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

The message “This device is locked. Unlock with Mi Account” on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 screen is one of the most common problems among smartphone owners, which occurs after a reset, a failed firmware or when you buy a used device with a previous owner’s account tied, and unlike the standard pattern lock, this lock is related to Xiaomi’s hardware protection and requires a special approach.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to unlock the Redmi Note 8 (codenamed ginkgo), including official methods through Mi Account, unlocking in Fastboot and EDL modes, as well as alternative solutions for cases when standard options do not work.

Why does the word “This device is locked” appear?

The “This device is locked” lock is part of the Mi Cloud Activation Lock protection system that Xiaomi has implemented to combat smartphone theft.

• 🔄 Resetting settings via Recovery or Settings without detachment Mi Account.
• 📱 Buying a used phone where the previous owner did not delete his account.
• 🛠️ Failed firmware or interrupted software update.
• 🔧 Replacement of the motherboard (in this case, the lock may appear even on the working device).

It's important to understand that this is not a software bug, but a targeted protection, unlike a pattern lock or a graphical key. PIN-It can't be bypassed by standard methods like adb shell or reset via Recovery, and you'll need special tools and, in most cases, access to the original Mi Account tied to the device.

Official method: unlocking through Mi Account

If you have access to the Mi Account that was tied to the Redmi Note 8, it takes no more than 5 minutes to unlock, which works 90% of the time and doesn’t require technical skills.

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi or mobile network (if locking allows).
2. On the lock screen, enter the username and password from Mi Account, which was associated with the device.
3. If the data is correct, the phone will unlock automatically, and in some cases, you will need confirmation via SMS or email.

If you do not remember your account information, try to restore access:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Click on “Forgot your password?” and follow the instructions (you will need access to the email or phone number you provided when registering).
3. If your account is tied to a phone number that is no longer available, contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device (check, box, IMEI).

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If the system asks for an old password when you restore your account, try entering any set of characters – sometimes Xiaomi skips this step and sends the confirmation code to an email.

⚠️ Note: Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened security policies if the device was dropped via Fastboot or EDL, Unlocking through Mi Account can require 72-hour waiting even with the right data.

Unlocking via Fastboot (without data loss)

If Mi Account is lost, but the phone is detected by the computer in Fastboot mode, you can try to bypass the lock using the official Mi Unlock Tool.

First, check the status of the loader:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to your PC and run the command in the terminal: fastboot oem device-info If the answer has the Device unlocked: true string, the bootloader is unlocked and you can skip the next step.

If the bootloader is locked (Device unlocked: false), follow the following steps:

Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website|Install drivers ADB/Fastboot|Log in to Mi Account on PC and tie your phone|Disable the antivirus (it can block the tool)-->

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from en.miui.com/unlock (version must be at least 5.5.224.30).
2. Launch the program and log in to your Mi Account (should match your phone account).
3. Connect the Redmi Note 8 in Fastboot mode and click Unlock.
4. If you see a message that says “Couldn’t unlock,” wait 72 to 168 hours (depending on Xiaomi’s policy) and try again.

Once you successfully unlock the bootloader, you can flash custom Recovery (like TWRP) and reset the settings through it, but note that this method erases all data on the device.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi Note 8 was bought by hand, the previous owner could have linked the device to his account.In this case, unlocking through Fastboot is impossible without his consent - Xiaomi requires confirmation of the original owner.

Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is the last hope for unlocking the Redmi Note 8 when other methods fail. It allows you to flash the device at a low level, bypassing the Mi Account lock. However, this method requires special equipment (EDL cable or test point) and knowledge in firmware.

We warn you that doing the wrong thing in EDL can turn your phone into a brick. If you're not sure about your skills, you'd better go to a service center.

Unlocking through EDL will require:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 7/10 and installed Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 📂 Firmware for Redmi Note 8 in.mbn or.elf format (you can download xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🔌 EDL cable or access to test point on the motherboard.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and connect it to your PC in EDL mode (via cable or test point closure).
2. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and click "Flash".
4. Wait for the process to be completed (5-10 minutes) and the phone will restart in a clean system.

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If you are not sure of your skills, unlocking through EDL is not the best choice. A firmware error can cause permanent damage to the bootloader, and the phone will become unfit for repair even in a service center.

Alternative methods: bypass without Mi Account

If the official methods do not help, and you can not contact the service center, you can try alternative solutions. They do not guarantee 100% results, but in some cases help to bypass the lock.

1. Use of bugs in MIUI (for older versions)

In the firmware MIUI before version 12.0.3, there was a bug that allows you to bypass Mi Account through Recovery:

1. Press the Power button + Volume Up to enter Recovery.
2. Select a language and go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
3. After reset, press Back and select Reboot to System.
4. On the activation screen, click “Skip” (if the button is active).

This method does not work on new versions of MIUI, Xiaomi has closed the vulnerability.

2. Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for versions with MediaTek)

The Redmi Note 8 was released on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset, so the SP Flash Tool is not suitable for it. However, if you encounter a similar problem on other Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi 8A with MediaTek), this tool can help.

3. Purchase of the unlock code

On the Internet, there are services that offer paid unlock Mi Account by IMEI. The cost varies from 500 to 3000 rubles.

• 💰 Possible fraud (many services take prepayment and disappear).
• 🔒 Unguaranteed result (Xiaomi may block code after update).
• 📵 Risk of data leakage (IMEI It can be used for illegal activities).

⚠️ Note: Buying an unlock code from third parties violates Xiaomi’s user agreement.The company may block the device repeatedly or restrict access to services (for example, Mi Cloud or Mi Store).

Contact the Xiaomi Service Center

If you don’t succeed in your own attempts to unlock, the most reliable way is to contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 🔧 Guaranteed recovery.
• 📄 Official warranty for repair (if the device is warranty).
• 🔒 Data retention (in some cases).

What will be required to unlock:

• 📄 Check or warranty card (to confirm possession).
• 📱 Phone box (it is indicated on it) IMEI).
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).

The cost of unlocking in the service center depends on the reason for blocking:

• Reset without detachment of the account: 1000-2000 rubles.
• Replacement of the motherboard: 3000-5000 rubles (requires a binding of the new IMEI).
• Firmware through EDL: 1500-3000 rubles.

The addresses of official Xiaomi service centers in Russia can be found on the website mi.com/ru/service/center. Before visiting, check by phone if they are unlocking Mi Account – not all centers provide this service.

How to avoid blocking in the future?

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

Untie your account before selling your phone |Regularly update your firmware (new versions of MIUI close vulnerabilities) |Create backups of data in Mi Cloud |Do not buy used phones without resetting to factory settings-->

If you are selling the Redmi Note 8:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and click “Exit”.
2. Reset via Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset (not via Recovery!).
3. Make sure that the phone does not require a password after rebooting.

If you buy a used device:

1. Ask the seller to reset the settings in front of you.
2. Make sure that after resetting, the phone doesn't ask for Mi Account.
3. Check the lock status via fastboot oem device-info (must be Device unlocked: true).

Since 2026, Xiaomi has introduced an additional reset check via Recovery: if a device has been tied to Mi Account within the past 30 days, the system will require data entry even after a complete reset.This is done to protect against theft, but makes life difficult for legitimate users.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking the Redmi Note 8