Forgot your Mi Account login or password, and now your Xiaomi smartphone has become a useless brick? This situation is familiar to thousands of users, especially after resetting or buying a used device. The manufacturer links the unlock to the Mi Account for data protection, but what if access to it is lost?
In this article you will find 5 working methods of unlocking β from official to alternative, including bypassing through Fastboot, using EDL-We'll go through each option in detail, with Redmi models in mind, POCO and flagship series Xiaomi 13/14, We also warn about the risks that may lead to complete data loss or blocking. IMEI. Some techniques require technical skills β if youβre a beginner, start with the safest ways to do so.
Why Xiaomi is blocking a phone without a Mi Account
The Mi Cloud Lock (or FRP Lock) was introduced by Xiaomi in 2016 as a response to the growing number of smartphone thefts.
- π When first enabled or after reset, the device requests the account data that was linked to the last one.
- π± The lock works even if you just take it out. SIM-Map or update firmware through Recovery.
- π On some models (for example, Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) The lock is activated when changing the region in the settings.
The company argues that if a phone is stolen, a thief will not be able to use it, but for legal owners who have forgotten the password, this becomes a serious problem, and since 2022, Xiaomi has tightened its policy, now requiring an IMEI, a purchase check and even a photo with a passport to unlock through an official service.
β οΈ Note: Buying Xiaomi smartphones βwithout a waiverβ from the previous Mi Account is fraught with the risk of eternal lock.
Method 1: Officially Unblocking through Xiaomi
The most legal and safe method is to contact Xiaomi Support, suitable for devices purchased officially (with a check) or tied to your phone number.
Algorithm of action:
- Go to the Mi Account Recovery page.
- Select βForgot your password?β and enter your linked email or phone number.
- Confirm your identity via SMS or backup email.
- If access is available email/phone lost β click βOther waysβ and download the scan of the purchase check + passport photo.
| Type of confirmation | Time of processing | Documents required |
|---|---|---|
| SMS/Email | Instantly. | Access to telephone/mail |
| Check of purchase | 1-3 days | Scan check, IMEI, passport |
| Contacting the service center | 3-7 days | Device, passport, check |
If the phone was bought with your hands, try contacting the previous owner β they can untie the device via Settings β Mi Account β Delete the account (password knowledge is required).
Method 2: Bypassing locks via Fastboot (for advanced)
The method is suitable for models on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro, POCO X5).The essence is to temporarily disable the Mi Account verification via Fastboot commands.
Step-by-step:
Install Qualcomm and ADB| Download Mi Flash Unlock Tool| Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol-)| Backup your data (if possible)
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- Download the archive with the Mi Flash Unlock utility (the official tool of Xiaomi).
- Launch it. miflash_unlock.exe Sign in to any Mi Account (even new ones).
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (black screen with a rabbit and the words Fastboot).
- Enter the command to bypass the check: fastboot oem unlock-go or for new models: fastboot flashing unlock
- After the reboot, the Mi Account lock will be removed, but the data will be erased.
β οΈ Note: On devices with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi) 10A) It doesn't work. It's going to take a lot of time. SP Flash Tool and auth file from the manufacturer.
What if Fastboot doesnβt recognize the device?
Method 3: Unlocking through EDL-Regime (for technical specialists)
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to overwrite a locked partition.The method works on all Xiaomi models, but requires:
- π§ Contact Rates on the Board (for new models).
- π» Special software: Mi Flash Pro, QFil or EDL Tool.
- π Firmware file.tgz for your model (download only from official sources).
Instructions:
- Transfer the phone to EDL: For older models: press Vol++ Vol- and connect USB. For newer ones (e.g. Xiaomi 13T): you need to close the test points on the board.
Mi Flash Pro
Refresh
COM-port
Flash
After the firmware lock Mi Account will be removed, but:
- β It works on 90% of models.
- β Erase all the data.
- β οΈ Risk of "bricking" in case of firmware error.
π‘
If you are not sure about your rationing skills, contact the service center. The cost of unlocking through EDL in Russia is from 1500 to 3000 rubles (2026).
Method 4: Using firmware bugs (relevant to older models)
Some devices (e.g. Redmi 5/6/7, Mi A2) have exploits that allow you to bypass the lock via Recovery or ADB. These methods are often closed with updates, but can work on firmware older than 2021.
Example: Redmi Note 7 (MIUI 10β11):
- Download to Recovery (press Power + Vol+).
- Select Connect with Mi Assistant (connect to Wi-Fi).
- Enter the command via ADB: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric
- Install a new one. PIN-code and reboot.
For the Mi A2 (Android One), another trick is suitable:
- On the lock screen, type ##4636##.
- Go to "Usage statistics" β "App ops".
- Find Android Setup and turn off Run in background.
- Restart the phone and the lock will disappear.
β οΈ Attention: Starting with MIUI 12.5 and Android 11 most of these exploits are closed. β The phone.
Method 5: Legal and Alternative Methods
If technical methods do not help, extreme measures remain:
- π If the phone is officially purchased, you can file a lawsuit for forced unlocking (a check and examination will be required).
- π Replacement of motherboard: Service centers offer to replace the fee with a new one (with another) IMEI), But it's expensive. 5,000 rubles).
- π Buying an unlock code: On forums (for example, 4PDA) Selling codes for specific IMEI, But the risk of fraud is high.
For residents of Russia and the CIS, the service "Official Unblocking through Xiaomi Partners" is relevant. A list of authorized centers can be found on the Mi Service website. The cost is from 2000 to 4000 rubles, the period is 3-5 days.
π‘
If the phone was purchased abroad (e.g., the global version of the Redmi K50), unlocking through a Russian service center may not be possible due to differences in firmware.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When trying to unlock, users often face typical problems:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't unlock Mi Flash Unlock | The account is not tied to the device | Use a different account or contact support |
| Phone is not defined in Fastboot | No drivers or damaged USB-cable | Install Qualcomm Drivers and try a different cable |
| After the firmware, there's no network. | Modem section damaged | Sweep through the full firmware package with a clean all checkmark |
Another common mistake is trying to unlock Mi Account deleters from the Internet, most of which, like the Mi Account Bypass Tool, contain viruses or simply donβt work, and in 2023, 68% of these utilities were classified as malicious, according to Kaspersky.