How to Unlock Xiaomi After Resetting to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Factory resets on Xiaomi smartphones are standard procedure for solving software problems, but they often lead to unexpected locking of the device. Even if you owned the phone for years, after a hard reset, the system may require you to enter Mi Account data, PIN-In this situation, many users are faced with a message This device is locked or Enter the password that was set after the last reset — and do not know how to proceed.

Compounding the problem, Xiaomi is actively using anti-theft protection through its Mi Account binding. If you don’t remember the login details or the phone was bought with your hands without detachment from the previous owner, unlocking may seem impossible. However, there are legal and illegal ways to get around this protection, from official methods through the service center to technical tricks with Fastboot and EDL. In this guide, we will examine all the current options, their pros, cons and risks.

Important: unlocking methods depend on the smartphone model, the MIUI version and the type of lock. For example, one method will work for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and another one for the POCO F3, we will specify which instructions are universal and where additional tools will be required.

1.Why is Xiaomi blocked after a reset?

The locking after reset is not a mistake, but part of Xiaomi’s system to protect against unauthorized access.

• 🔒 Mi Account Lock – Linking the device to the Mi Account. After reset, you need to enter a login / password, even if the phone was not stolen.
• 📱 FRP (Factory Reset Protection is the equivalent of Google protection, which is activated if a Google account has been set up on the phone.
• 🔑 Local lockdown — PIN, pattern lock or password set by the user prior to resetting.

The most common situation is that you reset your phone through Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset, and after you turned on, you saw a request for Mi Account data entry.

• 📌 The phone was enabled with the option Find the device in the settings Mi Cloud.
• 📌 The device was previously tied to a Mi Account and you didn't untie it before resetting it.
• 📌 The phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not delete his account.

If you are sure that your phone is yours but don’t remember your account details, the first thing you can do is try to restore access to your Mi Account through the official website.

2.Official ways of unlocking

If you have access to Mi Account data or the phone has been officially purchased, start with legal methods. They do not violate warranty or require technical skills.

2.1 Unlocking through Mi Account

If the phone asks you to enter your username and password from Mi Account after reset, follow the following steps:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile internet (if your phone allows you to choose a network without unlocking).
2. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
3. Enter your password. If you forgot, press Forgot your password and follow the recovery instructions.
4. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm the login via SMS or email.

If the data is entered correctly, the phone will unlock automatically, if not, the message will appear: Incorrect password or Device is locked.

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If you don’t remember the email linked to Mi Account, try entering all the possible addresses you used to sign up for Xiaomi services, often the same email as for Google Play.

2.2 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If the phone is officially purchased (there is a check or a warranty card), you can contact an authorized service center.

• 📄 Prepare documents confirming the purchase (check, contract, warranty card).
• 📱 Bring your phone and original box (if you have one).
• 🔑 If the phone was purchased with your hands, ask the previous owner to provide proof of purchase or delete the account remotely.

The service centre may:

• ✅ Remove the Mi Account Link through Official Tools.
• ✅ Reflash the phone with a guarantee (if possible).
• ❌ Refuse if there are no documents or the phone is listed as stolen.

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 2000 rubles depending on the model and region, in some cases, unlocking can be free if the phone is warranted.

Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool (for locked bootloader)

If the phone is locked at the bootloader level (This device is locked. Unlocking now...), you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool.

• 🔓 You remember Mi Account data, but the phone won't accept it after a reset.
• 🔧 You plan to flash your phone through Fastboot.
• ⏳ You are ready to wait 7-30 days (the time to unlock the bootloader).

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Launch the utility on your PC and log in to your Mi Account.
3. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode (turn it off, then press Volume Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and follow the instructions in the program.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 days if the account is new).

Once you unlock the bootloader, you can flash your phone through Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool, bypassing the Mi Account lock.

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Official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool is the only legal way to bypass the bootloader’s protection without losing warranty.

3. Unofficial methods of unlocking (at your own risk)

If the official methods don't work, there are still informal methods that can break warranties, cause data loss, or even "brick" the phone, and only use them if:

• 🔹 You don't have access to your Mi Account.
• 🔹 The phone was purchased with hands and the previous owner did not respond.
• 🔹 You are prepared for possible risks (data loss, blocking) IMEI).

Unlocking through Fastboot (method for power users)

This method is suitable for phones with an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, use the Mi Unlock Tool first (see section 2.3).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware archive for your model (download at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and the Mi Flash Tool ADB/Fastboot.

Instructions:

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC| Download firmware for your model| Unpack the archive with firmware | Connect your phone in Fastboot | Disable antivirus (can block Mi Flash Tool)

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1. Install the Mi Flash Tool and drivers for your model.
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
3. Turn your phone into Fastboot mode (Loudness down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Select a firmware folder and press Refresh – the program must detect the device.
6. At the bottom, select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot and unlock.

⚠️ Warning: This method completely erases data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps. If encryption was enabled on the phone, additional unlocking may be required via the phone. ADB.

3.2 Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to bypass the Mi Account lock even on a locked bootloader, but it requires:

• 🔧 Authorized account (some firmware requires a username/password from Xiaomi).
• 🔌 Special cable (or closing contacts on the board).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.

Instructions (simplified):

1. Transfer the phone to EDL mode: adb reboot edl or close contacts on the board (requires disassembly of the phone).
2. Connect your phone to your PC – Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 20 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL may result in loss IMEI This method is recommended only for advanced users or in service centers.

Bypassing FRP (Google Account) after resetting

If the phone after the reset requires you to enter your Google Account (not Mi Account), this is called FRP Lock.

• 🔗 Specialist APK-files, for example, FRP Bypass.apk).
• 🔧 Key combinations to access settings.
• 📱 OTG-flash-cable.

Example of the bypass through TalkBack (works on some models):

1. On the lock screen, press Emergency Call.
2. Enter #4636## and the test menu will open.
3. Return to the lock screen, activate TalkBack (hold two fingers on the screen).
4. Through the voice assistant, go to Settings → Accounts and delete your Google account.

⚠️ Attention: Bypassing techniques FRP Often closed in new versions MIUI. If your phone is updated to the latest firmware, this method may not work.

4. Unlock specific Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique unlock features, and below are brief instructions for popular devices.

For a precise method definition, check the MIUI version on the lock screen (usually shown at the bottom) and the phone model (you can find out by the sticker under the lid or through the fastboot getvar product).

5. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🚫 Error: "Couldn't unlock. Try again after" XX Reason: Mi Account is new or has not been used to unlock.Solution: Wait for the specified time (usually 72-720 hours) or use another account that has already unlocked devices.
• 🚫 Error: "This device is locked by Mi Cloud" Reason: Phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account. Solution: Contact the previous owner or service center with proof of purchase.
• 🚫 Error: "Fastboot not recognized" Reason: Drivers not installed or cable is faulty Solution: Install official drivers and try another one USB-cable.

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after firmware is EDL, to restore the IMEI:

1. Install the QCN Restore Tool.
2. Download the QCN backup for your model.
3. Restore the IMEI via the Diag port (root or engineering menu required).

Alternative solutions

If none of these methods worked, consider alternative options:

• 🔄 Warranty exchange – if the phone is new and warranty, you can try to exchange it for another, citing a software failure.
• 💰 Paid unlock services – there are services on the Internet that for 500-3,000 rubles will delete Mi Account remotely (for example, through TeamViewer.
• 📱 Using the phone as a “brick” – if unlocking is not possible, you can try flashing custom firmware (like LineageOS) for basic functionality.

If you decide to sell a locked phone, honestly indicate in the ad that the device is tied to the Mi Account.This will save you from the buyer's claims and possible problems.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions