The message “This Device is Locked” on the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus screen is one of the most frustrating issues faced by smartphone owners, which is when you reset your settings, fail to firmware, or buy a device “out of hand” if the previous owner did not untie your Mi Account. Unlike the standard graphical key, such blocking requires specific actions – and not all of them are safe.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock Redmi 5 Plus (codename vince), including official methods through the Mi Unlock Tool, bypassing with the help of the Redmi 5 Plus. EDL-The mode and alternative solutions for cases where standard tools do not work, and we will pay special attention to the risks of data loss and “bricking” of the device, which are often hidden in simplified guides.
Important: The unlock procedure may vary depending on the MIUI version (global, Chinese, custom) and bootloader status. If your Redmi 5 Plus has never been unlocked before, it will take 72-720 hours to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool.
Why is this device locked on Redmi 5 Plus?
The device lock message is a Xiaomi security mechanism designed to prevent unauthorized access after:
- 🔄 Hard Reset via Recovery or Fastboot if your Mi Account is not untied.
- 📦 Install custom firmware without prior unlocking the loader.
- 🛠️ Failure to update software if the process was interrupted or the firmware was used for another model.
- 🔒 Activate the “Find Device” function with an associated account.
On Redmi 5 Plus, the lock works even when the hardware reset via buttons (Power + Volume Up), if the OEM Unlock was previously enabled in the developer settings, but the bootloader is not unlocked, in which case the system requires the input of data Mi Account, which was last associated with the device.
⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi 5 Plus from hand and do not know the data of the previous account, it is impossible to officially unlock the device - Xiaomi does not provide a service of resetting on request. The only way out is informal methods (see section 5), but they carry the risk of losing the device. IMEI Or turning your phone into a brick».
Before you start unlocking, check:
- Do you have access to the Mi Account that was linked to the phone?
- Whether the bootloader is unlocked (Bootloader) – if not, you will need a wait.
- Battery condition (must be at least 50% to avoid failures)
Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool
If you have access to the Mi Account linked to the Redmi 5 Plus, the safest way to do this is to use the official Mi Unlock Tool, which only works if you meet three conditions:
- 📱 The device was unlocked earlier (or you’re willing to wait 7 to 30 days for a new unlock).
- 🔌 It's on on the phone. OEM Unlock and USB Debugging (if the phone is still on).
- 🌐 There is a stable Internet connection on PC and phone.
Step-by-step:
- Download the Mi Unlock Tool from the official en.miui.com/unlock website (the version must match your MIUI).
Install Xiaomi drivers on PC|Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool|Turn it on. OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings|Connect your phone to Fastboot mode|Sign in to Mi Account on PC and phone-->
If the tool gives you a "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" error, the reasons may be:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn't unlock (10008) | The device is not tied to the account | Link Mi Account in your phone settings in advance |
| Device not supported | The Mi Unlock Tool is an old version of the Mi Unlock Tool. | Update the tool to the latest version |
| Waiting time not ended | The waiting period for unlocking has not expired | Wait for the specified time (from 72 to 720 hours) |
| Network error | Problems with the Internet or servers Xiaomi | Try it later or use a VPN. |
⚠️ Warning: After successfully unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool, all data on the phone will be destroyed.If you need to save files, try the methods from Section 4 first (bypass without resetting).
Mi Unlock Tool |Reset via Recovery |Back-by-Back EDL |Castom firmware |I haven't tried anything-->
Unlocking without data loss: bypassing through Recovery
If the phone is turned on but requires Mi Account data entry after reset, you can try bypassing the lock without completely resetting.This method only works on some versions of MIUI (mainly up to MIUI 12) and requires access to Recovery Mode.
Instructions:
- Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Up to log in to Recovery.
- Select a language (if available) and go to the Wipe & Reset menu.
- Instead of a full Wipe All Data reset, choose Wipe Cache.
- Restart the device. In some cases, the lock is removed.
If this method does not work, try an alternative:
- 🔧 In Recovery, select Connect with Mi Assistant (if you have one).
- 📱 Connect your phone to your PC and log in via Mi PC Suite (if the program recognizes the device).
- 🔄 After synchronization, try resetting through Mi. PC Suite – sometimes this allows you to bypass the account lock.
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If Recovery doesn’t have “Connect with Mi Assistant” option, try connecting to your PC via the ADB in Fastboot mode and execute the command fastboot oem edl to transition to EDL-Regime (super user rights required).
Important: on newer versions of MIUI (13+), this method doesn’t work – Xiaomi has closed most of the loopholes to bypass the lock. If you have MIUI 14, go to section 5 (unlock through EDL).
Unlocking through EDL-regime: risks and instructions
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency boot mode that allows you to flash through the device without standard restrictions. On the Redmi 5 Plus, you can switch to EDL in two ways:
- Hardware - closing contacts on the board (requires disassembly of the phone).
- Software – via ADB or Fastboot commands (not working on all versions).
Warning: Using an EDL voids the warranty and may result in:
- 🚨 Poose. IMEI (phone will stop catching the network).
- 🧱 Turning the device into a “brick” in case of firmware error.
- 🔒 Blocking your Mi Account for suspicious activity.
If you are prepared for the risks, follow the instructions:
- Download the firmware for EDL (for example, vince_images_... for Redmi 5 Plus) from a trusted source (e.g., Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
- Install Qualcomm 9008 drivers on your PC (without them, the phone will not be defined in EDL).
- Transfer the phone to EDL: 1. Turn off the device. 2. Press Volume Up. + Volume Down and connect USB-3. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the PC makes the connection sound.
- Swipe your device through the Mi Flash Tool (select the clean all and lock option to avoid relocation).
What if the phone is not identified in the EDL?
⚠️ Note: After the firmware is through EDL Redmi 5 Plus may require you to re-activate Mi Account. If you don't know the previous account, the phone will lock again! NAND (costly).
Alternative methods: custom firmware and patches
If the official methods did not help, the option remains with the installation of custom firmware, bypassing the Mi Account lock, which is suitable for advanced users and requires:
- 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, see Section 2).
- 🖥️ PC with installation ADB and Fastboot.
- 📄 Firmware with a patch to bypass locking (e.g. OrangeFox Recovery) + MIUI Mix).
Step-by-step:
- Install custom recavers (e.g. TWRP or OrangeFox): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
- Download the firmware with the patch (for example, MIUI Mix or Xiaomi.eu with the Mi Account remote).
- Flush the firmware through the recavators, pre-made Wipe partitions Data, Cache and Dalvik.
- If the firmware is correct, the lock will be removed.
The following is a popular version of “This Device is Locked”:
| Firmware | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI Mix | Mi Account checks removed, performance optimized | miuimix.mobi |
| Xiaomi.eu | European assembly without Chinese services, but with the risk of relocation | xiaomi.eu |
| Pixel Experience | Pure Android without Xiaomi services, but the camera may not work | pixel-experience.org |
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Installing custom firmware is the only way to get around the Mi Account lock without knowing the previous owner’s data, but it violates Xiaomi’s license agreement and can lead to problems with the company. OTA-update.
Warning: Some custom firmware contains spyware or vulnerabilities. download files only from trusted forums (XDA Developers, 4PDA) And check it out. MD5-hashes.
What to do if nothing helps: repair and maintenance
If all of these methods fail, there are two options:
- Contact the Xiaomi Service Center (official or partner).
- Perform hardware repairs (replacement of memory chip or firmware through a programmer).
Xiaomi’s official service can only help if:
- 📄 You have a check or warranty card with the Mi Account.
Cost of repair in unofficial services:
| Service | Cost (₽) | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|
| Firmware via EDL (without loss of IMEI) | 1 500–3 000 | 1-2 hours |
| Replacement of memory chip (NAND) | 5 000–10 000 | 1-3 days |
| Rebuilding IMEI | 1 000–2 500 | 30-60 minutes |
⚠️ Note: In hardware repair (replacement) NAND or flashing through the programmer, the warranty is cancelled, and after such intervention, the module may have problems with the operation of the module. NFC, camera-sensor.
If Redmi 5 Plus is blocked due to unpaid credit (for example, when buying in installments), it can be unlocked only after the debt has been paid off, in which case contact the seller or the bank that issued the loan.
Prevention: How to avoid blocking in the future
To avoid the problem of “This Device is Locked” again, follow these rules:
- 🔗 Untie Mi Account before selling or resetting your phone: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account
If you’re experimenting with firmware often, consider buying a phone with an already unlocked bootloader (like a model for the global market).It’s also helpful to have a firmware box on hand (like a UFi Box or EasyJTAG) to help restore the phone in the event of a crash.
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Before buying a used Xiaomi, always check the lock status through the command fastboot oem device-info. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the phone is locked and will require unlocking.