Smartphone Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (also known under the code name Whyred) remains a popular device even a few years after the release, but owners often face the limitations of the security system MIUI. The need to unlock can arise for various reasons: from the desire to install custom firmware to update Android to the banal restoration of access to the device after buying from hand or forgotten password. This process requires care, since interference in system partitions always carries certain risks for data and stability of the gadget.
Before you start taking action, you need to be clear about what type of lock you are interested in. In the context of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the term often refers to three different procedures: unlocking the screen (PIN-code, pattern lock, uncoupling from the Mi Account (FRP — Factory Reset Protection, or the official Bootloader unlock for deep system modification, each of these scenarios requires completely different tools and approaches, and should not be confused.
In this article, we will take a closer look at all the available methods to regain control of a device, and we will look at the official ways to gain superuser rights, how to bypass Google account protection after a reset, and how to reclaim access if the phone was blocked by the previous owner.
Differences in the types of locks in MIUI
Many users mistakenly believe that unlocking the bootloader automatically removes Google account protection (FRP), but it is not. Bootloader is a program that runs before the operating system turns on and checks the digital signature of the downloaded software. If it is blocked, you will not be able to install third-party recovery (TWRP) or custom firmware. It requires permission from Xiaomi and a wait for 168 hours (7 days).
On the other hand, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a theft protection mechanism introduced by Google. If you perform a full reset via buttons, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced on the device earlier, and it is more difficult to circumvent this protection without a password, and there are no official ways to do this, because this is a security breach.
⚠️ Warning: Officially unlocking the bootloader through the Mi Unlock website completely erases all data from the phone. Make sure you have a backup of important photos and contacts before starting the procedure.
The third type is lock screen, and if you forget the pattern lock, but your Mi and Google account are active and synced, you can sometimes reset access through Find Device, but if you don't sync, you'll have to reset completely, which will activate FRP protection again.
Official unlocking of the bootloader (Bootloader)
This is the only legal way to gain full access to the Redmi Note 5 file system, a procedure that is required for enthusiasts who want to install TWRP Recovery, obtain Root rights or reflash the phone to the global version of MIUI if a Chinese model was purchased, and requires a Mi Account tied to the device and installed on the computer official software.
To start, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version seven times until the notification “You are a developer” appears. Then the menu Additional → For developers, you need to include “Debug on USB” and “Unlock the bootloader.” This is where the current Mi Account is linked to the unique device identifier (IMEI).
☑️ Checking before unlocking
After switching on the necessary switches, the phone will suggest linking the account. Press the "Add account and device" button. Importantly, after this procedure, 168 hours (7 days) of continuous waiting should pass, and if you try to unlock earlier, the server will respond by mistake. After the expiration of the period, you need to switch to Fastboot mode (click the volume reduction button when the phone is turned off and connect it to the phone). USB-cable) and run the Mi Unlock Tool program on your computer.
In Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same account as on your phone. Press Unlock. If the wait period has expired, the process will go well, and the phone will restart completely clean. If you see an error message, check the Internet connection and the correctness of the account entered. Sometimes Xiaomi servers are overloaded and the procedure has to be repeated several times.
Google Account (FRP) reset on Redmi Note 5
The situation where a user forgets the password from a Google account after resetting settings is one of the most common.On the Redmi Note 5 with different versions of Android (7, 8, 9) and MIUI The methods of bypassing protection differ: older versions of firmware often had vulnerabilities that allowed the installation to be launched via the browser or TalkBack settings. APK-password-reset.
One popular method on Android 7 and 8 was to use the voice input or Google Assistant feature, which by activating them on the welcome screen, you could use a voice command to launch your browser or settings, go to the special features section, and use TalkBack to draw a graphical key to log in to the menu, and once you get into the settings, you could add a new account or disable the check.
- 📱 Using the TalkBack vulnerability to access settings.
- 🌐 Launching a browser through voice commands for download APK.
- 🛠 Application of the programme ADB to delete the account (requires debugging enabled).
- 🔧 Use of special combinations in the call menu (rarely works).
On newer versions of MIUI, these holes have been closed, and now it is often required to use specialized software on a PC, such as Mi Flash Pro or paid tools like UnlockTool and Chimera, which use Snapdragon processor engineering modes, which are more complex and require Qualcomm drivers in EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party software to bypass FRP This can be considered an illegal act if the device is not yours. Use these methods only to restore your own gadgets.
Restoring access to the Mi Account
If your Redmi Note 5 is blocked by Mi (Mi Account), it means that the Find Device function is enabled. Without the password from this account, the phone turns into a brick for the average user, since the Recovery reset does not remove this binding. Server verification occurs every time you connect to the Internet after formatting.
The most reliable way is to recover your password through the official i.mi.com website, you will need access to the phone number or mail that was linked to your account, and if the number is lost, the procedure becomes more complicated: you will have to go through the verification procedure by sending scans of documents in support of Xiaomi, which can take a long time.
There's a myth that flashing your phone removes the Mi Account lock. That's wrong. The binding is stored on the company's servers, and changing the firmware locally won't change anything. The only option for "grey" methods is to change the device IDs (IMEI), which is a criminal offense in many countries, so we won't be looking at such methods.
| Type of lockdown | Where it's stored | Difficulty withdrawal | Loss of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen key | Locally in the system. | Low. | Yeah (on reset) |
| Google FRP | Google + Local Server | Tall. | Yes. |
| Mi Account | Xiaomi server | Very high. | Yes. |
| Bootloader | Locally (NVRAM) | Medium (takes time) | Yes. |
Firmware via Fastboot and EDL modes
If the software methods do not help, or the phone is in a “boot” state after an unsuccessful attempt to unlock, there is still a flashing option. For the Redmi Note 5 (Whyred), there are two main firmware modes: Fastboot and EDL. Fastboot mode is available to anyone who has unlocked the bootloader, and allows you to sew the phone through the Mi Flash Tool program.
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the deep level of access to Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 memory on which the phone is based, and entry into this mode usually requires disassembling the device and closing special contacts on the board (Test Point), or using an authorized Mi Account for remote firmware.
What is the difference between Fastboot and EDL?
When you're firmware, it's important to choose the right type of cleaning. The Mi Flash Tool has three options: "clean all" (clean everything, retain bootloader status), "save user data" (save data, only works if the firmware versions are compatible), and "clean all and lock." The last point is dangerous: if you flash the global version on a Chinese phone and lock the bootloader, the device will go into a perpetual bootloom.
For successful firmware, download the original firmware image from miui.com or trusted sources. Unpack the archive (not to the root of the disk, but to a short-track folder, such as C:\rom. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the file, click Refresh to find the device in Fastboot mode, and start the process.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
During the unlock process, users often encounter error codes. For example, error 10006 or 10023 in the Mi Unlock Tool often indicates network connection problems or drivers are not working correctly. USB-port, use of the original cable or install older driver versions ADB.
Another common problem is hanging on the MI logo after unlocking.This can last up to 10-15 minutes as the system reassembles the app cache (the Android optimization process). Don't panic or pull the battery (if it's non-removable, like in the Note 5) at this point. Give the phone time, even if the screen goes out, try waking it up with the power button.
- 🔌 Driver error: Check Device Manager, in Ports section (COM and LPT)" Must be an Android or Qualcomm device.
- ⏳ Waiting Timer: If it says “Wait 168 hours”, the counter is from the moment of linking the account to the developer menu, and not from the moment of registration on the site.
- 🔋 Battery discharge: If the phone sat down during firmware, it may go into charging mode and not respond to the PC. Leave it on charging on the PC 30-40 minute.
💡
Use it. USB-hub without power or connect the phone directly to the motherboard ports behind the system unit. PC front ports often give insufficient voltage, which leads to a connection break when you run the firmware.
If after all the manipulations the phone does not turn on, but reacts to the connection to the PC (produces a sound of the device connection), most likely, the boot partition is damaged. In this case, only firmware through the Fastboot with full cleaning or contacting a service center for soldering the memory chip, which is economically feasible for the Redmi Note 5 only in rare cases.