How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 phone when blocking your account

Owning a modern Xiaomi smartphone involves using a single Mi Account ecosystem that provides data synchronization, device search and cloud storage. However, users often face a situation where access to the device is limited due to a forgotten password, locking after resetting settings or buying a device from their hands where the previous owner did not untie his profile. For the Redmi Note 5 model (also known as Redmi 5 Plus or code name vince), this problem is solved by several proven ways, depending on the type of lock.

It is important to understand the difference between locking the screen and locking the Mi Cloud. If you just forgot the pattern lock or pin code, the unlocking procedure will take a few minutes and require a data reset. If the phone requires you to enter a password from the account after flashing or resetting (so-called FRP or Factory Reset Protection), the situation becomes more complicated and requires deeper intervention in the system. In any case, without knowing the owner's credentials, it is impossible to unlock the device officially, but there are technical workarounds.

Before you start taking action, you need to evaluate the criticality of the data stored on the device. Most of the methods described below involve the complete removal of user information. If there are important photos or documents on the phone that are not synced with the cloud, you should first try to restore access through the standard password recovery procedures on the Mi Account site.

Diagnosis of the type of blocking and preparation

The first step is to determine exactly what kind of protection you are facing. When you turn on the Redmi Note 5, the system can request a Wi-Fi password to activate, and then require you to enter the username and password of the Mi Account, which was previously associated with this serial number, a standard security feature of Find Device, designed to protect the owner's data in the event of theft.

If the phone turns on, shows the desktop, but does not allow you to enter the settings or install applications due to the authorization requirement, this may indicate a software failure or residual traces of a previous account. In some cases, the lock occurs after a failed firmware update or attempt to install a custom recavator without first unlocking the bootloader.

To successfully perform any manipulations, you will need a stable Internet connection, preferably over Wi-Fi, as mobile Internet may not work until unlocked. It is also highly recommended to charge the Redmi Note 5 battery to at least 60% so that a sudden power outage during the reset process does not damage the system partitions.

⚠️ Note: If you are the legal owner of the device, but can not remember the account details, try to restore access via email or phone number on the official Xiaomi website.

Standard Resetting with Recovery Mode

The most common method that helps 80% of the time with a forgotten screen password is to execute Hard Reset through the recovery menu. For the Redmi Note 5, this process is standard on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform, but has its own nuances in navigation. You do not need root rights or a computer connection, all actions are performed with volume buttons.

To enter recovery mode, you need to turn off your phone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the main MIUI Recovery menu appears.

In the menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item, go to it and select Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation, usually this is Confirm. After the process is completed, which takes about a minute, select Reboot to restart.

Once the phone is rebooted, it will start as new, but if the device has enabled Find Device before it resets, the system will require you to enter a password from a previously used Mi Account, which is a theft protection, and you won't get around it with a simple reset, in which case you need to move to more sophisticated methods or restore access to your account.

Using the Mi Unlock Tool and unlocking the bootloader

If a standard reset doesn’t help or the device requires authorization, the only official way to fully control the phone is to unlock the bootloader, which allows you to install custom firmware, gain root rights, and completely ignore the binding to the account when you reflash it.

First, you will need a computer with Windows, USB-You need to activate the developer mode on the phone. → About phone and quickly press 7 times on the item Version MIUI. Then on the menu Advanced settings → For developers, include items Factory unlocking and debugging by USB.

Once these options are enabled, the system will alert you to the risks and require you to link your device to your current Mi Account. Do this by connecting to Wi-Fi. Once the utility is attached, the computer will show you the unlock status. Important point: Redmi Note 5 often requires a wait of 168 hours (7 days) from the moment you link your account to the successful unlock.

The unlocking process:


1. Run the Mi Unlock Tool on PC.




2 Log in to the same Mi Account as on the phone.




3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot (Volume Down + Power).




4. Connect the cable and press Unlock.

Unlocking the bootloader will automatically perform a complete data reset, and then you can install a clean global firmware or custom Android build that doesn't require any demands from the previous owner. This is the most radical, but also the most effective method for the Redmi Note 5.

Bypassing FRP (Google and Mi Account) through special utilities

In situations where unlocking the bootloader is not possible (for example, the wait period has expired or no access to the account for binding), users resort to methods of bypassing FRP (Factory Reset Protection). For Redmi Note 5, running on the Snapdragon 625 processor, there are a number of vulnerabilities in older versions of MIUI, allowing you to access the settings.

One of the methods is to use TalkBack or special ones. APK-The method often boils down to calling the keyboard through a voice assistant or a special feature menu, and then a browser where the account reset application is downloaded.

There are specialized PC software packages, such as Mi Flash Pro (erase all), XiaomiAdbFRPTool or paid boxes like UnlockTool. These programs use Qualcomm diagnostic ports to reset the frp or config partition. These tools often require you to switch the phone to EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode by closing certain contacts on the board or using a combination of buttons.

Using third-party software to bypass FRP always carries risks. You can inadvertently install malware on your computer or damage the system partitions of the phone. In addition, bypass methods are constantly patched by Xiaomi in new security updates, so what worked yesterday may be useless today.

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When looking for FRP bypass files, always check the Android Security Patch Level version in the corner of the activation screen. The 2018 patch methods won't work on the 2020+ patches.

EDL mode and deep flashing

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is Qualcomm’s low-level processor boot mode, which lets you interact with the device’s memory directly, bypassing the bootloader and protection system. For the Redmi Note 5, it’s often the last chance to revive the device or completely clear it of any locks, including the MI Cloud Lock.

Entering this mode on the Redmi Note 5 is usually done by closing test points on the motherboard (disassembly of the case is required) or, in some cases, a combination of buttons when connecting to a PC with the phone turned off. In Windows Device Manager, the phone will be identified as a Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

This mode uses the Mi Flash Tool for firmware. However, starting with certain versions of MIUI, firmware in EDL requires an authorized Xiaomi engineer account. A normal user account may receive an authorization error. This is done to protect against theft, since in EDL mode you can erase any data, including IMEI.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Using illegal accounts ("paid auth") may result in the device being blocked by the user. IMEI Use this method only if you are sure of the source of the authorization.

If you managed to enter EDL mode and access the firmware, select the Clean All option in the Mi Flash utility. This will completely rewrite all memory partitions. Once the process is complete, the phone will start with factory settings, and if you are lucky with the firmware version and authorization method, the requests for old accounts may disappear.

Account prevention and security

To avoid such situations in the future, it is crucial to set up your Mi Account correctly, link your current phone number and backup email address to it, which will allow you to restore access to the device even if you completely lose your password, and regularly check the list of trusted devices in your account security settings.

When buying a used Xiaomi smartphone, especially popular models like the Redmi Note 5, always ask the seller to reset the settings with you. Make sure that after turning on and connecting to Wi-Fi, the phone does not ask for other people's credentials. Buying a "locked" device is always a lottery, which can end in inability to use.

Don't forget that IMEI-The device code is a unique identifier. When you contact the official support team to unlock, you may be asked to take a photo of the box and a check where the code matches the code on the device.

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The only guaranteed way to avoid account locking problems is to buy the device from official retailers or from trusted owners with checks and a box.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)