Unlocking Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: from the pattern lock to Mi Account [Actual 2026]

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 remains one of the most popular smartphones of the brand despite the release of new models. Its reliability and low price have made the device iconic, but many users face problems of blocking: a forgotten pattern lock, a blocked Mi-account after a reset or the inability to flash custom firmware due to a closed bootloader. In this article, current 2026 unlock methods, including bypassing through EDL, Fastboot and official Xiaomi tools.

It's important to understand that the procedures vary depending on the type of lock, for example, removing a pattern lock does not require unlocking the bootloader, whereas running a custom recover or deleting a Mi Account without official permission will require deep intervention in the system, and we'll look at all scenarios, from the simplest to the most complex, taking into account the risks and the necessary equipment.

If you have never worked with ADB, Fastboot or EDL, we recommend starting with the official methods. For experienced users, alternative methods are given, including the use of test points and specialized boxes (for example, UFi Box or Medusa Pro).

Types of locks on Redmi Note 3 and their features

Before you start unlocking, you need to clearly define what type of lock you are facing, and this depends on the choice of method and tools:

• 🔒 pattern lock/PIN-code is a lock on the screen that the user has set up himself, and the simplest case is often solved by using a screen lock. ADB or recovery.
• 📱 Mi-account (Mi Cloud) - binding to a Xiaomi account, locks the device after resetting settings or trying to flash informal software.
• 🔓 Blocked bootloader – Xiaomi’s standard protection that prevents custom firmware installation. requires official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🚨 Hardware locking (EDL) — It occurs when the firmware fails or the partition persists is damaged.

The Redmi Note 3 came in several versions: the Redmi Note 3 Pro (Snapdragon 650) and the Redmi Note 3 SE (Helio X10), the unlock methods for them are identical, but the firmware and tools must match a particular model, for example, for the Snapdragon version, EDL 9008 mode is available, while on the Helio X10 it is not.

⚠️ Note: If the device was purchased hand-held and tied to someone else's Mi Account, official unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool can take up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting.

2. unlocking the pattern lock or PIN-code

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but remember the data from the Mi-account, the easiest way is to reset the lock through Find Device:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Click "Delete Data" (this will result in a complete reset).

If you lose your Mi Account or find device is disabled, use ADB (USB debugging is required):

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

After restarting, the screen lock will be removed. If ADB is not available, you can use TWRP Recovery:

• 🔧 Install. TWRP Fastboot (Fastboot Flash Recovery) twrp.img).
• 📁 Download to recovery and delete files /data/system/gesture.key and /data/system/locksettings.db.
• 🔄 Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Delete the lock files via TWRP This can cause Mi Account to crash the next time you sign in, and if the device is linked to the account, you'll need to enter your account information after you unlock the screen.

3. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

To install custom firmware or recovery, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi provides the official tool - Mi Unlock Tool, but the process has a number of limitations:

• ⏳ Waiting: After linking the account to the device, you need to wait from 7 to 30 days (depending on the activity of the account).
• 📱 SIM-map: the device must be inserted SIM-Mobile Internet card (for verification) IMEI).
• 🔗 Binding: Account must be linked to device in settings (Settings) → Mi Account. → The device).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (the version should match your OS).
2. Sign in to the tool under the same account as on the phone.
3. Turn the device into Fastboot mode (Switch off → Power + Vol-).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and press Unlock in the program.

If the tool is running a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error, check:

• 🔌 Cable: Use the original cable USB-cable (undamaged).
• 🖥️ Drivers: Install Mi Phone Manager to Automatically Install Drivers.
• 📡 Network: Shut down VPN/Proxies, the tool can block suspicious IP.

Link Mi-account to the device|Insert SIM-mobile-internet|Download the Mi Unlock Tool for the latest version|Install Fastboot drivers|Shut down. VPN/proxy-->

Redmi Note 3 on the Snapdragon 650 processor supports unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool without problems. For the version on the Helio X10 (SE), you may experience difficulties, in which case it is recommended to use alternative methods (see section 5).

4 Unblocking Mi Account without Official Tools

If the device is locked to someone else's Mi Account or you don't remember your account details, an official reset via the Mi Unlock Tool is not possible, in which case you will have to use informal methods, which are divided into two types:

1. Software - via Fastboot or EDL using scripts.
2. Hardware – through test points or specialized boxes (UFi, Medusa).

The most common way is to firmware the modified persist via Fastboot:

fastboot flash persist persist.img


fastboot erase frp




fastboot reboot

Where persist.img is a file that removes the binding to the Mi Account, and can be found on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums (for example, here).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial firmware persists can lead to loss IMEI Before the procedure, back up the original partition with the command fastboot dump persist.

For the Redmi Note 3 Pro (Snapdragon), EDL 9008 mode is available, which allows you to flash a full backup through MiFlash:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to your PC by holding the Vol buttons+ Vol- simultaneously (the device must be defined as Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
• 📁 Run MiFlash and select a folder with firmware (for example, global_stable).
• 🔄 Click on Clear All and Lock (this will delete the Mi Account but block the bootloader).

For the Redmi Note 3 SE (Helio X10), EDL mode is not available, in which case the only reliable way is to use boxes or contact a service center.

5. Unlock through test points (for power users)

If software methods don’t work, you can try hardware reset via test points, which requires disassembling the device and is only suitable for the Redmi Note 3 Pro (Snapdragon 650).

Procedure:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the back cover (a mediator or plastic card will be required).
2. Find test points on the motherboard (usually marked as TP or located near the battery).
3. Close the points with tweezers or wires, simultaneously connecting USB-plug-in.
4. The device will go into EDL 9008 mode – after that you can sew a full backup through the MiFlash.

The coordinates of the test points for the Redmi Note 3 Pro:

⚠️ Warning: Incorrectly closing points can damage the board. If you are not sure about your skills, contact the service center. Also note that after a hardware reset, you may need to re-activate the device via the Mi Unlock Tool.

💡

Before disassembling, take a picture of the location of all the plumes and screws, which will help to avoid errors in the assembly. Use an antistatic bracelet to avoid damaging the board with static electricity.

6. Alternative methods: bypass without loss of data

If you have important data on your device that you can't lose, you can try to bypass the lock without completely resetting it.

• 🔑 Reset via Safe Mode: Press the Power → Hold the power off until you request safe mode, in some cases, this allows you to bypass the pattern lock.
• 📞 Call to the device: if the "Emergency Call" mode is enabled, you can call the phone and access the settings through the call menu.
• 🖥️ ADB above USB: If the debugging was enabled, you can connect through ADB and delete the lock files (see Section 2).

To bypass Mi-account without loss of data sometimes helps firmware modified boot.img with disabled account verification. However, this method does not work on all versions of MIUI and requires:

1. Unlocked bootloader.
2. Installed TWRP.
3. Patch core (e.g., Magisk with module) Disable_Miui_AntiRollback).

Example of a team for patch boot firmware:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img


fastboot reboot

💡

Bypassing the Mi Account without reset is only possible on devices with the bootloader unlocked. If the bootloader is locked, the only way is to completely flash through EDL or Fastboot.

7. Frequent errors and their solution

When you unlock Redmi Note 3, users often encounter common errors, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the device does not turn on after unlocking or is getting stuck on the MI logo, try:

• 🔄 Swipe the original firmware through MiFlash (select the "Clean All" option").
• 📁 Install TWRP and make a Wipe → Format Data (delete all data!).
• 🔧 Check the integrity of the file persist (if you manually stitched it).

If none of the methods worked, it may be a hardware problem (e.g., a damaged memory chip), in which case it is recommended to contact the service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions