How to unlock a Redmi phone (Xiaomi): all the ways 2026

Forgot the Redmi password, and the phone turned into a useless brick? Or bought a used device with a locked screen? The situation is familiar to many owners of Xiaomi smartphones — the brand is famous for reliable data protection, but sometimes this protection turns into a headache. Unlike the iPhone, where unlocking often requires contacting a service center, Redmi has several legal ways to regain access to the device — from a simple reset through Mi Account to complex manipulation of Fastboot and ADB.

In this article, we will look at all the current unlocking methods (including those that work on the new models of 2023-2026), their pros and cons, and give checklists for each case. Importantly, some methods lead to data loss — so first check whether the phone is connected to the Mi Cloud and whether there is a backup. If you have never set up sync, the chances of returning photos and contacts are minimal.

⚠️ Warning: Methods using Fastboot and custom firmware can permanently lock the bootloader if executed incorrectly. 12/13 Xiaomi has tightened security policies – some ways may not work without an official unlocker.

1 Unlocking with Mi Account (the safest way)

If you had a Mi Account attached to your phone (even if you don’t remember the lock screen password), the chances of a successful unlock are the highest, a method that doesn’t erase data and works on most Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10 and POCO.

Unlocking will require:

1. A computer or other phone with Internet access.
2. Login and password from Mi Account (if you forget - restore through the official website).
3. USB-cable (preferably original).

✅ Step-by-step instruction:

1. On the locked phone, click Forgot your password? (if you have this option).
2. Select Unlocking through Mi Account.
3. Enter the login and password from the account associated with the device.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If you forgot your password? no (as is the case with older versions of MIUI), connect your phone to your PC, go to i.mi.com and try to find the device in the list.

2. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If Mi Account is not tied or you don't remember the login details, there's a hard reset, which removes all the data from your phone, including photos, messages and apps. Use it only as a last resort!

There are two ways to do a hard reset:

• 🔧 Recovery Mode – works on all Redmi models, but requires physical access to buttons.
• 🖥️ Fastboot – Suitable if the phone doesn’t respond to buttons or Recovery is blocked.

✅ Instructions for Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
5. After the reboot, the phone will look like new.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi) K20 Pro) after reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account, which was previously linked, if you do not remember the username / password, the phone will turn into a "brick", in which case only official unlocking through the service center will help.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Recovery Mode is locked or the phone doesn’t respond to buttons, you can try unlocking it via Fastboot.This method requires a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool tool.

✅ What's the matter:

✅ Step-by-step instruction:

1. Install Xiaomi and Mi Flash Tool drivers on PC.

⚠️ Note: On new models (Redmi Note 12 and later), Xiaomi blocks firmware through Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader. If you see the error "Device is locked", you will first have to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool (requires a wait of 7-30 days).

4. Unlock through ADB (if USB-debugging was included)

If the phone has been activated before USB-debugging (in the developer settings), you can try to unlock it through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This method doesn’t erase data, but only works if debugging is enabled before blocking.

✅ Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

After the reboot, the pattern lock or password should be reset, and if not, try repeating the commands or checking if debugging is enabled.

This command runs a password change menu where you can set a new one. PIN graphical.-->

5. Official unlock through Xiaomi Service Center

If all previous methods have failed, you have to contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

✅ Pros of the method:

• 🔓 Guaranteed unlocking (unless the phone is blacklisted).
• 🛡️ No risk of damaging the device.
• 📱 Ability to save data (in some cases).

❌ Cons:

🔹 Where to find a service center?

A list of official Xiaomi partners in Russia and the CIS can be found on the website: mi.com/global/service. Before visiting, check by phone if they are unlocking - some centers refuse such orders.

6. Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If none of the official methods did not help, you can find "gray" methods of unlocking on the Internet, for example:

• 🔓 Paid online unlock services (such as DC-Unlocker or Octopus Box) Cost: 500-2000 rubles. Risk: fraud or final locking of the phone.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial firmware or services may result in blocking IMEI Or "brick." On Redmi models with MediaTek processors (like Redmi). 9A, Redmi 8A) The chances of successful unlocking are higher than on Snapdragon (due to the features of the bootloader).

🔹 If you're going for a custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (waiting 7-30 days).
2. Install TWRP Recovery for your model.
3. Sweep through custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).

💡

Custom firmware and unofficial unlocking methods take away the phone’s warranty and can disrupt the 5G, NFC, or camera module, and only use them if the phone is no longer warranty-worthy or otherwise unhelpful.

Comparison of Redmi (Xiaomi) Unlocking Methods

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi unlocking