How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 8: from PIN-code to the Mi Account account

Xiaomi Mi 8 is the flagship smartphone of 2018, which is still popular thanks to powerful hardware and support for custom firmware. However, even 6 years after the release, owners face a lock problem: a forgotten pattern lock, PIN-code tied to Mi Account after reset or blocked bootloader when trying to flash the device. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock the Mi 8 (codename dipper), including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of the device. MIUI Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 hardware platform.

It is important to understand that the methods of unlocking depend on the type of lock:

  • 🔒 Screen locking (PIN, pattern lock, password)
  • 📱 Mi Account (link to Xiaomi account after reset)
  • 🔧 Bootloader (for installing custom firmware)
  • 🚫 Hardware locking (IMEI, lock-in)

Some methods require an unlocked bootloader, others only work on certain versions of MIUI, and we will specify the limitations for each method and warn against common errors that can turn the Mi 8 into a brick.

1. unlock the screen without data loss (MIUI 10–14)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from the Mi Account attached to the device, you can use the official reset method through Find Device. MIUI 10 and newer, but requires:

  • 🌐 Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
  • 📧 Access to an email or phone linked to a Mi Account
  • 🔋 Battery charge of at least 20%

Instructions:

  1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your account.
  2. Select the Find Device tab → find your Mi 8 in the list.
  3. Click Unlock → Confirm the action via SMS or email.
  4. Wait for the notification on the phone (it can take up to 5 minutes).

💡

If the device doesn’t show up in Find Device, check if Settings → Mi Account → Find Device is enabled before locking. If not, this won’t work.

Limitations of the method:

  • ❌ It does not work if Find Device is disabled in the settings.
  • ❌ It will not work when resetting to factory settings (Mi Account entry is required).
  • ❌ On some firmware (for example, custom) the function may be disabled.

📊 What type of screen lock you use?
pattern lock
PIN-code
Password.
Fingerprint/face
I don't use it.

2.Reset via Recovery: When Mi Account is not tied

If Mi 8 is not tied to Mi Account or you are ready to lose data, you can perform a hard reset via stock recovery.

  • 🔄 Deletion of forgotten password/pattern lock.
  • 📱 Fixing software failures (e.g., getting stuck on logo).
  • ⚠️ It will not help if you need to enter a Mi Account after the reset!

Step-by-step:

  1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
  2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
  3. In the recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice) → Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).
  5. Reboot the device (Reboot).

Turn off the phone.|Charge the battery. >30%|Prepare a backup copy (if available)|Make sure there is no Mi Account binding-->

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (for example, 12.5+) After reset via recovery, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account, even if it was not before blocking.This is due to Xiaomi's security policy.

3 Unlocking Mi Account after reset (official way)

Mi Account locking is one of the most common problems for Xiaomi Mi 8 owners, especially after buying a used device. Xiaomi ties the phone to an account to protect against theft, and after a reset via recovery or fastboot, you need to enter the username / password of the previous owner.

Method 1: Officially Unlocking through Xiaomi

If you bought a new phone and remember your account details:

  1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
  2. Restore access to your account via email or phone.
  3. On the blocked phone, enter account information.

Method 2: Through Xiaomi Service Center

If the phone is purchased and the previous owner has not untied the account:

  • 📄 Prepare a check or a contract of sale (proof of ownership).
  • 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center with an application for unlocking.
  • ⏳ Term of consideration - from 3 to 14 days.

Unlocking methodData requiredTime.Loss of data
Through Find DeviceAccess to Mi Account5-10 minutesNo.
Reset via Recovery—5 minutes.Yes.
Official Unlocking of Mi AccountPhone IDs.3-4 daysNo.
Firmware through FastbootUnlocked loader30-60 minutesYes.

⚠️ Note: Buying Mi Account crawlers on third-party sites (for example, through services like miunlock.ru) often leads to fraud or re-blocking of the device. IMEI telephone for using unofficial methods.

4 Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) for firmware

If you need to unlock a bootloader on the Xiaomi Mi 8 to install custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), follow the official procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool.Please note: since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened the rules and unlocking can take up to 360 hours (15 days) of waiting.

Step-by-step:

  1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version)
  2. Sign in to your Mi Account on your PC and phone.
  3. On your phone, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times to turn on Developer Mode).
  4. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔧 OEM Unlocking 🔌 Debugging by USB

Mi 8

Fastboot

Food + Volume Down

Mi Unlock Tool

What happens if you break the unlocking of the bootloader?
If you disconnect your phone from your PC or interrupt the process through the Mi Unlock Tool, the waiting timer will reset and you will have to start over, in some cases this can lead to a lockout of your Xiaomi account for 30 days.

Once unlocked, you can flash the Mi 8 through fastboot or TWRP. Popular firmware for dipper:

  • 📱 MIUI Global Stable (official)
  • 🛠️ MIUI EU (without Chinese services)
  • 🤖 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11)
  • 📱 Pixel Experience (Pure Android)

5. Alternative methods: EDL and testpoints

If standard methods don’t help (e.g., the phone doesn’t turn on or locks at the bootloader level), you can use hardware methods via EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode), which allows you to flash the phone even with the bootloader locked, but requires:

  • 🔧 Smoothing skills (to close testpoints).
  • 💻 PC with Qualcomm drivers and Mi Flash program installed.
  • 📄 Firmware file in.tgz format for Mi 8.

The following is a step-by-step guide (for experienced users!):

  1. Download the firmware for Mi 8 (e.g., from Xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
  2. Unpack the archive and place the firmware folder in the root of the C:\ disk.
  3. Turn off the phone, open the back cover and close the testpoints (see the diagram for dipper).
  4. Connect the Mi 8 to a PC, and the device is defined as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
  5. Start Mi Flash, select firmware and press Flash.

💡

Firmware via EDL deletes all data, including Mi Account, but requires disassembling the phone. An error in choosing a firmware can damage the memory module (eMMC).

⚠️ Note: Incorrectly closing testpoints or choosing the wrong firmware (for example, for another model) can disable the eMMC module. On the Mi 8, this is a common problem when running through the firmware. EDL — The phone ceases to be determined by the PC and requires repair at the soldering station level.

6 Unlocking IMEI and network lock

If the Xiaomi Mi 8 doesn’t catch the network or shows an Invalid IMEI message, the problem may be related to:

  • 📡 Damage. NVRAM (modem-setting).
  • 🔒 Software lock operator (if the phone is purchased on credit).
  • 🛠️ Incorrect firmware (for example, version) MIUI elsewhere).

Methods of IMEI recovery:

  1. Through the Engineering Menu: Type on the keyboard ##4636##. Go to Phone Information → check for IMEI status.

QCN

1. Download the QPST utility and Qualcomm drivers.


2. Connect your phone in Diag mode (code for Mi 8: #717717##).




3.In QPST, select Restore QCN and download a backup.

Through the firmware:

  • Swipe your MIUI stock phone through Mi Flash with the Clean All tick.