How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: from reset to bypass your Mi Account

Why Redmi Note 5 is blocked and what to do

A forgotten password, pattern lock or tied Mi Account are the three main reasons Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 owners lose access to the device. Unlike current models with Face ID or fingerprint scanner, this 2018 smartphone relies on traditional security methods, which makes unlocking easier, but requires strict follow-up.

The main difficulty lies in bypassing the Mi Account without losing data – if the device is tied to a Xiaomi account, a standard reset via Recovery will not help. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from the official Mi Unlock Tool unlocker to methods using ADB and test firmware. Importantly, some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, USB Debugging enabled), so start with the simplest options.

If your Redmi Note 5 is blocked after firmware or reset, the problem may lie in activating Anti-Rollback Protection, a rollback protection mechanism, in which case you will need a special firmware with a check-bypass.

Method 1: Unlock through Hard Reset (reset to factory settings)

The most versatile method, which works on 90% of locked devices, is a full reset via Recovery Mode, which deletes all data but returns access to the phone.

• 🔐 You forgot your password or pattern lock, but you didn’t link your Mi Account.
• 📱 The phone does not respond to touch (for example, after a fall).
• 🔄 You need to eliminate software failures caused by viruses or incorrect software.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up (+) + Power button at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds 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 choosing Wipe All Data.
5. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account data that you don't remember, this method won't work.

Method 2: Bypassing the pattern lock via ADB (if USB Debugging is enabled)

If the Redmi Note 5 previously activated USB Debugging mode (in the developer settings), you can delete the file with the pattern lock via Android Debug Bridge (ADB).This method saves data, but requires a computer and installed Xiaomi drivers.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute the commands:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

Once you reboot, the pattern lock will be reset, and if the su command doesn't work, then there's no root rights on the phone, try an alternative method:

adb shell


cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




reboot

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI Key files can be stored elsewhere. If the commands don't work, check the paths. /data/system/device_policies.xml or /data/system/lock_pattern.

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If ADB does not recognize the device, install Mi PC Suite drivers or manually update the driver through Device Manager (select ADB Interface from the Google Driver List).

Method 3: Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool (official method) If Redmi Note 5 is tied to Mi Account and you forgot your password, the official Mi Unlock Tool will help unlock the bootloader and reset the binding: 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your Mi Account. 🔗 Your phone was not stolen (the device must be in your possession). ⏳ More than 72 hours have passed since the last unlock (if the bootloader is already unlocked).Instruction: Download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi's official website. Sign in to the tool under the same Mi Account as your phone. Put Redmi Note 5 into Fastboot mode (turn off phone, then press Volume down (-) + Power button. Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the program. Wait until the process is complete (may take up to 10 minutes). Situation Decision Time of execution Phone requires confirmation through SMS Enter the code from the message to the tied number 2-5 minutes Error "Couldn't unlock" Wait 72 hours and try again 3 days Fail to log in to Mi Account Restore access via account.xiaomi.com 10-30 minutes Phone not determined in Fastboot Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 15 minutes ⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data, including photos and apps, will be deleted from the phone. If the device has enabled Find Device, it will also need to be disabled in the Mi Account settings. What to do if Mi Unlock Tool gives an error "Current account is different from the account info on the device" This error means that the account you signed in to the tool does not match the one associated with the phone. Solutions: 1. Check if the device was purchased by hand (perhaps the previous owner didn’t untie his account). 2. Try to restore access to the original Mi Account via email or phone number. 3. If the phone is bought new, contact Xiaomi support with a purchase check to unlock.

Method 4: Firmware via EDL Mode (for power users)

If previous methods have failed, the last option is to run the Emergency Download Mode (EDL) firmware, which allows you to flash your phone even with a locked bootloader, but requires:

• 💻 Windows computer and installed Qualcomm 9008 drivers.
• 📁 Special firmware for Redmi Note 5 (e.g. Fastboot) ROM Or custom firmware with Mi Account bypass).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 5 (codenamed Whyred) from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Install the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (can be found in the archive with the Mi Flash Tool).
4. Transfer the phone to EDL Mode: Turn off the device. Press the volume up (+) + Volume down (-) and plug in USB-Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until Qualcomm appears in Device Manager. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

It takes 5-10 minutes, and when it's done, it automatically reboots to the clean system.

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Firmware via EDL Mode is the only way to unlock the Redmi Note 5 if Mi Account is forgotten and USB Debugging is disabled. However, this method requires technical skills and can lead to a device blink if errors are made.

Method 5: Bypassing Mi Account through test firmware (without data loss)

For users who want to save data on their phone, there is a method using test firmware (such as MIUI Test ROM), which temporarily disables the Mi Account verification, allowing access to the system.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the test firmware for Redmi Note 5 (e.g. MIUI 10.3.2.0 or later marked Test).
2. Rename the firmware file to update.zip and put it on SD-map.
3. Download your phone to Recovery Mode (see Method 1).
4. Select Install update.zip to System and confirm installation.
5. After the reboot, log in without requesting Mi Account.

Important: Test firmware may contain bugs. Once unlocked, it is recommended to install a stable version of MIUI via Fastboot.

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If the phone asks for a password after installing the test firmware, try entering the standard code 123456 or leave the field blank. In some versions, the check is not turned off immediately, but after the first reboot.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you unlock Redmi Note 5, users face typical problems.

If none of the methods worked, it is possible that the phone has activated Anti-Rollback Protection, in which case you will need firmware with bypass protection (for example, custom TWRP Recovery + modified firmware).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions