This device is locked on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: how to unlock a smartphone in 2026

The message “This device is locked. FRP lock” or “Device is locked” on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro screen is one of the most common problems among brand owners, faced with resetting, buying a used phone or a forgotten password. Unlike the new models with MIUI 14+, where unlocking boot is easier, the Redmi Note 8 Pro (released in 2019) requires special methods due to the unique architecture of the Mediatek Helio G90T processor and the old version of the booter.

Many instructions on the network are outdated or do not take into account the nuances of this model. For example, the standard method through Mi Account often does not work due to its link to the previous owner, and Factory Reset Protection (FRP) bypass on the Redmi Note 8 Pro requires special tools. In this article, 5 current methods of unlocking (including bypassing without losing data), analyzing the risks of each method and responding to frequent errors.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was bought with your hands, make sure it is not blacklisted before unlocking. IMEI (Stolen/lost. Check the status by number. IMEI Unlocking a stolen device is a violation of the law.

1 Unlocking through Mi Account (official method)

The most legal method is to use a Xiaomi account, which works if:

• 🔹 Remember the username/password from Mi Account that was linked to the phone.
• 🔹 Device connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔹 On the lock screen there is a button "Forgot your password?" (if it is not - the method will not work).

After 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the option “Unlock via Mi Account” will appear. Click on it and enter your account details. If the phone requests a confirmation code, check your email or SMS (depending on your security settings).

⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased from hand, the previous owner could not unblock the account. In this case, official unlocking is possible only through Xiaomi support service with proof of ownership (check, purchase agreement).

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If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it through the official page. Use a backup email or phone number associated with your account.

FRP Lock bypass without data loss (for MIUI 11-12)

The Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 11-12 firmware has a vulnerability that allows you to bypass FRP (Factory Reset Protection) without resetting.

• 📱 It's on on the phone. USB-Debugging (even if you don't remember).
• 🔌 Access to Windows computer and Mi program PC suite ADB Tools.
• 🔒 The phone is not locked after reset (i.e. you see a welcome screen, not a message saying "This device is locked»).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (original!).
2. Download and install Mi PC Suite.
3. Run the program and wait until it determines the device.
4. From the program menu, select “Find Device” → “Unlock”.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen (Mi Account data may be required).

If Mi PC Suite doesn’t help, use it. ADB-team:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings


adb shell input text "your password from WiFi"




adb shell input keyevent 66

These commands simulate a Wi-Fi connection, after which you can enter the settings and disable FRP.

3. reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

If the previous methods didn't work, it's a hard reset, it deletes all the data, but it unlocks the phone. There are two ways to do this on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

Reset via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI After the reset, it may appear again. FRP Lock. In this case, you will need to bypass the Mi Flash Tool (see next section).

4. Firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for power users)

If the reset didn’t help or the phone turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on), the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11.
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (better from the set).
• 📁 Fastboot firmware ROM Redmi Note 8 Pro (the version should match the region of the phone!).
• 🔧 The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website (choose Fastboot, not Recovery!).
2. Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\Redmi_Note_8_Pro_Fastboot).
3. Install Mi Flash Tool and drivers for Mediatek.
4. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot mode (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
5. Connect your phone to your PC, launch the Mi Flash Tool and select the firmware folder.
6. Press Refresh, then Flash (select Clean All option).

Important: The firmware via the Mi Flash Tool deletes all data, including internal memory. If the phone has been encrypted, you may need to enter the old password after the firmware is installed to decrypt the data (even if you have reset!).

Download the correct version of the firmware (Global/China/EEA)|Install Mediatek drivers|Disable the antivirus (can block the Mi Flash Tool)|Charge your phone at least to 50%|Prepare original USB-cable-->

5 Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If the standalone methods don’t work, contact a Xiaomi authorized service center.This is the only legal way to unlock your phone if:

• 📄 You have documents confirming the purchase (check, contract, warranty card).
• 🔐 The phone is tied to someone else's Mi Account and the previous owner is not responding.
• 💻 You are afraid of damaging your phone with your own firmware.

The cost of unlocking the service varies from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles (2026), in some cases, you may need to replace the motherboard (if the phone is in the status of “lost / stolen” in the IMEI database).

🔹 How to find the official Xiaomi service?

Go to Xiaomi Service, select country and city. Only contact centers marked "Authorized." Avoid "grey" workshops - they may use illegal unlocking methods that will lead to IMEI blocking.

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The official service is the only way to unlock the phone if it is tied to the account of the previous owner and he does not agree to untie the account.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When unlocking the Redmi Note 8 Pro, users face typical problems:

⚠️ If after unlocking the phone stopped catching the network (no signal of cellular communication), most likely flew off IMEI. It can be restored using the Maui utility. META (requires root rights) or through a service center. Do not use informal recovery methods IMEI — This can result in the operator blocking the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions