Xiaomi’s “This Device is Locked”: How to Unlock a Smartphone Unofficially in 2026

On your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO screen, the words “This Device is Locked” (or “This Mi device is locked”) are on the screen, and official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool is not available? Are you not alone. This problem arises after resetting, firmware through Fastboot or buying a used device with a tied Mi Account. In 2026, Xiaomi tightened its security policy, and unlocking through official channels can take up to 720 hours (30 days) or even be blocked for some regions.

In this article, we will discuss the informal unlocking methods that work on most models, from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. You will learn how to bypass locking through Fastboot, EDL mode, as well as alternative methods using custom firmware and tools like the Mi Flash Pro or SP Flash Tool. Importantly, these methods require technical skills and carry risks, from data loss to “bricking” the device. If you are not ready for experiments, consider contacting the service center.

Why Xiaomi is blocking devices and what it means to “This Device is Locked”

The words “This Device is Locked” appear on Xiaomi on three main occasions:

• 🔒 Link to Mi Account – the device was reset to factory settings, but remained tied to the account of the previous owner (typical for used phones).
• 📱 Blocking the bootloader - after firmware through Fastboot without unlocking Bootloader (even if the firmware is "native»).
• 🔧 Hardware locking – works when you try to flash the device through uncertified tools (for example, SP Flash Tool on MediaTek chips).

Since 2021, Xiaomi has implemented Anti-Rollback Protection (ARB) which locks the device when you try to roll back to an older firmware version. For example, if you flashed the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13, the phone can turn into a brick with the words "This device is locked due to anti-rollback."

⚠️ Note: If the device is blocked due to ARB, Unofficial Unlocking Methods Can Lead to Total Loss IMEI or the communication module is inoperable. Before you start, check the firmware version through fastboot getvar anti.

Preparation for Unblocking: What You Need

Before you start unlocking, collect the necessary tools and data:

Also make sure that:

• 🔋 The battery is charged 50% or more (unlocking can take up to an hour).
• 🖥️ Antivirus and firewall disabled on PC (they can block drivers).
• 📱 Device is defined in Device Manager as Android Bootloader Interface (if not, install Mi Phone Manager drivers).

Download ADB & Fastboot Tools|Install drivers for Xiaomi|Check the battery charge|Download the firmware for your model|Prepare an Auth file (if necessary)-->

Method 1: Unlock via Fastboot (for devices with unlocked Bootloader)

If the bootloader on your Xiaomi is already unlocked (for example, you previously used the Mi Unlock Tool), but the device is locked after firmware, try this method. It is suitable for models on Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 12T, POCO F4).

Algorithm of action:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is displayed – the connection is established.
3. Fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot flash system.img fastboot flash vendor vendor.img fastboot reboot

If the device is blocked again after the reboot, try flashing custom recovery (for example, TWRP) and installing Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS firmware through it. Important: this will require an unlocked Bootloader!

⚠️ Note: On models with MediaTek (e.g. Redmi Note 11), firmware via Fastboot can cause loss IMEI. It is better to use the method for them. SP Flash Tool (described below).

💡

If the fastboot device command doesn’t show the device, try reinstalling the drivers manually through Device Manager by selecting the Android Bootloader Interface driver.

Method 2: Unlocking with EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL (Emergency Boot) mode is a “hidden” firmware mode that bypasses Mi Account and Bootloader locking. It works on most Xiaomi devices on Qualcomm chips, but requires a special Auth file (unlock signatures). Without it, firmware through EDL will end up with a Sahara Communication Failed or Firehose Error error.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Flash Pro (official tool) or QFil (for manual firmware).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in mode. EDL: 🔧 For most models: Press the Volume up + Loudness down + Power and connect the cable USB. 🔧 Alternatively, through ADB perform adb reboot edl (if the device is enabled).

Mi Flash Pro

.tgz

Auth file

Refresh

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Flash

If the firmware is successful, the device will restart normally without locking.

• 🔄 On some models (for example, Xiaomi 13) after firmware through the EDL Anti-Rollback can be triggered and the phone will be locked again.
• 📡 If the device is not determined in EDL, Check the cable or try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).

Method 3: Bypass Mi Account via SP Flash Tool (for MediaTek)

Devices on MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi 10A, POCO M4 Pro) do not support EDL, but they can be unlocked via the SP Flash Tool. This method is suitable if the phone is locked due to Mi Account after resetting.

Instructions:

1. Download the SP Flash Tool and the firmware for your model in.zip format (for example, with FirmwareFile).
2. Unpack the firmware and find the scatter.txt file (it contains a partition map).
3. Launch it. SP Flash Tool, download scatter.txt and uncheck all sections except userdata and md_udc.
4. Connect the device to the PC (without buttons!).
5. Press Download, the software will start the firmware. If the process freezes 100%, turn off the cable and turn the phone on manually.

After you have firmware through the SP Flash Tool, the device may lose its IMEI. To restore it, use the Maui META tool or enter the IMEI manually through the engineering menu (#3646633##).

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SP Flash Tool is the only working method for MediaTek devices, but it requires strict adherence to instructions. An error in choosing firmware or partitions can cause the communication module to fail.

Method 4: Use custom firmware (TWRP + Xiaomi.eu)

If official methods don’t help and Bootloader is unlocked, you can install custom firmware that ignores Mi Account blocking, for example, firmware from Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS does not require an account binding.

Algorithm:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (you can download it on the official website).
2. Please. TWRP Fastboot: Fastboot Flash Recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
3. In TWRP, run Format Data (importantly! this will delete all data).
4. Install Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS firmware via Install in TWRP.
5. Reset the device.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Bypassing Mi Account and Anti-Rollback.
• ✅ Provides access to advanced settings (for example, unlocking the bootloader for future firmware).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires an unlocked Bootloader.
• ❌ It can disrupt Google Pay, Widevine L1 (no HD Netflix and other services linked to certificates.

Risks and consequences of unofficial unblocking

Unofficial methods of unlocking Xiaomi can lead to serious problems:

The most dangerous scenario is a hard brick, where the device is not switched on and is not detected by the PC. JTAG-resuscitation (cost of $30) or replacement of motherboard.

⚠️ Note: If you unlocked your device informally and sell it, the new owner may face problems when upgrading through the device. OTA. Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) block official updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi