How to unlock Xiaomi if it is blocked: all the ways from Mi Account to EDL

A blocked Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day, and the reasons can be different: a forgotten password, failed attempts to enter a pattern lock, activation of protection after resetting settings, or even buying a used device with a tied Mi Account. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi phones have enhanced security, which often turns unlocking into a real puzzle.

The main problem is that the company is actively fighting theft and unauthorized use of devices, which means that standard methods like resetting through Recovery on Xiaomi often do not work without prior authorization. However, there are several options, and in this article we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, from the simplest (through an official account) to complex (EDL mode and firmware via Fastboot), taking into account the nuances for different models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

It's important to understand that some techniques require technical skills and can lead to data loss or even a build-up of the device. We'll detail the risks of each method and give you recommendations on how to minimize them. If you're not sure about yourself, you should contact a service center. But if you're willing to act on your own, read on.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The device was synced to the account before being blocked.
• 🔄 Mobile Internet or Wi-Fi enabled (to communicate with Xiaomi servers).
• 🔐 You remember the login (email/phone) and password from Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (depending on your security settings).
4. Follow the system instructions for resetting your password or pattern lock.

If the buttons Forgot the password? no (for example, after resetting the settings), try:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi (if possible).
2. Enter any password 5 times in a row until a lock message appears with a suggestion to restore access through Mi Account.

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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.

⚠️ Note: If the device was purchased from hand and tied to someone else's account, this method will not work, in which case you will need to contact the previous owner to unbundle or use alternative methods (see sections below).

2. Recovery Mode Reset (for devices without Mi Account)

The method is suitable if:

• 🔄 Your phone doesn’t have a Mi Account tied or you untied it in advance.
• 📱 The device does not request authorization after reset (relevant for older models until 2019).
• 🔧 You don’t care about the phone data (reset will delete everything!).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button.
2. Press the key combination to enter Recovery Mode: For most models: Volume up + Power. For Redmi Note 8/9, Poco X3: Volume up + Volume down + Power.

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Reboot

On new models (Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12), a request for authorization to Mi Account may appear after a reset.

Turn off your Google Account (if your phone is not blocked already)

Make a backup copy of important data

Charge your phone at least 50%

Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)

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⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a reset via Recovery may result in an error of "This device is locked." In this case, you will need to unlock the bootloader (see section 4).

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable if:

• 🔓 The bootloader is unlocked on the phone (if not, see section 4).
• 🖥️ You have a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool tool.
• 📦 You can download the official firmware for your model.

Instructions:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from en.miui.com (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery!).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your computer.
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot Mode.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware folder and press Refresh (the device should appear).
6. Press Flash and wait for the process to finish (5-10 minutes).

Once flashed, the phone will be as new as it is, without password or data, and on models with a locked bootloader, this method will cause an error and require prior unlocking.

4. Unlock bootloader (bypassing the Mi Account protection)

If your Xiaomi bootloader is blocked, most unlock methods will not work.

1. Apply at en.miui.com/unlock (a tied Mi Account is required).
2. Download and install Mi Unlock Tool on PC.
3. Log in to Fastboot Mode on your phone and connect it to your computer.
4. Start the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and wait for the process to complete (can take up to 720 hours on new devices!).

Important nuances:

• ⏳ On new models (Xiaomi) 12/13, Redmi Note 11/12) After the application is submitted, you must wait 3 before 30 The following days (depending on Xiaomi policy).
• 📵 Unlock bootloader resets all data and unties Mi Account.
• 🔧 Once unlocked, you can flash the device through Fastboot or TWRP.

Yeah, I unlocked it myself.

Yeah, but through the service center.

No, you didn't.

I tried, but it didn't work.

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⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty and may cause the device to work unstable if you flash unofficial software. 13T) Unlocking is not possible without special permission from Xiaomi.

EDL mode (emergency firmware for "bricks")

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring your phone back to life if:

• 🧱 The device turned into a “brick” after a failed firmware.
• 🔒 Password is forgotten and Mi Account is not tied or blocked.
• 🛠️ Other methods didn't work.

The work will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm drivers (90% of Xiaomi devices run on Qualcomm chips).
• 📂 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.

Instructions (simplified):

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Close the Test Point contacts (their location depends on the model, look for diagrams for your device) or use a special EDL cable.
3. Connect the phone to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.

Warning: Incorrect EDL actions can permanently disable a device, a method only recommended for advanced users or service centers.

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EDL mode is the only way to restore the brick, but it requires exact compliance with instructions and knowledge of the location of the Test Point for your model.

6. Alternative methods (for specific cases)

If the standard methods did not help, try:

For example, for ADB bypassing (if debugging was enabled before blocking):

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

This method removes password files, but only works on older versions of Android (up to 9).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When unlocking Xiaomi, users often face typical problems:

• 🔌 "This device is locked means the bootloader is locked. Solution: unlock it via Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📵 "Couldn't verify device - Fastboot firmware error Solution: Check firmware version (must match phone model).
• ⏳ "Waiting for device — the computer can't see the phone. Solution: reinstall the drivers or use the original USB-cable.
• 🔒 "Mi Account Locked - Account blocked for suspicious activity Solution: Restore access via official website.

To minimize the risks:

• 📋 Always check firmware compatibility with your model (for example, the firmware for the Redmi Note 10 will not work for the Redmi Note 10 Pro).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 70% before the firmware.
• 🔌 Use the back. USB-port on PCs (they are usually more stable than front ones).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions