If your Xiaomi phone displays “This device is locked” and mentions an existing Mi Account, start with Xiaomi Account recovery. Resetting the handset again usually will not remove that account requirement. A Google verification screen or a forgotten PIN needs a different solution.
This guide explains how to identify the lock, recover account access, and choose the right next step. It also covers where 4uKey for Android can help with supported Google FRP cases, without confusing that feature with Xiaomi Account activation. Only follow unlocking procedures for a device you own or are authorized to manage.
Part 1. Why Does Xiaomi Say “This Device Is Locked”?
The message commonly means the phone remains associated with a Xiaomi Account. Xiaomi’s unlocking guidance explains that, after data is wiped, a previously linked account may still be required to activate the device. Erasing local files and removing account protection are different operations.
A forgotten account password can stop activation even when the phone itself works normally. An old recovery number makes matters harder because the owner cannot receive the verification code. On a second-hand phone, the linked account may belong to the seller rather than the buyer.
Before choosing an unlock tool, read the full prompt:
A Mi Account ID, Xiaomi Account reference, or activation request points to Xiaomi Account protection.
“Verify your account” with Google branding points to Google Factory Reset Protection, or FRP.
A PIN, pattern, or password prompt on the ordinary lock screen points to the local screen lock.
Take note of the account hints, but do not publish your IMEI, unlock code, or personal account details in a public forum. Those details may be needed privately by official support.
Part 2. How to Fix Xiaomi “This Device Is Locked”
Choose the route that matches the screen. Methods 1, 3, and 4 address Xiaomi Account access; Method 2 is specifically for a Google FRP prompt. Do not work through every option as though they remove the same lock.
Method 1. Reset the Linked Xiaomi Account Password
If you still receive messages at the recovery phone number or email, resetting the account password is the simplest place to start. Xiaomi’s account help describes this route for owners who have forgotten their credentials.
-
Open the official Xiaomi Account sign-in page in a browser and select Forgot password.
-
Enter the linked phone number or email and complete the offered verification.
-
Set a new password, connect the locked phone to the internet, and try activating it with that account.
Attention note:
Limitation: this only works when you can verify the linked account. Creating a different Xiaomi Account does not replace the one requested by the phone.
Method 2. Use 4uKey for Android for a Google FRP Lock
If the phone is asking for a previously synced Google Account instead, Xiaomi password recovery will not answer that prompt. Try Google account recovery first. For a supported device that remains Google-locked, a desktop tool is another option to assess.
Tenorshare 4uKey for Android provides a dedicated Google FRP workflow for supported Xiaomi and Redmi phones. Its official Xiaomi guide lists MIUI 10–14; do not assume that this also confirms newer HyperOS support.
- A separate Google-lock mode helps distinguish FRP from a forgotten screen password.
- The desktop interface guides device selection and the supported removal workflow.
- Windows and Mac guides are available, with model-specific instructions.
-
Install the official software, connect your authorized device, and select Remove Google Lock (FRP). Confirm the Xiaomi/Redmi brand.
-
Review the supported removal option and all warnings. Continue only if your model and software match the guide.
-
Follow the current on-screen instructions and wait for the result. After success, complete setup with an account you control.
Attention note:
Limitation: this is not verified Xiaomi Account activation-lock removal. Confirm compatibility and data consequences before proceeding; it cannot recover files erased by an earlier reset.
Method 3. Recover an Unavailable Phone Number or Email
If the old number is disconnected or the recovery mailbox is inaccessible, use Xiaomi’s recovery-info process. It is an account-verification request, not an instant unlock.
-
From the account recovery flow, choose the option to reset or restore recovery information.
-
Provide the requested account history and a reachable recovery contact.
-
After approval, reset the password and retry activation.
Attention note:
Limitation: Xiaomi reviews the information. An application for someone else’s account is not a substitute for the previous owner resolving a second-hand phone’s lock.
Method 4. Request an Official Device Unlock Review
When normal recovery cannot establish access, Xiaomi documents an unlock-application route through Xiaomi Cloud. Availability depends on the purchase region. For a used phone, contact the seller first; a return may be more appropriate if they cannot provide an activatable device.
-
Open Xiaomi Cloud and look for the official unlock-application option.
-
Provide the device identifier and purchase region requested by the form, plus supporting ownership information.
-
Follow the review result. If the route is unavailable or unsuccessful, contact Xiaomi’s regional support or an authorized service center.
Attention note:
Limitation: submitting a request does not guarantee approval. Do not pay an unknown seller who promises an unconditional “permanent Mi Account unlock.”
FAQs About Xiaomi “This Device Is Locked”
1. Will a Factory Reset Remove the Xiaomi Account Lock?
Not reliably. Xiaomi may still require the previously linked account after the reset. Repeating a wipe can destroy local data without resolving activation. Use account recovery or an official ownership review instead.
2. Can I Unlock a Second-Hand Xiaomi Phone?
Possibly, but involve the seller when their account is requested. They should resolve the linkage without sharing their password. If they cannot, discuss a return and ask Xiaomi which ownership documents are needed.
3. Is Mi Account Lock the Same as Google FRP?
No. One requests a Xiaomi Account; the other checks a previously synced Google Account. A tool advertising Google FRP removal should not automatically be described as a Mi Account unlocker.
4. Can I Keep My Data When Recovering the Account?
Account recovery is different from wiping the handset, so avoid unnecessary resets. However, recovering credentials cannot bring back data already erased. Check existing cloud or local backups once legitimate access is restored.
5. Does Xiaomi’s Bootloader Unlock Tool Fix This Message?
It should not be treated as an account-recovery method. Bootloader unlocking serves a different purpose. Follow Xiaomi Account recovery for an activation request rather than flashing the phone based on an unrelated tutorial.
Conclusion
For Xiaomi “This device is locked”, identify the requested account before changing anything. Use Xiaomi recovery or ownership review for Mi Account activation. If the actual obstacle is supported Google FRP, consider 4uKey for Android after checking compatibility. Matching the solution to the lock avoids another reset that leaves you at the same screen.
