How to unlock Xiaomi phone: removing all types of locks

A forgotten password, a locked Mi Account or a suddenly activated bootloader are the issues that one in five Xiaomi smartphone owners face. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi phones have three layers of protection, each requiring a different approach. In this article, we will look at all possible lock scenarios, from a simple graphical key to complex firmware constraints, and provide current unlocking methods for 2020-2026 models.

It is important to understand that some locks (such as binding to Mi Account) may require official confirmation from Xiaomi, while others (pattern lock or a mapping key) may require official confirmation from Xiaomi. PIN-code is often solved through a service menu, and we will not offer questionable “circumventions” with data loss, only proven ways that will either save your files or honestly warn you about the need for a reset. If you find yourself in a situation where the phone turned into a “brick” after a failed firmware, here too you will find a solution.

1. Screen unlocking: PIN-code, pattern lock, fingerprint

The most common problem is screen-level locking. If you forget the combination, you have 3 official ways to reclaim access without resorting to drastic measures. PIN-code (if it was configured:

• 🔑 Enter the wrong pattern lock or PIN 5 times in a row.
• 📌 On the screen will appear the button “Forgot the password?” – click it.
• 🔢 Enter backup. PIN (This is usually the last combination you used to unlock).

If the backup code has not been configured, try unlocking the device through Mi Account, which only works when you have an active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and an associated account:

1. On the lock screen, tap “Forgot your password?”.
2. Select “Unblock with Mi Account”.
3. Enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account.
4. Confirm the unlock via SMS or email.

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If the phone is not connected to the network, bring it to the router with a password known to you - the device can automatically connect to the saved network.

If both methods fail, it will be hard to reset via Recovery, which will delete all data from the phone but return access. Instructions for most Xiaomi models (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Mi 11):

Turn off phone |Lock up Volume + Power to vibration |Select language (English/whale) |Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data |Confirm Reset (Confirm) |Reboot device (Reboot)

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⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was tied before the lockdown.If you do not remember the username / password, immediately go to the section about unlocking the account.

2 Unlocking Mi Account: What to do if your phone requires an old account

The Mi Account lock is one of the hardest to get around, and it's activated in three cases:

• 🔄 After resetting settings (if the phone was tied to the account).
• 📱 When buying a used device, if the previous owner did not untie his profile.
• 🔒 When you try to flash your phone through Fastboot without authorization.

The official solution is to restore access to Xiaomi’s account, if you remember the email or phone number linked to your profile:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click on “Forgot your password?” and enter your email/phone.
3. Confirm the recovery via SMS or code letter.
4. Set a new password and unlock the phone.

If the account belongs to the previous owner, try contacting him. If you buy a phone from hand and have no contacts, there are two options:

For an official request to Xiaomi, prepare:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (proof of possession).
• 📦 Phone box (serial number must match).
• 📸 Photo Photo IMEI (sticker).

Send a request via the feedback form on the Xiaomi website or contact an authorized service center, 80% of the time the lock is removed within a week.

I bought a used locker.|Forgot my password from my account.|After resetting the settings|Gift with a tied account|Another option-->

3. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

If you see the word "This device is locked" when you try to flash your phone through Fastboot, it means that the bootloader is locked. This is Xiaomi's standard security measure that prevents custom firmware installation.

1. Get permission from Xiaomi through the official website.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and use the Mi Unlock Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (Windows only).
2. Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
3. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode: Administrator rights: adb reboot bootloader Or manually: turn off the phone → pinch Volume down + Power.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
5. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock, and it takes 1-3 minutes.

Important nuances:

• 🔗 Mi Account must be linked to the phone for at least 7 days before unlocking.
• 📱 The phone should have an official firmware installed. MIUI (Custom assemblies are not supported).
• ⏳ After unlocking, you will have to wait 168 hours (7 days) before re-locking/unlocking.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone, including photos, contacts and installed apps. pre-backup through Settings → Additionally. → Backup.

4. Unlock through EDL mode (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that is used when the phone is not switched on or locked at the bootloader level.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (for example, fastboot-ROM from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Hold the Loud up. + Loud down and plug in. USB-The screen must remain black.
3. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be found on 4PDA forums).
4. Run a firmware utility (such as Mi Flash Tool) and select the firmware file.tgz.
5. Press Flash and wait until the process is completed (10-20 minutes).

This method deletes all the data and resets the settings to factory settings, and only use it if other methods have failed.

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Firmware via EDL is the only way to bring back a phone that doesn’t respond to the power button or is stuck on the Mi logo.

5 Unlocking after a failed update (brick)

If the phone stopped turning on after updating MIUI or installing custom firmware, most likely there was a software breeze.

• 🔄 Hanging on the Mi or Redmi logo.
• 📵 Black screen when switched on.
• ⚡ Quick shutdown after the screensaver appears.

The solutions depend on the type of brik:

For soft-brick (the phone is turned on but not loaded further than the logo):

1. Press Volume Up + Power to Enter Recovery.
2. Select "Wipe Data» → «Wipe All Data».
3. Reboot the phone.

If that doesn’t work, run your phone through Fastboot:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

6 Unlocking through service centers: when you can not cope with yourself

If all of these methods have failed, you have to go to the service.

• 🔒 Phones with Mi Account lock if you don’t have access to your account.
• 🔧 Hardware breakdowns (for example, damaged connector) USB, Which is why it is impossible to pass through EDL).
• 📱 Devices with damaged memory (NAND), which are not defined by the PC.

The cost of unlocking in services:

• 💰 Resetting the pattern lock/PIN: 500–1500 ₽.
• 💰 Unlocking Mi Account: 1500–3000 ₽ (model).
• 💰 Firmware through EDL: 2000–5000 ₽ (Requires authorization from Xiaomi).

Before contacting the service:

• 📋 Check if they have an authorization from Xiaomi to work with EDL.
• 🔍 Check reviews – some “services” just refashion the phone without solving the lock problem.
• 📄 Bring a check or a box from your phone (may be required to prove possession).

⚠️ Warning: Avoid "handicraft" craftsmen who offer to unlock Mi Account in 5 minutes through "secret methods" most often this is a scam, after which the phone can finally fail.

7. How to avoid future blockages

To avoid getting blocked again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔐 Use password management (such as Google Password Manager or KeePass) to store PIN-codes and graphic keys.
• 📱 Make backups regularly through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🔄 Do not install custom firmware unless you are sure of its compatibility with your model.
• 🔗 When buying a used phone, check whether the Mi Account is untied (ask the previous owner to show the unlocked reset to factory settings).

If you often experiment with firmware, unlock the bootloader before the phone locks, eliminating the need to wait 7 days for emergency unlocking.

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Even if you don’t plan on installing custom firmware, an unlocked bootloader makes it easier to recover your phone after crashes.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi