How to go Bootloader on Xiaomi: the complete guide

Many Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphone owners will eventually have to get extended access rights to the system, which may be required to install custom firmware, remove system debris, or even save the device after a failed upgrade. A key step in this process is entering a special mode, often called Bootloader or Fastboot. It is through this interface that low-level interaction with the phone hardware and the computer occurs.

The login procedure doesn’t require root rights or complex hardware, but it’s critical to understanding how your system works. Errors at this point can cause the device to go into a brick state or require complex authorization through the manufacturer’s servers, so it’s important to carefully study the theoretical part before doing any practical actions.

In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you log in to the bootloader, unlock methods, and typical problems you may encounter. We will look at both standard methods for working smartphones, and emergency options for devices that have stopped responding to commands. Get ready to work with command prompt and drivers.

What is Bootloader and Why You Need to Unblock

A bootloader is a small program that runs on a device before the Android operating system, and its main task is to initialize the hardware and run the main software. Xiaomi devices have a Locked Bootloader installed by default, which checks the digital signature of the system. If the signature does not match the original one (for example, you are trying to install a custom TWRP recap), the bootloader blocks the launch.

Unlocking gives the user full control of the device, allows you to install modified firmware, make full backups of the system, remove applications that are not removed by standard methods, and even improve the performance of the processor. However, it is worth remembering that this action removes part of the warranty obligations from the device and increases security risks if the user is inexperienced.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi results in the complete removal of all data from the device (Wipe Data). be sure to back up important files, photos and contacts before starting any manipulations.

There are two main bootloader states: Fastboot and Recovery. Fastboot mode (often called Bootloader mode in the context of Xiaomi) allows you to flash partitions directly from your computer. Recovery mode is designed to reset settings or update "over the air." For deep modification, we need the first option.

📊 What is your goal of unlocking the bootloader?
Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
Obtaining Root Rights (Magisk)
Removing Advertising and Systemic Garbage
Just for the experiment.
I just want to know the theory.

Preparation of the smartphone and computer for the procedure

Before you try to enter Fastboot mode, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps is the most common cause of failure. First of all, make sure that your Xiaomi or Redmi battery is charged at least 60%, the process of firmware or unlocking is energy intensive, and suddenly turning off the device at a critical moment can damage the partition of the bootloader.

The second critical thing is drivers, the computer needs to recognize the phone correctly in bootloader mode, and for that, the PC needs to have ADB and Fastboot drivers installed, and universal Android drivers, without which the command line will not see the connected device, and all commands will be rotated.

☑️ Checklist of preparations for unlocking

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You also need a stable Internet connection. The official Mi Unlock Tool, which is used to unlock, must contact Xiaomi servers to verify the status of your account. If the servers are unavailable or the connection is interrupted, the process will not be completed successfully. Also, make sure you use original or quality USB-A cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device.

How to enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi

There are several proven methods of switching to bootloader mode, and the specific method depends on the state of your smartphone: it is turned on, off or in a cyclic reboot state, and the most common and reliable method is the use of hardware buttons.

To enter through the buttons, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Down and the power button. Hold them until an image of a hare repairing an android appears on the screen or an orange FASTBOOT label. On some models, such as the POCO F3 or Redmi Note 10, the reaction can be instantaneous, on others it will require retention for 5-10 seconds.

If the smartphone screen is broken or the sensor is not responsive, you can use the software method through ADB. To do this, connect the on phone with USB debugging enabled to the computer. Open the command line in the folder with ADB tools and type in the command:

adb reboot bootloader

This method is often used by service center specialists, since it does not require manipulation of physical buttons. However, if the Android system does not boot (for example, after a failed firmware), this method will not work, and you will have to resort to hardware method or EDL mode.

What to do if the buttons don’t work?
If the volume button stops or does not work, you can try using the program input through the ADB. If the phone is turned off and ADB not available, only the option with disassembly of the device and closing test points (experience is required) or using the mode remains EDL The process of unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock Official unlocking is possible only with the help of the Mi Unlock Tool utility, you can download it from the official Xiaomi website» -> «The phone» -> «Version. MIUI» (You need to press the assembly number 7 times) -> «Mi Unlock status is under the same account as the PC utility, after linking the account (sometimes you need to wait 7 to 168 hours, depending on the region and version). MIUI) You can start. Run Mi Unlock on your computer, log in to your account. Put your phone into Fastboot mode (as described above) and connect it with a cable. The utility should identify the device. User Action Status Indicator 1. Connect Connect to USB Green cable (Success) 2. Check Unlock Yellow (Check) 3. Wait for timer (if there is) Red (Error/Timer) 4. Unlock Re-Tap" Green (100% Success) If everything goes well, you will see the message "Unlocked successfully." The phone will automatically reboot and start the process of cleaning data (Wipe) 3. Wait for the device to be ready for a few minutes, and the device will be ready to unchecked for you to install. One of the most common errors is that Couldn't verify device or Current account is different from the account info on the device, which means that the account entered in the program on the PC is different from the one that is tied in the phone settings, the solution is one: double-check logins and log in again. Another common problem is driver error: In Windows Device Manager, the phone can appear as "Unknown Device" or «QUSB_BULK». In this case, you need to manually update the driver, selecting it from the list of standard or installing the Qualcomm package. HS-USB QDLoader 9008 regime EDL, if the phone is "bricked». ⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the process of unlocking or firmware by removing the cable. 99%, Wait for a timeout or force the device to restart only if it no longer reacts 10 minute. Users are also often confronted with a message that says “Unable to unlock (error code: 10008)” which usually indicates a network connection problem or an antivirus blocking. Try disabling the firewall, using mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi, or running a program on behalf of the administrator. 💡The main conclusion: 90% of the errors when unlocking Xiaomi are due to the wrong link of the Mi Account or the lack of necessary drivers in the Windows system (FAQ) Does the warranty reset after unlocking the bootloader? Xiaomi officially warns that unlocking the bootloader can lead to a loss of warranty. BL, If the failure is not related to the software, before contacting the service, it is often recommended to lock the bootloader back down before contacting the service. Can I unlock the bootloader without being tied to the Mi Account? Official methods are not. Account binding and waiting for a deadline (from 7 to 30 days) are mandatory. There are paid third-party services that can unlock the device remotely for, but they exploit vulnerabilities and charge for it, and also carry security risks. EDL And how it's different from Fastboot? EDL (Emergency Download Mode is a deepest level recovery mode for Qualcomm processors, which allows you to flash your phone even when the bootloader is completely damaged. EDL Often you need to disassemble the phone and close the special contacts (test points) on the board? Once you unlock and install a customized recavator (TWRP) or get Root rights, the applications of banks and Google Pay (Wallet) will stop working due to a violation of system integrity. However, this problem can be solved by correctly configuring Magisk Hide and hiding the fact of unlocking from the security check system. How to return everything back (lock the bootloader)? To return to the original state, you need to download the official global firmware for your model, unpack it and select the option “Clean all and lock” from the Mi Flash Tool utility. This will completely clean the phone and reboot.