How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 3: from Mi Account to Hard Reset

Xiaomi Redmi 3 (including the Pro and Prime) is still a popular budget smartphone, but many users face its sudden lock. The reasons can be different: a forgotten password, binding to a Mi Account account after a reset, activating protection against theft or firmware failure. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where unlocking often requires official permission, Redmi 3 (2016 release) is still amenable to manual methods of bypassing.

This article covers all the current ways of unlocking, from standard (via Find Device and Mi Cloud) to technical (Fastboot mode, ADB and flashing through MiFlash).We also discuss why some methods stopped working after the MIUI 12+ updates, and what to do if a smartphone requires verification of an old account after buying from hand. Important: on models with a locked bootloader, some methods will not be available without prior unblocking through the official Xiaomi website.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your Redmi 3 is locked because of a link to your Mi Account (for example, after resetting your settings), the first thing you should do is try to log in to the original account, which works even if you don’t remember the password — you can restore it via email or phone.

Instructions:

• 📱 On the lock screen, tap the Forgot password button? (or similar on Chinese firmware).
• 🔑 Enter the email or phone number associated with your account. If the data is lost, try to restore access via account.xiaomi.com.
• 📧 Postal or SMS The confirmation code will come in. Type it into the appropriate field.
• 🔓 After successful authorization, the smartphone is unlocked automatically.

⚠️ Note: If Redmi 3 was purchased hand-held and linked to someone else’s account, this will not work, and you will need to contact the previous owner or use alternative methods (see sections below). Also note that after 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the device can lock for 24 hours.

2.Reset via Find Device (Mi Cloud)

If you have access to the Mi Account that your smartphone is linked to, you can try unlocking it remotely via Find Device, a method that works when your device is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in with the same account as you do on your smartphone.
2. In the menu on the left, select Find Device (or Device Management in Russian).
3. The map will show your Redmi 3. Click on it and select Unlock (or Unblock).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

⚠️ Note: This method only works if:

• 🔄 Find Device feature is enabled on the smartphone (checked in Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 📶 The device has Internet access (if the lock occurred during the setup stage, connect to Wi-Fi manually).
• ⏳ No more than 30 days have passed since the last activity (otherwise, the device may be removed from the list in the Mi Cloud).

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If your smartphone doesn’t show up in Find Device, try plugging it into a charger and waiting for the network to turn on. Sometimes it takes 5-10 minutes to activate the feature.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for technically trained)

If standard methods didn’t help and the bootloader on your Redmi 3 is unlocked, you can try resetting the lock via Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and MiFlash utility.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware archive for Redmi 3 (you can download it on the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ Utilities: MiFlash, ADB Tools (part of the Android package) SDK).

Instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone. Press the Volume Down + Power buttons until the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect the device to your computer. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
3. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute the command: fastboot oem device-info If in the answer Device unlocked: true - the bootloader is unlocked, you can continue. If false - you need official unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool.
4. Download the firmware for Redmi 3 (for example, ido_global_images_6.12.29_20161229.0000.29_6.0_global) And unpack it in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
5. Launch MiFlash.exe, select the firmware folder, press Refresh (should appear) COM-port) and click Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Fastboot flash completely erases data from the device, including photos and contacts. If your smartphone had important files, try extracting them first. ADB (see next section).

4. Bypassing the lock through ADB (without data loss)

If your smartphone is locked, but you have debugging enabled USB (USB Debugging, you can try to delete the lock files via ADB. This method is suitable for devices where the developer option was previously activated.

What needs to be done:

1. Connect Redmi 3 to your computer and make sure that the ADB drivers are installed (the device must be displayed in the adb devices).
2. Open the command line and execute: 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 restarting, the screen lock should reset.

If USB debugging isn't enabled, it won't work, so you just have to reset it through Fastboot or Recovery.

Install ADB/Fastboot | Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings | Download Android SDK | Connect your smartphone with the original cable-->

5. Hard Reset via Recovery (full reset)

The most radical, but reliable way is to reset to factory settings via Recovery mode, which works even if the bootloader is locked, but deletes all the data on the device.

How to perform Hard Reset:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (manage volume and power buttons), select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.
5. Select Reboot to reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi 3 firmware may require a reset from the Mi Account that was previously linked. If you don't know the username/password, this method won't help - you'll need firmware through Fastboot.

6 Unblock after purchase of used (if you ask for an old account)

If you bought Redmi 3 with your hands and after resetting it requires data entry from the previous Mi Account, you have two options:

1. Contact the seller and ask them to remove the device from their account via Mi Cloud.

Switch the device through EDL

• 🔧 Special cable (EDL cable) or board lintels.
• 💻 MiFlash and firmware for Redmi 3 (version) EDL).
• 🛡️ Authorized Xiaomi Developer Account (for new firmware).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL — This is an extreme method that can lead to a complete blink of the device if you make a mistake. If you are not sure of your skills, you should contact a service center. The cost of such an unlock in 2026 is about 1000-1500 rubles.

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If the seller refuses to help with unlocking, demand a refund - according to the law "On Protection of Consumer Rights", the sale of a device with a link to another's account is considered a violation (Article 10, paragraph 2).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock Redmi 3, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

• 🔌 USB Unrecognisable: Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 manually through Device Manager. for Redmi 3 fits the driver from Xiaomi Redmi 2.
• 🔒 Device locked in Fastboot: bootloader is locked. You need to get permission to unlock through Mi Unlock Tool (waiting up to 30 days).
• ⚡ Battery low in EDL: Charge the battery to 50% or connect the smartphone to charge while you are firmware.
• 📱 This device is locked after reset: Device tied to Mi Account. Requires firmware via Fastboot with account deletion.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔍 Firmware version: on MIUI 12+ Some exploits to bypass the lock stopped working.
• 🛠️ Condition of connector USB: Firmware problems are often associated with poor contact.
• 🔋 Battery status: if the battery is inflated, the smartphone may turn off during firmware.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions