How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 5: bootloader, Mi Account and screen lock

Xiaomi Redmi 5 (codenamed rosy) is still popular with users due to its balanced features and custom firmware installation. However, owners often face the need to unlock the device — whether it is a forgotten pattern lock, a tied Mi Account or a locked firmware bootloader. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking, including official methods from Xiaomi and workaround solutions that work in 2026.

It is important to understand that unlock procedures are divided into three main types: 1 Unlock the bootloader (to install custom firmware), 2 Reset the screen lock (PIN, pattern lock) and 3) Unlock the Mi Account (if the phone requires a login after the reset). Each case requires a different approach - there is no universal solution. For example, a reset via Fastboot will delete all data, but will not help if the device is tied to the Xiaomi account with the Find Device feature enabled.

Before you start, check:

• 🔋 Battery level - not less than 50% (risk of bricks during discharge during the procedure).
• 📋 Backup of data (unlocking almost always leads to loss of information).
• 🔧 Access to PCs with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot original USB-cable.

If you have purchased Redmi 5 handheld and the previous owner has not untied the Mi Account, it is impossible to officially unlock the device without its data - Xiaomi requires proof of ownership through a linked phone number or email. In such cases, only informal methods remain, which we will also consider (with a caveat about possible risks).

1 Unlock the bootloader on Redmi 5

Xiaomi’s factory firmware blocks the bootloader to prevent unofficial software from being installed. Unlocking requires official permission from Xiaomi via the Mi Unlock Tool service. The process takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting if the Mi Account is not tied to the device in advance.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version)
2. Sign in to your Mi Account on your phone and program (should be the same account!).
3. Put your phone in Fastboot mode: Turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power.
4. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC and run the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Press Unlock and confirm the action. If the account is not linked to the phone in advance, a waiting timer will appear (from 168 to 720 hours).

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including photos and apps, will be deleted from the phone, and Xiaomi may also block the ability to re-block on some firmware versions (especially on the mobile phone). MIUI 12+).

Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool | Check the version of MIUI (must support unlocking) | Link the Mi Account to the phone in advance | Disable Find Device in the settings | Make a backup of the data-->

2. resetting the pattern lock or PIN-code

If you forget your lock password, there are several ways to get back access, the most reliable is a hard reset via Recovery, but it will delete all data. Alternative methods (for example, through ADB) only work if the phone is debugging over USB and has access to a PC that the smartphone previously connected to.

Method 1: Recovery (Data Loss)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (Manage Volume and Power buttons).
4. After resetting, the phone will reboot to its initial state.

Method 2: Removing the key via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.
2. Enter commands: Adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
3. Reset the device. The password will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: On versions MIUI 13+ After a reset via Recovery, you may need to enter your last Mi Account, even if Find Device has been disabled, an additional protection measure introduced by Xiaomi in 2022.

3.Untied Mi Account after reset

If Redmi 5 requires you to enter a login and password from your previous Mi Account after resetting, it is officially impossible to get around this - Xiaomi links the device to the account at the hardware level.

Method 1: Use the Mi Flash Tool (for firmware up to MIUI 12)

1. Download the official firmware for Redmi 5 (Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and select the Clean All and Lock option.
4. Sweep through the device. Once you reboot, Mi's account will be detached.

Method 2: Bypassing EDL-Regime (requires an authorized account)

• 🔧 Needed: Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers, Mi Flash Pro and an authorized Xiaomi account (for new devices).
• 📌 The procedure is risky – if the phone is mistaken, it can turn into a brick".
• 🔄 After the firmware through EDL Mi Account is reset, but warranty is cancelled.

💡

If you have a handheld phone, try contacting the previous owner and asking them to untie the device via account.xiaomi.com under Device Management. This is the safest way if contact is possible.

4 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

Xiaomi’s official service centers can unlock Redmi 5 in two cases:

• 📄 If there are purchase documents (check, warranty card).
• 🔑 If the device is linked to your Mi Account but you have forgotten your password (proof of ownership will be required).

The cost of the service varies from 500 to 1500 rubles depending on the region, in some cases, service centers refuse to work with devices purchased from hand, unless there is proof of legal ownership.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial “workshops” often use illegal unlocking methods (e.g., substitution) IMEI), which may lead to:

• Loss of communication with the network (IMEI blocking by the operator).
• Problems with MIUI updates.
• Inability to use banking applications (due to a changed device identifier)

5. Alternative methods of unlocking (at your own risk)

If the official methods have not worked, some users resort to non-standard solutions, and we provide them only for information - the use of these methods may violate the law or the terms of use of Xiaomi.

💡

Any unofficial unlocking methods could result in the device being locked by Xiaomi servers (called "hard brick"), especially on MIUI firmware 13 and later.The company is actively closing vulnerabilities used to bypass security.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock Redmi 5, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

Error: "Couldn't unlock" in Mi Unlock Tool

• 🔹 Make sure you are using the latest version of the program (older versions do not support new devices).
• 🔹 Check that your Mi Account is tied to your phone for at least 72 hours.
• 🔹 Turn off Find Device in your account settings.

Error: "This device is locked" after the firmware

• 🔹 It happens when you flash a device with a locked bootloader, and the solution is to repeat the firmware with the bootloader unlocked.
• 🔹 If the bootloader is locked, use fastboot oem unlock before the firmware.

Error: "Invalid IMEI" after reset

• 🔹 Often occurs when the incorrect firmware through SP Flash Tool (not applicable to Redmi 5, but possible with manual intervention).
• 🔹 Restore IMEI You can use the engineering menu (#4636##) or specialized utilities (for example, Maui). META MediaTek).

7. Recommendations after successful unblocking

After unlocking Redmi 5, you should follow several steps to avoid problems in the future:

• 🔒 Link your Mi Account to your device right away, making it easier to unlock in the future.
• 📱 Turn off Find Device in your account settings if you plan to sell your phone.
• 🔄 Update your firmware to the latest stable version MIUI through settings → Updating the system.

💡

If you unlocked the bootloader for custom firmware installation (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), remember: banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may stop working due to the lack of Google certification (solved by the installation of Magisk and the SafetyNet Fix module).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 5