Previous articleThis device is locked on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T – how to unlock your smartphone in 2026

Why Redmi Note 8T Shows “This Device Is Locked” and What to Do About It

The message “This device is locked. Unlock with current password” on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T screen means that the device is locked because of an incorrect password, pattern lock or fingerprint entry, most often this happens after buying a used phone, resetting the settings without detachment of the Mi Account account, or if the child accidentally entered the wrong code too many times. Unlike new Xiaomi models, where the lock is associated with FRP (Factory Reset Protection), in Redmi Note 8T (code name willow), the problem is usually solved without contacting the service center – but only if you have access to the original account or you have access to the data from the original reset.

It is important to understand that the method of unlocking depends on the type of lock:

• 🔒 Password/pattern lock – if you just forgot the combination, but remember the username/password from Mi Account.
• 📱 Mi Account – if the phone requires you to enter your Xiaomi account details after a reset (even if you haven’t set it up).
• 🔧 Hardware locking – if the screen shows a Fastboot or EDL (emergency).

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to unlock the Redmi Note 8T in 2026, including official and alternative methods. Note: since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy – some old instructions (for example, bypassing through Test Point) no longer work without authorization in the Mi Unlock Tool.

Method 1: Unlock with Mi Account (if you remember the data)

If a request for a Mi Account password appears on the Redmi Note 8T screen (even after a reset), it means that the previous owner has not untied the account, in which case the official way to unlock is to log in to the original Xiaomi account.

1. On the lock screen, click Forgot password?
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with your Mi Account.
3. Confirm the login via SMS or email (the code will come to the linked number / mail).
4. After successful authorization, the phone will be unlocked, but all data will be deleted (if a reset was performed).

⚠️ Note: If you are buying a Redmi Note 8T Hands on hand and the seller has not untied the account, contact him and ask for the data to unlock. Without them, it is impossible to officially unlock the phone - Xiaomi does not provide the Mi Account deletion service at the request of the new owner. Alternative methods (for example, through the use of the new owner). EDL) require special equipment and may result in a lock IMEI.

Method 2: Hard Reset – if you know the Mi Account password

If you forget the lock screen password, but remember the Mi Account, you can do a hard reset via Recovery mode, which will delete all the data from the phone, but unlock it.

1. Turn off the Redmi Note 8T (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power Button and Volume up simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (volume buttons) and confirm the choice with the power button.
4. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
5. After the reset, the phone will reboot and require data input from the Mi Account (if it was tied).

⚠️ Note: If after Hard Reset the phone requires Mi Account and you don’t remember it, further unlocking without account data is officially impossible.In this case, only informal methods remain (see Method 4), but they carry the risk of blocking. IMEI.

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If the phone doesn’t respond to buttons when you log in to Recovery, try plugging it into charging for 10 minutes – sometimes a discharged battery interferes with the menu loading.

Method 3: Unlock via Fastboot (if USB debugging is enabled)

If it's a Redmi Note 8T The previous debugging was included USB (USB Debugging, you can try unlocking it through Fastboot using a PC:

• 📱 Phone is turned on but locked with password/pattern lock.
• 🖥️ Drivers are installed on the computer ADB/Fastboot and Mi Phone Manager.
• 🔌 Debugging by USB was activated prior to blocking.

Instructions:

1. Connect the Redmi Note 8T PC-only USB-cable.
2. Press Power + Volume Down to Enter Fastboot.
3. On your computer, open the command line (Win + R → enter cmd) and execute commands: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Enter the command to delete the password: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase locksettings
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

If the commands are successful, the phone will restart without locking the screen. But: this method does not work on all Redmi Note 8T firmware. If the lock remains after the restart, try an alternative command:

fastboot flash userdata userdata.img

(You can download the userdata.img file from the official firmware for your model).

Method 4: Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode) – the last method

If none of the previous methods worked, the EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode remains.

• 💻 Computers with Qualcomm drivers and Mi Flash Tool.
• 📄 Official firmware for Redmi Note 8T (version willow_global or willow_eea).
• 🔧 Perhaps authorization in Mi Unlock Tool (since 2023, Xiaomi blocks firmware without a tied account).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Unauthorized can lead to blocking IMEI (This method is recommended only for advanced users or in service centers.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi Note 8T from the official Xiaomi website (select the Recovery ROM or Fastboot ROM version).
2. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
3. Install Qualcomm drivers (for example, via QPST or Mi Flash Tool).
4. Turn off the phone and put it in mode. EDL: Open the back cover and find a test point (two metal dots next to the battery) and lock them with tweezers or wires while connecting them simultaneously. USB-plug-in.

Mi Flash Tool

Flash

Wait for the process to be completed (10-15 minutes) and the phone will restart in factory condition.

🔴 Warning: If after firmware the phone shows "Invalid" IMEI» or not to catch the net, restore IMEI You can only use a service center with proof of purchase (check or box). IMEI without official data is prohibited and may result in complete loss of communication.

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Firmware via EDL is the only way to unlock the Redmi Note 8T without Mi Account data, but it requires technical skills and risks blocking the IMEI.

Unlocking Methods Comparison: Which One to Choose

To choose the best way, evaluate your situation in the table below:

If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center - especially if the phone is purchased used and you do not know the Mi Account data. The cost of unlocking in 2026 is 1500-3,000 rubles (depending on the region).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock the Redmi Note 8T, users often face typical problems:

• 📱 The phone is stuck on the Mi logo — wait 10-15 minutes. If it doesn't work, repeat the firmware or try another version of the software.

⚠️ If you see a message, “This device is locked by” FRP», This means that the phone has reset protection activated (like Android 10).+). In this case, the unlock is possible only through the Mi Account or EDL Authorization with Mi Unlock Tool.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions