How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 if it is blocked: 5 proven ways

Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is suddenly locked and you can’t remember the pattern lock, PIN-Mi Account code or password? This situation is familiar to many smartphone owners, especially if the device has been left unused for a long time or was bought from hand. Unlike the new models, the Redmi Note 4 (released in 2017) has its own unlock features associated with the version MIUI and hardware constraints.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking – from standard methods through the Xiaomi account to complex technical solutions using Fastboot and other technologies. EDL-Important: Not all methods will save your data, so before you start, read the risks and prepare backups (if possible). If your smartphone is locked after you have firmware or reset, some methods may not work, and we will talk about this too.

1 Unblocking through Xiaomi account (Mi Account)

The easiest and most official way is to use a linked Mi Account, which works if:

• 📱 Smartphone connected to the Internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile network).
• 🔑 You remember the login and password from the account that was linked to the device.
• 🔄 The "Find the device" function was activated in the settings.

If these conditions are met, after 5 failed attempts to enter the password, the system will offer the option "Unlock via Mi Account." Click on it and enter the login details. In a few seconds, the device will unlock. Importantly, if the smartphone is not connected to the network, this method will not work - you will need an alternative method.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the Redmi Note 4 with your hands, the previous owner could not untie your account.In this case, unlocking through Mi Account is impossible without his participation.

If you have forgotten your Xiaomi account password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com. Use the attached email or phone number. Once you have regained access, try unlocking the device again.

2. Recovery Mode reset (data loss)

If you can't unlock your account, the next step is hard reset through Recovery Mode, which will delete all the data on your device, including photos, contacts and apps, but will return access to your smartphone.

• 🔒 You do not remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 📵 The device does not connect to the Internet.
• 🔄 Previous methods have not worked.

Resetting instructions:

1. Turn off your smartphone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select "Wipe Data" (use volume buttons for navigation, power button for confirmation).
4. Confirm the reset by selecting "Wipe All Data".
5. After the process is complete, select Reboot to restart.

⚠️ Note: On some versions MIUI Redmi Note 4 may require you to enter a password from Mi Account even after you reset.This is due to the Mi Cloud Lock feature. If you don't remember your account details, go to the Fastboot method.

3. Unlock via Fastboot (for advanced users)

If resetting via Recovery doesn’t help because of the Mi Account binding, you can try unlocking the bootloader via Fastboot mode, USB-Xiaomi cable and installed drivers.It is suitable for users who are ready to work with the command line.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your computer.
2. Turn off your smartphone and put it in Fastboot mode: press the Power button + Volume down.
3. Connect the device to the PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined, execute the command to unlock the bootloader:

fastboot oem unlock

After that, go through a custom or official restoration (TWRP) to get around the lock.

On the Redmi Note 4 (codenamed mido), unlocking via Fastboot may not work if the "OEM Unlock" option has not been activated in the developer settings before, leaving only firmware via EDL or access to the service.

4. Firmware through EDL-regime (last resort)

EDL-Emergency Download Mode is a firmware emergency mode that allows you to restore the device even when you lock it completely (EDL-And this is a risky method, which is to make a mistake, and it can turn into a brick if you make a mistake".

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 📁 Redmi Note 4 firmware (the version should match your model!).
• 🔌 EDL-cable or ability to close test points on board.
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

The firmware process through EDL:

1. Transfer the smartphone to EDL-mode (usually by closing contacts or by special cable).
2. Connect the device to a PC – it should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, select the firmware and click "Flash".
4. Wait until the process is completed (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Deletes all data and may result in loss IMEI. If you're not sure about your skills, you should go to a service center. Don't use firmware from other models, it's guaranteed to kill the device.

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Before you run your firmware through EDL, check the version of your Redmi Note 4 (e.g., mido for the global version).

5. Alternative methods (without loss of data)

If you don't want to lose data, you can try to bypass the lock with special utilities or exploits, which do not work on all versions of MIUI and require some knowledge.

Methods for data retention:

• 🔓 ADB-commands: If the smartphone is enabled debugging USB, You can delete the lock files through ADB: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key or PIN-code: adb shell rm /data/system/password.key
• 📱 Unlock apps: There are utilities like Mi Account Unlock Tool, but they often require payment and do not guarantee the result.
• 🔧 Passage TWRP: If custom recovery is installed on the device, you can manually delete the lock files in the section /data/system/.

Importantly, most of these methods only work on older versions of MIUI (up to the 10th inclusive), and Xiaomi has closed these loopholes on new firmware, so the chances of success are low.

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The only reliable way to unlock without losing data is to remember your password or use official methods through Mi Account, all other options are risky and can lead to loss of information.

6. Contacting a service center: when nothing helps

If all of these methods have not worked, the last option is to contact the Xiaomi service center or specialists in smartphone repair.

• 🔒 The device is blocked by your Mi Account and you don’t remember the data.
• 🔧 Firmware through EDL ended up in error.
• 📵 The smartphone does not respond to buttons and does not turn on.

The cost of unlocking the service depends on the complexity of the work, on average, the price varies from 1000 to 3000 rubles.

• ✅ Guarantee of device safety.
• ✅ Recovery capability IMEI data (in some cases).
• ✅ Official unlocking without the risk of "bricking".

Before visiting the service, check if you have checks or documents for your smartphone - this can speed up the process. If the device is guaranteed, unlocking can be free.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi Note 4