“This device is locked” on Xiaomi: how to unlock your phone without a password and a Mi Account login

The message "This device is locked" on the Xiaomi screen is one of the most unpleasant situations for a smartphone owner. The phone turns into a "brick": it does not respond to password input, does not accept fingerprints, and sometimes even prevents you from entering Recovery mode. The reasons can be different from banal forgetfulness to failure after a software update.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to unlock Xiaomi without a password and Mi Account login, including official and “grey” methods. It’s important to understand that some of them will lead to complete data loss (photos, messages, apps), others will require technical skills. We’ll also explain why standard tips like “Google Find My Device reset” do not work for Xiaomi and what to do if the phone does not even turn on.

We warn you right away: if the device activates the function "Protect Mi-account" (link to the account), unlocking without a username and password from the Xiaomi account is almost impossible legally.

Why Xiaomi is blocked by the message “This device is locked”

The screen that says "This device is locked. Enter your password to unlock" appears on three occasions:

• 🔒 Incorrect password entry – after 5-10 failed attempts, the system locks the device for 5-30 minutes (depending on the model). POCO X3 This can happen after 3 mistakes.
• 📱 Resetting via Recovery – if the Mi Account was not disabled before the reset, the phone will require you to enter account details after the reboot.
• 🔄 Failure of firmware or updates – for example, after an interrupted update MIUI Updater or failed firmware via Fastboot.

A separate story is that you have a Bootloader unlocked, and if you've unlocked it through the Mi Unlock Tool before, but you haven't tied your developer account, when you reset, the phone may need authorization, which is anti-theft protection, but it's also a problem for legitimate owners.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13 series and newest Redmi Note 12 s MIUI 14+ The lock can be triggered even after extraction. SIM-maps or region changes, due to enhanced protection of HyperOS.

Method 1: Unlocking through Mi Cloud (official method)

If your phone has Mi Cloud enabled and you remember the username/password from your Xiaomi account, the chances of unlocking without losing data are high, and this method works even if the screen shows “This device is locked.”

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com from a computer or other device.
2. Sign in with the same account as on a locked phone.
3. Select “Find Device” from the menu.
4. The map will show your Xiaomi. Click Unlock.
5. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If there is no Unlock button, it means:

• 📵 Device not connected to the Internet (you need to turn on Wi-Fi or mobile data via Recovery mode).
• 🔌 Find Device feature has been disabled in phone settings.
• ⏳ It’s been over 24 hours since the last time you synced with Mi Cloud.

💡

If the phone doesn’t show up in the Mi Cloud, try connecting it to charge and wait for mobile internet to turn on (if you don’t have a phone). SIM-It takes up to 10 minutes sometimes.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Data Loss)

If you don’t remember the Mi Account data or the phone isn’t synced to the Mi Cloud, you’ll only have to reset hard, and most Xiaomi models (except the new ones with HyperOS) can do this through Recovery mode.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press the combination of Loudness up + Power and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select “Wipe Data” (or “Wipe & Reset”) using volume buttons, confirm the choice with the power button.
4. After resetting, the phone will reboot and require you to set up as new.

In the models with MIUI 13/14 Or HyperOS, after a reset, you might have a request to enter the data of a Mi Account that was previously linked «FRP-Factory Reset Protection: It is impossible to circumvent it legally without account data.

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Charge your phone at least 30%

Prepare another phone to take a screen shot (in case of errors)

Make sure there are no important unsaved data on your phone-->

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, Redmi K50 Recovery and other flagships may result in a bootloader lock if Bootloader has previously been unlocked.

Method 3: Unlocking via Fastboot (for advanced)

If the phone doesn't load even into Recovery, or if it asks for a Mi Account password after a reset, the method is left to the Fastboot mode, USB-cable and installed drivers Xiaomi.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux and established ADB/Fastboot (download).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official website).

Instructions:

1. Put the phone in Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Volume down + Power.
2. Connect to your computer and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices If the device doesn’t show up, install Xiaomi drivers manually.
3. Unlock the bootloader (if it is blocked): fastboot oem unlock Attention! This will erase all data and may require binding to a Mi Account.
4. Swipe the phone with the official firmware: fastboot flash all [name file firmware.zip]

Newer models (Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) may require authorization through the Mi Unlock Tool, even if the bootloader is already unlocked, in which case, without data from the Xiaomi account, you will not be able to bypass the lock.

Method 4: Bypass FRP-blocking (only for older models)

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is a reset protection that works if the phone was tied to a Mi Account. On Xiaomi with MIUI 12 and older, it is almost impossible to get around it without account data, but on older models (Redmi 4X, Redmi Note 5) there are loopholes.

One of the working methods (for MIUI 10–11):

1. After resetting via Recovery, wait for the welcome screen.
2. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi, then go back.
3. Click on Emergency Call and dial ##4636##.
4. In the test menu, select “Usage Statistics” → “Settings”.
5. Turn off the Find Device and restart the phone.

On MIUI 13+ and HyperOS, this method doesn't work, because Xiaomi has closed the vulnerability, and the only legal way is to enter data from the linked Mi Account.

Reset via Recovery

Incorrect password entry

Firmware updates

Purchases of used phones

The other.-->

Method 5: Officially Unblocking through Service Center

If none of these methods work, you can contact the official Xiaomi service center, which is the only legal way to unlock your phone without losing data if:

• 📄 You have a check or box with a serial number (proof of purchase).
• 🆔 Phone not blacklisted (not stolen).
• 🔧 The device has no physical damage (cracks, dents).

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles, depending on the model. On Xiaomi 13 Pro or Mix Fold 3, the price may be higher.

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial services offer "unlock without checks" for 500-800 rubles. Risks: loss of warranty, installation of unoriginal firmware or data theft. Xiaomi can block IMEI device after such intervention.

What to do if nothing helps

If all methods are exhausted and the phone still shows “This device is locked,” then radical measures remain:

• 🔨 Flip-through EDL-Mode (requires soldering equipment and knowledge of circuitry) Suitable for Xiaomi on Qualcomm processors (e.g. Redmi Note 9 Pro).
• 💻 Use exploit vulnerabilities (e.g. DirtyCOW for older versions) MIUI). Only relevant for Android 7-9 devices.
• 📦 Sale for parts – if the phone is not valuable as a device, you can sell a display, battery or motherboard.

On new models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) with HyperOS, the chances of unlocking without account data are nearing zero.The manufacturer has increased protection, and even methods through Fastboot or EDL require authorization.

💡

If the phone has enabled Mi Account Protection, the only legal way to unlock it is to enter the login/password from the associated account, all other methods will either fail or cause data loss.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi