How to unlock a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways (2026)

Why Xiaomi is blocking devices and what to do

Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, POCO and Mi lines) are blocked for several reasons: a forgotten pattern lock, too many failed password attempts, activating Mi Account protection after resetting, or a software failure in MIUI. Unlike other brands, Xiaomi uses a two-tier lock system: at the OS level (password/pin code) and at the account level (link to Mi Account).

The main problem is that there is no universal solution. The method depends on the type of lock, the version of MIUI (12/13/14/15) and the smartphone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with MIUI 15, the way through the Fastboot, which was suitable for the Redmi Note 8 on MIUI 12, will not work. In this article, we will discuss current methods for 2026, including official and alternative, taking into account the latest security updates from Xiaomi.

Before you start, answer the key question: do you know the data from the Mi Account tied to the phone? If so, the chances of successful unlocking are above 90%. If not, technical manipulations will be required that can lead to data loss. On devices with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 chip (such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra), some unlock methods through the EDL can cause hardware blarks due to secure boot.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The safest and most recommended way for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember. email/Phone and password from Mi Account.
• 🔄 More than 5 failed password attempts were not made on the device (otherwise you will need to wait 24-72 hours).

Instructions:

1. On the locked screen, tap Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
3. Enter email/phone and password. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm login via SMS or Google Authenticator.
4. Follow the system's prompts. Once you've successfully logged in, the phone will unlock, but you may need to restart.

⚠️ Note: If you have previously changed firmware to custom (for example, LineageOS), the official unlock through Mi Account may not work due to partition damage. modemst1. In this case, go to method 3 or 4.

Method 2: Hard Reset (Reset to factory settings)

Recovery reset is a radical method that removes all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps.

• 🔐 You don’t remember your password or have attached your Mi Account.
• 📦 There is no important data on the phone (or it is synced with Google). Drive/Mi Cloud).
• 🛠️ The device is not in a Fastboot brick state (does not respond to a PC connection).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone with a long press of the power button (10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power. For POCO F5/Xiaomi 13T: Volume down + Power.

Mi

Recovery Mode

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14+ You may be asked to enter your Mi Account data after you reset, even if you haven't tied it to it before, and this is due to Find Device, which is automatically activated when you first connect to the Internet. If you don't remember your account information, the phone will turn into a brick».

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The Fastboot method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. If you previously unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool, you can reset the screen lock without losing data. Importantly, on newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), this method may not work due to the hardware protection of Anti-Rollback.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 and installed Xiaomi drivers (official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot Enhanced.
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

Instructions:

1. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode:


- Turn off the device.




- Press Volume down + Nutrition before the appearance of the hare in the hat-eared (Fastboot logo).





2. Connect the phone to the PC and check for device detection:




Open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).




- Enter the command:


     fastboot devices


If the device is displayed (e.g. 1234567890abcdef fastboot), go further.





3. Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked):




Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.




Sign in to your Mi Account and follow the instructions of the program.




Expect 7-14 days (on new accounts Xiaomi introduces a delay).





4. Squeeze the device without loss of data:




In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware.




At the bottom of the window, choose clean all and lock (saves data) or clean all (complete reset).




Press Flash and wait for completion (5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: On devices with MediaTek (such as Redmi Note 12), firmware via Fastboot can cause loss IMEI. Before the procedure, save a backup of the nvram partition using the command:

fastboot backup nvram backup.img

Method 4: Use ADB (for USB debugging devices)

If the phone has previously been debugged USB (USB Debugging, you can remove the lock through ADB It's a data-free method. MIUI 12-15, but requires prior preparation.

Conditions:

• 🔧 Debugging by USB activated in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (7 times tap the version, then turn on the Settings → Additionally. → For developers).
• 🖥️ PCs are installed. ADB Tools (download from Android site).
• 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC and recognized (adb devices show the device).

Commands to unlock:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and open the command line in the folder with ADB.


2 Enter:




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




3.Reset the phone:




reboot

After the reboot, the screen lock will be reset, but you may need to reconfigure your faceprint or pattern lock. Importantly, on Xiaomi with MIUI 14+, this method only works if you have root rights, since the system blocks access to /data/system/.

💡

If ADB doesn’t see the device, try switching USB connectivity mode to File Transfer (MTP) in the phone’s notification curtain.

Method 5: Bypassing a lock through EDL (for power users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to restore your phone even in case of serious crashes, a method used by service centers, but has risks:

• 🚨 Can lead to a hard brick (complete failure) in case of errors.
• 🔒 Requires an authorized Xiaomi account to download firmware (auth firehose).
• 📱 It only works on Qualcomm chips (not suitable for MediaTek).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware in.mbn format for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Install the QDLoader HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver (can be found on XDA Developers).
3. Put your phone in EDL mode: For most models: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power on your phone off. For Xiaomi 12/13/14: Use Testpoint (you need to disassemble the phone and close contacts on the board).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

QFil

EDL

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 (Xiaomi 13 Ultra, Redmi K60 Pro) firmware through EDL If you don't have an authorized firehose file, you'll lock the bootloader, and you can only restore the phone at the official service center.

Unlocking Methods Comparison: Which One to Choose

If you are not sure about your skills, the best course of action is:

1. Try unlocking through Mi Account (method 1).
2. If you don’t, do Hard Reset (method 2), but be prepared to lose data.
3. For devices with an unlocked bootloader, try Fastboot (method 3).
4. Leave ADB and EDL for an emergency or contact the service center.

In all other cases, the data will be lost.