You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of your desktop, you saw the words "Device locked" or a request for a password from your Mi Account? It's a nasty situation, but it's solvable. Locking Xiaomi phones is a common problem that both beginners and experienced users face, and the reasons range from trivial forgetfulness to hardware failures or manufacturer actions.
In this article, we’ll look at all possible causes of lockdown, from software restrictions to physical damage, and provide step-by-step unlock instructions for each situation. Particular attention will be paid to the new protections from 2026 that Xiaomi has implemented in recent models (for example, the Redmi Note 13 or POCO F6). If your phone has turned into a brick, do not panic: in 90% of cases it can be brought back to life without going to the service center.
1. Mi Account Blocking: Why This Happens
Xiaomi uses this system as protection against theft, but it often works in legitimate cases. For example, after a settings reset (Settings → About phone → Factory reset), the phone may require you to enter a username and password from Mi Account, even if you previously disabled it.
Typical scenarios:
- 🔄 Reset to factory settings without detachment of the account (for example, through Recovery Mode).
- 📱 Buying a used phone where the previous owner did not delete his account.
- 🔧 Update of firmware with transition to a new version MIUI, where the authorization rules have changed.
- 🚫 Blocking on suspicion of fraud (if the account was used for spam or multiple registrations).
⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone with your hands and the seller did not provide the data from the Mi Account, there is a high risk that the device is stolen. In this case, unlocking through official Xiaomi channels will be impossible - you will need to contact the previous owner or the police (if you have a check).
2. Forgotten pattern lock, PIN or password
The classic situation is that you put a complex password and then you forgot it a month later, and unlike Mi Account, here the lock is local, and you can get around it without asking for support, but the unlocking methods depend on the version of MIUI and the phone model.
Methods of restoring access:
- 📧 Recovery via email (if the mailbox is tied). On the lock screen, tap "Forgot your password?" and follow the instructions.
- 📞 Reset via Find Device. Go to i.mi.com, log in and use the Unlock Device feature (only works when you’re online on your phone).
- 🔧 Hard Reset via Recovery Mode. Suitable for older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1), But it will delete all the data. Instructions: Turn off the phone. Press the Power. + Volume Up before the Mi logo appears. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
- Check it on the sites: IMEI.info (international base). SNDeeP (for Russia and CIS). ⚠️ Attention: If IMEI It's blacklisted, and you can only unlock it through the operator who bought the phone. IMEI (IMEI repair) is illegal and may result in a complete loss of communication after the next update MIUI. 6.Blocking at the request of law enforcement In rare cases, Xiaomi blocks phones at the request of the police or judicial authorities: 🕵️ The device was used for fraud (e.g., calls demanding money transfers). 📄 The phone was issued a loan that was not repaid. 🚨 The device is wanted (stolen, smuggled). 🔎 How to recognize such a blockage? A message appears on the screen with a reference to a regulatory act (for example, “The device is locked in accordance with the Federal Law).-139») In this case, contact the police department or court that you report, provide proof of legal ownership of the phone (check, sales contract), and if you bought it from hand, ask the seller for proof of deregistration. 💡The lock is not legally lifted through reset or flashing, and the only way to resolve the issue is with law enforcement. 7. Software glitches: when locking is a temporary error Sometimes the Xiaomi phone is blocked due to malfunctions MIUI Or third-party apps: 🔄 The lock screen appears even after the correct password entry. 📱 The phone spontaneously reboots and requires unlocking. 🚫 Applications (e.g. Google Play Services) cause conflicts with the system. 🔧 Resolve: Restart Safe Mode: Press the Power button, then hold the Power Off until the Safe Mode option appears. This mode will turn off all third-party apps - if the lock is gone, one of them is to blame.Cache Cleanup: Go to Settings → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Recurring updates: If the problem appeared after the update MIUI, Reverse to the previous version through Recovery. ⚠️ Note: If the glitch manifests itself after installing custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience), return to the stockware MIUI. Some modifications conflict with Xiaomi drivers, which leads to “soft” locks. FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking Xiaomi: Can you unlock Xiaomi without losing data? Yes, but only in some cases: If the lock is connected to the Mi Account and you have access to the tied account email/If you forgot your pattern lock, but remember your Mi Account password, unlock it via Find Device. If the phone is locked due to a glitch MIUI — Rebooting to Safe Mode or resetting the cache can help without deleting files. In all other cases (reset via Recovery, firmware) data will be lost. How much does it cost to officially unlock at Xiaomi Service Center? Cost depends on the reason for blocking: Reset Mi Account: 1 500–3 000 ₽ (If you prove ownership, recover from a failed firmware: 2 000–5 000 ₽ (Replacement of hardware components: from 3 000 ₽ (e.g., eMMC memory chip). ⚠️ Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia can refuse to unlock if the phone is bought abroad or is wanted. Mi Unlock Tool is designed to unlock the bootloader, not to unlock the Mi Account or the pattern lock, but it can be used in conjunction with other methods: Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (requires binding Mi Account to the phone and waiting 7-15 days). Install a custom Recovery (TWRP). Sweep through the modified firmware without checking the Mi Account (for example, MIUI EU). ⚠️ This method does not work on all models (for example, on the Redmi Note 12 and Xiaomi has tightened the protection? Probable causes and solutions: Wrong firmware: Scroll down the version MIUI, Boot or recovery damaged: Restore them via Fastboot: fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash recovery recovery.img Hardware failure: If the phone does not respond to Fastboot and is not detected by a PC, contact the service - motherboard malfunction is possible. How to avoid locking Xiaomi in the future: 🔐 Untie Mi Account before reset: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account. 📱 Use backup unlocking methods: Link to the phone email and number for recovery. 🔄 Update firmware only through official channels: Avoid "custom" builds from unknown developers. 🛡️ Buy phones from official sellers: Avoid devices with "gray» IMEI or suspiciously low price.