How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 8: from password to Mi Account (Step-by-step with photo)

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even it is not immune to lock problems. Forgot the pattern lock after the update? Phone requires a password from the Mi Account you haven't used in a long time? Or the screen is damaged and fingerprint unlock doesn't work? In this article, 5 working ways to unlock, including official and alternative methods, taking into account the features of the Redmi 8 firmware (codenamed Olivelite).

It's important to understand that not all methods will save your data, for example, a reset via Fastboot or Recovery will delete photos, messages and applications, but there are also gentle options, such as unlocking through Find Device or ADB if they were pre-configured, and we will analyze each case separately, indicating the risks and requirements for preparation.

If your Redmi 8 is locked because of a software failure (for example, after a failed update), try a soft reboot first, which solves the problem 30 percent of the time without further manipulation.

Why Xiaomi Redmi 8 could be blocked: 7 common reasons

Before you choose how to unlock, determine the reason for it, which determines whether your data will be saved and whether you need access to your computer.

• 🔒 Forgotten password/pattern lock is the most common case, especially after a long phone downtime or firmware change.
• 📱 Blocking Mi Account – appears after resetting settings or when buying a used phone with a tied someone else’s account.
• 🔄 Failure after update - firmware MIUI It may have been damaged and the system needs to be unlocked to recover.
• 💥 Hardware failure – damage to a memory module or screen controller (for example, after a fall in the memory).
• 🛡️ Activate theft protection – if the phone is stolen and the previous owner has blocked it via Find Device.
• 🔧 Unsuccessful rooting or firmware - after installing custom TWRP or modified firmware.
• ⚡ Battery discharge to zero – sometimes leads to a reset of security settings.

If the lock is due to hardware problems (paragraphs 4 and 7), software methods will not help - you will need repairs in the service center.

Preparation for Unlocking: What to Do Before You

Before you start unlocking, follow a few critical steps that will save time and prevent data loss.

Charge your phone to at least 50% (to avoid turning off during the process)

Prepare. USB-cable (original or qualitative analogue)

Install Xiaomi and ADB drivers on PC (links in the section below)

Download the firmware for your model (olivelite for Redmi 8)

Back up your data if your phone is partially working (via Mi PC Suite or ADB backup)

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Drivers and tools you will need:

• 🖥️ Official firmware for Redmi 8 (select the Stable version for your region).
• 🔌 ADB Google Fastboot Tools (unpack in the root of the disk) C:\).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot firmware).
• 📱 Mi PC Suite (for backup if the phone is recognized by the PC).

⚠️ Note: If the OEM unlock function was enabled on the phone in the developer settings, some methods (such as firmware via Fastboot) may not work, in which case you will need to officially unlock the bootloader through Xiaomi (it will take up to 72 hours).

* When unlocked via ADB, data will only be saved if the phone was previously connected to this PC with USB debugging enabled.

Method 1: Soft reboot (if the phone responds to buttons)

This method is suitable if Redmi 8 is locked due to a temporary failure, but responds to button pressing.It does not delete data and does not require a connection to a PC.

Instructions:

1. Press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone turns off.
2. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the phone with the power button.
3. If the Redmi logo appears on the screen, but no further download is going - press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds for a forced reboot.

If the phone still requires a password after rebooting, move on to the next method. If the screen does not respond at all (no backlights, vibrations), the problem may be in the hardware, for example, in damage to the display plume.

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If the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, but the screen remains black, try plugging it into charging for 1-2 hours. Sometimes the battery will block the on.

Method 2: Unlock with Find Device (if you have a Mi Account attached)

If you have Find Device enabled on your phone, you can unlock it remotely via your web browser, which only works if you have access to the Mi Account that was linked to the phone.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in to your Mi Account.
2. From the menu, select Find Device (or Device Management).
3. The map will show your Redmi 8. Click on it, then select Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. The phone will be unlocked within 5-10 minutes. If it was turned off, turn it on - unlock will be applied automatically.

If the phone doesn’t appear in the list of devices, check:

• 🔄 Whether the Find Device function was enabled in the settings (Settings) → Mi Account → Find Device).
• 📶 Is there access to a mobile network or Wi-Fi on the phone (without the Internet, geolocation does not work).
• 🔋 Is the battery enough (less than 15% can block remote commands).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to firmware through Fastboot or contact the service center with proof of purchase.

Method 3: Recovery Mode (without PC but with data loss)

If the soft reboot and Find Device didn’t work and Mi Account access is not available, you’ll be reset via Restore mode, which will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the system.

How to Sign In to Recovery Mode on Redmi 8:

1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery menu in English or Chinese.

Further action:

• 🔄 Use volume buttons for navigation and power to select.
• 📛 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete reset).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by choosing Confirm.
• 🔄 After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the phone reboots and offers to configure it as new, if the error "This device is locked" appears after the reset, then the phone has activated anti-theft protection, you will need to enter the data of the Mi Account, which was previously linked.

Method 4: Unlocking through ADB (Save Data)

This method is suitable if the phone has previously been enabled debugging over USB and it has at least once connected to this PC, in which case you can delete the file with the password without completely resetting.

Requirements:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (not all cables support data transmission).
• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 30%.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd → Enter).
3. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices If the phone appears in the list, go further. If not, install drivers or try another cable.
4. Enter the commands in turn: adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot

Once the phone is restarted, it doesn't have to require a password, so if you have an "adbd cannot run as root" error, it means that the phone doesn't have root permissions, and that won't work.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI (12+) Password files may be stored elsewhere or protected by SELinux. ADB-This method will not help and you will need to reset via Recovery or Fastboot.

Method 5: Fastboot Firmware (extreme case)

If none of the previous methods worked, it leaves the firmware in Fastboot mode, which will completely delete all data, but return the phone to working condition, which requires a PC and official firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 8 (olivelite) from Xiaomi (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in the folder C:\MiFlash.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot: Press Power + Volume Down for 10 seconds.
4. Connect the phone to the PC.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – your device (olivelite) should appear in the list.
7. Select Clean All (Full Clean) and press Flash.
8. Wait for the end (10-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is not done, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall Xiaomi drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔌 Use the other USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
• 📥 Download the firmware again (possibly the archive is damaged).

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Fastboot firmware is the only official way to unlock if the phone is tied to someone else’s Mi Account and other methods don’t work.

Frequently asked questions