Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: 5 ways to unlock in 2026

The message “This device is locked. Unlock via Mi Account” on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 screen is one of the most common problems among owners of used devices, the error occurs after resetting, firmware or buying a phone “from hand” if the previous owner did not untie the Mi Account. In 90% of cases, the phone turns into a “brick”: you can not log in, use functions or even reflash the device using standard methods.

In this article, we will discuss the current ways to unlock the Redmi Note 4 (mido and nikel models) in 2026, including official and alternative methods.

• 🔓 How to Unblock with Mi Account (if you have access to the previous owner’s account).
• 🛠️ The methods of bypassing the lock via Fastboot and EDL (for advanced users).
• ⚠️ Risks and consequences of informal methods (loss of warranty, brick, blocking) IMEI).
• 📱 What to do if your phone doesn’t respond to buttons or isn’t detected by a computer.

All instructions tested on the Redmi Note 4 firmware MIUI 10–14 and are relevant to the Anti-Rollback versions of the bootloader 3/4. If your device is locked after an update or failed firmware, here you will find a solution.

1.Why "This device is locked" appears on Redmi Note 4

The “This device is locked” error is Xiaomi’s protection from theft and unauthorized use, and it works in three cases:

• 🔄 After resetting your settings (Hard Reset) via Recovery or Fastboot, if your phone has a Mi Account tied.
• 📦 When buying a used device where the previous owner did not untidy the account.
• 🔧 After firmware through informal tools (for example, SP Flash Tool, if Mi Cloud Lock is not disabled.

On Redmi Note 4, locking is implemented at bootloader level. Even if you reflash the phone, the system checks the account status on the first boot. Without the correct login/password or official unlock, the device will remain in a soft-brick state (it does not work, but it is recoverable).

⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi tightened security policies. Now, Mi Account may require confirmation of the security SMS If the phone is purchased abroad (for example, in China), unlocking through a global account may not work.

Before you start unlocking, check:

• 📱 Do you have access to the previous owner’s Mi Account (login)? + password + tethered).
• 💻 Availability of a computer with Windows 7/10/11 (through Fastboot/EDL).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original or high quality) – cheap cables may not transmit data to Fastboot.

2. Method 1: Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

If you have data from a Mi Account tied to your phone, it's the easiest and safest way to do it. MIUI Global and MIUI China.

Step-by-step:

1. On the locked screen, click Unlock via Mi Account (or similar).
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. If you want a confirmation code, check it. SMS post-mail.
4. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock and offer to configure as new.

If the Unlock via Mi Account button is inactive or not:

• 🔌 Connect your phone to charge for 10-15 minutes (sometimes the lock is removed after charging up to 30 minutes%).
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi or insert SIM-Mobile Internet card (to receive a card) SMS-code).
• 🔄 Restart the device with a long press on the power button (10-15 seconds).

I know the username and password from the previous owner’s Mi Account|

There's access. email/SMS confirm|

The phone is charged at least 30 times%|

Connected to Wi-Fi or mobile network|

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⚠️ Note: If the previous owner enabled two-factor authentication (2FA), Unlocking requires access to his device with confirmation (for example, through Google Authenticator.

If you don’t know your account details, try contacting the previous owner, and if you do, use alternative methods (described below).

Method 2: Unlocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

The method is suitable if:

• 🔓 You have access to Fastboot (the phone responds to a button combination).
• 📱 Anti-Rollback 4 is not included on the phone (check in Fastboot with fastboot getvar anti command).
• 💻 There is a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and tools ADB/Fastboot.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone. Press Volume down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears.
2. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with ADB and do:

fastboot oem unlock


fastboot flashing unlock

1. If you receive a confirmation request, (consent) on the phone.
2. After successful unlocking, restart the device:

fastboot reboot

Possible errors and solutions:

💡

If the fastboot oem unlock command does not work, try first to run fastboot oem device-info. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, then the bootloader is locked, and you need to use the official Mi Unlock Tool (see method 4).

If the phone does not boot after unlocking or there is an error No. OS installed, you will need to flash the device through Fastboot or Recovery. Instructions for firmware for Redmi Note 4 - in the next section.

4. Method 3: Firmware through EDL (power-user)

Method EDL (Emergency Download Mode - last resort, if other methods did not help:

• 🔒 Anti-Rollback 4 Blocking.
• 🚫 A damaged boot loader (bootloop).
• 📵 No response to buttons (but defined as Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008 in Device Manager).

What you need:

• 💻 Windows computer (better than Win) 10/11).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original).
• 📁 Firmware for Redmi Note 4 in.mbn or.elf format (for example, mido_global_images_V12.0.2.0.QCNCNXM).
• 🛠️ Programs: Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm driver, QFil or EDL Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Install the Qualcomm driver (download here).
2. Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Loudness down + Power for 10-15 seconds, then connect to the PC. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Open the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and press Refresh. COM-port.
4. Press Flash and wait for the end (5-10 minutes). Do not turn off the cable during firmware - this will lead to a complete "brick" (irreparable damage).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL drop off IMEI, serial number and MAC-Addresses. Once the firmware is installed, they must be restored separately (instructions for Redmi Note 4 are available on the 4PDA or XDA There is also a possibility of loss of warranty if the device was on service record.

If after firmware the phone does not turn on or hovers on the logo MI, Repeat the process with another firmware version (e.g. an older firmware version).

5. Method 4: Officially unlock through Mi Unlock Tool

Xiaomi provides the official tool for unlocking the bootloader - Mi Unlock Tool. However, the method has limitations:

• ⏳ You need to wait 7-15 days after linking your account to your phone.
• 🔗 Mi Account with a confirmed phone number is required.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the program under the same account as on the phone.
3. Connect Redmi Note 4 in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Nutrition).
4. Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually 10–30 seconds).

Frequent problems:

• 🔄 “Couldn’t unlock” error – account not tied to phone or not 7 days.
• 📡 Network error - disable VPN Or use another internet.
• 🔒 Device is not supported – your Redmi Note 4 model is not supported by the tool (solution: use Fastboot or use Fastboot) EDL).

💡

Officially unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool is the safest way, but it takes patience. If you bought a phone recently, wait 7-15 days before unlocking, otherwise the tool will not work.

Once successfully unlocked, you can flash your phone through Fastboot or Recovery. MIUI Downloads.

6. Method 5: Alternative methods (at your own risk)

If all of the above methods fail, there are still unofficial methods that can violate the warranty, damage the warranty. IMEI Or turn your phone into a brick. Use it only as a last resort!

Option 1: TestPoint bypass (for Redmi Note 4 with Anti-Rollback 3)

• 🔧 You need to close contacts on the motherboard (see instructions for Redmi Note 4 TestPoint).

Option 2: Delete your Mi Account through TWRP

• ⚠️ Risk: After that, the phone may not boot or lose access to Xiaomi services.

Option 3: Paid unlocking services

• 💰 Cost: from 500 to 3000 rubles (depending on the complexity of the lock).
• ✅ Pros: high probability of success, preservation IMEI.
• ❌ Cons: risk of fraud, possible data leakage.

💡

Before using alternative methods, check your Redmi Note 4 model with the fastboot getvar product team. The mido (global) and nikel (Chinese) models may require different firmware and tools.

7 What to do if nothing helps

If all the methods have been tried and the Redmi Note 4 is still blocked:

• 🔧 Contact Xiaomi Service Center with the purchase documents, and in some cases, they can unblock the serial number.
• 📱 Check your phone for hardware malfunctions (for example, a damaged eMMC memory can simulate a lock).
• 💸 If the device is not valuable, consider selling for spare parts (display, battery, Redmi Note 4 camera are in demand).

Signs of failure (not to be confused with lockdown!):

• 🔴 The phone does not respond to charging (even after the cable/block has been replaced).
• 🖥️ Not defined in Fastboot/EDL (no audio connection USB).
• 🔥 Overheated when connected to a PC.

If you suspect a hardware breakdown, don’t waste time on software methods – contact Xiaomi repair specialists.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi Note 4