How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 4A: From Password to bootloader – Full Guide 2026

Xiaomi Redmi 4A is still one of the most popular budget smartphones, but its owners often face lock problems. A forgotten pattern lock, a blocked Mi Account account, or even an activated bootloader after a failed firmware can turn the phone into a “brick.” In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways of unlocking, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of this model.

It is important to understand that Redmi 4A (codename rolex) has unique “pitfalls”: for example, the lack of a slot for the game. SD-The maps make it difficult to recover through TWRP, old versions MIUI We tested all of these methods on the current firmware in 2026 and we found out which ones save data and which ones require a complete reset.

If you're here after a failed unlock attempt, don't panic. Even if the phone doesn't respond to buttons or shows an error "This device is locked," there's a chance of recovery, the main thing is to correctly determine the type of lock and follow the instructions for your case.

1. How to determine the type of lock on Redmi 4A

Before you start unlocking, you need to understand exactly what you are dealing with. Xiaomi Redmi 4A can be locked on three levels, and each requires a different approach:

• 🔒 Screen lock: forgotten PIN-The code, the pattern lock, or the password, and the screen shows the input box, but the phone doesn't unlock.
• 📱 Mi Account lock: After resetting or flashing, the phone requires you to enter the username and password from the previously associated Mi Account, often accompanied by the message "This device is bound to a Mi Account".
• 🛠️ Bootloader lock: The phone doesn't boot into the system, hangs on the Xiaomi logo or shows a "Fastboot" error.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Connect your phone to charge and see if the lock screen appears. If so, it's locking.
2. If the phone loads but requires a Mi Account, it is a binding account.
3. If the device does not turn on beyond the logo or goes to Fastboot, the bootloader is blocked.

⚠️ Attention: If Redmi 4A If you have bought it with your hands and the previous owner has not untied his Mi Account, unlocking through official methods may not be possible without proof of purchase (check or box.

2. unlock the screen without losing data (if you forgot the password)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from the Mi Account tied to the phone, you can do without resetting. This method only works when you connect to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter any password 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot the password?” appears.
2. Click on this caption and select "Restore via Mi Account".
3. Enter your email and password for your phone-linked account, and if you don't remember the data, re-establish access through account.xiaomi.com.
4. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock and you will be able to set a new password.

If this method doesn’t work (for example, there’s no internet connection), try the alternative method via ADB. It requires pre-activating USB debugging in the developer’s settings.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download ADB Tools (for example, official package)|Connect the phone to the PC by USB|Activate debugging by USB (unless done earlier)-->

Commands to unlock through ADB:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

Once the phone is rebooted, it should unlock, but this method only works on older versions of MIUI (up to the 10th inclusive).

⚠️ Attention: If debugging is on USB It was not activated in advance, unlocking through ADB In this case, you will have to reset to the factory settings (see next section).

3. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If unlocking through Mi Account or ADB doesn't work, then the radical method is hard reset, which will delete all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but return access to the system. On Redmi 4A, you can do this in two ways: Recovery Mode or Fastboot.

Method 1: Resetting through Recovery

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Volume Up + Power buttons at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear.
3. Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button to select "Wipe Data" (or "Clear Data" in newer versions).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting Yes.
5. After completion, select "Reboot".

Method 2: Reset via Fastboot (if Recovery is not available)

1. Install the Mi Flash Tool on your PC.
2. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to go to Fastboot mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Important: After resetting via Recovery or Fastboot, the phone may again require data input from Mi Account if the "Find Device" function was previously activated.

4 Unblocking Mi Account on Redmi 4A

If after resetting or flashing the phone requires you to enter data from Mi Account, and you do not remember them (or the phone is bought with your hands), there are several ways to solve:

• 📧 Restore your account: Go to account.xiaomi.com, click "Forgot your password?" and follow the instructions. If you have a phone number or backup email attached, you can restore access in 5 minutes.
• 📄 Xiaomi support message: If your account is not yours (for example, a phone is bought by hand), contact support with a check or box from the device.
• 🔧 Firmware bypass: If official methods do not help, you can flash a special version MIUI bypassing the account verification (more below).

To bypass Mi Account through firmware:

1. Download the firmware with a bypass (for example, from here – look for themes for Redmi 4A marked “No Mi Account”).
2. Unpack the archive and run through the Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode.
3. Select the "Clean All" option (this will delete all data, but remove the account lock).

⚠️ Note: Mi Account bypass firmware often contains modified system files, which can lead to unstable phone operation. Use them only as a last resort and be sure to back up important data (if the phone is even turned on somehow).

5 Unlock the bootloader on the Redmi 4A

If the phone doesn’t load beyond the Xiaomi logo or hangs in Fastboot mode, it’s likely that the bootloader is locked. This is typical of a failed firmware or root-rights attempt. For the Redmi 4A, unlocking the bootloader is only possible in an official way through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website and install it on PC.
2. Sign up or log in to your Mi Account (it should be tied to your phone!).
3. Put Redmi 4A into Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Unlock Tool.
5. Press Unlock and wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

Once the bootloader is unlocked, you can flash any compatible firmware through the Mi Flash Tool or TWRP.

• 🔄 Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone.
• 🕒 Xiaomi may set a limit on unlocking (e.g., require you to wait 72 hours after you have linked your account).
• 🚫 On some firmware after unlocking the bootloader may appear warning "Your device is corrupted" - this is normal, it can be removed by firmware customizable. boot.img.

1. disable the antivirus on the PC (it can block drivers).

2. Use another USB-cable (preferably original).

3. restart your PC and phone, then try again.-->

6.Alternative methods: firmware via TWRP and EDL

If the official methods did not help, there are still “heavy” methods – firmware via TWRP or EDL mode. They require technical skills and are suitable for advanced users.

Method 1: Firmware through TWRP

For Redmi 4A, there are informal TWRP builds that allow you to flash custom firmware or make a backup.

1. Download TWRP for Redmi 4A (the version should match your model!).
2. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, back up the Data partition (if you need to save files).
4. Sweep through custom firmware (such as LineageOS or modified MIUI).

Method 2: Firmware through EDL (Emergency mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash your phone even when it's not turning on, and you need an EDL cable or circuit board, and it's a risky method, because if you make a mistake, it can actually crash!

If you are not sure about your skills, you should contact the service center.The cost of unlocking Redmi 4A through EDL in 2026 is about 1000-1500 rubles.

💡

Firmware through EDL is the last chance to bring the phone back to life, but it requires special equipment and knowledge. Without experience, it is better not to take risks!

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you unlock the Xiaomi Redmi 4A, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

Another common problem is the loss of IMEI after firmware. If the phone stops catching the network, check the IMEI with the command:

adb shell


su




getprop gsm.baseband.imei

If IMEI No, no, restore it through QCN-file (instructions are available on the 4PDA).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions