Xiaomi Redmi’s “This device is locked” message: 5 reasons and ways to unlock

You turned on the Xiaomi Redmi smartphone and instead of the usual lock screen, you saw the inscription "This device is locked. Please unlock the device to use it"? This means that the device is locked at the hardware level - most often due to Mi Account protection or incorrect actions with the firmware. Unlike the standard pattern lock, such a block is not removed by a simple reset via Recovery.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of the error, from the banal forgetfulness of the password to the consequences of firmware through Fastboot, and give step-by-step instructions for unlocking for different scenarios. We will focus on the Redmi models (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and others), as they are more likely to encounter this problem due to the popularity among users experimenting with custom firmware.

Important: If you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account, unlocking it may require his participation, otherwise you will have to contact the Xiaomi service center with proof of purchase.

Why this device is locked on Xiaomi Redmi

The message “This device is locked”** is not just a software lock, but a hardware protection built into the Xiaomi bootloader.

• 🔒 Activate Mi Account Protection: If you dropped your phone via Recovery or Fastboot without disabling your Xiaomi account attachment (even if you owned the device before).
• 🛠️ Failed firmware: interrupted update via Mi Flash Tool, unofficial firmware installation without unlocking the bootloader or downed partitions persist/modem.
• 🔄 Dumping through EDL-Mode: Using tools like MiFlashPro or QFil without proper encryption.
• 📦 Buying a used phone: the previous owner did not untie the account or the phone was stolen (in this case, unlocking is officially impossible).
• 🔧 Hardware failure: damage to the persist partition or eMMC module (often after falls or moisture infestation).

On Redmi models with Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Redmi 9T), an error can appear even after successful firmware, if FRP (Factory Reset Protection) was not reset. On devices with MediaTek (for example, Redmi 12C, Redmi A2), the problem is more often associated with damage to the preloader partition.

⚠️ Note: If you have purchased your phone with your hands and do not know the details of your previous Mi Account, you cannot unlock it through official methods. The only option is to contact the Xiaomi service center with a check for the purchase (unless the phone is blacklisted).

Official ways to unlock (without data loss)

If you remember your Mi Account details, try the official methods. They work on most Redmi, Released models after 2019.

1 Unlocking via Mi Cloud (if the phone is connected to the Internet)

This method is suitable if:

• 📶 The phone is connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network.
• 🔑 You remember the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the device.
• 📱 The lock screen has a Unlock with Mi Account button.

Instructions:

1. On the screen with the message "This device is locked" click Unlock with Mi Account.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Xiaomi account.
3. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
4. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock, but a reboot may be required.

If there is no Unlock with Mi Account button, it means:

• The phone is not connected to the network (check it out). SIM-map).
• My account has been deleted or blocked.
• The device is on the blacklist (stolen/lost).

2 Unlocking via Find Device (if phone is offline)

If your phone is not connected to the Internet, but you know your account details, try remote unlocking via Find Device:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the locked device in the list.
3. Press Unlock Device (if the option is active).
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Note: This method doesn’t work on all Redmi models, such as the Redmi Note 11 and the newer feature may be disabled due to Xiaomi’s tightening security policy.

Unofficial Unlocking Methods (with the Risk of Data Loss)

If the official methods don't work, you'll have to use methods that require data resets or firmware, and they're suitable for cases where:

• You forgot your Mi Account.
• The phone is hand-held and it is impossible to contact the previous owner.
• The error occurred after a failed firmware.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial methods can result in loss of all data, cancellation of warranty and even a device blink (completely inoperable.

1. Reset via Fastboot (for unlocked bootloader)

This method works if the bootloader has already been unlocked.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and type in the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer has a line Device unlocked: true, the bootloader is unlocked.

If the bootloader is unlocked, reset:

1. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder on your PC.
3. Fastboot on your phone: fastboot flash all fastboot reboot

After the reboot, the phone will be reset to factory settings, but the “This device is locked” lock must disappear.

2. firmware via EDL (for locked bootloader)

If the bootloader is locked (Device unlocked: false), you will need firmware through the EDL-This method is more complex and requires:

• 🖥️ Windows computer.
• 🔌 Cable. USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ MiFlashPro or QFil.
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, this resource will suit the Redmi Note 10).
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for Qualcomm) or MediaTek Preloader (for MediaTek).
3. Turn off the phone and transfer it to EDL: For Qualcomm: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power (or use Testpoint). For MediaTek: Press Volume Up + Power (sometimes you need to short the contacts on the board).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

MiFlashPro

Flash

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot in the factory state.

What to do if nothing helps

If neither method works, there are two options:

1. Contact the Xiaomi Service Center: 📄 Bring a check or a sales contract with you. 🔑 If the phone is bought by hand, try contacting the previous owner to debunk the Mi Account. ⏳ Unblocking period – from 3 to 30 days (depending on the policy of the service center).
2. Buying an unlock code: 💰 Cost - from 500 to 3000 rubles (depending on the model). 🔍 Look for sellers on forums 4PDA or MIUI Su Su Su Su Su Su. ⚠️ Fraud Risk – Check the reviews of the seller!

Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9A) have a hardware vulnerability that allows you to bypass the lock through the MTK Client or SP Flash Tool.

💡

Before you run your firmware through EDL, be sure to check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product. Using firmware from another model will cause the device to fail!

How to Avoid Re-Blocking

To prevent the message “This device is locked” from appearing, follow these rules:

Turn off Mi Account binding before reset |Do not install unofficial firmware without unlocking the bootloader |Regularly update MIUI through official channels |Do not buy handsets without checking the status of Mi Account | Create a backup before any manipulation of the system-->

This is especially true for users who:

• 🔄 Frequently reflash the phone (for example, to install Global) ROM China ROM).
• 📱 Buying/Selling Phones in the Secondary Market.
• 🔧 Experiment with root rights or custom recavéri (TWRP).

Redmi models with MIUI 14+ have added Anti-Rollback, which blocks rollbacks to older firmware versions. If you try to flash an older version, the phone can lock up forever!

Compatibility table of unlocking methods

Below is a table that will help you choose the right method depending on the model and condition of the phone:

If your model is not in the table, check its compatibility with the methods in the 4PDA or MIUI Su forums.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock, users often make critical errors that exacerbate the problem.

• 🔌 Use of unoriginal cable: cheap cables may not provide a stable connection in a Fastboot or EDL, which causes firmware failures.
• 📥 Downloading firmware from unreliable sources: files from torrents or little-known sites may be damaged or contain viruses.
• ⚡ Interrupting firmware: If the firmware process through MiFlash is interrupted, the phone may stop turning on (brick at eMMC level).
• 🔑 Trying to bypass Mi Account through “holes”: many “free” methods (for example, through the use of a “free” account) ADB) Xiaomi has been shut down for a long time and could lead to a full lockdown.

If after a failed firmware, the phone stopped responding to buttons or is not detected by the PC, try:

1. Hold the power button for 30–60 seconds (sometimes helps with soft-brick).
2. Connect to charging for 1-2 hours (if the problem is in the discharged battery).
3. Use Testpoint to force entry into EDL.

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to buttons and isn't detected by the PC, the bootloader or memory module is likely to be damaged, and only professional repairs using programmers like EasyJTAG or Medusa Pro will help.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions