’t know how to get around the protection. In this article, 5 working ways to unlock without going to the service center, including bypassing through Fastboot, resetting FRP, and even legal methods to restore access through Xiaomi support.

We tested each method on Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) with firmware. MIUI 12-14 and Android 9-11. Important: not all methods are suitable for devices with a locked bootloader (bootloader) or after a hard reset (Hard Reset). FRP-locking and you will need additional tools to remove it.

⚠️ Warning: Attempts to unlock through informal tools (e.g. Mi Account Unlock Tool) can result in loss of access to the device. IMEI or lock the serial number in the Xiaomi database, use them at your own risk!

Why Redmi 8 is blocked by Mi Account and how it works

The locking of Mi Account on Xiaomi Redmi 8 works in three cases:

1. Activate protection after reset – if the previous owner has linked an account and enabled the Find Device option, after Hard Reset, the phone will require entering the old account data.
2. Incorrectly entering the password after 5 Failed attempts to block access to the system 24 for an hour and then may require confirmation of SMS/email.
3. Suspicious activity – Xiaomi may block an account when you try to sign in from a new IP or after frequent password changes.

Technically, the lock is implemented through:

• 🔒 FRP (Factory Reset Protection – Android-sewn protection that links your device to your account Google/Mi Account.
• 📱 Mi Cloud Lock – Xiaomi proprietary system tied to IMEI and serial number.
• 🔑 Bootloader Lock - blocked bootloader does not allow you to flash custom software without authorization.

Redmi 8 with MIUI Global firmware is more hard-to-lock than the Chinese versions (MIUI China), for example, after a reset via Recovery, the phone can request a password even if Find Device has been disabled.

Method 1: Unblock through the official Mi Account website

If you remember the email or phone attached to your account but have forgotten your password, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to the login page and click Forgot Password?
2. Enter the email or phone associated with the account.
3. Choose a Recovery Method: 📧 By email, the code will come to the mail (check the Spam folder). 📱 Po Po Po SMS — code-message. 🔐 Backup email – if the main access is not available.

Create a new password and confirm the changes.

If you lose your email/phone, try to restore it through a carrier or email service, for example, you can use Google Account Recovery to answer security questions for Gmail.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi can request a passport scan or a photo with a device to confirm ownership of an account!

Correctness of input email/phone|Access to mail/SMS|Absence VPN (may block access)|Code expiration date (usually) 5–10 minute)-->

Method 2: Bypass FRP-Blocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

If Redmi 8 requires Mi Account data to be entered immediately on the welcome screen, it is FRP-locking, which can be bypassed through Fastboot mode, but only if:

• ✅ The bootloader (bootloader) is unlocked.
• ✅ Access to PCs with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
• ✅ Device is defined in Device Manager as Android Bootloader Interface.

Instructions:

1. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices must display the serial number of the device.
3. Download the Mi Account Unlock Tool (Redmi 8 v4.3+ version).
4. Open the tool and select the Bypass Mi Account option.
5. Follow the instructions of the program (usually you need to enter the command fastboot oem unlock and restart).

After a successful bypass, the phone will restart as normal, but Mi Account data will remain tied! To completely delete the account, reset via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset.

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If fastboot devices don’t show the device, install Google USB Driver drivers and disable driver signatures in Windows via gpedit.msc (for Win 10/11).

Method 3: Unlocking through EDL-The mode (Test Point)

If Fastboot does not help and the bootloader is blocked, it remains. EDL-This method works even on Redmi 8 with a closed bootloader, but requires:

• 🔧 Phone Disassembly (You need to close Test Point).
• 💻 Windows PC and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📄 Firmware for EDL (for example, olive_global_images...).

Step-by-step guidance:

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 8 (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\olive).
3. Turn off the phone, remove the back cover, and find Test Point (two contact pads next to the battery, usually signed EDL).
4. Lock Test Point with tweezers or wire and plug in USB-The device should be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh.The device should appear in the list.
6. Press Flash and wait for the process to end (10-15 minutes).

Once the firmware is EDL, all data will be erased and the Mi Account uncoupled from the device, which works even if the phone was in Mi Cloud lost/stolen status.

Method 4: Delete Mi Account via TWRP (for unlocked bootloader)

If Redmi 8 has custom TWRP recovery installed, you can manually remove the Mi Account binding through the file manager.

• ✅ The device is rooted or has access to TWRP.
• ✅ bootloader unlocked (unlocked status in Fastboot).
• ✅ There is a backup of data (the method can damage system files).

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (clip Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete the following files and folders: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm /data/system/mi_account_info.xml
4. Reset the device. On the lock screen, type in any password, and the system will pass further.

If the phone gets stuck on downloading after deleting files, reset via TWRP (Wipe → Format Data).

⚠️ Note: Deleting system files may result in loss of Mi Cloud functionality (contact synchronization, notes, photos). To restore the service, link a new account in the settings.

Method 5: Calling for Xiaomi Support (Legal Method)

If previous methods have failed or you are afraid of damaging the device, contact Xiaomi’s official support.

• 📄 You have a check or a sales contract on your phone.
• 📱 The device is not listed as stolen in the Xiaomi database.
• 🔄 You will be ready to wait for a response up to 7-14 days.

How to apply:

1. Go to Xiaomi’s support site and select Online Service.
2. Fill out the form by specifying: 📱 Model of the device (Redmi 8). 🔢 Serial number (SN) and IMEI (You will find it on a box or under a battery). 📄 Documents confirming the purchase (photo of the check).

Problem Description

"Device locked by previous Mi Account after factory reset. Need to unbind."

• 📸 Lock screen with account request.
• 📸 Boxes and serial numbers.

If the application is approved, Xiaomi will send you an unlock instruction (usually a special code or link to reset the anchor), and in 80% of cases, support helps if the phone is legally purchased.

💡

Officially unlocking through support is the only way that does not void the warranty and does not risk “bricking” the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Mi Account, users often face problems:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Is the device in the blacklist of Xiaomi (status) Lost/Stolen).
• 🔧 Is the motherboard damaged (for example, after a failed Test Point).
• 📡 Does the antivirus block access to tools (Mi Flash, ADB).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions