How to unlock a Xiaomi phone with the error “This device is locked”: official and unofficial ways

The message “This device is locked. Unlock your device to use this feature” on the Xiaomi screen is one of the most common problems among brand users, it appears after a failed firmware, reset settings or when buying a used device with a tied Mi Account. Unlike standard lock screen, this error is associated with hardware protection of the bootloader and requires specific actions to unlock.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi in 2026, including the official method through the Mi Unlock Tool, bypassing with Fastboot and EDL, as well as alternative solutions for devices with a previous owner’s tied account. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for models with Qualcomm and Mediatek chipsets, since the process is different for them. If you are not sure about your technical skills, skip the sections with ADB and EDL and focus on the official methods.

Why is this device locked and what does it mean?

The message “This device is locked” is not a standard lock screen, but bootloader protection, which Xiaomi has implemented to combat device theft and unauthorized firmware, and it activates in three cases:

• 🔒 Reset your settings via Recovery or Fastboot without first unlocking your Mi Account.
• 📱 Buying a used phone with a previous owner’s account tied (even after resetting).
• 🔧 Failed firmware through Fastboot or EDL, interrupted in the loader inspection phase.

It is important to understand that this blockage is not related to SIM-card PIN-It blocks access to the system at the bootloader level, so the standard methods of unlocking the screen (entering a password, resetting via Find My Device) do not work here. 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After several unsuccessful attempts to log in, the device can be completely blocked with the requirement to enter a username / password from Mi Account.

Before you start unlocking, check:

• 📌 Do you have access to the Mi Account tied to the phone (if you bought used - check with the seller).
• 🔌 Does your model officially unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool (the list of supported devices is available on the Xiaomi website).
• 🔧 Is there an unlocked bootloader on the phone (if so, the problem may be in the account binding).

Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

The safest and most recommended method for Xiaomi is the Mi Unlock Tool, which is suitable for most models (except for some regional versions, such as China) and does not require deep technical knowledge.

• ⏳ Wait 7-14 days after linking your account to your device (if you have a new account).
• 📱 The phone must be on (not in the Fastboot state or off).
• 🔌 Requires a stable Internet connection and original USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Link your Mi Account: Sign in to your Mi Account on your phone (if it is blocked, use another device to log in to account.xiaomi.com and link your phone to Find Device).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, the official unlock may not work, in which case you will need to contact the seller or use alternative methods (see next section).

Alternative Unlocking Methods Without Mi Account

If the official method does not work (for example, due to a tied someone else’s account or lack of access to Mi Account), alternative methods can be tried.

1. Software – via Fastboot or ADB (suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader).
2. Hardware – through EDL mode (requires special equipment and skills).

Let’s look at the most affordable options.

Method 1: Unlocking via Fastboot (for devices with unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader is already unlocked, but the phone requires Mi Account data entry after reset, you can try flashing stock firmware through Fastboot.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Open the command line in the firmware folder and execute the command: fastboot flash all (some models may require fastboot flash all -w to clean the data).

⚠️ Note: This method will not work if the bootloader is locked, in which case you will first need to unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool or use it. EDL.

Method 2: Bypassing a lock via EDL (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash the phone at a low level, bypassing the bootloader lock, but you need to:

• 🔧 Special cable (or a jumper on the board for forced entry into the EDL).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm chipsets).
• 📄 Authorized firmware download account (some forums sell "authorized" accounts).

The firmware process through EDL:

1. Download the firmware for EDL (usually a file with the.mbn or.elf extension).
2. Connect the phone to EDL mode (this may require disassembling the device and closing the contacts on the board).
3. Open Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL This method can permanently disable the phone ("brick"), which is recommended only for advanced users or service centers.

Unlock Xiaomi with the previous owner’s Mi Account tied

If you bought a used Xiaomi phone and the previous owner didn’t untie his Mi Account, unlocking is complicated. Officially, Xiaomi does not provide ways to bypass this protection, but there are several options:

• 📞 Contact the seller and ask to untie the account via account.xiaomi.com (Find Device section) → Remove the device).
• 📄 Provide proof of purchase in support of Xiaomi (checks, sales contract) – sometimes they help unlock the device.
• 🔧 Use paid services (for example, DC-Unlocker or specialized forums), but it is risky (fraud, viruses).

If you can’t contact the seller, try the following algorithm:

1. Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
2. On the lock screen, enter any password 5 times – should the button Forgot the password appear?
3. Click on it and try to reset your password via your linked email or phone (unless the previous owner has changed the data).

If nothing helps, only the firmware through EDL (see the previous section) or contacting the service center remains.

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Before buying a used Xiaomi, always check if the Mi Account is untied. Ask the seller to reset the settings with you and make sure the phone does not require login/password entry after the reboot.

Unlocking Xiaomi models on Mediatek chipsets

Xiaomi devices on Mediatek processors (e.g. Redmi 9A, Redmi 10A, Poco C31) have unlock features. They do not fit the standard Mi Unlock Tool, and the process of firmware through Fastboot or EDL is different.

The main nuances:

• 🔧 Additional software may be required to log in to Fastboot (e.g, MTK driver SP Flash Tool).
• 📥 Firmware for Mediatek is often delivered in.zip format and requires unpacking through the SP Flash Tool.
• ⚠️ High risk of “bricking” with incorrect firmware (especially if the wrong version of the software is selected).

Step-by-step instructions for Mediatek:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, from the MTKROMs website).
2. Install Mediatek drivers (you can download from Driver Auto Installer).
3. Open the SP Flash Tool, download the scatter.txt file from the firmware.
4. Connect the phone to the PC (without pressing the buttons!).
5. Click Download in the SP Flash Tool and wait for the firmware to finish.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through SP Flash Tool deletes all data, including Mi Account, but if the bootloader is blocked, this method may not work without first unlocking.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When you unlock Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

If you have an error not described in the table, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB — Try another cable or port on your PC.
• 📋 The firmware version – it should exactly match the phone model (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro and Redmi Note 10 Pro Max have different firmware).
• 🔧 Drivers – Remove old Xiaomi drivers through Device Manager and install new ones.

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If your phone is not responding to your PC connection, try using another computer (preferably with Windows 10/11) or booting in Safe Mode (to avoid software conflicts).

When to contact the service center

Not all locks can be removed by yourself. Contact Xiaomi Service Center if:

• 🔧 Phone not turned on (black screen, no reaction to charging).
• 📱 The screen says, This device is corrupted or No command.
• 🔒 You are not sure about your skills in working with Fastboot/EDL.
• 📄 You do not have access to Mi Account and the previous owner does not respond.

The cost of unlocking in the service depends on the model and the reason for blocking:

• 💰 Official unlock (via Mi Account) – usually free or up to 1,000 ₽.
• 💰 Firmware through EDL — 1500 to 3000 ₽ (model-wise).
• 💰 Repair after a failed firmware - from 3000 ₽ (It may be necessary to replace the memory chip).

Before the service visit:

• 📌 Check if they have official status from Xiaomi (this guarantees the use of original firmware).
• 📄 Take with you the documents on the phone (checks, warranty card), if it is guaranteed.
• 🔧 If the phone was bought used – try to get from the seller data from Mi Account (this will speed up the process).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions