The situation when Xiaomi smartphone is blocked due to a forgotten password or purchase of a device from hand, is one of the most stressful for the owner.Mi Account security system was developed by the company's engineers to protect user data in the event of theft or loss of a gadget, but often becomes an obstacle for legitimate owners.If you see on the screen a message that the device is tied to another account, or can not log in after resetting, you will need a clear algorithm of actions.
There are several lockdown scenarios, from the simple loss of access to email to the purchase of a used phone that the previous owner did not untie from the cloud. Depending on the type of lock and access to the phone number, recovery methods will be radically different. It is important to understand that this is not easy to bypass the protection, the MIUI system is closely integrated with the servers of the manufacturer.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all legal ways to unlock, explain the difference between a Google account and a Mi Account, and also consider the procedure for contacting official support. The only way to guarantee the lock without a password is to have a check about a purchase or contact an authorized service center. Do not try to use questionable paid services from the Internet, as this can lead to the final lock of the device via IMI.
Reasons for blocking and types of protection Xiaomi
Before you start taking action, you need to determine exactly what problem you are facing. Most often, users confuse the lock screen, Google account and Mi Account. Misiding in identifying the problem can lead to time loss and unnecessary actions, such as flashing, which in this case will not help.
Mi Account lock is activated automatically after you complete a full reset (Wipe Data) through the Recovery menu, if you have previously logged in to the Mi cloud on your phone, a "Find Device" feature that prevents unauthorized users from using the stolen smartphone, and even after flashing it, the phone will request a password from the account that was linked to the last one.
- 🔒 Forgotten password: you are the owner, remember the login (email or phone), but can not remember the combination of characters to log in.
- 📱 Change of number: SIM card associated with the account is lost or the number is blocked by the operator, making it impossible to receive SMS for resetting.
- 🛒 B/U Device: The phone was bought with hands, and the previous owner did not remove the device from the list of their in the cloud Mi.
- ⚠️ Suspicious activity: Security system blocked access due to multiple failed attempts to log in or log in from new device.
It is worth noting that if the phone was bought new in the store, but blocked by someone else's account, this may indicate a return device that was not properly processed in the store, in which case the fastest solution will be to address the place of purchase with a check.
Official Recovery Method through Mi Account
The easiest and safest method is to use an official recovery portal, which is only suitable if you have access to a linked phone number or backup email, which is fully automated and takes a few minutes with a stable Internet connection.
To start, go to the official i.mi.com website or account.xiaomi.com. Enter your login (this can be your phone number, email or account ID) and click on the link "Forgot your password." The system will offer several options for verifying your identity, which were set up by you earlier during registration.
If you have access to a phone number, select receipt SMS-Enter the message in the appropriate field. If the number is not available, try the backup email option. Once successful, you will be prompted to set a new password. Immediately after changing the password on the site, enter new data on the locked device.
☑️ Checklist for Restoring Access
Important: If you change your password, but the phone requires you to enter the screen unlock code (pattern lock or pin code) that you also forgot, the situation becomes more complicated, in which case changing the Mi Account password will not remove the screen lock, and you will have to do a full reset, which again requires confirmation of the account.
Unblocking procedure through the service center
In cases where access to a number or mail is lost, or the phone is purchased from hand and the previous owner is not available, the only legal method is to contact an authorized service center (ASC), engineers have access to special utilities that allow you to untie the device from the cloud when confirming ownership.
To successfully complete the procedure, you will need to provide proof that the phone belongs to you, whether it is the original purchase check, a store stamp warranty card or a sales contract, and the documents must show the IMEI or the serial number of the device, which must match the number on the box and on the phone menu (if you have access to the menu).
⚠️ Note: If you cannot provide the purchase documents, the service center has the right to refuse to unlock.
The service is usually paid if the device is not warranted and the problem is not related to a manufacturing defect, the cost of the service varies, but it is much lower than the risk of buying a new phone, and once the identity is confirmed, the wizard will perform a firmware reflash or software binding reset.
Some users are trying to find gray services that offer IMEI unlock remotely. Be careful: such services are often a scam. Officially, Xiaomi does not provide remote unlock on request through the site without a personal presence with documents.
Comparison of Unlocking Methods
To make it easier for you to choose your strategy, we have prepared a comparative table of the main methods, each of which has its own limitations and requirements, so carefully evaluate your situation before starting the procedure.
| Method | Conditions required | Risk of data loss | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset via site | Access to phone or email | No (data retained) | 5-10 minutes |
| Service centre | Checks, documents, availability of the device | Yes (full reset) | 1-3 days |
| Search for owner | Contact of the seller, honesty | No. | Unknown. |
| Shift. SIM-map | Access to the old room | No. | Instantly. |
As you can see from the chart, having access to an old phone number or email solves 90 percent of the problems, and if you bought a phone with your hands and the seller is missing and you don't have documents, the chances of successfully unlocking it tend to zero by legal means.