How to unlock Xiaomi’s Redmi phone: The full guide to 2026

Why Redmi Phone Is Locked and What to Do

Blocking the Redmi smartphone is a common problem that users face for various reasons: from banal password forgetfulness to system failures after the update. MIUI. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi phones have an additional layer of protection, which is tied to a Mi Account account, which makes it difficult to unlock, PIN-code or password more than 5 times in a row, the system can completely block access to the device, offering only a factory reset.

However, even after resetting through Recovery, many people are faced with a request for a username and password from Mi Account – this is the protection against theft that Xiaomi has implemented in firmware since MIUI 8. In this situation, standard methods will not help, and alternative solutions will be required: from official unlocking through the service center to using tools like Mi Flash Unlock or Fastboot. It is important to understand that not all methods are universal – their effectiveness depends on the Redmi model (for example, the Redmi Note 10 Pro unlocks differently than the Redmi 9A) and the firmware version.

Before you start unlocking, answer two key questions:

• 🔒 Lock type: Forgot screen password, Mi Account is blocked or phone requires unlocking the bootloader (OEM Unlock)?
• 📱 New Redmis (e.g. Note 12 series) may have additional limitations compared to older models (Redmi) 4X).

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

If you remember the data from the Mi Account linked to the phone, it will take no more than 5 minutes to unlock, which works even after resetting via Recovery, when the system requests a username and password, the main condition is that the device must have access to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter any password/key 5 times until the message “Forgot your password?” appears.
2. Click on this caption and select "Unblock via Mi Account".
3. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account, then the password.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If the system gives an error "Device not found in the account", check:

• 📧 Correctness of the input email/phone (the account must be the one that is attached to the phone).
• 🌐 Internet connection stability (try switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data).
• 🔄 Device management listing on account.xiaomi.com.

💡

If you don’t remember the Mi Account password, restore it through Xiaomi’s official website. Use the backup email or phone number you provided when you sign up.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (without data loss?)

Recovery is a universal method, but it removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps. Redmi models with a Snapdragon 8xx chip (like the Redmi K50) may need to re-authorize with the Mi Account after a reset, even if the phone was not tied before.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the power + volume buttons up for 10-15 seconds at the same time.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if there is one), then "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data".
4. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed.

After the reboot, the phone will suggest setting it up as new. If you request Mi Account data, use Method 1 or Method 4 (unlock the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: On some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro with MediaTek processor), a reset via Recovery can result in a "brick" (complete failure) if the firmware is damaged. SP Flash Tool.

Method 3: Unlocking the bootloader (OEM Unlock) for firmware

If you plan to flash your phone through Fastboot or install custom firmware (like LineageOS), you first need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process takes up to 72 hours due to account verification. This method is suitable for power users and requires a PC.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Link your device to your Mi Account in settings (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Find the device).
4. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Power + Volume down).
5. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to your account and follow the instructions.

Once unlocked, you can flash your phone through Fastboot or TWRP. The official firmware for Redmi can be downloaded from Xiaomi Firmware.

Method 4: Fastboot Firmware (for power users)

If the phone is locked at Mi Account level and other methods don't work, it's left with the firmware via Fastboot, which deletes all data and resets the account binding, but requires an unlocked bootloader (see Method 3).

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 10/11 and Xiaomi drivers (download from xiaomiflashtool.com).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📁 Firmware for your model (.tgz or.zip format).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool Programming.

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Firmware).
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (turn off, then pinch Power + Volume down).
4. In the program, press Refresh - the device should appear.
5. Select the firmware folder and click Flash. In the Select field, select clean all.
6. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware on Redmi models with MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi) 9T) requires SP Flash Tool instead of Mi Flash. The algorithm is similar, but you need to download the correct scatter file for your model.

Method 5: Bypassing Mi Account locking via EDL (emergency mode)

If the phone is locked at Mi Account level and the bootloader is not unlocked, then EDL (Emergency Download Mode) remains, which works on most Redmi models, but requires special equipment such as EDL cable or lintel on the motherboard. Using EDL without official permission from Xiaomi violates the warranty conditions and can lead to IMEI blocking.

How to log into EDL:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to a PC with a pinched button combination (it is different for different models, for example, Power). + Loudness up + Loudness down).
• 🖥️ In Windows Device Manager should appear Qualcomm device HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📥 Install the driver. QCOM (download XDA Developers).
• 🔧 Use Mi Flash or QFil to firmware a special file EDL (for example, prog_emmc_firehose.mbn).

Warnings:

• ⚠️ Risk of "brick" (breakdown) of the phone with incorrect firmware - up to 30%.
• ⚠️ Xiaomi could be blocked IMEI Devices when unofficial access to EDL.
• ⚠️ The method does not work on new models with Snapdragon chip 8 Gen 1/2 (Like Redmi. K60).

💡

EDL mode is the last chance to unlock your phone if other methods have failed, and use it only with confidence or with the help of a professional.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Redmi, users often encounter typical preventable problems, and these are the most common:

Another common problem is that the devices are locked after resetting on MediaTek-based models, because these devices use Secure Boot technology, which can conflict with unofficial firmware, and if the phone gives a System Destroyed error after reset, try:

• 🔄 Switching the phone through SP Flash Tool with Format All Checkmark + Download.
• 🔧 Use patched firmware from forums XDA or 4PDA.
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center (if the phone is guaranteed).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions