Xiaomi smartphone is blocked by Mi Account: what to do and how to unlock the device

You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, but instead of a regular screen, you saw a message saying, "Device locked by Mi Account"? This means that the phone is tied to a Mi Account, and without entering a username / password or confirmation of ownership, access to the system is impossible, this lock works after resetting settings, firmware or when buying a used device, if the previous owner did not untidy the account.

Complicating matters further, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy: from 2021, unlocking through official channels requires confirmation of purchase (check, warranty card) or contacting a service center. However, there are legal and semi-legal ways to circumvent the lock, from restoring access to an account to using engineering methods. In this article, we will examine all the current methods in 2026, including those that work without loss of data and without the risk of “bricking” the device.

Why Xiaomi is blocked by Mi Account: the main reasons

The Mi Account lock is not a failure, but a regular function of protection against theft, activated for one of the reasons:

• 🔄 Resetting settings through Settings → Reset or combination of buttons (Power) + Even if you are the owner, the system requires re-authorization.
• 📦 Purchase of a used device with a previous owner's account tied, and the seller had to untie the account through Settings → Mi Account → Exit.
• 🔧 Unofficial firmware or rollback to the old version MIUI. The system may suspect a hack and block access.
• 🚨 Activate Find Device** via i.mi.com, in which case the lock will work even when the phone is turned off.

It is important to understand: blocking Mi Account is different from blocking a bootloader or FRP-This is specifically about linking to a Xiaomi account, and standard methods of bypassing (for example, through the use of a mobile phone). ADB Fastboot or Fastboot often doesn't work.

Official ways to unlock: what Xiaomi offers

Xiaomi provides two legal ways to remove the lock, but both require proof of ownership:

1. Through i.mi.com: Go to account.xiaomi.com, select Find your device and log in to your account. If your phone is connected to the Internet, you can unlock it remotely. But! This only works if you remember the login/password from your linked account.
2. Contacting the Service Center: This will require: 📄 Check or warranty card with serial number of the device (IMEI). 🆔 Passport of the owner (if purchased in the official store). 📱 The device itself is unlocked (if possible).

Xiaomi service centers in Russia and the CIS often refuse to unlock without documents, especially if the device is bought with hands.

⚠️ Warning: Officially unlocking through a service center can take up to 30 days.In 2026, Xiaomi tightened checks due to a rise in thefts, so without proof of purchase, the chances of success are minimal.

💡

If you are buying used Xiaomi, be sure to check whether Mi Account is untied through the Settings → Mi Account menu. If the seller refuses to show - this is a reason to doubt the integrity of the transaction.

Informal Unlocking Methods: Risks and Opportunities

If the official methods don't work, there are alternative methods, and they fall into three categories:

The most reliable of these informal methods is EDL (Emergency Download Mode) unlocking.

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows and Qualcomm drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📂 Firmware for your model (for example, for Redmi Note) 10 Pro — sweet_global_images...).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool or QFil.

The process involves putting the phone into EDL mode (usually by circuiting the contacts on the board or a special cable), firmware clean MIUI image and resetting the Mi Account. Importantly, on new models (such as the Xiaomi 13T or Redmi Note 12), this method may not work due to hardware protection.

Step-by-step: unlock through EDL (for advanced)

This method is suitable for models on Qualcomm processors (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro, Poco X3, Mi 10T).

Step 1: Transfer to EDL mode

• Turn off the phone.
• Hold Volume Up + Volume Down and connect to the PC. If the device is not defined as QHSUSB_BULK, need:

Step 2: Firmware via Mi Flash Tool

1. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
2. Select the downloaded firmware (file with the extension.tgz).
3. Press Refresh – the program must detect the device in COM-port mode.
4. Select the Clean All option and click Flash.

Step 3. First setup

When you run the firmware, the phone will start as new. At the setup stage, skip the Mi Account binding (select Skip or Skip if you request it). If the lock is left, then the firmware was not suitable for your model or you need an additional reset via fastboot erase userdata.

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL On models with a locked bootloader (Bootloader) can lead to hard-brick (total loss of performance). Before firmware check the status of the bootloader command fastboot oem device-info - if the answer Device unlocked: false, the risk of bricks is high.

Alternative methods: MIUI vulnerabilities and firmware-free bypass

If EDL is unavailable or too risky, you can try to bypass the lock through MIUI vulnerabilities, which do not work on all versions and require accurate follow-up.

Method 1: Emergency call bypass (for MIUI 10-12)

1. On the lock screen, press Emergency Call.
2. Enter the code ##4636## and the test menu will open.
3. Go to Usage statistics → Settings (cog icon).
4. Turn it on. USB-Debugging and connecting the phone to the PC.
5. Through ADB The commands are: adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings adb shell settings put global hidden_api_policy 1
6. Return to settings and reset Mi Account through Accounts → Mi Account → Delete account.

Method 2: Recovery Reset (for some models)

On some devices (e.g. Redmi 5/6/7), you can reset your Mi Account via stock Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. After restarting, the lock may disappear (it does not always work).

These methods do not guarantee 100% results, since Xiaomi regularly closes vulnerabilities, for example, in MIUI 14, the emergency call bypass no longer works.

What to do if nothing helps: extreme measures

If all the methods are tried and the blockage remains, radical solutions remain:

• 🔧 Replacement of the motherboard: service centers can replace the fee with a new one (without reference to the Mi Account), but it is expensive (from 5,000 to 15,000). ₽) not always appropriate.
• 📱 Buying an unlock code. On forums (e.g, 4PDA or XDA) They sell codes to unblock, but the risk of getting caught is high. The average price is 1,000 to 3,000. ₽.
• 🔄 Selling the device for parts, and if you can't unlock it, you can sell it as a display donor, as a battery donor, as a camera donor.

Before you go to extreme measures, check:

• Do you have any backup codes from Mi Account (they come to the mail at registration).
• Is the phone linked to a Google account (sometimes FRP resets help).
• Has the firmware been updated to the latest version (sometimes rollback on the old MIUI removes the lock).

💡

If you buy an unlock code, only use verified reviews services.Crackers often sell fake codes or require a prepayment without warranties.

How to Avoid Banning Mi Accounts in the Future

To avoid the problem again, follow the simple rules:

• 🔑 Always untie your Mi Account before selling through Settings → Mi Account → Exit.
• 📝 Keep your account information (login, password, backup email) in a safe place (for example, in KeePass or in the Internet). 1Password).
• 📱 Do not reset your settings through Recovery unless you are sure about the account unbundling.
• 🛡️ Turn off Find Device** in Mi Cloud settings if you don’t use the feature.

If you are a frequent user, register a Xiaomi developer account at new.dev.mi.com, which will make it easier to unlock the bootloader and reduce the risk of being blocked after updates.

FAQ: Frequent questions about blocking Mi Account