Frustrated, Alex searched forums. Some called it the "gatekeeper error." Here’s what he learned.
Error 1004 is Xiaomi’s security mechanism preventing an unauthorized MI account from unlocking a device. Unlike simple password errors, 1004 means: “This phone is locked to a different Mi account, and you haven’t proven ownership.” mi unlock tool 1004 error
He opened Settings > Mi Account on the phone. The top showed an unfamiliar email—the previous owner’s. That confirmed it: the phone was still bound to someone else. Frustrated, Alex searched forums
Alex reset the phone, logged in with his MI account, and waited 72 hours (a required cooling period for his model). This time, when he ran MI Unlock Tool, no 1004 error appeared. The progress bar moved—slowly, surely. logged in with his MI account