A forgotten Google account on Xiaomi is one of the most common problems faced by owners of Redmi, POCO and Mi smartphones. After resetting or buying a used device, the system requires you to enter the account information that was previously associated. Without this data, the phone becomes a “brick”: you can neither install apps nor access basic functions. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the latest security updates MIUI 14/15 and Android 13/14.
It is important to understand: since 2022, Xiaomi has tightened protection against bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection, therefore old methods using launchers or APK-But there are legal and semi-legal workarounds that we tested on 2023-2026 devices. If you are not sure about your technical skills, it is better to contact the service center – incorrect actions can lead to complete data loss or blocking. IMEI.
Why Xiaomi requires a Google account after a reset
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) was introduced by Google in Android 5.1 Lollipop as a measure against smartphone theft. If a Google account was added to a device and then reset via Settings → Reset or Recovery, the system requests that account data when it is first turned on, and on Xiaomi, this mechanism works especially hard:
- 🔒 Lockdown MI-account: in addition to Google, you may need to enter a username and password from Mi Account if it was linked;
- 📱 Device binding: on new models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+ Xiaomi 13T) check-in IMEI and serial number;
- ⏳ Delayed unlock: After several failed input attempts, the system can lock the device for 24–72 hours.
On older devices (before MIUI 12), FRP circumvention was easier, just installing a third-party launcher through ADB or exploiting vulnerabilities in Android 9/10. These methods now only work on firmware below MIUI 13 and require you to shut down the Internet at the setup stage. If your Xiaomi is updated to the latest version, you will have to use more complex schemes.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone was bought with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie their Google and Mi Account account through Xiaomi’s official website. Otherwise, unlocking may be seen as an attempt to bypass security, leading to locking. IMEI.
Method 1: Official Recovery with Mi Account (if tied)
If the Mi Account was tied to a blocked Xiaomi, you can try to restore access through it.This method works even on new models with MIUI 15, but requires:
- 📧 Access to email or phone number linked to Mi Account;
- 🔑 Opportunities to obtain SMS or a confirmation code letter;
- 🌐 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
Instructions:
- On the lock screen, select Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password? in English firmware).
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
- Confirm your identity via SMS or code letter.
- Create a new password and log in.
If Mi Account is not tied or you don’t remember the data, then go to the following methods: On devices with MIUI 14+, this method may not work if the two-factor password (2FA) was previously enabled.
Method 2: Bypass FRP through Recovery Mode (for MIUI 12 and below)
On devices with MIUI 12 and older (e.g. Redmi 9, POCO X3), you can try bypassing locking through Restore Mode. This method does not require a PC, but only works on firmware before Android 11. If you have a new model (e.g., Redmi Note 12), skip this section.
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
- From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
- After reset, go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.
- At the setup stage, connect to Wi-Fi, but do not enter Google data.
- Go back and select Skip. If the option is not available, try turning off the Internet and repeat the step.
⚠️ Note: Some devices may be reset with the error "This device was reset. To continue, sign in with a Google Account" after reset via Recovery. ADB-teams (mode 4).
Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Download the official firmware for your model|Prepare. OTG-cable (if required)|Shut down. SIM-Card (to avoid blocking the network)-->
Method 3: Using the Xiaomi Unlock Tool (for power users)
If the official methods don't work, you can use specialized tools like Xiaomi FRP Tool or Mi Account Unlock Tool, which work through ADB or Fastboot and allow you to reset your Google account without losing data.
- 🛡️ Possible lockdown IMEI misuse;
- 💻 Requires a PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot;
- 🔧 Not all tools support new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or X-rays). POCO F5).
Instructions for Xiaomi FRP Tool:
- Download the program from the official website (for example, XDA Developers).
- Install ADB drivers and connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
- Launch the tool and select the model of your device.
- Follow the instructions of the program (usually you need to enter the command fastboot oem unlock).
- After the reboot, reset through Recovery.
This is suitable for devices on Qualcomm Snapdragon. Phones with Mediatek processors (such as Redmi 10A) may require SP Flash Tool and custom firmware.
What if the device does not recognize the device?
Method 4: Unlocking through ADB-teams (for MIUI 13/14)
On devices with MIUI 13/14 Android 12/13 traversable FRP assisted ADB-This method requires access to debugging by USB, If the debugging hasn't been activated before, it won't work.
Instructions:
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac/Linux) in the ADB folder.
- Enter the commands in order: adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1 am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login/ am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login.LoginActivity
- After completing the commands, restart the device.
If the commands don’t work, try an alternative:
adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings
adb shell input text "1234" # any set of characters to unlock the screen⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi 13 Pro, POCO F4 GT) post-injection ADB-commands may require manual deletion of account files via Root Explorer. this requires an unlocked bootloader, which voids the warranty.
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If ADB does not recognize the device, try reinstalling drivers via the Mi PC Suite or manually specifying the path to drivers in the Device Manager (Portable Devices section).
Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center
If all of these methods do not work, the last option is to officially contact the service center. Xiaomi provides the FRP unlock service if you have:
- 📄 Check or warranty card (proof of purchase);
- 🆔 Passport holder;
- 📱 Serial number of the device (can be found via fastboot getvar sn).
The cost of the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model. In some cases, the service center may require a written statement about the loss of access to the account.
The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website: mi.com/ru/service/center. Before visiting, check by phone whether they provide an unlock service. FRP for your model.
| Xiaomi model | The cost of unlocking (₽) | Date(s) | Documents required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 11/12 | 1 200–1 800 | 3–5 | Check, passport. |
| POCO X4/X5 | 1 500–2 000 | 5–7 | Check, passport, box. |
| Xiaomi 13/14 | 2 500–3 000 | 7–10 | Check, passport, IMEI |
| Redmi 10A/9A | 800–1 200 | 2–3 | Passport, serial number. |
What to do if nothing helps: alternative solutions
If all methods are exhausted, and the phone is still locked, consider the following options:
- 🔄 Fastboot firmware: install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) with pre-unlocking of the bootloader.Risk: loss of warranty and possible device blink;
- 📱 Buying a new device: if the phone is old (like the Redmi 5 or Mi) A1), Unlocking can cost more than the device itself;
- 🛒 Sale for spare parts: working modules (screen, battery, camera) can be sold on Avito or Yula.
Forums often advise using cloud services to unlock IMEI, but this is a scam. No legal service can remotely reset FRP without physically accessing the device. Be careful with suggestions like “unlock in 5 minutes on the number” – this is 100% a scam.
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If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact him for data or provide proof of purchase to the service center.