Previous articleActivate This Device on Xiaomi: How to unlock your smartphone in 5 minutes

Why Xiaomi requires device activation and what it means

The message “Activate This Device”** on the screen of a Xiaomi smartphone is one of the most common problems that users face after resetting, buying a used phone or updating a firmware. This lock is related to the Mi Account protection system that the company has implemented to combat device theft, essentially requiring the phone to confirm that you are the legitimate owner by linking the account to the device.

In most cases, the error occurs due to:

• 🔄 Reset to factory settings without detachment Mi Account (especially relevant for devices with MIUI 12+).
• 📦 Purchases of a used phone where the previous owner did not delete his account.
• 🔧 Unofficial firmware or interrupted software update.
• 🛡️ Activate Find Device on your old account.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi doesn’t lock devices “just like that” – a security measure similar to the iCloud Lock on the iPhone. However, unlike Apple, you can bypass Mi Account locks in legal ways if you have access to previous owner data or supporting documents.

The official way to unlock through Mi Account

If you have a login and password from an account linked to your phone, it will take no more than 5 minutes to unlock.

1. On the screen with the message "Activate This Device"** click Unlock (or similar button).
2. Enter the email or phone number that was used to link the Mi Account.
3. If you forget, restore it through account.xiaomi.com.
4. Confirm unlocking via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If all the data is entered correctly, the phone unlocks automatically, and in rare cases, the system may require additional confirmation, such as entering a code from a letter or waiting up to 72 hours (if there were frequent login attempts).

Check the correct input. email/telephone (registration is important!)

Make sure that mobile data or Wi-Fi is connected

Try to reset your password through Xiaomi’s website

If your account is blocked, contact support with proof of device ownership.-->

⚠️ Note: If the phone is bought with hands and the previous owner has not untied the account, officially unlock it can only be through Xiaomi support with the provision of a check or a purchase agreement.

Alternative Unblocking Methods (if you don’t have access to Mi Account)

If you don't know the data from the linked account, there are semi-official and technical ways that depend on the phone model and the MIUI version.

1. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

The method is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader. You will need a computer, a USB-TypeC cable and the Mi Flash Unlock Tool:

1. Download the official utility from the Xiaomi website (authentication is required).


2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot mode: turn it off, then press Volume Down + Power.




3. Connect to the PC and start Mi Flash Unlock.




4. Sign in to your Mi Account (yes, you need your account here, but not necessarily the one linked to your phone).




5. Follow the instructions of the program to unlock the bootloader.




6. After unlocking, swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool with a full reset (clean all option).

Important: This method doesn’t work on all models. Since MIUI 13, Xiaomi has tightened protection, and unlocking through Fastboot can require up to 30 days of waiting (if the account is new).

2. EDL-mode bypass (for experienced)

The method for devices with a Qualcomm processor (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, Poco X3) will require:

• 🖥️ PC with installed QDLoader drivers HS-USB.
• 📁 Firmware in.mbn format for your model.
• 🔧 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.

The process involves putting the phone into EDL mode (emergency boot) and firmware through a PC. Risk: if you make a mistake, the phone can turn into a "brick".

3. Services of service centres

If you fail to do so, contact an authorized Xiaomi service center, which can be used for unlocking between 1,500 and 5,000 times. ₽ depending on the model:

• 📄 Check or sales contract (if the phone is officially purchased).
• 🆔 Passport for identification.
• 📱 The device itself with a charge of at least 30%.

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial “masters” often offer unlocking through exploits or substitutions IMEI. This not only violates the law (Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation on unlawful access to computer information), but can also lead to a complete loss of warranty and blocking of the security system. IMEI communicationsman.

Official (via Mi Account)|Fastboot|EDL-regime|I've been to the service.|I haven't tried it yet.-->

Xiaomi models most susceptible to ‘Activate This Device’ blocking

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally strict on activation, and below is a table of models with a high risk of locking after reset:

If your model is not on the list, it doesn’t guarantee that there is no lock, for example, even the budget Redmi A1 or Redmi 9A can request activation if the Find Device feature was previously enabled.

💡

Before buying used Xiaomi, always ask the seller to reset the settings with you and check the lack of binding Mi Account. Just go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and make sure that the device is not tied to other people’s data.

How to Avoid “Activate This Device” in the Future

To avoid the problem again, follow the simple rules:

1. Untie Mi Account before selling. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account → Delete account. The system will require password input and confirmation via SMS.
2. Do not use informal firmware. Custom ROMs (like LineageOS) can disrupt security, leading to lockdowns after updates.
3. Regularly update MIUI. In new firmware versions, Xiaomi fixes bugs that cause the lock to work falsely.
4. Backup. Use Settings → Additional → Backup to save data before resetting.

If you frequently reflash your phone, sign up for the developer with Mi Account (via new.mi.com/global/unlock) to speed up unlocking the bootloader if needed.

Frequent Mistakes and Myths About Unlocking Xiaomi

There are a lot of tips online that not only don't work, but they can also damage the device.

• 🚫 «You can bypass the lock through hard reset (button clamping)" - not true. Reset through Volume up + Meals do not remove the binding of the Mi Account.
• 🚫 «It's enough to type any email and password 8 times in a row. "" Myth. After 5 failed attempts, the system blocks input for 24 hours.
• 🚫 «Software like Mi Account Bypass Tool works" is a lie. Most of these tools contain viruses or require root access, which voids the warranty.
• 🚫 «Xiaomi unlocks the phone by IMEI No paperwork, it's not true. Support requires proof of purchase (check, warranty card).

The only working “life hack” is the purchase of a phone with an official unpacking (for example, in the salons of the Messenger or MTS), such devices are not initially tied to the Mi Account.

💡

If the phone is locked after buying on Avito or similar sites, it will not be possible to return it under the Consumer Protection Act - locking is not considered a disadvantage of the product. Always check the device before paying!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions