How to unlock Xiaomi if you forgot your Mi Account password and no access: official and unofficial methods

Mi Account passwords are one of the most common problems among Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners. Things get complicated if you don't have access to a linked email or phone number and the device is locked after resetting or flashing. Unlike standard screen unlocking, where you just need to enter a pattern lock or PIN, locking through Mi Account requires confirmation of your account - and without it, the phone becomes a brick.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of unlocking (including official and workarounds), their pros and cons, as well as the risks that are important to consider. EDL-The modes have stopped working on new models, so we will focus on solutions that are validated by users in 2026.

Why is Xiaomi blocking the device with Mi Account?

The Mi Account anchor system is part of the theft protection that Xiaomi implemented back in 2016.

• 🔒 When you first turn on your phone or after resetting your settings (Wipe Data), the system requires you to enter the account data that was previously associated with the device.
• 📧 If you have forgotten your password, remember email/phone – you can restore access through the official website account.xiaomi.com.
• ⚠️ If the account is not yours (for example, the phone is bought with hands) or you can not confirm possession – unlocking becomes a non-trivial task.

Since 2022, Xiaomi has added additional checks: Anti-Rollback Protection and enhanced IMEI binding to an account, which means that even after flashing through Fastboot or EDL, the device can remain locked if you do not follow the correct procedure to unlock the bootloader.

Recovery of access to Mi Account

If you have access to an email or phone number linked to your account, it will take no more than 10 minutes to unlock.

1. Go to the password recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.
2. Enter the email or phone number specified during registration.
3. Confirm the code from the SMS or letter.
4. Create a new password and save it in a safe place (for example, in the password manager Bitwarden or KeePass).

If your email or phone number is not available, try:

• 📩 Check the Spam folder in your mail – sometimes emails from Xiaomi get there.
• 📞 Ask the operator to restore access to the SIM-card (if the number is still active).
• 🔍 Use a backup email (if indicated during registration).

💡

If you don't remember which email was linked to Mi Account, try entering all your active addresses in turn into the recovery form.

If the official method didn't work, move on to alternative methods, but remember, any unofficial action could result in a loss of warranty or a device breakdown.

Method 1: Unlock via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

This method is suitable if your Xiaomi has already unlocked the bootloader (Bootloader Unlocked).

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot.
3. Connect the device to the PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

If the bootloader is unlocked, follow the following steps:

1. Download the firmware archive (.tgz or.zip) for your model, for example, for the Redmi Note. 10 Pro, it's gonna be a file like sweet_global_images_V13.0.4.0.SKFMIXM_20230310.0000.00_12.0_global.zip.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all_lock.bat (for Windows or flash_all_lock.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and start the script. It takes 5-10 minutes.

After restarting, the device will be unlocked, but all data will be erased. If the bootloader is locked, this method will not work, and you will need to unlock it first (see the next section).

Method 2: Unlock the bootloader with the Mi Unlock Tool

If the bootloader is locked, it can be unlocked officially through the Mi Unlock Tool utility, but since 2023 Xiaomi has tightened the rules:

• ⏳ Wait 168 hours (7 days) after linking your account to your device.
• 📱 You must confirm the possession of the phone through SMS (if SIM-card).
• 🔗 Mi Account must be linked to the device before being blocked.

Instructions:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website: en.miui.com/unlock.
2. Sign in to the program under the same account that is linked to the phone.
3. Connect the device in Fastboot mode (power button + volume down).
4. Press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed.

After successfully unlocking the bootloader, you can flash the device through Fastboot (as in Method 1) or install custom recovery (TWRP).

Method 3: Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL-Emergency boot mode is a service mode that allows you to flash a phone even with a locked bootloader.However, since 2021, Xiaomi has closed access to the phone. EDL However, the method still works on some devices (especially those released before 2020).

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📂 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (preferably original).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Volume Down and connect the USB cable to your PC. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 appears in Device Manager.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
4. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

💡

EDL-The riskiest method is regime, and the wrong actions can lead to total loss. IMEI Or "bricking" the device (when the phone doesn't even turn on), if you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to a service center.

List of models on which EDL can work (according to 2026):

If your model isn’t on the list or the method didn’t work, move on to the next method.

Method 4: Bypassing the lock through Xiaomi service centers

If all the previous methods have failed, you have to go to the official service center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest way.

• 📄 Check or box from the phone (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📞 SIM-card that was on the phone at the first activation (if any).

The procedure for unlocking in the service:

1. The specialist checks the documents and sends a request to Xiaomi to remove the lock.
2. The waiting period for a response can take 3 to 30 days (depending on the region).
3. After confirmation, the phone is sewn by the official firmware, and the lock is removed.

The cost of the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles (depending on the model and region), in some cases, the service may refuse if:

• The device is listed in the stolen database.
• The previous owner did not untidy the account (when buying from hands).
• The phone was purchased in another region (for example, the Chinese version for Russia).

💡

Before you go to the service center, try contacting the previous owner (if you bought the phone from hand) and asking them to untie the device from your account through the Mi Account website.

Method 5: Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If the official methods didn't work and you don't want to go to the service center, you can try workarounds, which are only suitable for experienced users and require technical skills.

Method A: Using vulnerabilities in MIUI

Some versions of MIUI (especially 12-14) contain vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass the block through ADB or Fastboot.

1. Turn it on. USB-Debugging through the engineering menu (if the phone is turned on somehow).
2. Connect to your PC and execute the command: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.MiuiAccountDeleteActivity
3. If the command works, the account deletion menu will open.

This method does not work on all devices and may require manual editing of system files (e.g. /data/system/users/0.xml).

Method B: Firmware through TestPoint

TestPoint is a hardware method of entering EDL-It requires disassembling the phone and knowing exactly which contacts to close (they are different for each model).

Risks:

• ⚡ Possible short circuit and failure of the board.
• 🔧 Selling skills and schemes are required for a particular model.
• 🚫 The guarantee will be cancelled.

If you decide on this method, look for detailed guides for your model on the 4PDA or XDA Developers forums.

Method B: Buying an Unlocking Code

There are services on the Internet that sell EDL unlock codes or authorization tokens for the Mi Flash Tool. Prices range from 500 to 3,000 rubles.

Examples of services (use at your own risk!):

• 🌐 miunlock.ru
• 🌐 gsmforum.ru (section Xiaomi")

⚠️ Warning: Buying codes from third parties is fraught with fraud. No service guarantees 100% results, and some may request access to your account - it's not safe.

What do you do if nothing helps?

If all of these methods fail, you have three options:

1. Sell the phone for parts. Even a locked device can be sold for a profit - the screen, camera, battery and other components are often bought for repair.
2. Used as a smart alarm clock or media player, some features (such as playing music through Fastboot) can even work on a locked phone.
3. Some workshops offer flashing services through boxes (for example, UFi Box or EasyJTAG), but the cost can reach 10,000 rubles.

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, try contacting him via:

• 📱 Messages in messengers (if the number is still active).
• 📧 Email (if in a check or box).
• 🔍 Social networks (search by name/surname from documents).

At the very least, you can try writing in support of Xiaomi asking to unlock the device by providing proof of purchase, but the chances of success are minimal, the company rarely meets in such situations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi