How to restore access to Xiaomi if you forgot the Mi Account password: step-by-step instructions

Why Mi Account is blocking your phone and what to do

Mi Account’s forgotten password is one of the most common problems faced by Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners, because the manufacturer links the device to your Mi Account not only to sync the data, but also as part of a security system, and if you typed the wrong password multiple times or reset your phone to factory settings without detaching your account, the device will be locked with a username and password from Mi Account.

Complicating matters, Xiaomi does not provide official tools to bypass this lock — all recovery methods require either access to the email/phone associated with the account or use of technical loopholes in the firmware. In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to unlock, including password recovery through the Mi site, reset via Fastboot, EDL mode, as well as alternative methods for devices with an unlocked bootloader.

Before you start the instructions, make sure you have:

📱 The device Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO (even if it is blocked).
💻 Windows computer (for methods via Fastboot or EDL).
🔌 Cable USB (It is preferably original to avoid connection problems).
📝 Account-linked data (email, phone number, backup email).

Method 1: Recovering your Mi Account password through the official website

If you have access to mail or phone tied to the Mi Account, this method is the easiest and most secure.It requires no technical skills and works on any Xiaomi models, including the latest Redmi Note 13 and Xiaomi 14.

Instructions:

Go to the password recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.
Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
Choose a Recovery Method: 📧 On the email will come a letter with a link to reset the password. 📱 Phone on the phone — SMS confirmation-coded.

Follow the instructions on the site to create a new password.

After reset, unlock the phone by entering new data.

If you don’t remember your email or phone, try to remember your backup email (if you signed it up for it), and check the spam folder in your mailbox — sometimes emails from Xiaomi get there.

⚠️ Note: If your account was registered via Facebook or Google, you can only restore your password through the corresponding service».

📊 What is the Mi Account Recovery Method You Have Tried?

Through email.

Through SMS

Through backup email.

Nothing helped.

Method 2: Unlock via Fastboot (for devices with unlocked bootloader)

This is a good way to check if you have a Bootloader Unlocked, turn off your phone, press Volume Down + Power to log into Fastboot, and if it says Unlocked at the bottom of the screen, it means the bootloader is unlocked.

To unlock, you will need:

🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the official Android website).
📦 Firmware archive for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
🔧 Mi Flash Tool (for Fastboot firmware).

Step-by-step:

Download and unpack Fastboot firmware for your model (e.g, tissot_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RDLMIXM_20210310.0000.00_10.0_global For the Redmi Note 7).
Install the Mi Flash Tool and connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
In the program, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).
After the reboot, the phone will be unlocked, but all data will be deleted.

⚠️ Note: If the bootloader is locked, this method will not work. Trying to flash the phone with the bootloader blocked will lead to an anti-rollback or brick error».

Download Fastboot firmware for your model |Install ADB/Fastboot drivers |Unpack the archive with firmware |Connect your phone in Fastboot-->

Method 3: Bypassing locking through EDL mode (for power users)

Regime. EDL (Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to bypass the Mi Account lock even on devices with a locked bootloader (EDL-cable or Deep Flash Cable and knowledge in firmware.

Advantages of the method:

✅ It works on most Xiaomi models (including the Redmi Note). 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4).
✅ Does not require an unlocked bootloader.
✅ You can use any version of the firmware (including custom).

Disadvantages:

❌ The risk of “bricking” the phone in case of an error.
❌ You need skills with Mi Flash Tool and QFil.
❌ Purchase required EDL-cable (about 500–1000) ₽).

Instructions:

Buy or do. EDL-cable (can be ordered on AliExpress by requesting “Xiaomi” EDL Cable»).
Download the EDL firmware for your model (e.g., from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
Connect your phone to your computer through EDL-cable (the device must be defined as Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
After the firmware, the phone will unlock, but all data will be erased.

What to do if the Mi Flash Tool is in error?

If you have a Sahara or Firehose error when you run through EDL, you may have downloaded the wrong firmware. Try: 1. Find firmware for your model and region (e.g. global, eea, ru). 2. Use QFil instead of Mi Flash Tool. 3. Check if the COM port is correctly defined in Windows Device Manager.

Method 4: Using Custom Recovery (TWRP) to Reset Mi Account

If you have a custom recovery installed on your phone TWRP, You can delete files that block Mi Account without full firmware. This method is suitable for devices with unlocked bootloader and installed TWRP.

What you need:

📱 Phone with a setup TWRP Recovery.
💾 Archive with a patch to delete Mi Account (for example, MiAccount_Remove.zip).
🖥️ Computer for transferring files (unless the phone is defined as a storage device).

Instructions:

Download the archive to delete your account (can be found on the 4PDA or XDA-Developers forums).
Load the phone to TWRP (clip Volume Up + Power).
Connect the device to your computer and copy the archive to your phone’s memory.
In TWRP, select Install → specify the path to the archive → swipe for installation.
After the reboot, the Mi Account lock will be removed.

⚠️ Note: Not all patches work on new firmware MIUI 14/15. Before installing, check the compatibility of the archive with your version. MIUI The wrong patch can cause the system to freeze.

💡

If after installing the patch, the phone is stuck on the logo, try flashing clean firmware through TWRP or Fastboot.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center (official method)

If none of the above methods worked, the official way is to contact Xiaomi Service Center, which is the most reliable, but also the longest method, since it will require proof of ownership of the device.

What you need to unlock in the service:

📄 Check or warranty card (confirmation of purchase).
🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
📱 The device itself (even in a locked state).
💳 Payment for the service (the cost of unlocking is from 1000 to 3000) ₽ model-wise).

The unlocking process:

Find the nearest Xiaomi service center.
Make an appointment (can be via the website or by phone).
Provide documents and equipment to the specialist.
Wait until unlocked (usually takes 1-3 days).

Advantages of the method:

✅ Guaranteed result without the risk of “bricking».
✅ Maintaining an official guarantee (if it is still valid).

Disadvantages:

❌ Long waits (especially in large cities).
❌ Paid service (although sometimes unlocking is done for free under warranty).

💡

Officially unlocking the service center is the only legal way that does not violate the warranty of Xiaomi.

Comparison of Mi Account Unblocking Methods

To choose the best way, compare all options on key parameters:

Method	Difficulty	Do you need an unlocked bootloader?	Data loss?	The risk of "bricking"	Cost
Recovery through the site	⭐ (simple)	❌ No.	❌ No.	❌ No.	Free of charge.
Fastboot (firmware)	⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)	✅ Yes.	✅ Yes.	⭐ (low-key)	Free of charge.
EDL	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (difficult)	❌ No.	✅ Yes.	⭐⭐⭐ (high-end)	500–1000 ₽ (cable)
TWRP (patch)	⭐⭐⭐ (middle-of-the-road)	✅ Yes.	❌ No (if the patch is correct)	⭐⭐ (middle-class)	Free of charge.
Service centre	⭐ (simple)	❌ No.	❌ No.	❌ No.	1000–3000 ₽

If you don't have access to your email/phone account and the bootloader is locked, the only working options are EDL or service center. The other methods will require unlocking the bootloader, which is impossible without logging into Mi Account.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, including the most common mistakes and ways to solve them:

🔄 Fastboot: This device is locked: So the bootloader is locked. The solution is to unlock it through Xiaomi's official website (but you need access to Mi Account).
🚫 Mi Flash Tool doesn't see device: Check drivers (install Qualcomm Drivers) and try another one USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
🔌 Phone's not included in EDL: Maybe the cable or the port is faulty. Try another one. EDL-cable or check the connection through Device Manager (should appear Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008).
📧 No password recovery email: Check the Spam folder, try another browser or device. If the email is outdated, contact Xiaomi to restore access.

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact specialists. Wrong actions (for example, firmware is the wrong version of MIUI) can lead to hard-brick - a state where the phone does not turn on even in Fastboot mode.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

Can I unlock Xiaomi without losing data?

Yes, but only if you have TWRP installed and you have a compatible patch to delete Mi Account. Otherwise, (Fastboot or EDL firmware) the data will be erased. If the phone has encryption enabled, file recovery after reset is impossible.

What to do if you forget your Mi Account email?

Try to remember the backup email or phone number associated with your account. If nothing helps, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase of the device (check, box with IMEI). In some cases, you can restore access to the serial number of the phone.

Does Mi Account bypass work on new models (2023-2026)?

On devices with MIUI 14/15 and newer chips (like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3), EDL or TWRP patches may not work because of enhanced protection. Redmi Note 12/13, Xiaomi 13/14 and POCO F5 often require official unlocking at the service center.

Can I unlock my phone if it’s bought from hand and tied to someone else’s Mi Account?

Technically, it does, but it violates Xiaomi’s rules, and the legal way to do this is to ask the previous owner to untie the device through the Mi Account (Devices section), and if you can’t contact them, you can only get the firmware through the EDL or service center (but you can ask for a check).

What is an anti-rollback and why does it prevent unlocking?

Anti-rollback is Xiaomi’s protection that blocks the firmware of older versions of MIUI on new devices. If you try to flash older firmware, the phone can turn into a brick. Before you run through Fastboot or EDL, always check the MIUI version and anti-rollback compatibility on the Xiaomi Firmware Updater site.