How to Unlock Xiaomi After Reset: The Complete 2026 Guide

Why Xiaomi is blocked after a reset and what to do about it

Resetting settings on Xiaomi smartphones is a standard procedure that should return the device to factory status. However, many users face an unpleasant surprise: after a hard reset, the phone requires you to enter a password from a previous Mi Account account or shows a message “This device is locked.” This is not an accident, but the work of the built-in Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which Xiaomi has been actively using since 2016.

The main reason for blocking is to link the device to your Mi Account before reset. Even if you sell your phone and reset through Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset, the system will still remember the associated account. Without its data, you will not be able to unlock Xiaomi using standard methods. But there are workarounds, from official to technical, which we will discuss below.

It's important to understand that the way you unlock depends on the device model, the MIUI version and the type of lock. For example, one way will work on the Redmi Note 10 Pro with MIUI 14, and another way will work on the Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 15, and we've put together the latest solutions for 2026 that work on most devices, including the latest models.

Method 1: Unlock with the official Mi Account

The most legal and secure method is to use data from your linked Mi Account. If you remember your email and password (or have access to your email for recovery), follow this instruction:

1. On the lock screen, select "Login to Mi Account" (or similar).
2. Enter the email and password from the account that was linked to the phone before the reset.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. After successful authorization, the phone is unlocked automatically.

If you don’t remember your password, use the recovery function at account.xiaomi.com. Please note that Xiaomi may request additional information to verify your identity, such as:

• 📧 Alternative email specified during registration
• 📱 Phone number linked to the account
• 🔐 Backup recovery codes (if maintained)
• 📅 Date of last login to the system

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand and the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account, official unlocking is impossible without his participation.

Method 2: Fastboot bypasses FRP (for advanced users)

If the official method didn’t work, you can try unlocking Xiaomi via Fastboot mode, USB-cable and basic command line knowledge. MIUI 12-15, but newer devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may not work due to enhanced protection.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (preferably from the set)
• 🛠️ Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb)
• 📄 Firmware file for your model (can be downloaded on the official website)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone. Press the Power button + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (screen with a rabbit in its cap).
2. Connect the device to a PC. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
3. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (its serial number will appear), continue.
4. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked): fastboot oem unlock Attention: this will erase all data on the device!
5. Sweep through the modified boot.img (required to bypass FRP). Download the appropriate file for your model and execute: fastboot flash boot.img fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Fastboot's wrong actions can turn your phone into a brick. If you're not sure about your abilities, you better contact the service. Also note that unlocking the bootloader resets all data and can deprive you of warranties.

Download Platform Tools from the official website|Check the phone model in Settings|Download the firmware just for your model|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Prepare a backup of important data (if available)-->

Method 3: Using ADB to bypass locks

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a good way to do this if you have USB debugging on your phone before reset, which is rare, but if you're lucky, it'll only take 5-10 minutes to unlock, and the main advantage is that you don't need to unlock the bootloader and the data on the device will be saved.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the adb folder.
2. Check the connection: adb devices If the device is displayed, enter: adb shell
3. Delete the files responsible for FRP: rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot the device: reboot

Once rebooted, the phone should suggest setting it up as new, without asking for a password.This method works on MIUI 11-14, but on newer versions Xiaomi has closed this loophole.

Method 4: Unlocking through the Mi Flash Tool (firmware)

If previous methods have not worked, the radical way is to completely flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool, which completely removes the lock, but has serious consequences:

• 🧹 Delete all data (including internal memory)
• 🔓 Resetting all settings to factory
• ⚠️ Possible loss of warranty (if the phone is warranty)
• 🔄 Requires an unlocked bootloader (if not unlocked – see Method 2)

Step-by-step:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\).
3. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool.
4. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
5. Connect the device to your PC, open the Mi Flash Tool and select the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must identify the device.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-15 minutes to complete, and when it's done, it will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, which works on 99% of Xiaomi devices, but it takes care: the wrong firmware can bring the phone down.

💡

Before you run the firmware, check the phone model in Settings → About Phone → Model. firmware from another model (e.g. Redmi Note 11 instead of Redmi Note 11 Pro) will cause the device to fail.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all the self-unblocking attempts fail, the last option is to go to an authorized service center, which is the safest, but also the longest and most expensive way.

• 🔧 Guaranteed result (if the phone is not blacklisted)
• 📄 Preservation of the guarantee (if it is valid)
• 🛡️ Without risk of damaging the device

What will be required for the application:

1. Check or document confirming the purchase (if the phone is guaranteed).
2. Passport of the owner (if the phone is linked to the account of the previous owner, his data may be required).
3. The phone itself has a charge of at least 30%.

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles depending on the model and complexity. Timeframes - from a few hours to 3-5 days.

⚠️ Note: Some “unofficial” services offer low-price unlocking, but often use questionable methods (e.g., modified firmware). IMEI). This can lead to network problems or complete loss of functionality.

Compatibility table of unlock methods with Xiaomi models

On Xiaomi 13T/14 series and later FRP bypass via Fastboot/ADB is not possible without official permission from Xiaomi. the only working methods are Mi Account or service center.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

• 🔌 "Fastboot doesn't see device": Check the cable (use the original), install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers, try another one. USB-Windows may require disabling the digital signature of drivers.
• 🔓 "Mi Flash Tool gives an error": Make sure you download the firmware for your model (for example, Redmi Note 11 Pro) 5G Redmi Note 11 Pro – different devices! also check that the program settings have selected Clean all mode.
• 📱 "After firmware, the phone doesn't turn on": This means the firmware isn't suitable for your model or has been interrupted. Try flashing it again by selecting another file (for example, an older version). MIUI). If it doesn’t help, contact the service.
• 🔒 "Mi Account does not accept password": "Perhaps your account is blocked for suspicious activity.Try to restore access through the official website or contact Xiaomi support.

💡

If the phone after reset requires a password from the previous owner, the only legal way to unlock is to contact him and ask him to untie Mi Account through his personal account (Devices section).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions