Why Xiaomi is blocked with a forgotten Mi Account password
Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lineups, use Mi Account protection, a mandatory account attached to the device. If you forget the password from this account, the phone can lock after resetting, updating the firmware or even when you normally unlock the screen, this is due to Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature, which prevents unauthorized use of the device after a reset.
The main problem is that without access to Mi Account, you can’t activate the phone after any reset — the system will require you to enter a username and password. In 2026, Xiaomi tightened its security policy, so the old methods of bypassing (for example, through fastboot or EDL) ceased to work on new models.
It is important to understand that if the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else’s account, unlocking may not be possible without the help of the previous owner, in such cases, the only way out is to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.
Method 1: Recovering your Mi Account password through the official website
The easiest and most legal method is to restore access to Mi Account through Xiaomi’s website, which is suitable if you have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.
Instructions:
- 🌐 Go to the recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword
- 📧 Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
- 🔑 Select the recovery method: code for email/SMS or answer to the control question (if asked).
- 🔄 After changing the password, restart the phone – the lock should be removed automatically.
If you don’t remember the email or number you have attached, try remembering them through your Mi Store purchase history or checks from service centers. Xiaomi doesn’t provide support for account recovery without access to the linked data.
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If you have a backup of SMS or emails (like Gmail), look for the words “Mi Account” or “Xiaomi verification code” in them to help you find the associated address.
⚠️ Warning: Do not use third-party services to "hack" Mi Account. Most of them are fraudulent and can steal your data or infect your device with viruses. Officially, Xiaomi does not support third-party unlocking.
Method 2: Unlocking via Fastboot (for older models)
The method worked through fastboot on devices until 2021 release (for example, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi 9, POCO F1). On new models (Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 and later), this method is blocked due to the updated Anti-Rollback protection.
If your phone is released before 2021, follow the following steps:
Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC| Download Mi Flash Unlock Tool from the official website |Plug your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (Plug Volume Down + Power)|Disable the antivirus (it can block Xiaomi tools)
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- Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it on PC.
- Start the program and log in to your Mi Account (yes, even unlocking requires access to your account!).
- Connect your phone in fastboot mode (clip Volume down + Power when the device is off).
- In the program, click Unlock and wait for the process to be completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).
On new devices, this method won't work, because the system will give you an error, "This device is locked. Unlocking is not allowed."
Why Xiaomi blocked the unlock through Fastboot?
Method 3: Bypass FRP through Recovery and EDL modes
If you can’t restore your account and your phone is locked after a reset, you can try bypassing Factory Reset Protection (FRP) through service modes, a technique that requires technical skills and is suitable for Qualcomm devices (most Xiaomi, except Mediatek models).
You'll need:
- 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11
- 🔌 Cable USB (original, undamaged)
- 🛠️ Programmes: QFil (for: EDL), Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm Drivers
- 📄 Firmware for your model (download only from the official website)
Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone and put it into EDL mode: For most models: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Connect USB. On some devices (like POCO X3), you first need to log into fastboot and then type in the command: fastboot oem edl
Mi Flash Tool
Refresh
COM9
Clean All
Flash
Mi Account
⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL If you're not sure what you're doing, you can contact a service center, and you can also note that this method will only work on devices without Anti-Rollback 4.+ (Check the version with fastboot getvar anti).
Resetting settings|Firmware updates|Hand-held purchases (linked to someone else’s account)|Another action.-->
Method 4: Contact Xiaomi Service Center
If all previous methods failed, the only legal way to do so is to contact a Xiaomi authorized service center, which is especially true for newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13, POCO F6, etc.) where software bypasses are blocked.
What will be required to unlock:
- 📄 Check or contract of sale (proof of possession).
- 🆔 Passport or other identity document.
- 📱 The phone itself is in any condition (even if it doesn't turn on).
- 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 1000 to 5 000 rubles depending on the model).
The process can take anywhere from 3 to 14 days, as the service center will have to send a request to Xiaomi to untether.In some cases (for example, if the phone is listed in the database of stolen), unlocking may not be possible.
Important: If you bought the phone with your hands and can’t contact the previous owner, the chances of unlocking are minimal. Xiaomi doesn’t unlink your account without a confirmation from the original user.
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Officially unlocking through the service center is the only guaranteed way for new Xiaomi models (2022 and later).
Method 5: Alternative methods (at your own risk)
If the legal methods have not worked, you can find "grey" methods of unlocking on the Internet, but they come with risks. We do not recommend using them, but for completeness of information, we will give a brief overview.
Popular (but dangerous) methods:
- 🔓 Paid unlocking services (for example, through Telegram-bots) Cost: 500-3000 rubles Risks: fraud, installation of spyware.
- 📱 Firmware through informal tools (e.g, SP Flash Tool for Mediatek.Risks: Loss IMEI, non-functioning modules (camera, sensors).
- 🔧 Replacement of the motherboard (relevant for Xiaomi with soldered memory chip). Risks: high cost (from 10 000 rubles), loss of warranty.
Most of these methods violate Xiaomi’s user agreement and can result in:
- IMEI lock (the phone will become a “brick” without communication).
- Lose the warranty.
- Personal data leakage (if you use questionable programs).
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If you still decide to unblock informally, be sure to do a backup of data through ADB (if the phone is turned on at all).
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.abComparison of Xiaomi Unlocking Methods
| Method | Suitable for models | Difficulty | Risks. | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery of Mi Account | All models. | ⭐ (simple) | No. | Free of charge. |
| Fastboot (Mi Unlock Tool) | Until 2021. | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | Blocking on new models | Free of charge. |
| Firmware through EDL | Qualcomm (up to Anti-Rollback 4) | ⭐⭐⭐ (difficult) | Brick, loss of IMEI | Free (but you need skills) |
| Service centre | All models. | ⭐ (simple) | Long wait | 1 000–5 000 ₽ |
| Paid services (unofficial) | Depends on the model. | ⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road) | Fraud, viruses | 500–3 000 ₽ |