Xiaomi’s “This Device Is Locked”: What to Do If You Don’t Know Your Mi Account

The message “This device is locked. Sign in with a previously synced Mi Account” on the Xiaomi screen is one of the most frustrating situations for a smartphone owner, which means that the device is tied to a Mi Account account, from which data is lost or unknown, which is triggered after resetting settings, updating the firmware or buying a used phone where the previous owner did not untidy his account.

Unlike the standard pattern lock or PIN-While it is harder to get around this protection, Xiaomi uses hardware encryption associated with the company’s servers, there are both official ways to unlock (via Xiaomi support) and alternative methods, from using engineering codes to flashing through Fastboot. It is important to understand that not all solutions are universal: their effectiveness depends on the model of the device, the version of the device. MIUI and the loader locking status.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi without accessing the Mi Account for 2026, including step-by-step instructions, the risks of each method and answers to frequent questions.

Why Xiaomi is showing “This device is locked” and what it means

The message “This device is locked” appears on Xiaomi’s screen in three main cases:

• 🔄 Once you reset your Hard Reset via Recovery or set up your system, if your phone was tied to your Mi Account and your account information is not entered after the reset, the system blocks access.
• 📦 When buying a used device where the previous owner did not log out of the account (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account).
• 🔧 After firmware or update MIUI, if unofficial firmware was used or the integrity of system files was violated.

Technically, the lock is implemented through Factory Reset Protection (FRP), similar to the protection on Android devices of other brands. However, Xiaomi has a feature: even if you know the username / password from Mi Account, but the phone does not recognize them (for example, due to a change in the region of the account), unlocking may not work, this is due to the binding of the device to a specific UID account at the hardware identifier level.

It is important to distinguish this lock from a locked bootloader, which prevents custom firmware installation but does not interfere with the use of the phone, and the message "This device is locked" is FRP-locking, and it requires different solutions.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Xiaomi with your hands and the seller didn't provide details from the Mi Account, it could be a sign of theft. IMEI devices via IMEI.info service for blocking by the operator.

Official ways to unlock Xiaomi without an account

The most reliable and legal way to do this is to appeal to Xiaomi, which provides the ability to unlock when you prove ownership of the device, and let's look at two official methods:

1 Unlocking through Xiaomi feedback form

This is a good way to do it if you have a check, a warranty card or a box from a serial numbered phone.

1. Go to the support page: account.xiaomi.com.
2. Select Unlock Device (Unlock Device).
3. Fill out the form by specifying: 📱 Device model (e.g. Redmi Note) 12 Pro+). 🔢 Serial number (IMEI or S/N, You will find it on the box or in the settings. → The phone). 📄 Scan of the document confirming the purchase (check, contract of sale).

Wait for the response from the support (usually 3-7 days).

If the documents are in order, Xiaomi will send an unblocking instruction or reset the account remotely, the disadvantage of the method is a long wait and possible rejection in the absence of proof of purchase.

2 Unlocking through an Authorized Service Center

If the phone is guaranteed or you are ready to pay for the service, you can contact the official service center Xiaomi. the List of addresses for Russia and the CIS is available on the website: mi.com/service.

What will be required:

• 📄 Passport of the owner.
• 📦 Phone box with serial number.
• 💳 Guarantee card (if any).
• 💰 Payment for the service (from 1000 to 3 000 rubles depending on the model).

The service center can unlock the device through special software available only to Xiaomi partners, which works even on newer models (Redmi Note 13, POCO X6, Xiaomi 14), where alternative methods are often ineffective.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial service centers may offer “5-minute unlocking” through illegal methods (e.g., swapping) IMEI). This violates Xiaomi’s license agreement and may result in a complete loss of device functionality.

Alternative Unlocking Methods (without Official Support)

If the official methods are not available or too long, you can try to bypass the lock yourself. These methods do not guarantee 100% results and can lead to data loss or “bricking” of the device. Use them at your own risk!

1. Unlock through the engineering menu (for older models)

On some devices (Redmi 4X, Redmi Note 5, Mi A1/A2), you can bypass FRP through the engineering menu.

1. Turn on your phone and wait for the message “This device is locked.”
2. Type the code on the keyboard: ##3646633## (for MTK-chips) or ##4636## (for Qualcomm).
3. In the engineering menu, go to Connectivity → Wi-Fi.
4. Press WLAN Test → Disconnect, then go back.
5. Reset the phone. In some cases, the lock is reset.

This method doesn’t work on all devices and may not work on newer versions of MIUI 14/15.

2.Use of ADB-commands (PC required)

If USB debugging is enabled on the phone (which is unlikely after reset), you can try removing FRP via ADB.

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line (Win) + R → cmd) and enter: adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1
3. Reboot the device. If the command works, the phone will suggest that you set it up as new.

On newer models (Redmi Note 12+, Xiaomi 13T) this method usually doesn’t work because of the increased protection.

3. Flashing through Fastboot (for power users)

The most radical way is to flash the phone through Fastboot mode, which will delete all data and reset FRP, but requires an unlocked bootloader. If it is locked, you will have to unblock it first (which takes up to 720 hours of waiting on new devices).

Step-by-step:

After preparation:

1. Open the Mi Flash Tool and select the downloaded firmware.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (press Power + Vol- when the device is off).
3. Press Refresh, then Flash.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Firmware of unofficial versions MIUI or custom-made Recovery (TWRP) This can lead to the blocking of Mi Account at the server level. Use only official firmware from the Xiaomi website.

Compatibility table of unlock methods with Xiaomi models

Not all methods work on all devices, and below is the compatibility table for popular models (current for 2026):

The data in the table is based on user reports from the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums. For accurate information, check out current discussions on your model.

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all of these methods fail, there are two options:

1. Selling the device for parts: Some service centers are buying out locked Xiaomi for displays, batteries or motherboards.
2. Used as a media player, some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) can run TWRP via Fastboot and install firmware without checking FRP. This will give access to multimedia features, but mobile communications and accounts will not work.

There are also paid unlock services (like DC-Unlocker or Octoplus), but their legality is questionable, and the cost can reach 50% of the price of the phone.

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Before selling a blocked Xiaomi, be sure to remove SIM-A card and a memory card, and even if the phone doesn't work, it can be extracted.

How to avoid blocking Xiaomi in the future

To avoid the problem of “This device is locked” again, follow these rules:

• 🔑 Always untie your Mi Account before selling. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.
• 📝 Save your account information. Write down your username (email or phone) and password in a secure location (for example, in a password manager).
• 🔄 Do not reset your settings via Recovery. Use Settings only. → Additionally. → Resetting – so the phone may not request an account after the reboot.
• 🛡️ Set up a backup. email/This will help you restore access if you forget your password.

If you are buying Xiaomi from hand, be sure to check:

• 📦 The presence of a box with a serial number.
• 🔍 No binding to Mi Account (ask the seller to reset with you).
• 📡 Status. IMEI (via *#06# or IMEI.info).

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The only reliable way to avoid locking is to delete the Mi Account before resetting, and if the phone is already locked, official unlocking via Xiaomi support remains the safest solution.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi