Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face a nasty situation: once they complete a full Factory Reset, the system requires authorization in a previously used profile. This is a standard anti-theft measure known as Mi Account Lock. If you don't remember the login details or change your phone number, the smartphone becomes a "brick" available only for emergency calls.
To make matters worse, you can’t just turn it off via the menu, the device is locked at the server level, but there are proven ways to bypass locks or restore access to your account, and in this article, we’ll go into detail about legal ways to unblock your account, work with official recovery tools, and the nuances that are not discussed in service centers.
It is important to understand that the recovery process depends on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, and whether the Find Device function was enabled before the reset, and we will look at scenarios where you have access to a phone number and situations where the SIM card is lost forever.
Why is there a requirement for authorization after resetting
The security mechanism works by linking a unique device identifier to your email address in the Xiaomi database. When you perform Hard Reset via Recovery, the data on the phone itself is erased, but the server remains a label that this IMEI is assigned to a specific user.
When you first boot up after cleaning, the system contacts the server and checks the lock status, and if the status is active, the activation screen will not allow you to move on without entering the correct password, so that the thief who stole the phone can not just dump it and use it as a new one.
⚠️ Note: Attempts to enter an incorrect password may lead to a temporary blocking of the ability to log in IP-Don't try to guess the combinations at random.
There's a misconception that flashing your phone helps you bypass this check, and in fact, server binding doesn't depend on the firmware version, and even if you install a global version of the software instead of the Chinese version, the authorization request is there, because it's checked by IMEI and serial number.
Is the lock different on the Chinese and global versions?
Official Recovery Method through Mi Account
The most reliable and secure method is to restore access through the official portal, you will need a computer or other smartphone with Internet access. Go to i.mi.com or account.xiaomi.com.
Enter the phone number or email that was used on the locked device, the system will prompt you to pass the check. If you have a SIM card in your hand, select the receipt. SMS-It'll instantly confirm your identity.
- 📱 Enter the phone number in an international format (for example, +79990000000).
- 📩 If the number is not available, click "Forgot password" and select recovery via email.
- 🔒 Answer the check question if you set it up when registering.
- 🆔 Use a backup recovery code if it was previously saved.
After successfully changing your password or verifying your identity, go back to the locked phone. Enter new data. The system will update status and unlock the device. Important: after logging in, before resetting, be sure to log out through the Settings menu → Mi Account → Log out.
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If you have changed your phone number but have access to your account, be sure to add a new number to your Mi Account security settings in advance to avoid future problems.
Use of the "Find device" function to decouple
If you can't log in to your account on your phone, but you can access it from another device, you can use the remote management service. Go to i.mi.com from any browser and log in to your login.
In the service interface, select Find Device, a locked smartphone will appear in your list of gadgets, click on its icon, and the action you can take will be "Delete Device" or "Erase Data."
It is the delisting feature that often helps to remove the server lock. Once you click "Delete" and confirm the action, the Xiaomi server will receive a command to untie this particular IMEI from your profile.
| Action. | The result | Conditions required |
|---|---|---|
| Change of password | Updating access data | Access to mail or SMS |
| Removal from the list | Removal of activation lock | Internet on the phone (sometimes) |
| Clearing the data | Full vape (analogue of reset) | Active network connection |
It is worth noting that to perform remote commands, the phone must be on and connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).If the device is reset and is on the greeting screen without connecting to Wi-Fi, remote commands can only be executed after it is connected to the network.
Unblocking procedure through support
In cases where access to the number and mail is lost completely, the only legal thing is to call for technical support, which takes time and proof of ownership, and you'll need to prepare photos of the smartphone box and the purchase check.
Go to the mi.com/global/unlock/ unlock page (link may vary by region) and fill out the form with the device IMEI (on the box or under the battery if it is removable) and the serial number.
☑️ Documents for support
The company's employees will check the data they've submitted in their database, and if the information matches the logged in, they can force the device to be unplugged from the account, which takes anywhere from a few days to two weeks, and once you get the confirmation, you can register a new account on that phone.
⚠️ Warning: Fake checks or photoshop won't pass the test. Xiaomi employees check serial numbers against activation database. IMEI.
Technical details and bypass through Mi Unlock Tool
There is a method that is often confused with unlocking an account, which is unlocking the bootloader.The Mi Unlock Tool is designed to modify the system, but in some cases (especially on older versions of MIUI), logging into an account when unlocked could automatically detach the device from the cloud if certain conditions were met.
However, on modern versions of HyperOS and new MIUI, this method works differently: to unlock the bootloader, you still need to log into the developer menu. If the phone is locked with the activation screen, you can't even enable debugging via USB or link an account to unlock.
fastboot oem unlockThis command in Fastboot mode will not work without first logging into the official tool on the PC, which in turn requires logging into the same blocked account, so for the average user, this path is closed if he does not remember the password.
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Unlocking the bootloader and resetting the Mi Account are different processes, the first is for installing custom firmware, the second is for accessing the system.
What to do categorically can not be done
The Internet is full of "magic" programs and scripts that promise instant reset in 5 minutes, most of which contain viruses or are fraud, and using third-party Bypass software can lead to irreversible consequences.
Attempts to reflash the phone through EDL Mode using paid accounts of authorized services often end up with you paying money, and the phone either not unlocked or locked again after rebooting.
- 🚫 Do not download programs from dubious sites that promise "Mi Account Remover".
- 🚫 Don’t give anyone your Mi Account password, even if you ask for a “checkup".
- 🚫 Do not try to disassemble the phone and resweeten memory – modern data is stored in protected sections, and IMEI chip-stitch.
The only guaranteed way to regain access is to restore a password through a linked email or number, or to use a check to support you. Any other methods are temporary crutches or fraud.
⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP) On a locked phone, it's often impossible without an unlocked bootloader, which in turn requires logging in.