The appearance of the words "This device is locked" on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone often takes users by surprise. This message indicates that the device activates anti-theft protection, known as Mi Cloud Lock or Find Device. The system blocks access to basic functions of the gadget, requiring authorization in the account Mi, which was tied to the device before.
Fortunately, most of the time, you can solve the problem yourself using only the smartphone itself and a stable Internet connection. The Mi Account security mechanism is designed for security, but sometimes it blocks legitimate owners when a system crashes or you buy a used device. It is important to understand that ignoring this message can lead to a complete lockdown of the device, turning it into a brick.
In this guide, we will look at all available methods to unlock Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO exclusively through the phone interface. We will discuss the standard methods of access restoration, as well as alternative options for cases when login is impossible. Remember that any manipulation of system partitions carries risks, so act carefully.
Reasons for blocking and types of protection
The “This device is locked” error appears in two main scenarios before taking action: when you try to unlock a bootloader without official permission or, more commonly, when you activate the “Device Search” function. In the first case, the system warns you to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool on a PC, but this process requires a wait of 7-168 hours.
The second and more common case is Mi Cloud Lock, which is activated automatically if the phone's settings have enabled device search, and once reset to the factory settings, the phone requires you to enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was synced to the device before the reset, without which you cannot log in.
⚠️ Note: If you bought a phone with your hands and you see a request for an account that does not belong to you when you turn on, contact the seller.
There is also a lesser-known blockage associated with regional restrictions or corporate MDM profiles, but they are less common. The main focus of this device is locked Xiaomi is what to do without a computer, which is to restore access through Xiaomi Cloud services. Understanding the nature of the lock will help you choose the right algorithm of actions and avoid unnecessary errors.
- 🔒 Mi Account Lock: Requires you to enter a password from your tied Mi Account after resetting.
- 🔓 Bootloader Lock: Prohibits custom firmware installation without official unlocking.
- 🌐 Network Lock: Blocking work with SIM cards of other operators (found on imported versions).
Recovery method through the official Mi Cloud website
The most reliable and secure way to unblock without using a computer is through the web interface of the cloud service. To do this, you will need another smartphone or tablet with Internet access. Go to the official website i.mi.com. This resource is a direct analogue of Find iPhone and allows you to control the associated devices remotely.
Sign in to your account using the same data that the locked phone requests. If you forget your password, use the re-access function directly on the login page, following the instructions by SMS or email. Once you have successfully logged in, you will see a list of all the devices associated with that account.
Find your locked smartphone in the list. In the device management menu, select the option "Unlock" or "Remove from account" and this action will send a command to the server, which will remove the Mi Account binding from the device, then you need to restart the phone, and when you turn on again, the lock should disappear.
What to do if the site says "Device not found"?
It is important to note that to successfully perform this procedure, the locked phone must be connected to a Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet. If the device does not have access to the network, the command from the server will not reach it, and the lock will remain until the next connection.
Use of the "Find device" function to reset
If you can’t log out through the site or it doesn’t work, you can try to use advanced management features. In the Mi Cloud interface, the Find Device tab often offers the option of remotely resetting or changing the lock status, which is especially true if the phone is lost but then found and the system has gone into lock mode.
Sometimes changing the password from your Mi Account helps. Go to the security settings of your account on the site and change the password. Then, on a locked device (if you have access to Wi-Fi), try entering a new password. The system should update the authorization data. However, if the phone is completely blocked by the activation lock screen, this method may not work without first unlocking through the device delete menu.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to enter the wrong password too many times, this can lead to a temporary account lock for security reasons, making it harder to recover.
There is a nuance with two-factor authentication. If it is enabled, you may need a confirmation code to log in to your account on a new device or site, which will come to the associated phone number. Make sure that the SIM card registered with your Mi Account is active and in your hands.
- 📱 Make sure the site displays the exact model of your Redmi or Xiaomi.
- 🔄 After removing the device from the list on the site, be sure to perform a full phone restart.
- 📶 Check the status of the Internet connection on the blocked gadget (Wi-Fi icon or 4G).
Resetting with Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
In situations where access to the account is completely lost and unblocking through the site is impossible, users often resort to a complete reset via the Recovery menu.This method does not remove Mi Cloud Lock if the device has already been tied, but it is necessary to clean the data before re-entering or resale. If the lock is caused by a software failure, rather than a binding acka-unt, this step can help.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi models, you need to turn off the phone. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. The menu is moved by volume buttons and the power button selects.
☑️ Reset algorithm in Recovery
Select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. Confirm the action. The process takes a few minutes. Once completed, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The phone will reboot as new. If Mi Cloud protection was active, you'll see the "This device is locked" screen again, but now you'll have a clean system to try other methods.
| Action. | Button combination | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Recovery | Volume Up + Nutrition | Recovery menu |
| Entrance to Fastboot | Volume Down + Nutrition | Firmware mode (hare) |
| Data resetting | Wipe All Data | Deletion of all information |
| Reboot. | Reboot to System | Normal Android launch |
Alternative ways to bypass without PC
If standard methods don’t work, you can try exploiting vulnerabilities in the activation interface, although with each update MIUI and HyperOS, they become less. One method involves using the voice assistant feature or special applications to run the browser directly from the lock screen. For example, activating TalkBack or Google Assistant can sometimes allow you to go to Wi-Fi settings or start Chrome.
The method is to access your phone’s settings and turn off the internet before you complete the setup, or log in to your Google account and try to access system settings through synchronization, but this requires high technical literacy and often depends on the specific version of Android (10, 11, 12, 13).
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Try using a mobile hotspot from another phone when connecting to Wi-Fi, where the password or encryption type has been pre-changed to cause a connection error and go to the network settings menu.
Another option is to use remote control applications if they were pre-installed and had the appropriate permissions before blocking, such as TeamViewer QuickSupport or analogues if they have auto-run. But in the realities of modern Xiaomi protection, this is an unlikely scenario.
Some users are using the OTG-It doesn't remove the lock, but it makes it easier to navigate through the interface if the touch screen is partially broken or locked. OTG You can try connecting to an Ethernet network if the phone supports this protocol, which sometimes helps to bypass the Wi-Fi module problems when activated.
Prevention of blockages and important recommendations
To avoid this device is locked Xiaomi in the future, you need to follow simple digital hygiene rules: Always untie the device from your Mi Account before selling or transferring it to another person. To do this, go to Settings -> Mi Account and click Out. Only then do a data reset.
Keep checks and a box from the device. If you buy a used phone, ask the customer to complete the log-out cycle. Having a check can also help with the official Xiaomi service center if you need proof of ownership of the device to remove the lock by employees of the company.
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The only guaranteed way to avoid problems with Mi Lock is to never buy phones blocked by someone else’s account and always log out of your profile before resetting.
Check regularly which devices are linked to your account. Periodic audit of the device list on the Mi Cloud site will help third-party gadgets and protect your data. Do not use modified firmware from unknown sources, as they may contain vulnerabilities or cause blocking.