How to unlock a Xiaomi device: from a screen password to a Mi Account

Forgot the password from Xiaomi or bought a used smartphone with a locked screen? Unlocking devices of this brand has its nuances – from standard methods of resetting through Recovery to specific problems with binding to Mi Account. Unlike other brands, it often requires to consider the version of MIUI, the type of lock (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint) and even the region of purchase of the device.

This article covers all the current ways to unlock for 2026 – from the simplest (if you remember your account data) to the most complex (if you lose access to mail / phone).We will analyze the official methods from Xiaomi, workarounds for old models (Redmi Note 5, Mi 8) and the nuances of working with new flagships (Xiaomi 14, POCO F6). Importantly, some methods can lead to data loss or blocking IMEI – read the warnings carefully!

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If the lock screen says "Device is tied to Mi Account," it means the smartphone is locked through a Xiaomi account, which is standard protection on all devices with MIUI 9+, which works after resetting settings or trying to bypass the password.

The official method of unlocking only works if:

• 🔑 You have access to the mail or phone linked to your account
• 📱 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
• ⏳ Since the last activity in the account has passed no more than 30 days

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click "Unlock with Mi Account".
2. Enter your email/phone and password from your Xiaomi account.
3. Confirm unlocking via SMS or code letter.
4. If it requests a "Device Confirmation Code", check emails from service@account.xiaomi.com.

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If you don’t get an SMS with the code, try requesting a call with the code – this option appears after 3 failed attempts to send a message.

Difficulties arise if:

• 🚫 The account was deleted or blocked for violating the rules of Xiaomi
• 🔄 The device is linked to the account of the previous owner (purchase used)
• 🌍 Smartphone purchased in China – for such models requires a separate procedure to unlock

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If you don't remember your screen password and you don't have a Mi Account binding, the most reliable way is to hard-reset through Recovery Mode, which works on all models, but deletes all data on the device, including photos, contacts and apps.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the smartphone with a long press on the power button.
2. Hold the combination: 🔄 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition 📱 For POCO F1/M2: Loudness down + Nutrition 🔧 For Xiaomi. 12T/13 Lite: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition

Mi

Recovery

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

"Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data"

"Confirm"

"Reboot" → "Reboot to System"

Important nuances:

• 🔋 If the battery is discharged below 20%, the smartphone can turn off during reset.
• 🔒 On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, Mi 11 Ultra) after reset, you will need to enter the Mi Account data, which was previously tied to the device.
• 📶 If your smartphone does not connect to Wi-Fi in Recovery, use it. OTG-mouse-wire.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ After resetting via Recovery, the error "This device is locked" may appear, which means that the smartphone is linked to the account of the previous owner, in which case an official appeal in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase will be required.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced)

If the smartphone doesn't boot even into Recovery, or a standard reset doesn't help, you can try unlocking the device via Fastboot mode, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.

Suitable for models:

• 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9/10/11 (except for the Chinese versions)
• 🔧 Redmi Note 8/9/10 (firmware)
• 🚀 POCO F2/F3/F4

Instructions:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices should appear the serial number of the device.
4. For password reset, type fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot.

If after the reboot there is an error "No command" or the smartphone stuck on the logo, it means:

• 🔧 Firmware is damaged – you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.
• 🔒 The device has a bootloader lock – you need to officially unlock it through the Xiaomi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot erase commands delete all data without recovery. (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi K50) This can lead to a blockage. IMEI, If you have previously activated Find Device.

4. bypassing the Mi Account lock without account data

If your smartphone is locked on Mi Account but you don’t remember the login details, there are no official ways to bypass it, but there are a few informal methods that may work on older models (MIUI 10-12).

Method 1: EDL Mode (Emergency Mode)

• 🔌 Demands special cable (Deep Flash Cable) or soldering work.
• 💻 You need Mi Flash Pro software and firmware for your model.
• ⚠️ Risk of "bricking" of the device — 30-40%.

Method 2: Through Test Point

1. Take apart your smartphone and find Test Points on the motherboard (they are different for each model).
2. Close the contacts with a screwdriver and connect USB-plug-in.
3. The device will go to 9008 mode, after which you can flash it through Mi Flash.

Method 3: Appealing for Xiaomi

• 📄 You will need a purchase check or warranty card.
• ⏳ The term of consideration of the application - from 3 to 14 days.
• 💰 On some models (Xiaomi) 13 Pro, Redmi K60) There may be a fee for unblocking (1000-3000₽).

5 Unlocking the pattern lock without resetting

If you forget your graphical password, but remember your Mi Account, you can try to bypass the lock without losing data. This method works on MIUI 11-14, but requires an Internet connection.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong key 5 times in a row.
2. The message will appear “Forgot the password?” – click on it.
3. Select "Unblock with Mi Account".
4. Enter your account details and confirm the unlock.
5. If you ask SMS-code, but the message does not come, try to request a call.

If this method does not work:

• 🔄 Restart the device and try again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery is charged more than 30 times%.

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On the new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 12) after 10 failed attempts to enter the pattern lock, the device will automatically lock for 24 hours.

6 Unlock after purchasing a used device

When buying a smartphone Xiaomi often face a problem: the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account. In this case, standard reset methods will not help – after the reboot, the device will again require you to enter the data of the old account.

What to do:

1. Contact the seller: 📞 Ask him to untie the device through his Mi Account account. 📧 If the seller does not respond, write in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, correspondence, payment data).
2. Theft check: 🔍 Go to IMEI.info and check the status of the device. 🚨 If your smartphone is blacklisted, return it to the seller or contact the police.

Alternative means

• 🔧 Firmware via Fastboot (requires unlocking the bootloader).
• 💻 Use of Xiaomi Tool V2 (It does not work on all models).

The cost of unlocking in service centers:

⚠️ Note: Buying Xiaomi smartphones with a tied Mi Account is fraught not only with blocking, but also with problems with the smartphone. IMEI. On some models (Redmi) K40, Mi 11 Lite) after reset may disappear network due to blocking of the radio module.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When unlocking Xiaomi devices, users often encounter typical problems, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:

If, after unlocking:

• 📵 No network: Check IMEI *#06# if you're not using the number NULL, Recovery will be required QCN-file.
• 🔋 Battery discharges quickly: Calibrate (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).
• 🔊 Speakers are not working: Contacts may have been damaged during the disassembly.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions