How to Unlock Xiaomi for Firmware

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the desire to gain full control of their device. Unlocking the bootloader is the first and most important step to install custom recavators, gain superuser rights or reflash to a global version of the system, a process that is not complex, but requires care and compliance with the time frame set by the manufacturer.

Many users are frightened by technical terms and complexities associated with the ADB-Xiaomi has made the procedure as simple as possible by providing the official Mi Unlock utility. You do not need to search for third-party exploits or use paid services if you are willing to wait a certain time. In this article, we will discuss in detail each stage of preparation and implementation of unlocking to eliminate the risk of turning the smartphone into a “brick".

It is worth noting that unlocking the Bootloader results in the complete removal of all data from the device, a security measure that cannot be avoided without losing files. So make sure to back up photos, contacts and documents in the cloud or on your computer before you start any manipulations.

Why you need to unlock the loader

Bootloader is a special program code that runs in front of the operating system and checks the integrity of the software. In the standard state, it is blocked by the manufacturer, which prevents the installation of unofficial firmware and modifications. Unlocking opens access to hidden functions of the device, allowing you to change the system files and the kernel.

The main reason why users are taking this step is the ability to install Global ROM on Chinese versions of smartphones. Chinese firmware often lacks Google services, has pre-installed Chinese software and does not support some of the communication frequencies used in Europe and the CIS.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, some security features will stop working, in particular, bank apps may refuse to launch, and Google Pay (or Wallet) may not work without additional manipulations to mask root rights.

And there's also the loss of warranty in some regions, and while software unlocking doesn't leave any physical traces, service centers can refuse free repairs if they find signs of software tampering, and you take responsibility for the device's performance.

Preparation of a smartphone and Mi Account

Before you go into technical actions, you need to set up your Mi Account correctly. This is the account through which the device is associated with the user. SIM-card with active mobile internet, as verification often goes through a mobile network rather than Wi-Fi.

Go to your phone's settings and find "About Phone" and click on MIUI (or HyperOS) several times in a row until "You're a developer" appears, and then a new "Developers" section will appear in the "Advanced Settings" or "Additional" menu, and that's where the key switches are.

In the developer menu, you need to activate two settings: OEM unlocking and USB debugging. When you turn on the first item, the system will require you to enter your Mi Account password and agree to the risk warning, and the device's association status will be displayed here.

It is important to understand that the account must have been created at least 7 days ago (sometimes it takes 30 days for new devices). If you have just signed up, the system may not give permission to be linked.

Installation of drivers and utilities Mi Unlock

To interact with a smartphone at the bootloader level, the computer needs special drivers, the easiest way to install them is with the official Mi Unlock Tool. You should only download the utility from the official website miui.com/unlock to avoid viruses or non-working versions of the software.

Once you download the archive, unpack it into a separate folder on your desktop. Run the miunlock.exe executable on behalf of the administrator. When you first start, the program will require authorization through your Mi Account. Use the same data that you entered in your smartphone.

If the drivers are not installed automatically, you can do this manually through Device Manager. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clambing the volume button when the device is turned off). In the Device Manager in the "Android Devices" or "Other Devices" section, Android Bootloader Interface with a yellow icon can appear. Right click, select "Update Driver" and specify the path to the folder with Mi Unlock installed.

The process of linking the device to the account

The most important step is binding. Without it, the Xiaomi server will not give a command to unlock. From the Developer menu, select "Mi Unlock Status." The system will warn about the risks again and ask for a password. After successfully entering, the message "Added successfully" will appear with the associated account.

This is when the standby timer starts. For most devices, it is 168 hours (7 days), for some models or regions, the time can be extended to 30 days. The time meter is on the server side of Xiaomi, so resetting or reassignment will not speed up the process.

You can use your phone as normal while you're waiting, and the key is to stay on the Mi Account and not reset to factory settings, otherwise the tether will fly off and the timer will have to be restarted, and make sure that the phone is at least intermittently connected to the Internet so that the server can update status.

If status has not changed after 7 days, try logging out of the Mi Unlock Status menu and logging in again. Sometimes this updates the anchor cache. Also check if you are using a modified version of MIUI that can block the unlock function.

Performing the unlocking of the loader

When the wait period has expired, you can start the final stage. Put your smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device completely, then press the volume button and connect the USB cable to the computer.

Run the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer and log in to your account. The utility will automatically check the status of the device. If all conditions are met, the Unlock button will appear. Click on it and confirm the action in the pop-up window. The unlock process will begin, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Process running...




Checking unlock status...




Unlocking...




Success: Device unlocked!

Once successfully completed, the phone will automatically restart. The first boot may last longer than usual (5-10 minutes), as the system will reassemble the cache and check the integrity of the partitions. The download screen may display a warning "Unlocked" or an image of an open lock - this is normal.

⚠️ Attention: During the unlocking process, all data on the internal drive will be permanently deleted. If you do not backup, photos and messages will not be restored by any means.

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Successful unlocking is confirmed by the appearance of the inscription "Unlocked" when downloading and the absence of a request for a Mi Account password during the turn-on process.

Possible mistakes and ways to solve them

One of the common mistakes is, "Couldn't verify device" or "Current account is different from the account info on the phone." Which means that the program has different accounts on the PC and the phone, or the binding has not yet been activated on the server. Check the login details and wait a little longer.

The “Unlock failed: Try again later” error often occurs if you try to unlock your device too often or right after the timer runs out, in which case it’s better to wait a day. Also, the problem may lie in unstable Internet or server locking by the provider – try using mobile Internet on a PC or VPN.

If the program is stuck at 50% or 99%, don't panic or turn off the cable. Often the process is just slow. If the freeze lasts more than 20 minutes, you can try to interrupt the process by holding the power button for 15 seconds and try again. Make sure that the antivirus or firewall does not block the connection of the utility to the server.

• 🔌 Cable problem: Use only original or quality cable that supports data transfer, not just charging.
• 🖥️ Port port USB: Connect the phone directly to the motherboard (back of the PC), avoiding front port housing and USB-hub.
• 🌐 Network: Mi Unlock requires a stable connection, sometimes changing helps DNS at 8.8.8.8.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Once unlocked, it is recommended to install a custom recap (such as TWRP) immediately, even if you do not plan to stitch anything, this will allow you to make a full backup of the system (NANDroid) at any time and quickly recover in the event of a failure.