How to unlock a locked Xiaomi phone: step-by-step instructions

A blocked Xiaomi smartphone is a problem that thousands of users face every day: Have you forgotten the pattern lock, entered the wrong PIN too many times, or the phone requires data from Mi Account after a reset? In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking, including official and technical methods that work on models from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

It's important to understand that the way you unlock depends on the type of lock, which can be the lock screen (password, PIN, pattern lock), the Mi Account (after reset or flash), or even hardware lock (if the device is listed on the IMEI blacklist). Some methods require a computer, others only access to the Internet, and we will describe each option in detail so that you can choose the right one.

We warn you in advance: unlocking through informal methods (for example, EDL or Fastboot) can lead to data loss or cancellation of the warranty.If the phone is tied to the Mi Account of the former owner, it is legally impossible to unlock the device without his consent (this violates Xiaomi policy and can be considered as hacking).

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you forget your lock screen password, but remember the Mi Account, it’s the easiest and most secure method, and it works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO,Released models after 2016, and the main condition is that the phone must be connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On the lock screen, click Forgot Password? (or Forgot Password?).
• 🔑 Enter the email or phone number associated with the Mi Account.
• 📧 Postal or SMS The confirmation code will come - enter it in the appropriate field.
• 🔓 Create a new password or pattern lock.

If the buttons Forgot the password? no (for example, on old MIUI firmware 8-9), try entering the password incorrectly 5 times in a row - a prompt should appear. Some models (Redmi 9A, POCO M3) may require a connection to Wi-Fi to activate the recovery function.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, this will not work.In this case, contact the previous owner to untie the device or use the methods in the following sections (but consider the risks!).

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If Mi Account is lost and you need to unlock your phone urgently, you can perform a hard reset via Recovery Mode, which will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the system, suitable for most Xiaomi models, except those that are locked at the Mi Account level (after reset, you will need to enter a login / password).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
5. Confirm the action and wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).
6. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

Once you reboot, the phone will be like new, you'll need an initial setup, so if the device requests Mi Account data, it's been linked to the account, and the reset didn't work, so move on to the following methods.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

Fastboot is suitable if the reset via Recovery did not work or the phone is locked at the Mi Account level. This will require a computer with Xiaomi drivers installed and the Mi Flash Tool program. The method works on most models, but may not be suitable for new devices with ARB 4.0+ lock (for example, Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool and Xiaomi drivers for your model.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: press Volume down + Power before the bunny with the inscription Fastboot appears.
3. Connect your phone to your computer through USB-cable.
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode (full clean) and specify the path to the firmware for your model (download at xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
5. Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (10-20 minutes).

Once you flash it, it will reboot in factory condition, and if the device still requires Mi Account, it means that the lock is fixed at the hardware level, and you need to have it. EDL-regime (see next section).

⚠️ Note: Firmware through Fastboot on models with ARB 4.0+ (Released after 2022) may result in a complete lock of the device if the bootloader unlock conditions are not met. → The phone. → Version. MIUI).

4 Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the deepest level of access to a phone that allows you to flash a device even with a locked bootloader.

• 🔒 The phone is locked at Mi Account level and does not respond to other methods.
• 📱 The device "buried" after a failed firmware.
• 🔧 You need to bypass the lock. ARB new-model.

Entry to the EDL will require:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

How to log into EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Volume Down and connect the USB cable to your computer (hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds).
3. If the screen is black, but the computer makes a connection sound, EDL mode is activated.
4. In Device Manager, check if the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 device has appeared.

Next, use the Mi Flash Tool to run the phone with the official firmware, which is guaranteed to bypass the Mi Account lock, but requires technical skills. On Xiaomi 12S Ultra, Redmi K50 and later, you may need an authorized account to run through EDL.

5. bypassing the blocking of Mi Account through service centers

If the phone is locked at the Mi Account level of the previous owner, and self-unlocking does not help, there are two options:

1. Contact the previous owner – they can untie the device through the Mi Account website in the Device Management section.
2. Contact the official Xiaomi service center – they can unlock the phone if there is a check or proof of purchase.

The cost of unblocking in informal services varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model, but beware: some “masters” use illegal methods (for example, replacing IMEI), which can lead to problems with the law or the operation of the network.

Official Xiaomi service centers in Russia:

• 📍 Moscow: list of addresses.
• 📍 St. Petersburg: Marshal Govorov Street, 35, Grand Canyon shopping center".
• 📍 Regions: check the map of service centers.

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Before visiting the service center, take screenshots or print out a confirmation of purchase (check, invoice, correspondence with the seller), which will speed up the unlocking process and confirm your ownership.

Alternative methods (for specific models)

Some Xiaomi models have unique unlocking methods that are not suitable for other devices.

Redmi Note 8/9 Pro and POCO X3: bypass through the test menu

On these models, you can try to reset your password through the engineering menu:

1. On the lock screen, type ##3646633# (code for Engineer Mode login).
2. Go to Connectivity → CDMA.
3. Enter 123456 as a default password.
4. Return to the home screen and reset via Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset.

Xiaomi Mi A1/A2 (Android One) Unlocks with Google

Since these models run on pure Android, you can use Google Find My Device to unlock:

1. Go to the Find My Device website.
2. Choose a locked phone.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

Redmi 7A/8A: Reset via button combination

On budget models, sometimes a “secret” combination works:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power for 10 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears.
4. Select Wipe Data (navigation with volume buttons).

These methods don’t work on all firmware, so if nothing happens, go to the standard methods (via Recovery or Fastboot).

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On Android One models (such as the Mi A3), unlocking through Google Account is often more effective than using Mi Account, as they are not tied to the Xiaomi ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)