Forgot the password from Xiaomi Redmi? Phone locked after failed attempts to enter the pattern lock? Or maybe you bought a used device with a tied someone else's Mi Account? In any of these situations, unlock is possible - the main thing is to choose the right method.
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with multi-level protection: from standard PIN-It's all about the code, biometrics, cloud-based linking to your account, but even if you lose access to all of that data, there's a way out. In this article, we'll look at all the current ways to unlock, from official (via Find Device) to technical (using Fastboot and other tools). EDL-Important: some methods require prior preparation, so read carefully and choose the right option.
⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset will remove all data from your phone, including photos, contacts and apps. If encryption is enabled on your device, you may need to enter your old password even after resetting.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
If your Redmi is linked to a Mi Account and you have access to the mail or phone number associated with it, this method is the easiest and most secure. 11/12/13, Redmi 10/9/8 others.
Algorithm of action:
- 📱 On the lock screen, tap "Forgot password?" (or "Forgot password?" on English firmware).
- 🔑 Choose the method of recovery: SMS (If the number is attached or e-mail.
- 📧 Enter the confirmation code received by mail/phone and set a new password.
- 🔓 The phone is unlocked automatically after changing the password in the account.
If the “Forgot Password?” button is missing, try entering any password 5-10 times in a row – the system can offer a recovery option through Mi Account.
⚠️ Note: On some firmware (especially Chinese) after 10 failed attempts, the phone may lock for 24 hours.
2.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
Hard Reset is a universal way to unlock, but it completely erases data from the phone. Suitable for all Xiaomi Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi A2. The main condition is that the phone must be disabled Mi Cloud Lock (lock through the Mi Account), otherwise after reset you will need to enter a login / password from the previous owner.
Resetting instructions:
- Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
- Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
- In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
- Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
- After the process is complete, select Reboot.
The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and if you request Mi Account data after the reset, you have a typical lock on your device, and then you go to the Fastboot method.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
The method via Fastboot is suitable if:
- 🔒 Phone blocked by Mi Account after reset.
- 📱 The device is off. OEM Unlock (unlocking the bootloader).
- 🖥️ You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and Mi Flash Tool program.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Platform Tools (for ADB and Fastboot).
- Turn off your phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press Volume Down + Power.
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools and type: fastboot oem device-info If in the answer Device unlocked: false, then the bootloader is blocked.
- Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website (choose the Fastboot version).
- Unpack the firmware and in the Mi Flash Tool, point the path to the file folder. Press Refresh, then Flash.
⚠️ Note: After being firmwareed through Fastboot, the phone may require activation via Mi Account if previously linked to the account.In this case, official proof of ownership from Xiaomi will be required (through a support request with a purchase check).
What if the Mi Flash Tool can't see the phone?
4.Use of EDL mode (for complex cases)
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to bypass lock even when the bootloader is locked. Suitable for models on Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi K40, etc.).
What you need:
- 💻 Windows computer.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).
- 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
- 🛠️ QFil or Mi Flash Pro.
Instructions:
- Turn off the phone.
- Close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (requires disassembly of the phone) or use ADB-command: adb reboot edl (only works if enabled) USB Debugging).
- Connect your phone to your PC – Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in the Device Manager.
- Start QFil, select firmware and press Download.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect firmware in mode EDL It can turn your phone into a brick. Use only the firmware you've tested for your model!
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Before disassembling your Test Point phone, check out your model's disassembly on YouTube. Contacts are usually located next to the battery and marked as EDL or TP.
5 Unlocking through Find Device (remote)
If your phone has Find Device enabled and it's connected to the Internet, you can remotely unlock it via iCloud (the equivalent of Find My iPhone for Xiaomi), which only works with an active Mi Account and location enabled.
How to do this:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select your Redmi from the list of devices.
- Click "Block" (if the phone is already locked, this option may not be available).
- Select "Erase data" - the phone will reset to factory settings.
Once reset, the phone will unlock, but all data will be deleted. If the device has activated the Mi Cloud lock, you will need to enter your account information at the first setting.
| Unlocking method | PC required | Deletes the data. | It works with Mi Cloud Lock. | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Account (Password Recovery) | ❌ No. | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ⭐ Easy. |
| Hard Reset (Recovery) | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (requires Mi password) | ⭐⭐ Middle-Average |
| Fastboot | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No (requires unlocking the bootloader) | ⭐⭐⭐ Hardly. |
| EDL | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. | ⚠️ Partially (depends on firmware) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very difficult. |
| Find Device | ❌ No. | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | ⭐ Easy. |
6. Alternative methods (for older models)
If you have an older Xiaomi Redmi model (e.g. Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A), you can try bypassing the lock via service codes or ADB (if USB debugging is enabled).
Method 1: Service code for resetting
On some firmware works a combination:
##7780##This code does a soft reset (removes settings but saves files). If it doesn't work, try:
*2767*3855#Complete reset (all data will be erased).
Method 2: ADB-teams (if included) USB Debugging)
If USB debugging was previously activated on the phone, connect it to the PC and type in the command line:
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.keyor for PIN-code:
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyAfter the reset, the lock will be reset.
⚠️ Note: On newer models (Redmi Note 12 and later), these methods do not work due to enhanced protection. MIUI. They can also work incorrectly on firmware with encryption (File-Based Encryption).
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On phones with MIUI 12 and later, most of the holes to bypass the lock are closed. If none of the methods worked, only the official unlock through Xiaomi support remains (a purchase check is required).