How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: from the pattern lock to the Mi Account

A forgotten password, locked pattern lock or tied Mi Account – these problems are faced by one in five owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. The model released in 2019, still remains one of the most popular in the line of Redmi, but its protection system MIUI can turn unlocking into a real quest. Unlike new smartphones, where a fingerprint is enough, it often requires radical measures – from reset via Recovery to firmware via Fastboot.

The main challenge is the protection against unauthorized access, which Xiaomi has strengthened after a wave of device thefts in 2020-2021, and even after a Hard Reset reset, the phone may require you to enter the data of your old Mi Account. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock for the Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia), including bypassing the binding to the account and restoring access without losing data. MIUI 11-14 and depend on the type of lock.

1. Determine the type of lock: password, pattern lock or Mi Account

Before you start unlocking, you need to understand exactly what kind of protection mechanism is activated on your Redmi Note 8 Pro.

• 🔒 Password./PIN-code is a standard screen lock that can be reset via Recovery or ADB (if debugging is on).
• 📱 The pattern lock is a pattern of dots. MIUI 12+ After 5 unsuccessful attempts, the phone requires you to enter a password from your Mi Account.
• 👤 Mi Account – Linked to Xiaomi account, locks the phone after resetting or trying to bypass the lock screen.
• 🔧 FRP (Factory Reset Protection – rare on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but can be activated after firmware is flashed via Fastboot.

To find out the type of lock:

1. Try entering any password/key 5 times and the system will show a prompt (e.g., “Forgot your password?” or “Enter your Mi Account details”).
2. If the phone is locked after reset, the Mi logo will appear on the screen asking you to enter your login and password.
3. Check if USB debugging is enabled (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version, press 7 times). If yes, you can use ADB.

2 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If a phone requires Mi Account data after resetting or mistyping your password, the most reliable way is to restore access to your account. Xiaomi does not provide official tools to circumvent this protection, but there are legal methods:

• 📧 Recover passwords via email or phone. Go to account.xiaomi.com, select "Forgot your password?" and follow the instructions. email/phone, this method won't work.
• 📱 Unlocking through SMS. When you try to log in on your phone, click "Forgot the password?" → "Restore through SMS". The code will arrive at the number associated with the account.
• 🔑 Use of backup code: If you have previously saved backup codes for login (in your Mi Account settings), enter them instead of a password.

If you don’t remember your account details or your phone was purchased by hand, you can’t officially unlock it, and in this case, only informal methods (see sections 4-5) remain, but they require technical skills.

⚠️ Warning: After 3 failed attempts to enter the password from Mi Account, the phone will be locked for 24 hours.

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If the phone requires Mi Account details after a hand-held purchase, try contacting the previous owner. Xiaomi can help with unlocking if you provide a check or a sales contract (via support).

3.Reset via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

Factory reset is a versatile method that works on the Redmi Note 8 Pro regardless of the MIUI version. However, after the procedure, the phone may require Mi Account data if the binding was previously activated.

Turn off the phone.

Press the buttons Power + Volume up

Wait for the Mi logo and the Recovery menu to appear

Connect charging (the battery must be charged at least 30%)

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1. Turn off the phone (squeeze the power for 10 seconds if it is frozen).
2. Press the Power Button and Volume up simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu (English or Chinese), select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm (use volume buttons for navigation, power for selection).
5. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If you've rebooted your phone and you need Mi Account data, you've activated the protection.

• Try entering the account details that were used on the phone before.
• If your account is not yours, go to the Fastboot method (Section 5).

⚠️ Note: Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5+ Recovery reset can lead to blocking FRP (To avoid this, unplug your Mi Account in the settings (if available) before resetting).

4. Unlock via ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the phone has USB debugging enabled (Settings → Additional → Developers), you can delete the password file via ADB. This method only works to unlock the screen (password/PIN/pattern lock), but will not help bypass Mi Account.

Procedure:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable).
2. Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
3. Enter the commands in order: adb devices (to display your device) adb shell su rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm reboot
4. After resetting, the password will be reset.

If the commands don’t work, try an alternative method:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.ChooseLockGeneric

This command will open a password change menu where you can set a new one.

5. Firmware via Fastboot (for power users)

If the phone is locked at Mi Account level and other methods don't work, you'll have to use Fastboot to get your firmware locked.

• 🖥️ Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📥 Official or custom firmware for Redmi Note 8 Pro (codename begonia).
• 🔧 Unlocked bootloader (if you are flashing custom software).

Step-by-step:

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from MIUI Downloads (select begonia version).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\MIUI\begonia).
3. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, select the firmware folder, press Refresh (the device should be displayed) and click Flash.
6. Wait for the process to finish (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Note: Fastboot firmware on Redmi Note 8 Pro MIUI 13+ This can lead to the blocking of Anti-Rollback. Use only firmware with a version that is not lower than the one installed now.

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Fastboot firmware is the only way to get around Mi Account without the previous owner's data, but requires strict adherence to instructions. A firmware selection error can turn the phone into a brick.

6.Alternative methods: bypassing through TWRP and EDL

If the standard methods don’t work, you can try informal methods, but they are only suitable for power users:

• 🔧 Installation TWRP: Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (requires account binding). TWRP for begonia via Fastboot. TWRP delete files /data/system/locksettings.db and gatekeeper.password.key.

EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

It allows you to flash your phone even with a locked bootloader, but requires:

• Special cable (EDL cable) or closure of contacts on the board.
• Mi Flash Pro and an authorized Xiaomi account (for new devices)

Service centres

Official SC Xiaomi can unlock the phone by check or contract of sale. the cost is from 1000 to 3000 rubles.

EDL is the most radical and risky method. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12.5+, it may not work without authorization, and incorrect actions will lead to a breakdown of the communication module (the phone will stop catching the network).

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Untie Mi Account before selling your phone: Settings → Xiaomi account → Get out.
• 📝 Save backup codes to log in to your account (in the Mi Account security settings).
• 🔄 Enable password backup in Settings → Google → Backup.
• 🖥️ Activate debugging on USB in advance (in case of unblocking through the ADB).

If you buy Redmi Note 8 Pro from hand:

• Check if the Mi Account is untied (ask the seller to make a reset with you).
• Make sure your phone is not blacklisted by IMEI (check it out via *#06# on imei.info).