“Login to the account of the owner of this device” on Xiaomi: what to do and how to unlock the smartphone

The message, "Look in to one of the accounts of the owner of this device," on the Xiaomi screen is one of the most unpleasant situations for the user, it appears after resetting settings, updating the firmware or buying a used phone if the previous owner did not untie his Mi Account. The system requires you to enter the username and password from the account that was associated with the device before, but you do not have them.

This lock is part of the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) that Xiaomi has implemented in its Android 5.1+ devices. It links the device to a Mi Account, and without its confirmation, further configuration is impossible. In this article, we will discuss all the official and informal ways of bypassing the lock, their risks and nuances for different models, from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 13 Ultra.

Important: Unlocking methods depend on the version of MIUI, the type of lock (hardware or software), and whether you have access to the original account, some of which require technical skills or special equipment.

Why is the message “Look in to the owner’s account” appearing?

The activation block on Xiaomi works in three main cases:

• 🔄 Resetting settings through Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and reset without detachment Mi Account. Even if you are the owner, the system will require re-entering data.
• 📦 Buying a used phone where the previous owner didn't delete his account is the most common reason, with about 60 percent of service calls.
• 🔧 Failed firmware updates or firmware updates through informal tools (like Fastboot) that reset settings.

On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO X3 NFC) The blockage may occur even after removal. SIM-This is due to Xiaomi’s security policy, which links the device to the geolocation of the account.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a phone with your hands and the seller refused to provide details from Mi Account, this could be a sign of theft. IMEI on imei.info before purchase.

Official ways to unlock (if you know the account details)

If you have access to the original Mi Account (login and password), it will take no more than 5 minutes to unlock.

1. On the lock screen, select Log in to the account.
2. Enter the email or phone number associated with the account.
3. Enter your password. If you forgot, press Forgot your password and follow the recovery instructions.
4. Confirm your login via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).
5. After successful authorization, the phone will unlock and offer to configure as new.

If you own a phone but don’t remember your password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. This will require access to the email or phone number specified during registration. Recovery via backup email or secret question is also possible if this data has been filled in.

Check emails from Xiaomi with a recovery code | Try to restore via the linked phone number | Use backup email (if indicated) | Contact Xiaomi with proof of ownership of the device-->

⚠️ Attention: After 5 failed attempts to enter a password, the account is blocked for 24 hours. If you are not sure about the data, do not try to guess - use recovery.

Informal methods of bypassing the lock (if no data)

If you don't know your account details (for example, you bought your phone from hand), the official methods won't help, in which case you can try to bypass the lock through:

• 📱 Fastboot mode (for models until 2021 release).
• 🔌 EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi developer account).
• 🛠️ Special utilities like Mi Flash Unlock or Xiaomi Tool V2.
• 📡 Passage ADB (work MIUI 11 and below).

The most reliable, but also the most difficult method is firmware via EDL. It is suitable for all models, including the new Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12, but requires:

• Computer with Windows 10/11.
• Installed drivers Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• Firmware file in.tgz format for your model.
• Authorized developer account Xiaomi (you can buy access to the forums).

The firmware process through EDL:

1. Turn off the phone.


2. Press the Volume Up button + Volume Down and connect the USB- Cable.




3 Check in Device Manager that the phone is identified as QHUSB_BULK.




4. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select firmware and press Flash.

For models running a Mediatek processor (e.g. Redmi 10A or Poco C31), you can use the SP Flash Tool with firmware in scatter format. However, this method requires unlocking the bootloader (OEM Unlock), which is impossible without the data of the original account.

Bypassing the lock via ADB (for MIUI 11 and below)

On older versions of MIUI (11 and below), you can bypass the locking of your account through Android Debug Bridge (ADB).

• The phone has USB debugging mode enabled (usually disabled by default).
• There is access to the Wi-Fi settings screen (you can connect to the network).
• ADB drivers are installed on the computer.

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your computer via USB.
2. Open the command line and check the connection: Adb devices If the device is determined, go further.
3. Delete the lock files: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/locksettings.db rm /data/system/locksettings.db-wal rm /data/system/locksettings.db-shm
4. Reboot your phone: adb reboot

Once the reboot is over, the lock should disappear. If not, try repeating the steps or using an alternative method with deleting accounts.db:

adb shell


cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases




sqlite3 settings.db




update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';




update system set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently';




.quit




adb reboot

⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI 12/13/14 This method does not work due to enhanced protection, and attempts to delete system files can lead to data corruption and the need for a complete reset.

Unlocking through Xiaomi Service Center

If none of the methods worked, you need to contact the official Xiaomi service center.

• 📄 Check or contract of sale in the name of the owner.
• 🆔 Passport (for proof of identity).
• 📱 Box and components (if the phone is guaranteed).

The cost of the service varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles depending on the model and the reason for the blocking. In some cases, the service center may refuse if:

• Blacklisted phone (stolen or blocked by operator)
• The IMEI does not match the data in Xiaomi’s database.
• There are no documents proving legal possession.

The official service centers can be found on the Xiaomi Russia website. Before visiting, check by phone if they are engaged in unlocking Mi Account - not all centers provide this service.

💡

If you have data from a previous Xiaomi account (even if it is not tied to this phone), try logging in. Sometimes the system misses authorization if the account is from the same region and was previously used on Xiaomi devices.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When trying to unlock, users often make mistakes that make things worse, and here are the most common ones:

Another common problem is the mismatch between the region of the account and the phone, for example, if the phone is bought in China (China ROM), and you are trying to log in through an account registered in Russia, in which case the system can block the login attempt.

• Create a new Mi Account in the same region as your phone’s firmware.
• Use a VPN to change region when registering.
• Swipe Global ROM through Fastboot (if the bootloader is unlocked).

Alternative solutions: buying an unlocked phone or replacing the fee

If all methods are exhausted and the phone remains locked, there are two radical options:

1. Buying an unlocked phone (for example, on Avito or Yule marked "unaccounted"), the cost of such a device is 10-30% lower than the market, but the risk of running into a stolen device is high.
2. Replacement of the motherboard with a new or used without a binding. 3 000 before 10 000 Minus: lost warranty (if there was one) and possible problems with Touch ID/Face ID.

Before buying a used Xiaomi phone, always check:

• 🔍 Account Status: Ask the Seller to Reset Settings with You.
• 📡 IMEI: must match the data on the box and in the settings (Settings) → The phone. → General information).
• 🔋 Battery status: Use the AccuBattery app to check wear.

💡

If the phone is locked because of the Mi Account and the seller refuses to help, it is a reason to doubt the legality of the transaction, according to statistics, 40% of the locked phones in the secondary market have a criminal history.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions