How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi 5: from Mi Account to bootloader

Xiaomi Redmi 5 is a popular smartphone, but its owners often face lock problems: a forgotten pattern lock tied to the Mi Account after a reset or a locked bootloader when trying to flash custom firmware. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to unlock Redmi 5 (codename rosy) taking into account the features of the model and the current limitations of Xiaomi in 2026.

It's important to understand that unlocking methods depend on the type of lock. For example, resetting a graphical password and unlocking Mi Account after a hard reset are different procedures that require different tools. We'll look at official solutions (via Find Device and Mi Unlock Tool), workarounds for a forgotten password, and the nuances of working with a bootloader. All instructions are tested on current versions of MIUI and adapted to Redmi 5 with its hardware limitations.

1. Determine the type of lock on Redmi 5

Before you start unlocking, you need to accurately identify the problem. Redmi 5 has 4 main types of locks:

• 🔒 pattern lock/PIN-Code – screen is blocked after failed entry attempts.
• 📱 Mi Account – requires a login/password after resetting (Factory Reset).
• 🔧 Bootloader – blocks the installation of custom firmware (Locked state in fastboot).
• 🚫 Hardware lock – the smartphone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo (requires flashing).

To diagnose a blockage:

1. Connect Redmi 5 to your PC and check the reaction: If the charging indicator lights up but the screen doesn't turn on, there's a problem with the firmware or bootloader. If the screen says "This device is locked" - Mi Account is blocked. If after 5 wrong attempts to enter the password, a timer appears - this is a lock screen.

Loudness down + Nutrition

fastboot

Device is locked

Critical moment: on Redmi 5s MIUI 12+ After resetting through Recovery, it may work FRP-Factory Reset Protection, even if the Mi Account wasn't tied before, is a feature of Android 7.1.2-based firmware.

2. unlocking the pattern lock or PIN-code

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code on Redmi 5, there are 3 working ways to get around the lock without losing data (provided you had debugging enabled by the debugging system). USB). If the debugging is disabled, a reset will be required.

Method 1: ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

This method only works if you have previously activated USB Debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times pressed) → Additional settings → For developers.

Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download ADB Tools|Connect Redmi 5 to PC USB|Run the command line in the folder with ADB-->

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

Once you reboot, the lock will be reset, and the important thing is, if the su command doesn't work, you don't have root rights on your smartphone, so move on to the next one.

Method 2: Mi Account (if linked to account)

If you have a Mi Account tied to Redmi 5, you can reset the lock via Find Device:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your Redmi 5 from the list of devices.
3. Click "Unlock the device" and confirm the action.

The smartphone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network), and if the device is offline, this method will not work.

💡

If Redmi 5 is not displayed in Find Device, check if Settings → Mi Account → Find Device is enabled before blocking.

Method 3: Hard Reset (Hard Reset)

If previous methods have failed, all that remains is a reset via Recovery.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 5s MIUI 10+ After a reset via Recovery, you may be asked to enter Mi Account data even if the account was not tied.

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume and power buttons).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

3 Unlocking Mi Account after reset

If Redmi 5 requires you to enter Mi Account data after you reset, which you don't remember, you can't legally get around that lock, but there are legal and illegal ways to fix the problem.

Recovery of access to Mi Account

The most reliable method is to restore access to the linked account:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click "Forgot your password?" and enter your email or phone number.
3. Confirm the recovery via SMS or backup email.
4. After restoring access, enter the data on the phone.

Process:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-plug-in.
3. The device manager should have a record of Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL It could turn Redmi into a 5 Use only firmware for the rosy model (global version — rosy_global, Chinese - rosy).

4. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

The Xiaomi Redmi 5 bootloader is locked by default, and it is required to unlock it to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), obtain root rights or firmware through fastboot. The official way is to use the Mi Unlock Tool utility.

Step 1: Preparation

Before unlocking:

• 📱 Link Mi Account to your phone in Settings → Mi Account.
• 🔗 Turn it on. OEM Unlock in Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
• 🔌 Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC.
• 📶 Connect Redmi 5 to the Internet (required!).

Step 2: Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to fastboot.
2. Connect Redmi 5 to the PC.
3. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account as your phone.
4. If the message “Couldn’t unlock” appears, it means that 72 hours have passed since the account was attached (this is a restriction of Xiaomi).
5. Press Unlock and wait until the end (the phone will reboot).

Important: Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the phone will be erased! Xiaomi can also block the ability to unlock if the device was purchased less than 30 days ago.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool is the only official way. Alternative methods (for example, through exploits) can lead to blocking the IMEI or the “brick”.

Step 3: Checking the status of the loader

To make sure that the loader is unlocked:

1. Turn off your phone and log in to fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
2. Connect to your PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
3. If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock Redmi 5, you're going to have a problem with the typical ones.

Critical case: If after a failed unlock Redmi 5 stopped turning on (black screen, no reaction to charging), most likely damaged boot, in this case, only firmware through EDL using a test point (requires disassembly of the phone).

6. Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If the official methods have not worked, some users resort to undocumented methods, and we do not recommend using them, but for completeness of information, we will give a brief overview.

Method 1: Bypassing Mi Accounts with Deep Test Mode

On some versions of MIUI (up to 11 inclusive), you can bypass Mi Account through the testing mode:

1. In the dial menu, type ##3646633##.
2. Go to Connectivity → Wi-Fi and connect to the network.
3. Go back to the main test menu and select Reboot.

In 2026, this method does not work on current Redmi 5 firmware, but it may work on older versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 9).

Method 2: Using exploits to unlock the bootloader

You can find scripts on the network to unlock the bootloader without waiting 72 hours (for example, through a vulnerability in fastboot oem unlock).

• 🚨 Xiaomi regularly closes these vulnerabilities in new versions MIUI.
• 🔒 Using exploits can lead to blocking IMEI or account.
• ⚖️ This violates Xiaomi’s user agreement.

⚠️ Warning: Forums often offer "paid services" to unlock Redmi 5 via TeamViewer. 90% of the time, it's a scam - after payment, you will either do nothing or lock your phone permanently.

7.Prevention: How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid getting locked up on Redmi 5, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Regularly sync contacts and files with Mi Cloud or Google account.
• 📝 Write your pattern lock and Mi Account data in a secure location (such as a password manager).
• 🔧 Do not update the firmware through OTA, If you plan to unlock the bootloader - new versions MIUI They can close vulnerabilities.
• 🛡️ Disable Find Device and Mi Cloud Sync if you sell your phone (this will reduce the risk of locking up for the new owner).

If you often experiment with firmware, we recommend:

• Create a backup copy of the persist section (contains) IMEI and MAC-address).
• Use TWRP Recovery to back up your current firmware before changes.
• Check the compatibility of custom firmware with the rosy model on the XDA-Developers forum.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi 5