“This device is locked” on Xiaomi Redmi 8: the complete guide to unlock

The message “This device is locked. Unlock in Mi Cloud” on the Xiaomi Redmi 8 screen is one of the most unpleasant problems faced by brand users, which appears after resetting, firmware or even accidentally disabling the Mi Account account, blocking access to the device. Unlike the standard pattern lock, this lock is associated with Xiaomi hardware protection, and you can not get around it “on the knee”.

In this article, we will discuss all working ways to unlock the Redmi 8 (including the Redmi models). 8A redmi 8A Dual, which is set to be released in 2026, with the latest changes in Xiaomi policy, will show you how to act if you forget the data from the Mi Account, how to confirm ownership of the device, and what unofficial methods can permanently “brick” the smartphone. We will also analyze why the lock occurs even on used phones and how to avoid it when buying.

Why This Device Is Locked on Redmi 8

This device is locked is part of Xiaomi’s theft and unauthorized access protection system, which is activated in three cases:

• 🔄 Resetting settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and Reset or Recovery Mode without detachment Mi Account.
• 🔐 Delete Mi Account from Device Manually (via Settings) → Accounts) before discharge.
• 🛠️ Firmware via Fastboot or unofficial tools like Mi Flash Tool without first unlocking the bootloader.

It’s important to understand that Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) refers to devices with a locked bootloader by default, which means that even if you know the username/password from Mi Account but have not confirmed ownership through Mi Cloud, unlocking may require additional actions, such as if the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the account.

⚠️ If you see a message, “This device is locked by” FRP» (This is another block associated with Google Factory Reset Protection, and bypassing it requires other methods not described in this article.

S 2021 Xiaomi tightened security policy: now to unlock through Mi Cloud may require confirmation through the SMS/email, If the phone was purchased abroad (e.g. global version of Redmi) 8 India may have problems accessing Mi Cloud services in your region.

The official ways to unlock the Redmi 8

If you have access to the Mi Account attached to the device, it will take 5-15 minutes to unlock, and the main thing is to follow the algorithm and avoid errors when entering data.

Method 1: Unlock via Mi Cloud (if you remember the username / password)

The most reliable method that works in 90% of cases:

1. Go to the Mi Cloud website from a computer or other phone.
2. Sign in with the same account that was linked to Redmi 8.
3. In the Devices section, find your Redmi 8 (it can be displayed as olive or by the IMEI).
4. Press Find the device. → Unlock.
5. Confirm the action through SMS or email if required).

After that, the phone should unlock within 1-2 minutes.If the device does not appear in the Mi Cloud, try updating the page or using a different browser (Google Chrome is recommended).

Check if the internet is on Redmi 8 (connect to Wi-Fi)

Make sure your Mi Account is not deleted from your device before being blocked.

Try to log in through VPN (If the phone is purchased abroad)

Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase-->

Method 2: Unlock with Mi Unlock Tool (if bootloader unlocked)

This method is suitable if you previously unlocked the bootloader on Redmi 8 (for example, to install custom firmware).

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10/11 (on macOS/Linux There may be problems with drivers).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📥 Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.24).

Instructions:

1. Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Turn off Redmi 8 and press the Power + Volume Down to log into Fastboot Mode.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Start the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to your Mi Account.
5. Press Unlock and wait until the process is complete (usually 10-15 seconds).

⚠️ Note: If the bootloader has not been unlocked before, this method will not work! Xiaomi requires waiting 7-30 days after linking the account to the device for the first unlock.

If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Cann't unlock error or Current account is different from the account info on the device, then:

• The account on the PC and the phone are not the same.
• The device is not linked to your Mi Cloud account.
• The bootloader is locked and a wait is required.

Informal Unlocking Methods: Risks and Instructions

If the official methods didn’t work (for example, you can’t remember the data from the Mi Account or the phone was bought with your hands), there are still informal methods, and they fall into two categories:

1. Software (through exploits in firmware).
2. Hardware (flashing through the EDL Mode or soldering).

Important: Unofficial methods can lead to loss IMEI, You can use a camera that doesn't work or a full-body bricking of the device, and you can only use it if you're prepared for the risks!

Method 1: Bypassing Recovery Mode (for firmware) MIUI 11–12)

This method works if you are using Redmi. 8 firmware installed MIUI 11 or MIUI 12 (irrelevant MIUI 13/14). It will:

• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.
• 🔌 Cable OTG and flash drive (or memory card).
• 📁 Special archive bypass_mi.zip (can be found on the forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers).

Instructions:

1. Download the archive. bypass_mi.zip And copy it onto a flash drive.
2. Turn off Redmi 8 and press the Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery Mode.
3. Connect the flash drive through OTG-cable.
4. From the Recovery menu, select Install update.zip to System.
5. Show the way to bypass_mi.zip on a flash drive and confirm the installation.
6. After the reboot, the phone should offer to link a new Mi Account.

The method has a success rate of about 60 percent (MIUI 13+) It is not working because of the corrected vulnerabilities.

Method 2: Firmware through EDL Mode (for experienced users)

EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) is a flash-fast mode that allows Redmi 8 to be reanimated even with a damaged system:

• 🖥️ Computer with Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil.
• 📦 Fastboot for Redmi 8 (Olive version).
• 🔑 Authorized Xiaomi account with firmware rights (or firehose bypass).

The process is complex and requires separate instructions.

1. Transfer the phone to EDL Mode (closing contacts on the board or through the board) ADB).
2. Connect to your PC and check the device definition as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Download the firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (select clean all and lock).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without authorization, Xiaomi may lead to a lock IMEI! After that, the phone will lose the network and it will be extremely difficult to restore it.

What to do if your phone is locked and bought from hand

Buying a used Xiaomi Redmi 8 with the previous owner’s Mi Account tied is a common problem, in which case the official unlock methods will not work, since you do not have access to the original account.

• 📞 Contact the seller and ask to unplug the device via Mi Cloud (if they have not already deleted the account).
• 📄 Provide proof of purchase (check, contract) in support of Xiaomi for forced unlocking.
• 🛠️ Contact the service center with a request to reflash the phone through EDL (pay-off, ~1500–30 rubles.).

If the seller is not available and there is no proof of purchase, only an informal firmware re-flashing (see the previous section) remains.

• The phone may lose the network (blocking) IMEI).
• The camera or fingerprint sensor will stop working.
• Updates MIUI through OTA will not be available.

Statistics. 4PDA, About 30% of users who buy Redmi 8 with their hands, face blocking Mi Account:

• 🔍 No linked account in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 📱 Ability to reset to factory settings without asking for a password.
• 📄 Availability of a check or warranty card (for requesting support).

Table: Comparison of Redmi 8 Unlocking Methods

How to Avoid “This Device Is Locked” in the Future

To avoid the problem again, follow these rules:

• 🔑 Always untie Mi Account before resetting: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account. Click Delete Account (password required) Only then reset!
• 🔄 Regularly update the firmware in new versions MIUI Fixed vulnerabilities that can be used to bypass the lock.

If you frequently reflash your phone, unlock the bootloader before you have any problems.

1. Attach Mi Account to your device in Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Mi Unlock status.
2. Wait 7-30 days (depending on Xiaomi policy).
3. Use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock.

💡

If you plan to sell Redmi 8, reset your settings from the settings menu (not through Recovery!) by deleting your Mi Account before the new owner gets locked.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users compound the problem by trying to unlock Redmi 8 using the wrong methods.

• ❌ Repeatedly entering the wrong password – after 5-10 attempts Mi Cloud can block the account for 24 hours.
• ❌ Use of third-party “unlockers” – most of these programs (such as Mi Account Unlock Tool) contain viruses or do not work.
• ❌ The firmware is the wrong version MIUI — for example, an attempt to establish MIUI 14 on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12 without intermediate updates.
• ❌ Ignoring backup – after unlocking all data on the phone will be erased.

If you've already made one of these mistakes, don't panic. In most cases, you can fix the situation:

• When you block your Mi Cloud account, wait until you unlock it (usually 24 hours) or restore access via email.
• If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware, try repeating the process with another version. MIUI (For example, from global to Chinese).
• Losing IMEI after EDL contact the service - sometimes it can be restored through soldering work.

💡

Never use Mi Account hacking software – Xiaomi tracks such attempts and can permanently block them. IMEI device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions