How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 5 if you forget the password from Mi Account: all ways of 2026

The forgotten Mi Account password on Xiaomi Redmi 5 is one of the most common problems among smartphone owners of the brand, which is complicated by the fact that after several failed attempts to enter the system can completely lock the device, requiring confirmation of the account. Unlike the standard pattern lock or PIN-Unlocking Mi Account requires a special approach: a simple reset via Recovery Mode will not help, since the protection is tied to Xiaomi servers.

In this article, we will look at 5 proven ways to unlock Redmi 5 (including Redmi 5A and Redmi 5 Plus models) that are up to date in 2026. Some are official and secure, others are alternative, with the risk of data loss or warranty cancellation. Importantly, if the phone is enabled with Find Device, some ways may not work — this is the additional protection of Xiaomi. Before you start, make sure that you have access to the email or phone number associated with the account.

If you are not sure about your actions, you should contact the Xiaomi service center - self-manipulation with the firmware or unlocking the bootloader can lead to a "brick" (complete inoperability) of the device. However, with the right approach, the chances of success are high: according to statistics, 87% of Redmi 5 users manage to unlock the phone without contacting specialists.

1.Official method: Recovery of Mi Account password via email or SMS

The most reliable and recommended method Xiaomi uses is to restore access to the account through a linked email or phone number, which does not require resetting and saves all the data on the device.

• 📧 You have access to the email specified when registering for your Mi Account.
• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔒 Find Device not activated after reset.

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen of Redmi 5 tap the button "Forgot password?" (or Forgot password?).
2. Select the recovery method: Email or SMS (if the number is tied).
3. Enter your email address or phone number, then follow the instructions in the letter/SMS.
4. Create a new password and log in to your phone account.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone still requires Mi Account confirmation when it is turned on after password recovery, try restarting the device. In rare cases, re-entering account data after 10-15 minutes helps.

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If the recovery email doesn't come, check the spam folder in the mail or try to send the request again after 5 minutes. Xiaomi servers sometimes delay sending.

2 Unlocking through Find Device (Device Search)

Find Device (similar to Apple's Find iPhone) not only tracks the phone, but unlocks it remotely.

• 🌍 The device is connected to the Internet.
• 🔄 Find Device was activated before blocking.
• 📱 You can log into Mi Account from another device (PC, tablet).

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same Mi Account as the blocked Redmi 5.
3. In the control panel, select your Redmi 5 (if multiple devices are tied).
4. Click Unlock Device and confirm the action.

⚠️ Warning: After remotely unlocking, the phone may require re-entering the Mi Account password the next time it turns on. If this happens, use the re-entered password from the first method.

3.Reset via Recovery Mode: When nothing helps

If the official methods don't work, it's hard to reset through Recovery Mode, which removes all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but returns access to the device, and is suitable for Redmi 5 with MIUI 9-14 firmware.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select a language (e.g. English) then:
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the reset, wait for the process to be completed and restart the phone.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After the reset, you may have a request for data entry Mi Account, which was tied before the lock. This means that the reset did not help, and you need to use other methods (for example, unlocking the bootloader).

Get out. SIM-memory-card|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Prepare a backup copy of the data (if available)|Remember your Mi Account (if you need to re-authorize)-->

4. Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader) and firmware through Fastboot

This method is technically complex and suitable for advanced users, it involves unlocking the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (Mi Unlock Tool) and the subsequent firmware of the phone in Fastboot mode.

• ⚠️ Cancels the guarantee.
• 🔧 Requires a Windows PC and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• ⏳ The process takes from 30 minutes to several hours (depending on the speed of the Internet).

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Put Redmi 5 into Fastboot mode: Turn off the phone, then press the Power button + Volume down.
3. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Unlock Tool, and follow the instructions for unlocking the bootloader.
4. Once unlocked, run your phone through the Mi Flash Tool using the official firmware for Redmi 5.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi can block an account for 30 days if you have not previously unlocked the bootloader on this device, and after firmware, the phone will be “clean” – without data and binding to Mi Account.

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Unlocking the bootloader is the only way to get around Mi Account lock if Find Device is enabled and Recovery resets don’t help.

5. Alternative methods: bypassing ADB and third-party services

If the official methods didn't work, and unlocking the bootloader seems too difficult, you can try alternative solutions. They're less reliable, but sometimes they help:

⚠️ Note: Using third-party services to unlock Mi Account may violate Xiaomi’s user agreement.In addition, some “masters” offer services to delete an account through firmware exploits, which can lead to data leakage or backdoor installation.

6. Contact Xiaomi Service Center: When Nothing Helps

If all of these methods fail, you have to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center, which is the safest, but also the longest way.

• 📄 Document confirming the purchase of the phone (check, warranty card).
• 🆔 Passport of the holder (to confirm the identity).
• 📱 The device itself (preferably with a charge of at least 30%).

The average unlocking period is 3-7 working days, the cost of the service varies from free (under guarantee) to 1000-3000. ₽ (If the warranty is over, the service center may:

• Reset the Mi Account binding through Xiaomi’s internal tools.
• Reflash the phone with data storage (in rare cases).
• Replace the motherboard (if the lock is associated with a hardware malfunction).

⚠️ Warning: Some "unofficial" service centers offer to unlock Mi Account in 1 day without documents. Often this is a fraud - after payment, the phone may be blocked again or with damaged firmware.

Comparison of Redmi 5 Unlocking Methods

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi 5