How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi if your phone is locked: 7 proven ways

A forgotten pattern lock, an incorrectly entered password, or a Mi Account lock are the issues that one in five Xiaomi Redmi owners face. In 2026, the manufacturer tightened its security policy, so standard unlock methods (like resetting through Recovery) stopped working on new models without linking to an account, and this article will help you figure out how to return access to your phone without losing data (if possible) or with minimal consequences.

We analyzed the official instructions of Xiaomi, user reviews on the forums 4PDA Mi Community and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Redmi 10A redmi 9T. Important: Starting with the firmware MIUI 14, Fastboot reset requires authorization to Mi Account even after a hard reset. If you don't remember your account details, go straight to the section about bypassing the lock via the EDL-regime.

Before you start, answer the key question: what type of lock is your phone?

• 🔒 Screen locking (PIN, pattern lock, password – unlocking is possible without losing data on old firmware.
• 📱 Blocking Mi Account (after resetting or buying a used phone) – you will need access to the mail / phone of the associated account.
• 🔧 Blocking after unsuccessful input attempts (30 seconds, 5 minutes, etc.) – temporary, but may develop into a full-time lock.
• 🚫 Bootloader Blocking – is relevant for users who tried to flash custom software.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If your phone is locked after resetting or buying from hand, try logging in to your tied Mi Account first. This method works on all Redmi models, including the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Redmi 12, but requires:

• 📧 Access to an email or phone number linked to an account.
• 🌍 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• ⏳ Patience – Xiaomi servers are sometimes slowed down when checking data.

Instructions:

1. On the lock screen, tap the button Forgot password? (or Forgot password? on English firmware).
2. Select the recovery method: by email or SMS.
3. Enter the email address or phone number associated with your account. Click Send the code.
4. Check your email/SMS – enter the 6-digit code in the appropriate field.
5. Create a new password for your Mi Account and confirm the changes.

If after successful authorization the phone still does not unlock, perform forced synchronization:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Synchronization.
3. Turn on sync for all points and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If the previous owner has not untied the account and you cannot contact him, it is not possible to officially unlock the phone).

💡

If the code from SMS does not come, check the Spam folder in the mail or try to request the code through another browser (for example, Chrome instead of Mi Browser).

2. Reset via Recovery Mode (to lock the screen)

The method is suitable if you have forgotten the pattern lock, PIN or password, but remember the data from the Mi Account. On new firmware (MIUI 13/14) after reset, you will need secondary authorization in the account.

Step 1. Turn off the phone. To do this, press the power button for 10-15 seconds.

Step 2. Press the button combination to log in to Recovery:

• 📱 For the Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/10/11: Loudness up + Nutrition.
• 📱 For Redmi. 8/8A and older: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

Step 3. In the Recovery menu (navigate volume buttons, select the power button):

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
2. Confirm the action by choosing Yes.
3. After reset, select Reboot to reboot.

Step 4. After rebooting:

• Connect to Wi-Fi.
• Enter the data from the Mi Account that was linked to the phone.
• If the account is not tied, the phone will be unlocked without additional actions.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 and Snapdragon chipset (e.g. Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to log in to Mi Account even if the account was not previously linked.

Turn off the phone from charging

Make sure that the battery charge is > 30%

Prepare data from Mi Account (if linked)

Check the button combination for your model-->

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If a Recovery reset didn't help or the phone asks for authorization to Mi Account after a reset, try flashing stock firmware through Fastboot.This method works on 80% of Redmi models, but requires a PC and drivers installed.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 (on Mac/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (download from the official Xiaomi website).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool (download here).

Step-by-step:

1. Install Xiaomi drivers on your PC (download here).
2. Unpack the downloaded firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Firmware).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log in to Fastboot.
4. Connect your phone to your PC. The Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
5. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh – the program must detect the phone.
7. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

It takes 5-10 minutes. Once finished, the phone will reboot in factory condition. Importantly, if the firmware doesn't fit your model, the phone can turn into a brick. Check the compatibility by device code (e.g., miatoll for the Redmi Note 9 Pro).

4. Bypassing the lock through EDL-Mode (for blocked Mi Account)

If the phone is locked on a Mi Account and the previous owner is not responding, the only working method is to run through EDL (Emergency Download Mode), which allows you to flash the phone without any locks, but requires:

• 🔧 Unlocked loader (if it was blocked).
• 💻 Special cable or test point (for new models).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format for EDL.

Warning: This method violates the warranty and may cause your phone to break, and only use it if other methods have failed.

Instructions for Redmi Note 10/11/12 and Redmi 9/10:

1. Download the firmware for EDL from the 4PDA forum (e.g. here).
2. Install the Qualcomm 9008 driver (download here).
3. Turn off the phone and connect it to the PC, clamping Volume up + down (for some models you need to close test points on the board).
4. Device Manager should appear QHSUSB_BULK qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware.

Mediatek models (e.g. Redmi 9A/9C) will require:

• The SP Flash Tool.
• Firmware in scatter format.
• Mediatek Preloader Drivers.

⚠️ Note: Starting with the Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi has implemented anti-Rollback protection, which blocks the firmware of older versions MIUI. If you flash the older firmware, the phone may permanently lock!

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Centers

If you don’t succeed, contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the safest way, but it has nuances:

What will be required for the application:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 📱 The phone itself is charged. > 20%.
• 🔑 Data from the Mi Account (if available).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner.

The service centers can be found on the official Xiaomi website. Before visiting, check by phone if they are engaged in unlocking Mi Account - not all centers provide this service.

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Xiaomi’s official service centers in Russia may refuse to unlock if the phone is purchased abroad or has not passed customs certification, in which case only an informal service will help.

6. Alternative methods (for older models)

If you have a Redmi 4X, Redmi 5A or other model on a MIUI 9/10, you can try bypassing locks without firmware.These methods do not work on new devices, but can help owners of older smartphones.

Method 1: Reset via ADB (if USB debugging is enabled)

If you have enabled USB Debugging before blocking, connect your phone to your PC and do:

adb shell


su




rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




reboot

After the reboot, the screen lock will reset.

Method 2: Using an exploit for MIUI

On the XDA Developers forum, there are utilities like MIUI Unlock Tool that allow you to reset the lock through Fastboot without losing data.

fastboot oem unlock-go

⚠️ It only works on models up to Redmi Note 7 and requires an unlocked bootloader.

Method 3: Replace gesture.key file with TWRP

If the custom TWRP recap is installed, you can:

1. Download to TWRP (button combination depends on the model).
2. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
3. Delete files: /data/system/gesture.key, /data/system/password.key, /data/system/locksettings.db.
4. Reboot.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem again, follow the following simple rules:

• 🔐 Use a fingerprint or facial recognition in addition to PIN-code.
• 📧 Attach two emails (main and backup) to your phone in Mi Account settings.
• 📱 Regularly do backup data through Settings → System system → Backup.
• 🔄 Before selling the phone, be sure to untie the Mi Account in the settings.
• 🛡️ Do not install custom firmware unless you are confident in your skills.

If you buy a phone from hand:

• Ask the seller to reset the phone to factory settings with you.
• Check the status of your Mi Account through Settings → Mi Account.
• Use the IMEI verification service on the official website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi