How to remove the lock on Xiaomi Redmi: from the password to the bootloader

Owning a modern Xiaomi Redmi smartphone involves interacting with a layered security system that can become an obstacle at the most inopportune moment. Users often face a situation where the device turns into a “brick” due to a forgotten pattern lock, locking a Google account or, more seriously, protecting Mi Account. Depending on the type of restriction, the methods of access restoration differ dramatically in complexity and consequences for data.

You need to clearly understand what kind of lock is activated on your device, as an attempt to apply the method to the bootloader to the forgotten one. PIN-The screen code can lead to complete loss of data without the possibility of recovery. In this article, we will analyze all scenarios in detail: from a simple reset via Recovery to complex manipulations with unlocking the bootloader through official tools of the company.

Before you start taking action, you should evaluate the criticality of the information stored. Most of the methods described below involve a complete reset to the factory settings (Hard Reset), which permanently deletes photos, contacts and applications. However, if the goal is to delink the Mi Account after flashing, the algorithm of actions will be completely different and will require interaction with the manufacturer's servers.

Types of locks on Xiaomi Redmi devices

The first step is to get the right diagnosis: the MIUI and HyperOS ecosystems use multiple independent layers of protection, and they are not to be confused. Most people seek help when locking their screen, but there are deeper system limitations, such as FRP (Factory Reset Protection) or Mi Cloud Lock.

The locking of the screen is a basic level of protection that the owner himself sets, and it can be represented by a pattern lock, a digital key. PIN-If you forget this code, the system will not let you into the interface, but the data at this stage can usually still be saved if certain debugging or synchronization functions have been enabled in advance.

This is complicated when it comes to Mi Account, which is a cloud service that links a device to a specific user, and if a phone is lost and stolen, the owner can block it remotely, and it happens if you bought a used device and the previous owner did not untie it from your account, in which case even a full reset will not help, because the first activation of the phone will ask for the username and password of the previous owner.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and it is blocked by someone else’s Mi Account, it is almost impossible to legally unlock it without the previous owner.

The Bootloader is a default lock on all Xiaomi devices, which prohibits custom firmware installation, root rights and deep system modifications, and removing this lock is an official but lengthy process that requires waiting for the company.

Removing the screen lock through Recovery Mode

The most common and affordable method of returning access to a device with a forgotten password is using a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode, which is built into the phone’s memory and allows you to perform low-level operations such as clearing the cache or completely resetting (Wipe Data).

To enter recovery mode on most Redmi models, you need to turn off your phone and press the button combination. Usually this is a Volume Up button along with the Power button, hold them until the Mi logo or menu appears in English/Chinese. If the menu is in Chinese, navigate by icons or use the global version of Recovery, which often switches automatically when changing region.

Once you log in, the navigation is done with volume buttons, and the choice is confirmed by the power button (or touch the screen, if supported). You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of MIUI, you will need to additionally select Wipe All Data and confirm the action, often entering a special code that appears on the screen, or holding the confirmation button for a few seconds.

The cleaning process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Once completed, the system will prompt a reboot (Reboot -> Reboot to System). The first start after the reset will be long, since the system re-initializes files. If the device has been enabled protection Google account, after downloading you will need to enter the login and password from Google email, which was synced earlier.

Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) in an official way

Unlocking the bootloader is a necessary step for enthusiasts who want to install custom firmware (Custom ROM) or get extended access rights. Xiaomi provides the official Mi Unlock Tool, which allows you to legally remove this restriction, but the process is not instantaneous and requires compliance with a number of conditions.

First of all, you need to link your Mi Account to your device. To do this, go to Settings -> Advanced Settings -> Developer (if the menu is hidden, click 7 times on the build number in About Phone). Find Mi Unlock status and click Add account and device. Make sure you use the same account that will be used on your PC.

Once you've linked, you'll download Mi Unlock to your Windows computer. Launch the utility, log in to your account, and put your phone into Fastboot mode (clambing the volume button when you connect the cable to your PC). Press the Unlock button in the program. You'll likely get a message telling you to wait a certain number of hours (usually 168 hours or 7 days).

Re-unlocking is possible only after the specified timer has expired, this is a security measure to prevent attackers from quickly unlocking the stolen phone. When the time is up, repeat the procedure: login to Fastboot -> Mi Unlock -> Unlock button. The process will be successful, the phone will clear and reboot with the bootloader unlocked.

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Use the original. USB-cable USB 2.0 on the computer motherboard (back of the system unit). Ports on the front panel or hubs often cause connection errors in Mi Unlock.

Bypassing the blocking of the Mi (Mi Cloud Lock) account

Mi Account locking is one of the most stringent. It activates when Find Device is enabled and the phone has been reset or re-flashed without first decoupling. When turned on, the device requires you to enter a password from the account to which it was associated, without which you cannot fully use the phone.

The only legal way to remove this is to restore access to your account through i.mi.com or a password recovery form. If you know your login but have forgotten your password, use your linked email or phone number to reset. After changing your password, wait about an hour, connect your phone to Wi-Fi and enter new data.

If the phone is hand-held and locked, the situation is stalemate: There are service centers that can unblock through server interaction by providing checks for the purchase of the device. Software-based methods of bypassing (Bypass) exist, but they are often temporary or work only on specific, vulnerable versions of MIUI.

⚠️ Note: Mi Account hacking software downloaded from unverified sources is likely to contain viruses or are themselves fraudulent.

In some cases, if the phone is not connected to the Internet, you can try to activate it through an emergency call or using vulnerabilities in the initial configuration interface (for example, through TalkBack or a browser), but with the release of new versions of Android and MIUI, these holes quickly close.

Unlocking FRP (Google Account)

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a Google security mechanism that prevents users from using the device after resetting their previous owner’s credentials. If you reset your phone through Recovery but did not delete your Google account in the settings before, the system will require you to enter a password from that email when you first boot.

There are several ways to bypass FRP that depend on the Android version and the security patch, and one common way to do this is to exploit vulnerabilities in the Wi-Fi configuration interface or through the special features menu, such as trying to call the on-screen keyboard, go to the keyboard settings, and then launch a browser or YouTube from there.

If standard methods don’t work, often the only solution is to run the device through Fastboot mode using the Mi Flash Tool utility. However, if the phone was tied to a Mi Account, the firmware will also not remove Google’s lock unless the correct detachment algorithm was executed. In difficult cases, the use of paid service boxes (Dongle) or programmers such as UnlockTool or Chimera is required, which requires professional skills.

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FRP is blocked at the server level of Google, and simply flashing your phone without first detaching your account does not remove protection 99% of the time, but only reinstalls the system with the same lock.

Use of service programs and Fastboot firmware

For advanced users who experience software errors or “bricking” after a failed unlock, the Fastboot method remains, which allows you to completely rewrite partitions of the device’s memory, which can eliminate software locks if they are not tied to the server verification of IMEI or account.

To do this, you will need to download the official firmware for your model (format.tgz, not.zip!) from the site miui.com or xiaomirom.com. Mi Flash Tool is also required. The phone is transferred to Fastboot mode (clamp Volume Down + Power), connects to the PC, and the program selects the path to the unpacked firmware.

The most important thing is to choose the type of cleaning in the Mi Flash Tool. The clean all option completely erases data and unlocks the bootloader (if it has already been unlocked by the Mi Unlock tool). The clean all and lock option will block the bootloader back, which can lead to a download error if you try to flash the global version on a Chinese device or vice versa. The save user data option will try to save data, but if there are locks, it may not work correctly.

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fastboot reboot

The firmware process takes from 5 before 15 Don't interrupt it or turn off the cable. If there's an error in the process, check the drivers. ADB/Fastboot Windows Device Manager, often the problem is that you don't have signed drivers or you don't have quality drivers. USB-cable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)