The appearance of the inscription "This device is locked" on the screen of a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often causes panic among users, especially if the device suddenly ceases to respond to usual actions. This inscription indicates that the bootloader of the phone is locked, and the system requires confirmation of access rights before starting the operating system or making critical changes, in most cases, this is a standard protection against theft and unauthorized access, which is activated when you try to flash or reset settings.
But there are times when the owner forgets the password from the Mi Account or buys a device with his hands that is already linked to someone else's cloud, and in these cases, the smartphone becomes a brick, limiting functionality to a minimum. Unlocking without a password is a complex and careful process, because the wrong actions can lead to complete inoperability of the gadget. We will discuss legal and technical ways to solve this problem.
It's worth noting that current security practices for Android and MIUI/HyperOS shells are getting stricter. There is no simple code to unlock, as the verification is done on the vendor's servers. However, there are proven algorithms that allow you to regain access to the device if you are the rightful owner.
Causes of blockage and diagnosis of the condition
bootloader locking is a fundamental security mechanism implemented by Xiaomi to protect user data. When you see a message saying “This device is locked,” it means that the system has detected an attempt to download unsigned software, most often when you try to install custom recavators, obtain root rights, or simply reflash the device via Fastboot.
Another common reason is the activation of Find Device, which means that if the smartphone was tied to the Mi Account and you did a full reset through the buttons, the first time you boot, the system will require you to enter the password for this akka-unt, so that the thief who stole the phone can not just reset it and use it as new.
⚠️ If you bought a phone with your hands and it requests someone else’s account, it is almost impossible to unlock it legally without the participation of the previous owner.
If you want to diagnose it accurately, you need to determine the type of lock, and if you have a phone that's turned on but requires a password from your account, that's protection against theft, and if you have a phone that's on your logo or on a Fastboot menu that says it's a locked bootloader, that's a limitation on how to modify your system, and understanding the difference is critical to choosing a recovery method.
The official method of unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool
The only guaranteed way to unblock a bootloader without losing data (although most often the data is deleted) is to use the official Mi Unlock utility, which is designed for developers and advanced users who want to modify the firmware.
Before the procedure, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. USB and permit OEM-These items are in the Developer menu, which is activated by seven clicks on the build number in the About Phone section. Without these settings, the computer will not be able to interact correctly with the phone in Fastboot mode.
☑️ Preparation for unlocking the loader
Once you have your account tied to the developer menu (Mi Unlock Status), you’ll have to wait 7 to 30 days, a mandatory security measure from Xiaomi that prevents instant data theft when you lose your device. Only after that time will Mi Unlock unlock the bootloader, completely clearing the phone’s internal memory.
Recovery Mode and Mi Account bypass
If your goal is to eliminate the Mi Account password request after reset, things get complicated. Standard Recovery Mode login allows you to run Wipe Data, but when you turn on, the phone will request authorization again, a server lock that can't be bypassed by simple memory formatting.
There is a method of temporary bypassing through the recovery menu, which allows you to get into the system, but it does not work on all versions of MIUI. In Recovery mode, you need to select the "Connect with MIAssistant" option and, connecting the cable to the PC, try to send a special script through ADB. However, on modern firmware, this input is also password protected.
In some cases, multiple times the wrong password is used, and then a timer or a "Forgot password" button appears, and by clicking on it, you can go to i.mi.com to restore access if you know your phone number or email. If you don't have access to the acca-unt data, the only solution is to contact the service center with the purchase documents.
Why isn't the reset helping?
Using Fastboot and EDL modes for flashing
Fastboot mode is a low-level protocol that allows you to interact with the memory partitions of the phone directly. If the bootloader is unlocked, you can roll clean global firmware through Fastboot, eliminating software errors. To enter this mode on the phone turned off, clamping the volume reduction button and connecting USB-cable.
The deeper access layer is Qualcomm's EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which is defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008. EDL firmware allows you to restore the device even when the bootloader is damaged, but it often requires an authorized Mi Account with service center engineer credentials to record data in this mode.
The firmware process is as follows:
- 🔌 Connect the device in Fastboot mode or EDL computer-to-computer.
- 💻 Run the Mi Flash Tool utility and select the firmware file.
- ⚡ Press the Flash button and wait until the process is over (green bar).
- 🔄 The phone will automatically reboot with a clean system.
It is important to understand the difference between firmware types: a firmware like Global will not land on a device with a Chinese bootloader without first unlocking through Mi Unlock. Trying to write an unsigned image to a locked bootloader will lead to an error and return to the original state.
Comparison of Access Restoration Methods
The choice of method depends on the specific situation: you forgot your password, bought a used phone or want to experiment with software. Below is a table that helps determine the appropriate way to solve the problem.
| Method | Conditions required | Data retention | The risk of blocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Unlock Tool | Linked account, waiting 7-30 days | No (full reset) | Low (officially) |
| Recovery reset | Physical access to buttons | No. | High (request for Mi Account) |
| Service centre | Check, box, documents. | Maybe. | Absent. |
| Paid services | Money, remote access | Depends on the method. | Medium (risk of fraudsters) |
As you can see from the table, the official route through Mi Unlock is the safest, but the longest. Using third-party services carries risks, as you hand over control of the device to unknown persons. Always weigh the feasibility of unlocking if there is no important information on the device.
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If you plan to unlock the bootloader, back up all important photos and contacts to Google’s cloud or computer in advance, as the process is guaranteed to delete all data.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
When you unlock, you often encounter errors that stop the process, and one of the most popular ones is Couldn't verify device or Account isn't bound, which means that the phone's settings didn't tie the account to bootloader status, so you can log in to settings, select "Mi Unlock Status" and click "Add Account and Device," then wait for confirmation.
Another problem is that you're stuck at 50% or 99% in Mi Unlock, and that's often caused by instability. USB-It is recommended to use the original cable, connect directly to the motherboard port (behind the system unit) and disable the antivirus, which can block drivers.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the firmware or unlock process by removing the cable.This can damage memory partitions and the phone will no longer be identified by the computer at all.
If the utility says "Unlock failed: Try again after 72 hours", then you tried to unlock the device ahead of schedule. You need to wait for the specified time without untidying the account or resetting the phone, otherwise the timer may reset or increase.
Precautions and data security
Unlocking the bootloader reduces the overall security of the device. After this procedure, an attacker who gains physical access to the phone can theoretically read the data from memory, as encryption becomes less reliable, banking applications may stop working or require additional checks.
Always check the source of firmware. Using modified builds from questionable forums can lead to malware that steals passwords and card data. Official firmware from miui.com or xiaomi.com is the only safe source.
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Unlocking the bootloader is irreversible in terms of warranty and security, and only do so if you know exactly why you need superuser rights or custom firmware.
In conclusion, solving the problem of “this device is locked” on Xiaomi requires patience and strict follow the instructions. If you forget your account password, the best solution is to restore access through the official form on the Mi website.