Xiaomi’s “This device is locked”: How to unlock if you don’t have access to your phone number

The message “This device is locked” on Xiaomi’s screen is one of the most frustrating situations for a smartphone owner, especially if you don’t remember the Mi Account password or lost access to the tied phone number. Unlike locking your iPhone through iCloud, Xiaomi has several workarounds, but each requires accuracy and understanding the risks.

The main problem is that Xiaomi links the device to the Mi Account through a hardware identifier. Even after resetting the system can request original data to unlock. However, there are legal and semi-legal methods of bypassing – from official requests for support to using the engineering modes of Fastboot and EDL. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including those that work on models of 2023-2026 (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T, etc.).

⚠️ Important: Some methods can result in data loss or blocking IMEI. If you buy your phone with your hands, make sure it’s not on the blacklist. IMEI (check-in#).

1.Official method: Restore access to Mi Account

If the message “This device is locked” was due to a forgotten password from Mi Account, the first thing you should do is try to restore access through official channels.

Go to account recovery page: account.xiaomi.com/pass/forgetPassword.

• 📧 Mail – if you specified an email during registration, a link will come to it to reset your password.
• 📱 Reserve number – if you have attached an additional phone (not the one that is locked).
• 🆔 Documents – Chinese accounts may require a passport scan (only for users from China).

If neither option is right, try contacting Xiaomi support via:

• 💬 Chat on the site mi.com/support (available in English).
• 📧 Email: support@xiaomi.com (Send a screenshot of the lock and check purchase).

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi support may request proof of ownership of the device (check, box with) IMEI). If the phone is bought with hands, the chances of unlocking are minimal.

2 Unlocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

If the official methods didn’t work, you can try unlocking Xiaomi via Fastboot mode, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is blocked, you will need an additional unlock procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool (but this requires access to an account).

Instructions for devices with an already unlocked bootloader:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Download the Mi Flash Tool and execute the command in the terminal: fastboot oem unlock
5. If the command is successful, restart the phone.

If the bootloader is locked, try bypassing the lock via flashing (see section 4). For the Redmi Note 10/11/12 and POCO X3/X4 models, the command sometimes helps:

fastboot flashing unlock_critical

Install drivers ADB/Fastboot|Download the Mi Flash Tool|Check the battery level (>50%)|Connect the original USB-cable-->

3.Using EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that allows you to reflash your phone even with a locked bootloader.This method works on 90% of Xiaomi models, including new ones (2023-2026), but requires special cable or short circuit contacts on the board.

To unlock through EDL you will need:

• 🖥️ Windows PC and Qualcomm Drivers Installed HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📁 Firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool or QFil (for Qualcomm chips).
• 🔌 EDL-cable or the ability to close test points on the board (this requires soldering skills).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Connect. EDL-cable (or close contacts on the board if you use test points).
3. Connect your phone to your PC – Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and press Flash.
5. Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL This can cause a device to fail completely. If you're not sure about your skills, contact the service center.

4. Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (with loss of data)

If previous methods didn't work, the radical way is to completely flash the phone through the Mi Flash Tool, which erases all data, but brings the phone back to life, and is suitable for devices with a locked Mi Account or a forgotten pattern lock.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11.
• 📁 Official firmware for your model (download from the official website).
• 🔧 Mi Flash Tool Programming.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
2. Install the Mi Flash Tool and ADB/Fastboot drivers.
3. Turn off the phone and turn it into Fastboot mode (Power + Volume Down).
4. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. Click Select, point the way to the firmware folder.
6. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.
7. Wait for the finish (5-10 minutes) and the phone will restart in factory condition.

💡

Before you run the firmware, check the bootloader version! New Xiaomi models (2023+) may have anti-rollback protection. If you run the old version of the software, the phone will turn into a brick.

5. Bypassing the lock through Xiaomi service centers

If independent attempts were unsuccessful, it remains to contact an authorized service center. Xiaomi has official SC in most major cities of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries.

What will be required for the application:

• 📄 Check of purchase or warranty card (if the phone is guaranteed).
• 📦 Phone box (it is indicated on it) IMEI, which must be the same as the data in the system).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).

The cost of unlocking in the service:

• 💰 1 500–3 000 ₽ — If the phone is not guaranteed.
• 🆓 Free – if the device for warranties and locking occurred due to the fault of the system.

List of official Xiaomi service centers:

• 🌍 Russia: mi.com/ru/service/center
• 🌍 Ukraine: mi.com/ua/service/center
• 🌍 Kazakhstan: mi.com/kz/service/center

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services may offer 5-minute unlocking through questionable methods (e.g., swapping) IMEI). This is illegal and could result in a network being blocked by the operator.

6. Alternative methods (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work, you can try less obvious ones, they require technical knowledge and they don't guarantee 100% results.

Method 1: Recovery Reset (TWRP)

If the phone has a custom recap (TWRP), you can try resetting through it:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe → Format Data (this erases all data!).
4. Reboot the phone.

Method 2: ADB bypass (if debugging is enabled)

If USB debugging was enabled before the lock, you can try to delete the password file via ADB:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key




rm /data/system/password.key




rm /data/system/locksettings.db




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal




rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm




reboot

Method 3: Use exploits (for older models)

Some older models (Redmi 4X, Redmi Note 5) run exploits to bypass Mi Account, such as the Xiaomi Tool V2 utility or scripts for Fastboot, but newer devices (2020+) don’t work because of improved security.

💡

If the phone is locked through Find Device, you can only unlock it through an official account or service center, and self-activity will lead to a complete loss of functionality.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi