Unlocking Xiaomi after reset in 2022: what to enter and how to avoid mistakes

Factory resets on Xiaomi smartphones are a procedure that can solve many problems, from slowing down to removing viruses. However, after a hard reset, users often face an unpleasant surprise - the device requires you to enter the information of the Mi Account previously tied. If you forget your username, password or bought a phone "with your hands", unlocking becomes a real headache. In 2022, Xiaomi tightened security policies, and old methods of bypassing have stopped working. This article will help you figure out what to enter after a reset, how to restore access to an account and what to do if the original data is lost.

Unlike earlier versions. MIUI, into 2022 In the year, the system checks not only the correctness of the login and password, but also the associated phone number, login history, and in some cases even the correctness of the login. IMEI This means that simple tips like "enter any password." 5 We analyzed current unlocking methods, given the changes in Xiaomi policy, and collected proven methods that work on models. 2020–2022 years (Redmi Note) 10/11, Poco X3/X4, Mi 11/12 etc.).

It's important to understand that if a phone has been stolen or bought from your hands without a break from the previous owner, there's no legal way to get around the lock. Xiaomi has deliberately made it harder to fight theft. But if you have a device that you've forgotten, there's a chance of recovery.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the phone after a reset?

Mi Account Lock was introduced by Xiaomi in 2016 as a theft protection measure, and after being reset to the factory settings, the system requires you to enter the account data that was tied to the device before the reset, which works even if:

• 📱 You reset your phone through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge.
• 🔧 You used a combination of buttons (Power) + Volume Up) for resetting via Recovery Mode.
• 💻 You have flashed the device through Fastboot or EDL.

In 2022, Xiaomi added additional checks:

• 🔑 Two-step authentication: If enabled, code from SMS Google Authenticator Apps.
• 📡 Verification IMEI: The system compares the serial number of the device with the database Xiaomi.
• ⏳ Delay between attempts: After 5 failed password inputs, the device is locked for 24 hours.

If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner has not untied the account, it is legally impossible to unlock it, the only way out is to contact the seller and ask him to enter the data remotely (via Find Device) or provide a login / password.

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Before buying a used Xiaomi, always check if the Mi Account is untied. Ask the seller to reset with you and make sure the phone does not require data entry after the reboot.

What to enter after the reset of Xiaomi in 2022: step-by-step instructions

If your phone is yours but you have forgotten your account details, follow this instruction:

1. On the lock screen, select a language (if required) and connect to Wi-Fi or mobile network.

2. Enter the email or phone number that was linked to your Mi Account. If you don’t remember, try all the options you can (e.g., user).@gmail.com user@mail.ru).

3. Click Forgot Password? The system will redirect you to the recovery page.

If you remember your email but not your password:

• 📧 Click Restore via email - the mail will come with a link to reset the password.
• 📱 If your phone number is tied, select Restore through SMS (code will come in message).
• 🔐 If two-step authentication is enabled, you will need a code from Google Authenticator or backup codes.

If you don’t remember the email or number:

• 🕵️ Try to remember what mail was used when registering (often this is the case). @gmail.com, @mail.ru or @mi.com).
• 📱 Check other devices (tablet, laptop) where Mi Account data may have been stored.
• 🔍 Use the Find Device feature on i.mi.com – if the device was online, it can display the linked email.

How to bypass the Mi Account lock after reset (legal ways)

If you are sure that your phone is yours, but restoring your account doesn’t help, try these methods:

1. Recovery through Find Device:

- Go to i.mi.com from your computer.

Enter your account details (if you remember).

- In the Devices section, find the locked phone and click Unlock.

2. Communication with Xiaomi support:

If you have a purchase check or a warranty card, contact the official service center, they can remove the lock after checking the documents.

Write to the support chat on the Xiaomi website (Contacts section) and provide:

- Serial number (IMEI) phone.

- Check details (date, shop, model).

Photo of the box (if it still exists).

3. bypassing Fastboot (for power users only):

This method does not work on all models and requires an unlocked bootloader.

- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power) + Volume Down).

- Enter the command:

fastboot oem unlock

If the bootloader is unlocked, the phone may miss the account check.

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Note: Methods like "firmware through" EDL" In 2022, Xiaomi closed most of the loopholes, and these methods only work on older models (until 2019).

What NOT to do when unlocking Xiaomi

Many of the "advice" on the Internet not only doesn't help, but it can do harm.

1. Enter random passwords 5+ once:

After 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

- On some models (Redmi Note 11, Poco) X4) The lock can last up to 72 hours.

2. Use "miracle programs" to bypass:

- Mi Account Unlock Tool or Xiaomi Tool V2 Often contain viruses or do not work on new firmware.

At best, they won’t help, at worst, they’ll lock the phone forever.

3. to sew the device through informal firmware:

- Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) on a locked phone will lead to loss IMEI brique.

Xiaomi checks the firmware signature and unofficial versions will not be verified.

4. Reset the attempt counter through Recovery:

Some people advise resetting the settings again through Recovery Mode to zero the counter of unsuccessful attempts.

- On the new versions MIUI (12.5-14) this does not work – the counter is stored in a protected memory area.

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The only safe way to unlock is to restore access to the original Mi Account or contact the official service with purchase documents.

Unlocking Xiaomi after reset: comparing methods

Frequent mistakes and how to fix them

When unlocking, users often encounter specific errors.

Error: "This device is locked. Sign in with a previously synced Mi Account"

Reason: The phone is tied to an account that was not untied before the reset.

- Decision:

- Enter the original email/phone number.

If you don’t remember, restore access via account.xiaomi.com.

2.Error: "Too many attempts. Try again in 24 hours"

Reason: The number of password attempts exceeded.

- Decision:

Wait 24 hours (on some models 72 hours).

Don’t try to reset the meter through Recovery, it won’t work.

Error: "Couldn't verify this account. Try another account."

Reason: The account entered was not linked to this device.

- Decision:

Check if you are entering the same email (it is possible that another email was used during registration).

If the phone is used, contact the previous owner.

Error: "Network error. Check your connection"

Reason: Problems with the Internet or Xiaomi servers.

- Decision:

Reconnect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet.

Check if the firewall blocks access to Xiaomi servers (for example, in corporate networks).

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If you are told that your password does not exist when you restore it, try to re-register it, sometimes it helps to wake up the old account in the system.

How to avoid lockdown after resetting in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow these rules:

1. Untie your account before selling or dumping:

- Go to Settings. → Mi Account → Get out.

Remove the device from the list in Find Device (i.mi.com).

2. Use backup codes for two-step authentication:

- If it's on 2FA, Save your backup codes in a safe place (e.g., on Google Keep or on paper).

Without them, the account will not be restored.

3. Regularly update your account information:

Check that the email and phone number are relevant.

Update your password if you haven’t changed it in a while.

4. Create a local backup copy:

Before resetting, save important data to your PC or cloud (but not to Mi Cloud if you forget your password).

- Use the settings. → System system → Backup.

5. Buy phones only with an untied account:

Before buying used Xiaomi, ask the seller to make a reset with you and make sure that the phone does not require data entry.

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If you frequently drop your phone (for example, for firmware testing), create a separate Mi Account specifically for this purpose and do not link important data to it.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions