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

Did you forget your Xiaomi password or did your phone lock down after a failed entry attempt? The situation is familiar to many: the screen requires you to enter your Mi Account information and you don't remember it, or the device went into "Device locked" mode with a countdown timer. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods of unlocking, from standard methods through Find Device to complex firmware manipulation via Fastboot.

Important: the methods vary depending on the reason for the lock, for example, if the phone is locked due to multiple misentry of the password, a reset via Recovery will suit, and if you need to confirm your Mi Account after the reset, you will need official proof of ownership, and we have compiled instructions for all scenarios, including the Redmi Note 12, Poco X5, Mi 11 and others.

Warning: some methods will lead to complete loss of data (photos, contacts, messages). If the phone is encrypted, it will be impossible to recover information after reset.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your phone requires you to enter your Mi Account login and password after you reset or flash it, use the official Find Device service, which only works if:

• 📧 You have access to an email or phone number linked to your account.
• 🔗 The device is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔒 The phone was not completely reset via Fastboot (in this case, the account is untied).

Instructions:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. Select the Find Device tab (or “Find the device” in the Russian version).
3. The map will show your phone. Press Unlock.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the device does not appear in the list, check:

• 🔌 Is it connected to the Internet (network indicator lights up?).
• 📱 Was not performed untied account via Fastboot (this erases the binding).
• 🕒 Has it been more than 24 hours since the last activity (sometimes Xiaomi servers delay status updates).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, you can officially unlock it only through proof of ownership.

2. Reset via Recovery Mode (no password)

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code, but the phone doesn't require Mi Account details, try resetting through Restore mode. This method is suitable for most models, including Redmi 10, Poco F4, Mi A3.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power + Volume up. For older devices (such as Mi 5): Power + Volume down.

Recovery

Wipe Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm the reset and wait for the reset.

Once reset, the phone will start as new, but all data will be deleted, and if encryption was enabled earlier, it will be impossible to restore files.

Turn off the phone from charging

Make sure the battery is at least 30% charged

Prepare a backup copy (if you have access to the PC)

Remember the button combination for your model-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If a standard reset doesn’t work (e.g., a phone requires a Mi Account even after Wipe Data), you’ll need to use Fastboot mode, which is suitable for models with a bootloader unlocked or if you’re ready to unlock it.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn the phone into Fastboot mode: (a) Turn off the device. (b) Press Power + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect the phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): fastboot oem unlock After this command, all data will be erased and the warranty canceled.
4. Sweep through the official firmware: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

If the bootloader is already unlocked, you can immediately go to the firmware. For models with MediaTek (for example, Redmi 9A), you may need the SP Flash Tool.

4. Bypassing locking through EDL Mode (for experienced)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to restore the phone even if it does not turn on or lock at the bootloader level.The method is suitable for models on Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Poco X3, Redmi Note 10 Pro).

Warnings:

• ⚡ The risk of turning your phone into a brick if you do the wrong thing.
• 🔧 A soldering iron or special cable is required EDL (new-model).
• 📛 On some devices (Mi 11 Ultra and newer) Xiaomi blocks EDL software.

Instructions:

1. Download firmware in.mbn format for your model (for example, from the 4PDA forum).
2. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode: For older models: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power. For new ones, close Test Point contacts on the board (disassembly required).

Mi Flash Tool

(a) Select the downloaded firmware.


Press Refresh (the device must be displayed in Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008).




(c) Press Flash and wait until it is completed.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without official permission, Xiaomi may be blocked. IMEI. On new models (Redmi Note 12 and later) this requires an authorized developer account.

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If you don't succeed, contact the official service center, which is the only legal way to unlock a phone tied to someone else's Mi Account without risking damage to the device.

What will be required:

• 📄 Check or contract of sale (to confirm property).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner.
• 💳 Payment for the service (cost varies from 1000 to 5 000) ₽ model-wise).

The process takes from 3 to 10 working days.

1. Remove the blocking of the Mi Account (if the phone is not blacklisted).
2. IMEI will be restored (if it was reset after a failed firmware).
3. Re-sweeten the device on the official firmware.

The list of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service.

💡

Before visiting the service center, take photos of the serial number (under the cover). SIM-maps or on a box) and IMEI (06#.This will speed up the process of verifying the property.

6. Alternative methods (with a risk to the device)

If all of these methods fail, there are still informal solutions that can help, but they can have consequences.

Before you use these methods, assess the risks. For example, informal tools like the Mi Account Unlock Tool often contain malware or lead to blocking IMEI. Firmware through the SP Flash Tool without the correct version of the scatter file can permanently disable the phone.

💡

If the phone is locked after a handheld purchase, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner for Mi Account details or provide proof of purchase to the service center.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi