How to unlock Xiaomi phone if you forgot the password from the Mi Account: a complete guide through the PC

Forgot the Mi Account password and now your Xiaomi has become a useless brick? The situation is familiar to many: after resetting your settings or flashing your phone, you need to enter your account details you don't remember. Fortunately, you can unlock your device through your PC — even without access to the original email or phone number.

In this article, we will discuss three official and semi-official methods of unlocking: through Fastboot, Mi Unlock Tool and the Internet. EDL-Each method has its own nuances: somewhere you need to wait 72-720 hours, somewhere you need special equipment, we will describe each stage in detail, warn about the risks and give recommendations on how to avoid re-blocking.

⚠️ Attention: All of these methods reset data on the phone, if the device had important files without a backup, their recovery after unlocking is unlikely. EDL may result in loss IMEI on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro) POCO X3).

1.Pc Preparation: What it takes to unlock Xiaomi

Before you start unlocking, make sure your computer is ready for the procedure. Without proper preparation, you risk getting errors like Couldn't unlock or Device not connected.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (64-bit On macOS or Linux, some tools (such as the Mi Unlock Tool) may not work.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from a phone set) cheap cables often don't transmit data to Fastboot.
• 🔋 The phone is at least 60% charged, and it can take several hours to unlock, and discharging during the process will result in a breeze (completely inoperable).
• 🛠️ Qualcomm drivers and ADB/Fastboot. Without them, the PC will not recognize the phone in the right modes.

Also download in advance:

• 📥 Official firmware for your model (Global Stable or China Stable version).
• 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (last version from Xiaomi).
• 📥 Android SDK Platform-Tools (for fastboot and adb commands).

⚠️ Note: If you use a laptop, connect it to the network.Some steps (such as waiting for unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool) can take up to 30 days when you first connect your account.

2. Method 1: Unlocking via Fastboot (official method)

This is the cleanest way Xiaomi has approved, and is suitable for most models released after 2018 (Redmi Note 7, POCO F3, Mi 11 and later), the main drawback is the long wait (from 72 hours to 720 hours depending on the account’s binding).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Fastboot: Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power for 10-15 seconds until the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo) appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check for recognition: fastboot devices If the device isn’t displayed, install ADB drivers manually through Device Manager.
3. Sign in to Mi Unlock Tool: Run Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator. Log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to the phone (even if you don't remember the password, try to restore it via account.xiaomi.com). If the account is new, the system will request a phone number link.

Start unlocking.

• Press Unlock Now.
• Confirm the action on the phone (if the screen is active).
• Wait for a message about successful unlocking (can take up to 30 days on the first connection).

Once unlocked, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. If the process is stalled in the Waiting for device phase, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect. USB-cable.
• 🔄 Re-launch the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔄 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Make sure your phone is charged >60%|

Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool|

Install ADB/Fastboot | drivers

Link the phone number to your Mi Account |

Connect the original USB-cable-->

3. Method 2: Unlock through EDL-mode (for advanced)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash your phone directly, bypassing the Mi Account lock, and works even on locked bootloaders, but requires:

• 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Account (for some models).
• 🔧 Firmware file in.mbn format (for example, for Qualcomm chips).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

⚠️ Risks of the method:

• 🚨 Loss of loss IMEI (Some models, such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro).
• 🚨 Possible Brick with Incorrect Firmware.

Instructions for Qualcomm devices:

1. Transfer the phone to EDL: Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Loudness down + USB-cable (some models need to short test points on the board) Device Manager should appear Qualcomm device HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Put your phone on.

• Open the Mi Flash Tool.
• Select the downloaded firmware file (.tgz or.mbn).
• Press Refresh → Flash.

If the Mi Flash Tool is a Sahara or Firehose error, try:

• 🔹 Use a different firmware version (e.g. China Stable instead of Global).
• 🔹 Run the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode (full reset).

Method 3: Bypassing locking through FRP reset (for Android 8–11)

If your Xiaomi runs Android 8-11, you can try bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection), Google’s protection that works after a reset.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Recovery Mode: Turn off the phone. Press Volume up + Power until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi: From the Recovery menu, select Connect with Mi Assistant. Connect to the Wi-Fi network (if the phone requests a password from your Mi Account, proceed to the next step).

Use the FRP vulnerability

• Download the FRP Bypass APK PC.
• Connect your phone to your PC and transfer the file via adb push: adb push frp_bypass.apk /sdcard/
• Install APK via Mi Assistant and follow the instructions in the app.

If your phone still requires a password after installing FRP Bypass, try:

• 🔄 Reboot in Safe Mode (clip the power supply) → Hold power off until the offer to go to safe mode appears).
• 🔄 Use the other APK-file (e.g. QuickShortcutMaker to bypass locking).

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+ circumvention FRP It's almost impossible without authorization. Also some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO F4) block APK recovery.

5.Table of methods compatibility with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and the table below shows how the methods are compatible with popular models:

If your model isn’t in the table, check compatibility on the 4PDA or XDA forums. For example, Redmi Note 12 may require a new method of unlocking via HyperOS (relevant to firmware 2026).

6. What should I do if nothing has worked?

If all methods are exhausted and the phone is still locked, radical measures remain:

• 🔧 Contact Xiaomi Service Center: Provide a check or box from your phone (proof of ownership).The service can unlock the device for a fee (1,500 to 5,000) ₽).
• 🔧 Buy authorized EDL-Account: Forums sell firmware accounts (price: 500–2,000) ₽). Risk: Fraud or blocking of Xiaomi account.
• 🔧 Swipe through box (UFi, SigmaKey): Special equipment will be required (cost of service: 2,000–10,000) ₽). Suitable for MediaTek devices (Redmi) 10A, POCO C31).

If the phone is locked due to theft or loss, unlocking may not be possible under the law, and in such cases Xiaomi, at the request of law enforcement, locks the device at the IMEI level.

💡

Before contacting the service center, try to restore access to your Mi Account through the official website. Sometimes support will unlock the device after confirming your identity (passport, check).

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Link backup email and number to Mi Account.
• 📱 Turn off account binding in settings: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account. → Security → Remove the device
• 🔄 Make regular backups via Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
• 📝 Write your account information to a secure location (e.g., KeePass or on paper).

If you frequently sell or buy Xiaomi used, before the transaction:

• 🔹 Check the status of your Mi Account through Settings → The phone. → Account status.
• 🔹 Require the seller to uncoup the device from his account.

💡

Even after successfully unlocking, the phone can remain tied to the old Mi Account. Check this in the settings and manually uncouple if necessary.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi