Why Xiaomi Phone is Locked and How to Unlock It: A Complete 2026 Guide

You pick up your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, and it suddenly locks up — doesn't respond to touch, asks for a password you didn't set, or even hangs on the MI logo? This situation is familiar to thousands of users, and there can be dozens of reasons for it, from a trivial input error to hardware failures. In 80% of cases, the phone can unlock itself, but you need to pinpoint the source of the problem.

In this article, we will look at all possible causes of locking Xiaomi smartphones (including models from 2020-2026), from standard user errors to rare system bugs. You will learn how to distinguish software lock (for example, due to a Mi Account account) from hardware (damage to a memory chip), and also get step-by-step instructions for each case.

We warn you right away: some methods require technical skills (working with ADB, Fastboot or soldering contacts). If you are not sure about yourself, you should contact the service center.

1. Blocking due to incorrect password or pattern lock input

The most common reason is multiple misentry of the password: MIUI (especially versions 12-15) locks the device for 30 seconds after 5 failed attempts, and after 10-15 it may require Mi Account or even lock the phone permanently, a security measure, but it often works falsely (for example, if a child accidentally pokes on the screen).

What to do:

• 🔄 Wait 30 to 60 minutes – sometimes the system unlocks itself (if it is a temporary lock).
• 📧 Enter your Mi Account details if your phone requests them. Use the same email as when you first set up.
• 📱 Try unlocking it through Find Device (i.mi.com) and it needs to be connected to the Internet.
• 🔧 Reset your password through Recovery (if you're not afraid to lose your data). + Power, select Wipe Data.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t remember Mi Account data, don’t try to guess the password – after 10 unsuccessful attempts, the account will be blocked for 24 hours. SMS.

2.Blocking the account Mi (Mi Account Lock)

If you turn on your phone and see a message saying "This device is locked" or "Look in to the Mi Account that was used on this device," it means that the Mi Cloud Lock protection has been activated.

1. You have reset your settings (hard reset) through Recovery without logging out of your account.
2. Someone has tried to steal or reflash the phone (protection works when changing the IMEI or firmware).
3. You bought a used phone and the previous owner didn’t untie it from your account.

How to unlock:

1. Enter the correct account details (email and password) that was linked to the phone. If you don't remember, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
2. If the phone is bought with hands – demand from the seller an uncouple through Settings → Mi Account → Delete the account.
3. If the seller is not available, contact Xiaomi with a check for purchase. They can remove the lock remotely (in 1-3 days).
4. Last chance: Fastboot firmware with official unlocker (requires permission from Xiaomi).

3.Block after the MIUI update (bootloop)

If the phone is stuck on the MI or Redmi logo after the upgrade, it's called a bootloop.

• 🔄 Unstable version MIUI (especially beta firmware).
• 📱 Interrupted Update (turned off the phone during installation).
• 🛠️ Conflict with the custom recaveri (TWRP) ortho-right.

Decisions:

1. Wait 10-15 minutes – sometimes the system itself recovers after a long boot.
2. Load into Recovery (Loudness up + Power) and select Wipe Cache.
3. If it does not help – run the phone through Fastboot official firmware (instruction below).
4. For the advanced: if there is TWRP, try to sew Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip.

Important: If the phone doesn't turn on at all (black screen, no vibration), the problem may be a hardware failure (damage to the motherboard or battery), in which case a diagnosis is needed in the service.

4. Hardware causes of blocking (fall, water, overheating)

If the phone falls, gets wet or overheats, the lock may be due to damage:

• 🔋 Battery – if it swells, the phone may or may not turn on.
• 📱 Screen or plume - when falling, touch screen often leaves contact.
• 🔌 Motherboard – corrosion after water or microcracking after impact.
• 🔥 Memory chip (eMMC/NAND) — If the phone is not detected by the computer in Fastboot.

How to diagnose:

1. Check the charging response: ⚡ If the indicator is on, but the phone does not turn on – the problem is in the board or firmware. ❌ If there is no response to charging, the battery or power controller is faulty.
2. Connect to a PC: If the computer makes a connection sound, but the phone is not detected, the problem is in the drivers or firmware. USB-portage.

Light the flashlight on the screen.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone smells like a burn or the case is deformed, don't try to turn it on! This can be dangerous (risk of lithium-ion battery fire.

💡

If the phone is wet, don't dry it with a hair dryer or battery, it will speed up corrosion. Put it in a silica gel bag (out of a shoe box) for 24 to 48 hours, then try turning it on.

5. Blocking due to viruses or malicious applications

Rarely, but it happens: the phone gets locked after installing pirated applications modified by APK or getting infected by a ransomware.

• 📱 The screen is locked with a demand for payment (for example, "Your phone is blocked by the FSB, pay 5000 rubles.").
• 🔒 You can’t open the Recent Apps menu or settings.
• 📲 Unknown notifications appear asking for a password.

How to remove the block:

1. Boot in Safe Mode: Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power until the logo appears. Release Power, but keep Volume down until Safe Mode boots.

In this mode, remove suspicious applications.

Recovery

Wipe Data

Scan your phone with an antivirus

Malwarebytes

Dr.Web

Prevention: Do not install APKs from unverified sources and disable installations from unknown sources in Settings → Applications → Special Access Rights.

6. Blocking after firmware or rooting

If you tried to install custom firmware (like LineageOS), get root rights, or unlock a bootloader, the phone could have locked for several reasons:

• 🔧 Incompatible firmware (for example, stitched MIUI EU Chinese-style).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (on new Xiaomi models, permission from the manufacturer is required).
• 📱 Installation error TWRP (For example, the wrong version of Recaveri).
• 🔄 Data reset without formatting (leads to partition encryption).

Instructions for remediation:

1. Check if the phone is detected in Fastboot: fastboot devices If the list is empty - a driver problem or hardware malfunction.
2. Flick the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool: Download the firmware for your model from the official website. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode. + Select the firmware folder and press Flash.
3. If the firmware does not help, unlock the bootloader officially through the Xiaomi website (requires a wait of 7-15 days).

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after firmware, but it's determined in Fastboot, repeat the "Clean All" check in the Mi Flash Tool, which will delete all the data, but bring the phone back to life.

7.Blocking SIM-card-carrier (IMEI)

If the phone is writing "SIM-card locked," "Enter the card. PUK-code" or "Inadmissible SIM-map, the problem may be related to:

• 📶 Blocking the operator (for example, for non-payment).
• 🔢 Incorrect input PIN-3 unsuccessful attempts to block the SIM).
• 📱 Loss. IMEI After the phone is not connected (the phone is not connected).

Decisions:

1. PUK-Code: Find it on the package from SIM-card or request from the operator (call from another phone). PUK on the phone, after that you can ask a new PIN.
2. Loss of IMEI: Check the IMEI in *#06# - if it is missing or incorrect, restore it via Engineer Mode (requires root). or scrolle the phone with official firmware (IMEI will recover automatically).

Locking the operator

8 What to do if nothing helps?

If you have tried all the options and your phone is still locked:

• 🔧 Contact an authorized Xiaomi service – they have access to special unlock tools (for example, Mi Authorized Tool).
• 📱 Check the warranty – if the phone is warranty, repairs can be free (except with root or custom firmware).
• 💰 Estimate the cost of repairs – sometimes it is cheaper to buy a new phone than to fix the motherboard (for example, on Xiaomi 12 Pro, a replacement fee can cost 20–30 thousand rubles.).

Last tip: If the phone gets locked because of a hardware malfunction (for example, after a fall), do not delay repairs. over time, the problem can worsen (for example, corrosion from water will "eat" more contacts).

💡

Before visiting the service, take a picture of the IMEI (on a box or in a check) and save a receipt for payment - this will help prove that the phone is not stolen.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi blocking