Forgotten password, blocked Mi Account or sudden activation of protection after firmware – owners of Xiaomi Mi 10 face locks for various reasons. Unlike newer models (for example, Mi 11 or Redmi Note 12), the “ten” has unique unlock features associated with the version of MIUI and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 hardware platform. This article covers all current methods, from standard to technically complex, taking into account the nuances of a particular model.
It’s important to understand that not all methods are universal. For example, Fastboot resets only work when the bootloader is unlocked, and Mi Account bypassing may require waiting 72 hours after the last authorization, and we’ll analyze each option with the limitations, risks, and tools needed, from official Xiaomi services to third-party utilities like the Mi Flash Tool or EDL Mode.
If your Mi 10 is locked after you bought it, you're in Anti-Theft mode, you're not accepting your password, you'll find a solution here. For convenience, the content is structured by lock type: screen, Mi Account, bootloader, and hardware (for example, after a failed firmware).
1. Screen unlock: PIN, pattern lock or password
If you forget the unlock code but the phone is not tied to your Mi Account (or you remember the login details), use the standard Mi Account reset.This method works on the Mi 10 with MIUI 12-14 without having to connect to a PC.
Algorithm of action:
- 🔄 Enter the wrong password 5 times in a row until the message “Forgot the password” appears?».
- 📧 Click on the link and select “Unblock via Mi Account».
- 🔑 Enter the login and password from the account associated with the phone.
- 📱 Follow the instructions to create a new PIN-code-key.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is not connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi, the unlock option via the account will not be available).
For devices with MIUI 11 and below, Emergency Call bypass may work, but on the Mi 10, this method has been closed since 2020. If the screen is locked after a firmware update, try restarting the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power button + volume up when booting) and uninstall the problem app.
2. bypassing the blocking of the Mi Account (Mi Account)
The Mi Account lock is one of the hardest to get around. Xiaomi uses Anti-Theft, which binds the device to the account even after a reset. If you bought the Mi 10 with your hands and the previous owner didn't untie the device, you'll need to:
- 📩 Contact the seller and ask to remove the device from his account through the official website (section "Devices»).
- 🕒 If the connection is lost, wait 72 hours from the last authorization, after which Xiaomi can allow unlocking through support.
- 🔧 Use it. EDL Mode (emergency download mode) for firmware clean software – but this requires an unlocked bootloader or an authorized developer account.
On Xiaomi Mi. 10 firmware-old MIUI 12.5 file-deletion mi_account manually (through TWRP) It doesn't work, it restores binding after the first reboot, and the only legal way is to officially delete it through the Mi Cloud.
| Bypass method | Conditions required | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Remove from Mi Cloud | Access to the account of the previous owner | No. |
| Appeal for Xiaomi support | Check purchase, IMEI, waiting 3-5 days | Can be denied without proof of ownership |
| Firmware through EDL | Unlocked bootloader, EDL cable, software | Data loss, possible brick |
| Use of paid services | IMEI, pay $10-$30 | Fraud, account blocking |
⚠️ Payment for Mi Account Deletion Services often exploit vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI. On the Mi 10 with the latest firmware (2023-2026), the chance of success is minimal, and the risk of getting caught by scammers is high.
3 Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If other methods have failed and Mi Account access is lost, it is reset to factory settings. On Xiaomi Mi 10, it is done via Recovery Mode, but there are nuances:
Turn off the phone.
Press the power button + increase the volume
Wait for the Mi logo to appear.
Select the language (volume buttons)
Confirm reset (power button)
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Step-by-step:
- Turn off the phone (hold the power button for 10 seconds).
- Press Power + Volume Up for 5-7 seconds until the Recovery menu appears.
- Select the language (usually English or ) with the volume buttons.
- Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm your choice.
- After reset, select Reboot.
On the Mi 10 with MIUI 13+, after reset, you may need to enter data from the Mi Account that was tied before the cleanup. This is part of the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) system. If the account is not yours, see Section 2.
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If after resetting the phone asks for the old Wi-Fi password, connect to the network through SIM-card (mobile data) or use an access point from another device.
4. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)
If you try to flash Mi 10 through Fastboot or EDL, but you get the Device is locked error, you have locked the bootloader. Xiaomi requires official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, but the process has limitations:
- ⏳ Waiting. 7–15 days after linking the account to the device (rule) 168/360 hours).
- 🔗 Linking one account to one device per month.
- 🖥️ Need for a Windows PC and original USB-cable.
Instructions for unlocking:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Turn on the developer options on the phone (7 times click on “Version” MIUI» In Settings → The phone).
- Activate OEM Unlock and USB Debugging in the Developer Menu.
- Connect the Mi 10 to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Power + Volume Down when turned on).
- Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in and follow the hints.
⚠️ Attention: Mi 10 with firmware MIUI 14 and later Xiaomi can block unlocking if the device was purchased less than 30 days ago, in which case you will have to wait or contact support with a check of purchase.
What happens if you break the unlocking of the bootloader?
5. Firmware via EDL Mode (Emergency Mode)
EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is the last chance to bring the Mi 10 back to life if other methods have failed, and allows you to flash your phone even with a locked bootloader, but requires:
- 🔌 Original Xiaomi Cable (better of the kit).
- 💻 PC with Qualcomm drivers installed HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- 📁 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model (for example, umi_global_images_... for Mi 10).
- 🔑 Authorized Developer Account (for new firmware).
Step-by-step process:
- Turn off the phone.
- Press Power + Volume + Volume + Volume Down at the same time and connect the cable to the PC. The screen should remain black.
- In Device Manager, check that the phone is identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
- Start the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
On Xiaomi Mi 10 with Snapdragon 865 chipset, firmware through EDL can end in a Sahara or Firehose error if an informal software build is used. In this case, authorization through a Xiaomi account with developer rights (cost – from $ 5 per year) will be required.
Hardware methods: short circuit and service center
If the software methods have not helped (for example, the phone does not turn on or is in the Qualcomm Crash Dump Mode state), radical measures remain:
- 🔧 Short-circuiting of test points (for entrance to the test points) EDL On the Mi 10, the points are under the back cover, next to the battery connector.
- 🏥 Contact the Xiaomi service center with a purchase check. The cost of unlocking is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (for 2026).
- 🔄 Replacement of motherboard (extreme case if locking is due to damage to eMMC chip).
⚠️ Warning: Self-closing test points without experience can cause the device to fail completely.Mi 10 has a high risk of damage to the module UFS 3.0, which makes data recovery impossible.
If you decide to contact the service, check whether the center works with authorized Xiaomi accounts. Some workshops offer “bypass FRP” for 500-1000 rubles, but often this is a fraud – after such a “repair”, the phone can be blocked again in a few days.
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On Xiaomi Mi 10 with MIUI 14+, hardware unlock methods (such as closing test points) work only if the device is not tied to the Mi Account via Anti-Theft. Otherwise, after firmware, the lock will return.