A blocked Xiaomi smartphone is a situation that thousands of users face every day, and the reasons can be different: a forgotten password, too many failed attempts to enter a pattern lock, activation of protection after resetting, or even locking at the request of law enforcement. But regardless of the reason, the main thing is not to panic. In 90% of cases, the phone can be unlocked on its own without resorting to service centers.
In this article, weβll break down all the current unlocking options for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices, including models with Qualcomm and Mediatek processors. From simple methods through Mi Account to complex manipulations with Fastboot and EDL, youβll find a solution for even the most neglected cases, and if youβre afraid of losing data, weβll show you how to minimize the risks.
1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)
The most secure and recommended method for Xiaomi is to use a tied Mi Account, which works if:
- πΉ The phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network)
- πΉ You remember the username and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the device.
- πΉ The phone is not disabled function Find Device (Find Device)
To unlock the phone:
- On the lock screen, tap Forgot password?
- Choose Unblock with Mi Account.
- Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
- Confirm your login via SMS or email (depending on your security settings).
- Create a new password or pattern lock.
If the buttons Forgot the password? no, try to enter any password 5 times in a row - after that, the unlock option through the account should appear.
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If you do not remember the password from Mi Account, restore it through the official website account.xiaomi.com. Use the backup email or phone number specified during registration.
2.Reset to factory settings via Recovery
If Mi Account unlock is not available, the next step is hard reset, which will remove all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to the device, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models, except those that activate reset protection (FRP).
Instructions for Stock Recovery phones (standard recovery):
- Turn off the phone.
- Press the button combination: πΉ Redmi/POCO with physical buttons: Volume up + Nutrition πΉ Xiaomi Mi 11/12/13, Redmi Note 10/11: Loudness up + Loudness down + Food (hold on) 10-15 seconds)
Recovery
Wipe Data β Wipe All Data
Confirm
Reboot
What if Recovery asks for a password?
Important! Some models (such as the Xiaomi 12T or Redmi K50) may require data entry from the Mi Account that was tied to the phone after a reset, and if you don't remember them, you'll have to use alternative methods.
3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)
If the Recovery reset didnβt work or the phone requests a password after the reboot, the next step is to use Fastboot mode, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
Suitable for devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (most flagships Xiaomi and POCO F-series). For Mediatek (for example, Redmi 9/10) may not work - in this case, you need an EDL (see section 5).
Step-by-step:
- Install Platform Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
- Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
- Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
- Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools and execute: fastboot devices If the device is displayed, continue. If not, install drivers.
- For FRP reset (if the phone asks for Mi Account after reset): fastboot erase frp fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot
A brief guide for Qualcomm:
- Download the Mi Flash Tool and the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
- Turn off the phone and connect it to the PC, holding Volume up + Volume down (for forced login to EDL).
- In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh β the device should be determined as COM-port.
- Press Flash and wait for the process to complete (5-10 minutes).
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EDL mode is the only way to unlock Xiaomi with a damaged firmware or a locked bootloader, but newer models (such as Xiaomi 14) require an official unlocker from Xiaomi, which is issued only to authorized service centers.
β οΈ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL If you're not sure what you're doing, you should go to the service center, and you should also note that after you've run through the firmware. EDL Re-activation of the device via Mi Account may be required.
5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers
If all previous methods have failed, the last option is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.
- πΉ Locked phones IMEI (For example, after theft or at the request of the operator)
- πΉ Devices with damaged firmware that are not included
- πΉ Models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi) K60 Pro)
What you need to unlock in the service:
| Requirement | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Check or guarantee card | It confirms that the phone was purchased legally. |
| Identity document | Passport or driving license (to prove possession) |
| Data from Mi Account | If the phone is linked to an account, you will need an email and password. |
| IMEI devices | You can find out on the box or via the command *#06# (if the phone is turned on) |
The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the complexity. In some cases (for example, when blocking by IMEI), you may need to replace the motherboard, which will cost 30-50% of the cost of a new phone.
I tried Mi Account.|I reset it through Recovery.|Used Fastboot.|I stitched through EDL|I went to the service center.|I haven't tried it yet.
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6.How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid having to deal with the problem of a locked phone again, follow these tips:
- πΉ Set up backups through Settings β Google β Backup or Mi Cloud, which will allow you to recover data after a reset.
- πΉ Write down your Mi Account password in a secure location (such as a password manager) without which unlocking after reset will not be possible.
- πΉ Turn it off. FRP, If you are planning to sell your phone: go to Settings β Accounts. β Google β Delete the account.
- πΉ Use a fingerprint or face. ID β This is more convenient than a password and reduces the risk of blocking.
We also recommend checking periodically if your Mi Account is linked to your phone.
- Open the Settings. β Accounts. β Mi Account.
- Make sure your phone is displayed in the Devices section.
- Check if Find Device is enabled.
If you often forget passwords, set up Smart Lock in security settings.This feature will automatically unlock your phone in trusted places (such as at home or work) or when you connect to a trusted device (such as Xiaomi smartwatch).
7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them
When trying to unlock Xiaomi, users often encounter common mistakes, and consider the most common ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't verify device (in Mi Account) | Phone is not connected to the Internet or Xiaomi servers are not available | Connect to another Wi-Fi network or use mobile internet |
| Fastboot not recognized | Not installed ADB/Fastboot drivers or the wrong path to Platform Tools | Install drivers via Mi PC Suite or manually |
| Phone is not included in Recovery | Wrong combination of buttons or battery drained | Charge your phone at least 30% and try again. |
| EDL mode not detected | Lack of access rights or incorrect driver Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 | Install the driver manually through Device Manager |
Another common problem is that the phone asks for the old password after reset, which happens if the Google account was not deleted before the reset.
- Enter any password 5 times until the option Forgot the password appears.
- Select recovery via Google Account (you will need to enter the login and password from Gmail that was on the phone).
- If you donβt remember the data, use Fastboot or EDL to completely reset FRP.
β οΈ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi A-series with pure Android) may require data entry from a previous Google account after a reset, even if the phone was linked to another owner.