How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forget the password from Mi Account: official and unofficial methods

Why Xiaomi is blocked with a forgotten Mi Account password

Xiaomi smartphones use Mi Account not only to synchronize data, but also as part of protection against theft. If you forget your account password, your phone can lock up after resetting settings, updating software, or even when you simply unlock the screen — this is a Find Device feature. Unlike screen lock (PIN/pattern lock), unlocking Mi Account requires proof of ownership.

The main reasons for blocking:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings via Recovery Mode without detachment of account.
• 📱 Installation of new firmware (especially via Fastboot or EDL).
• 🔒 Activation of the “Find Device” function in the security settings.
• 📦 Buying a used phone with a tied account.

On the Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4/X5 and Xiaomi 12/13/14 flagships, the lock can be triggered even when replacing the motherboard - the eMMC/UFS chip stores the binding data. The manufacturer deliberately made it more difficult to bypass protection after a wave of thefts in 2020-2022.

⚠️ Note: If the phone is bought from hand and locked by someone else's Mi Account, official unlocking is possible only if there is a check or a purchase agreement. Otherwise, Xiaomi may refuse support even when contacting the service center.

Recovery of Mi Account Password Recovery

The most legal and secure method is to restore access to your account via email or phone, which is fine if you remember at least one of the ways you verify your account.

Instructions:

1. Go to the recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Select the confirmation method: 📧 Code on email (valid for 10 minutes). 📱 SMS-code (only if the number has not changed). 🔑 Backup email (if indicated).

Create a new password (at least 8 characters, with a capital letter and a number).

After successful recovery, unlock your phone:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
2. Enter the new password from Mi Account on the lock screen.
3. If your phone requires SMS confirmation, use the number associated with your account.

⚠️ Note: If you see an error when you recover your password, “This account is locked due to too many attempts”, wait 24 hours or contact Xiaomi via the support.xiaomi.com form.

Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool (for stitched phones)

If the phone is locked after firmware or reset and password recovery has not helped, you can use the official Mi Unlock Tool, which only works for devices with unlocked bootloader or with proof of ownership.

Step-by-step:

Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi|Install ADB and Fastboot Drivers|Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Vol-)|Authorize to Mi Account on PC|Get permission to unlock (can take up to 720 hours)

-->

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website: en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers (you can use Mi PC Suite).
3. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot mode: Press the Power + Vol- buttons for 10 seconds.
4. Connect the device to the PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.
6. Press Unlock and wait until the process is complete (can take anywhere from 1 minute to 12 hours).

Important nuances:

• 🕒 On new models (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12) After linking the account to the device, you need to wait 720 hours (30 days) before unlocking.
• 🔌 If the phone is not identified in Fastboot, try another one. USB-port.
• 📛 The phone screen should display Fastboot labeled Unlocked (if the bootloader is already unlocked).

Bypassing the lock through EDL-The mode (for experienced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash your phone bypassing Mi Account lock, but requires special equipment and knowledge. This method is suitable for Xiaomi models on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 9/10/11, POCO F3/F4).

⚠️ Warning: Misconduct in the EDL You can turn your phone into a brick, or you can only use it if you're confident in your skills or if you're under the guidance of a specialist.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and firmware for your model.
• 🔧 EDL-cable or testpoint (for forced transfer to mode).

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be accessed via Driver Signature Enforcement Disabler).
3. Put your phone in EDL mode: Method 1: Close Testpoint (contacts on the motherboard). Method 2: Use the adb reboot edl command (if ADB is enabled).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

💡

Before you run through EDL, be sure to check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. Using firmware from another model will lead to the device’s failure.

Recovery Mode (without data loss)

If the phone is locked on the password entry screen but the Mi Account is not activated, you can try resetting the pattern lock or PIN via Recovery Mode.This method works on models up to 2021 (e.g. Redmi Note 8/9, Mi 9/10).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Vol+ buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available).
4. Go to Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (on some Wipe Data models).
5. Confirm the reset - the phone will reboot.

Important:

• 📱 On new models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) This method will not work – after reset, you will need to enter the Mi Account password.
• 🔄 If the phone was linked to the account, the screen will appear after the reset "This device is locked".
• 📂 Data on internal memory (/data) will be deleted, but the files will be SD-map.

💡

Reset via Recovery Mode only deletes user data, but does not untie Mi Account.If the phone was linked to an account, the lock will remain.

Alternative methods: risks and limitations

If the official methods didn't work, you can find some "grey" methods of bypassing the blockage on the Internet, and we don't recommend using them, but we'll talk about the risks:

⚠️ Warning: Most “free” Mi Account bypass software (such as the Mi Account Bypass Tool) contains viruses or Trojans, according to Kaspersky, 40% of these utilities distributed malware to steal cryptocurrency in 2023.

If you decide to take a risk, follow the rules:

• 🔍 Check the files on VirusTotal.
• 💻 Use a virtual machine or a separate PC.
• 📱 Create a backup of data (if the phone is turned on somehow).

What to do if nothing helps

If all methods are exhausted, two options remain:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📄 Documents confirming the purchase (check, box with) are required IMEI). ⏳ Unblocking period - from 3 days to 2 weeks. 💰 Cost: 1000-3000 rubles (depending on the model).
2. Selling your phone for parts: 📱 Working modules (screen, camera, battery) can be sold separately. 💰 Parts price: 20-50% of the cost of a new phone. 🔧 On Avito or Yula, look for ads like “I will buy Xiaomi for spare parts".

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased abroad (for example, the version for China), service centers in Russia may refuse to unlock.

💡

Before visiting the service center, take a screenshot of the lock screen from IMEI (type *#06#) and save it. This will speed up the process of verifying ownership.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi