Found someone else’s phone Xiaomi: how to unlock Android without a password in 2026

What to do if you find a locked smartphone Xiaomi

You picked up on the street or in transport Xiaomi smartphone with a locked screen and now you do not know what to do. First rule: do not try to hack the device using questionable programs or services. This is not only illegal (under article 272 of the criminal code for improper access to information), but also fraught with the complete loss of owner data, including photos, contacts and banking applications.

In this article, we will discuss the legal unlocking methods that work on all Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra), and explain why some methods from the Internet can harm. Importantly, if the phone is tied to a Mi Account account, it is almost impossible to get around the lock without owner data - this is a measure of protection against theft.

Before you start unlocking, check:

• 🔍 Is there a sign on the lock screen that says “Device blocked Mi Account” – this means linking to the Xiaomi account.
• 📱 Model of phone (usually listed on a sticker under the lid or in documentation).
• 🔋 Battery charge (if less than 20%, connect charging – a reset at low charge can turn the phone into a brick").

Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account (if you have owner data)

If you have a Mi Account binding message on your lock screen, it means that your phone is cloud-protected, and this method only works if:

• 📧 You have an email or phone number linked to the owner’s account.
• 🔑 You know the password from the Mi Account (or the owner is willing to provide it).
• 🌍 The device is connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, click "Forgot your password?" or "Unlock through Mi Account".
2. Enter your email/phone number and password from your Xiaomi account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. Reset the pattern lock or PIN-code right on the lock screen.

Login (email/phone) of the owner | Password from Mi Account| Internet connection | Battery charge >30%-->

If you don't have data, it won't work. Go to the following methods, but remember, resetting to factory settings will remove all the data from your phone.

⚠️ Warning: Do not buy "unblock accounts" on dubious sites. Fraudsters often sell other people's data, and once unlocked, the phone can be remotely blocked by the real owner through the "Find the device" function".

Method 2: Hard Reset (Reset to factory settings)

Recovery Mode reset is the most reliable way to unlock Xiaomi if you don’t know the Mi Account password. minus: all data (photos, messages, apps) will be erased. The method works on all models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO X3, Xiaomi 13T and others.

Instructions for phones with physical buttons (up to Xiaomi 12 Series):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery Mode menu.
4. With the volume buttons, select "Wipe Data" (or "Clear Data"), confirm the choice with the power button.
5. Select "Wipe All Data" and confirm.
6. After reset, press "Reboot."

For new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12):

• 🔄 Instead of physical buttons, you may need to connect to a PC and use the Mi Flash Tool (more on this below).
• 🔌 On some devices, reset is blocked if the “Reset Protection” option is enabled in the security settings.

⚠️ On phones with a chip Qualcomm (most Xiaomi) after 3 failed attempts to enter a password in Recovery, the device can go into mode EDL (In this case, an authorized service center will be required to unlock the device.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool (for advanced)

If Hard Reset didn’t work because of Mi Account lock, you can try flashing your phone through Fastboot mode, which is suitable for models running Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note 11, Xiaomi 12 Lite, etc.) and requires a PC with drivers installed.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool (official utility from Xiaomi).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the buttons Volume down + Power for 10 seconds. The screen will appear a hare in a hat-eared (Fastboot logo).
2. Connect the phone to the PC.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press "Select" and specify the path to the unpacked firmware.
4. Select the "Clean All" mode and press "Flash".
5. Wait for the end (5-10 minutes). The phone will reboot.

💡

If the Mi Flash Tool gives you a "Couldn't find device" error, install Qualcomm QDLoader drivers manually through Device Manager ("Other Devices" section" → "QHUSB_BULK").

⚠️ Important: After the firmware through Fastboot, the phone can:

• 🔒 Require Mi Account data entry if previously linked account.
• 🚫 Block the bootloader if it has been unlocked previously.
• 📱 Stop being defined by PC (solved by reinstalling drivers).

Method 4: Bypassing the pattern lock through ADB (without data loss)

If only a pattern lock is installed on the phone, or PIN-code (without binding to Mi Account), you can try to delete the file with the password through ADB (Android Debug Bridge.This method works on Xiaomi with unlocked USB-debugging.

Conditions:

• 🔌 The phone should be on debugging. USB (usually off-line).
• 🖥️ Need a PC with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 The phone must be identified in the system (check in Device Manager).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd).
2. Enter the commands in order: 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 reboot
3. After rebooting, the pattern lock will be reset.

💡

Method ADB It only works if it only works USB-debugging was enabled before blocking. on the new Xiaomi (with Android 12)+) This method is often blocked by the manufacturer.

⚠️ Note: If the phone stopped loading after the commands were executed, then the critical system files were deleted.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all of the above methods fail, the only legal option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is especially true if:

• 🔐 The phone is tied to Mi Account, and there is no login data.
• 🛠️ The error is "This device is locked".
• 📱 The device does not turn on or hangs on the Mi logo.

What will be required to unlock:

1. Document confirming the purchase (check, warranty card).
2. Passport of the owner (if the phone is found, this item is problematic).
3. Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles depending on the model).

The service center addresses can be found on Xiaomi’s official website, and in some cases, unlocking is done for free, provided the phone is warranted.

1. Call the last number dialed (click "Emergency call" → "Journal").

2. Insert SIM-map and wait SMS or call from the owner.

3. contact the police - they can find the owner of the IMEI.-->

What to do after unlocking

If you have unlocked your phone, follow these steps:

1. Check the contacts in the phone book – there may be an owner’s number marked “I”, “Home” or “Work”.
2. Look at photos – sometimes the gallery has document shots or contact notes.
3. Open messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) – in the profile can be specified email or phone number.
4. Contact the owner and return the device, and if that's not possible, turn over the phone to the police.

If you decide to keep your phone (which is against the law) at least:

• 🧹 Complete data reset (Hard Reset).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version.
• 🔒 Set up a new Mi Account and enable two-factor authentication.

⚠️ Note: Using someone else’s phone without the owner’s consent qualifies as illegal access to computer information (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) and can entail a fine of up to 200,000 rubles or correctional work.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi