“This device is locked” on Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: 5 ways to unlock

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 is one of the most popular smartphones of the brand, but its owners often face the problem of sudden locking of the device. the message “This device is locked. Unlock with Mi Account” appears after resetting, failed firmware or when buying a used phone with a tied account of the previous owner. In this article, we will analyze all working methods of unlocking, including official and alternative methods, and explain why the phone is locked and how to avoid it in the future.

The main difficulty is that Xiaomi actively uses Mi Cloud Lock protection (also known as FRP – Factory Reset Protection), which binds the device to the Mi Account account, and without login data, it is impossible to unlock the smartphone using standard methods. However, there are workarounds – from regaining access to the account to using Fastboot and EDL modes. It is important to understand that not all methods are safe: some can lead to data loss or even “bricking” of the device.

If you bought a Redmi Note 7 with your hands and the previous owner did not untie your account, or forgot the password from your Mi Account, do not panic. In 90% of cases, you can unlock your phone without contacting the service center. The main thing is to correctly determine the cause of the lock and choose the appropriate method. Below we will discuss in detail each method, its pros, cons and potential risks.

Why This Device Is Locked on Redmi Note 7

The message “This device is locked” is part of Xiaomi’s security system, which is activated in several cases:

• 🔄 Reset settings via Recovery.If you run Wipe Data in recovery mode, the phone will require you to enter Mi Account data, which was tied before the reset.
• 📱 The previous owner didn't untie his account, and now the phone requires his login/password.
• 🔧 Failed firmware: If there is an error during the software update, the system can block access by requesting proof of ownership.
• 🔒 Locking with Find Device: If the phone was stolen or lost, the owner could remotely lock it via the Mi Cloud service.
• ⚠️ Activate protection after update. MIUI Automatically activate Mi Cloud Lock after the update, even if it was not previously available.

It’s important to understand that the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) refers to devices with a closed bootloader, which means that unlocking via Fastboot or EDL will require official permission from Xiaomi (unlocking the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased with hands and the seller did not provide the data from the Mi Account, there is a high risk that the device is blacklisted (stolen / lost), in which case unlocking may not be possible without contacting the official service.

Method 1: Unlocking with Mi Account (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use the original Mi Account, which was tied to the phone. If you forget your password or login, you can restore them through the official Xiaomi website.

Steps to unlock:

1. On the locked screen, select Unlock with Mi Account (could be called Sign in with Mi Account).
2. Enter the email or phone number that was linked to the device.
3. Enter your password. If you don't remember, click Forgot password? and follow the recovery instructions.
4. If two-factor authentication is enabled, confirm the login via SMS or email.
5. After a successful login, the phone will unlock and you can use it as usual.

If the account belongs to the previous owner, try contacting them and asking them to unplug the device via account.xiaomi.com.

• 📧 Log in to your Mi Account.
• 🔗 Go to the Devices section → Find the device.
• ❌ Find Redmi Note 7 in the list and click Delete Device.

⚠️ Note: If the previous owner does not respond or refuses to help, it is impossible to officially unlock the phone without his data.

Method 2: Unlock via Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader on your Redmi Note 7 is already unlocked, you can try resetting the Mi Cloud Lock protection via Fastboot mode. This method is suitable if you previously unlocked the bootloader to install custom firmware.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📦 Archive with Mi Flash Unlock utility (download from the official website).
• 🔑 Mi Account tied to phone (to unlock the bootloader).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. Press the Power + Volume down buttons to enter the Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
3. Start Mi Flash Unlock and log in to your Mi Account.
4. The utility will check if the bootloader is unlocked. If not, follow the instructions on the screen to unlock (can take up to 72 hours).
5. After unlocking the bootloader, download custom Recovery (such as TWRP) for the Redmi Note 7.
6. Run: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
7. In TWRP, go to Mount → System and delete files: /data/system/gesture.key /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db-wal /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
8. Reset the phone. The lock should disappear.

⚠️ Important: This method only works when the bootloader is unlocked. If the bootloader is locked, you first have to get permission from Xiaomi through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 3: Bypassing Mi Cloud Lock via EDL (for advanced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a “emergency” firmware mode that allows you to bypass many locks. However, for the Redmi Note 7, this method requires an authorized EDL account (usually only available to service centers) or a special box (for example, UFi Box, EasyJTAG).

Warning: The misuse of EDL can turn a phone into a brick, a method only recommended for advanced users or professionals.

How it works:

• 🔌 The phone is connected to the PC in mode EDL (usually through the closure of test points on the board or a special cable).
• 📥 Through the program Mi Flash or QFil sewn clean firmware without binding to the account.
• 🔄 After firmware, the phone restarts without locking.

Step-by-step instruction (simplified):

1. Download firmware for EDL (e.g. Fastboot ROM for Redmi Note 7 from Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (can be found online).
3. Put the phone in mode. EDL: 💡For the entrance EDL Redmi Note 7 can be used to use the command ADB: adb reboot edl if the phone is not locked completely. adb reboot edl Or close the test points on the motherboard (disassembly required).
4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Flash.
5. Wait for the firmware to finish (5-10 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without an authorized account, it can lead to a blocking IMEI (Starting in 2021, Xiaomi tightened control over firmware in this mode.

Method 4: Recovery reset (if PIN/pattern lock is known)

If the phone is locked not because of Mi Account, but because of a forgotten account PIN-If you have a code or a pattern lock, you can try resetting your settings through Recovery, which is not helpful if you see this device is locked on the screen, requiring you to enter your account data.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons to enter Recovery Mode.
3. Choose a language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the reset. The phone will reboot.

If Mi Account is blocked again after the reset, then the phone is tied to the account, and this method does not work.

💡

Recovery removes all data on your phone, including photos, contacts and apps, and if you have a backup, restore it after unlocking it.

Method 5: Contact Xiaomi Service Center

If all the independent attempts to unlock failed, you just have to contact the official service center Xiaomi. This is the most reliable, but also the most expensive way.

• 🔓 Unlocking Mi Account (if you provide proof of purchase) – 1000–2500 ₽.
• 🛠️ Recovery after a failed firmware - 2000-4000 ₽.
• 📱 Replacement of motherboard (if the phone is blacklisted) – from 5000 ₽.

What will be required for the application:

• 📄 Check or sales contract (if the phone is purchased by hand).
• 🆔 Passport of the owner.
• 📱 The phone itself with a charge of at least 50%.

Xiaomi service centers can unlock a device even without the Mi Account data, if you prove that you are the rightful owner, but if the phone is listed as stolen, they will refuse to unlock.

Important: Starting in 2023, Xiaomi has tightened its policy on unlocking devices with linked accounts, requiring the original IMEI box or check from the official store.

How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid the problem of “This device is locked” again, follow these guidelines:

• 🔑 Untie Mi Account before selling your phone. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account.
• 📱 Do not reset your settings through Recovery unless you are sure you remember your account details. Use reset in your phone settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).

If you often experiment with firmware, unlock the bootloader in advance.

1. Connect the phone to the Mi Account.
2. Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times) → Additional → For Developers → USB debugging).
3. Use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi Note 7