When a Xiaomi smartphone suddenly stops loading and starts to restart indefinitely, it often catches the user off guard: the screen goes out, the Mi or Redmi logo appears, and then the cycle repeats again and again. If you try to get into the recovery menu at this point, you can see a frightening message that the bootloader is locked. This state means that the system partitions are damaged and standard recovery methods through the power button do not work.
In most cases, this problem occurs after a failed system update, malfunction in the installation of applications or damage to the file system.The phone can not read critical files of the Android kernel and goes into protective mode of endless restart.The user is in front of a closed door: standard methods do not help, and access to the file system is limited by the security policies of MIUI.
But it's too early to panic. Even with a Locked Bootloader, you can bring the device back to life using tools from the manufacturer. You'll need a Windows computer, the original Windows bootloader. USB-It's important to understand that the process will require the complete deletion of all data, because the integrity of the system is compromised.
Diagnostics of status and loading modes
Before you start taking action, you need to accurately determine the current state of the gadget. Xiaomi has several bootloader modes, each of which requires a different approach. If the phone is just hanging on the logo, that's one thing, but if it cyclically reboots, it indicates a deeper problem with the boot or system partition.
The first thing you need to do is try to enter Fastboot mode. To do this, turn the device off completely (if it turns on, press the power button for 10 seconds). Then, holding the volume button, plug in the USB cable coming from the computer. The screen should show a bunny in an orange hat fixing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT. This is the key mode for firmware.
If the device doesn't respond to buttons or the screen is black, the battery may be drained or the power controller damaged. In rare cases, the phone may immediately go into Recovery mode, where it says "This version can only be updated by Updater app." This means that the bootloader is locked and does not allow you to install custom or global firmware on top of Chinese.
⚠️ Note: If you connect to a computer in Fastboot mode, the device is defined as “Unknown Device” or not at all, the problem may be in the drivers or the driver itself. USB-Do not try to disassemble the phone until you have ruled out a cable malfunction.
For successful firmware, it is critical that your computer sees the device in Fastboot mode. Check Windows Device Manager: Xiaomi Devices or Android Phone should show up in the section. If there is an exclamation point on there, the drivers are installed incorrectly, and the procedure is meaningless.
Tools required and driver preparation
The process of recovering an impossible start requires careful preparation of software on a PC. The main utility for working with locked bootloaders is the Mi Flash Tool. It is an official tool that allows you to pour firmware images directly into the memory of the device, ignoring the state of the operating system.
You need to download the firmware itself. For devices with a locked bootloader, only Fastboot firmware is suitable. It has a.tgz extension, unlike Recovery firmware, which has a.zip extension. You can find it on official resources or trusted portals, choosing a version specifically for Fastboot that corresponds to your region (Global, EEA, Russia).
You also need to install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 drivers (if the phone goes into EDL mode) and standard Android ADB Interface. Often, the Mi Flash Tool offers to install them automatically, but it is more reliable to do it manually in advance. Without the right drivers, the computer will not be able to send commands at a low level.
☑️ Firmware preparation
It is important to unpack the firmware archive into the root of the disk, for example, into a folder. C:\rom. The path to the files should not contain Cyrillic or special characters, otherwise the firmware utility will give an error when trying to read the script, mi_rom.
Search and install Fastboot firmware
Choosing the right software version is 90 percent of the success. If you flood firmware from another model or region, the phone can turn into a brick with a locked bootloader that will be even harder to resuscitate. Always check the code name of the device.
A code name (e.g. cepheus, raphael, vayu) can be found by looking at a phone box or finding a model in settings (if available) or in Fastboot mode (it is often written in small print on the screen or defined in Device Manager).
| Type of firmware | File extension | Does it require BL unlocking? | Saving data? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery | .zip | No (but there may be regional restrictions) | Yes (on update) |
| Fastboot | .tgz /.tar | No (for drain return) | No (full reset) |
| EDL (Authorized) | .xml /.mbn | Authorization account required | No. |
When downloading, pay attention to the Android version and MIUI/HyperOS. It is not recommended to "downgrade" (roll back to an older version) without unlocking the bootloader, since anti-rollback protection can permanently lock the device.
Where is it safe to download the firmware?
The process of firmware through the Mi Flash Tool
Once all the files are ready, you can start the process. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator. Press the Refresh button, the list of devices should be updated. If the phone is connected in Fastboot mode, you will see its serial number. If the field is empty, check the cable and drivers.
Then press the "Select" button and specify the path to the unpacked folder with the firmware. The utility will check the integrity of the files. At the bottom of the window, it is important to choose the correct firmware mode. To solve the problem with cyclic reboots and a locked bootloader, choose the clean all option. This will completely clear the memory and install a clean system.
The firmware modes in Mi Flash:
Clean all: Complete cleaning and firmware (Recommended)
- save user data: Attempt to save data (not recommended in case of failure)
Clean all and lock: Cleaning, firmware and locking the bootloaderOnce you select the mode, press Flash. The process will take 200 to 600 seconds. During this time, the phone may reboot several times, the screen may go out and turn on. Under no circumstances, turn off the cable or interrupt the process until the progress bar is green and the word "success" appears.
⚠️ Note: If you select the "clean all and lock" option when you are firmwareing the global version on a Chinese device (or vice versa), the phone may lock at the bootloader level with the "Locked Device" error. Use this option only if the firmware region and devices match.
When it's finished, the phone will automatically restart. The first run can last up to 10-15 minutes. Don't worry if the logo hangs for a long time, the system configuration goes on.
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If the Mi Flash Tool is running a "Missmatching image and device" error, you downloaded the firmware for the wrong model, stop the process immediately and recheck the code name of the device.
EDL mode: if Fastboot doesn't help
In some severe cases, the phone doesn't enter Fastboot mode or the firmware doesn't go through it, leaving the last software method, EDL (Emergency Download Mode), also known as 9008 mode, in which the device allows you to write data directly into memory without the bootloader.
EDL entry on modern Xiaomi often requires disassembling the case and closing special contacts on the board (Test Points) when connecting the cable. However, on some models with Qualcomm processors, you can enter this mode programmatically, via the ADB command: adb reboot edl, if the ADB drivers are installed and the phone responds at all.
The main difficulty of the EDL mode is that since 2016 Xiaomi has implemented the protection of Authorized MiAccount, which means that the standard Mi Flash Tool will not be able to flash the phone in this mode without an account with authorization from the service center, ordinary users face an authorization error.
However, knowing that this mode exists is useful. If the phone doesn’t turn on at all (black screen, but there is vibration), it is likely already in EDL. In Device Manager, it will appear as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008. In this mode, ordinary users often have to contact service centers or use paid remote firmware services.
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EDL mode is the last chance to revive the phone, but on modern Xiaomi models it requires an authorized service engineer account to record firmware.
Frequent errors and methods of their elimination
In the process of firmware, users often encounter typical problems, one of the most common is the "Flash All Except Data Storage" error or simply a failure on a certain percentage. USB-cable USB 3.0 that doesn’t work well with old drivers.
Try using the port. USB 2.0 (black, not blue) on the back of the system unit. USB-The cable should be short and original, and the antivirus or Windows firewall can block the Mi Flash Tool, so it is better to turn them off during the procedure.
If the phone is rebuked after firmware, the memory hardware may have been damaged or the power button stuck in a closed state. Check the buttons for mechanical damage. It's also worth trying to flash an older but stable version of MIUI if the new one is causing conflicts.
- 🛑 Mistake. 0xefff: Usually means driver or port issues. Try another PC.
- 🔄 Endless logo after firmware: Perhaps firmware is incompatible with region (CN vs Global).
- 🔒 Password request after reset: This is Mi Account protection. You need to know the login and password that were before reset.
It's important to understand that software is not all-powerful, because if a phone falls into the water before the problem starts or is hit hard, the firmware may not help, and in such cases, you need to diagnose the hardware in the service center.
What to do if you forget your Mi Account?
Failure prevention and data retention
To avoid a repeat of the situation with the locked bootloader and rebukes, you should follow simple rules of operation: do not interrupt the process of updating the system. If the battery is discharged, first put the phone on charge, even if it is turned off, and only then start the upgrade.
Regularly back up important data to the Mi Cloud or your computer. With a locked bootloader, it is almost impossible to restore data after a crash, since disk encryption is tied to keys that are erased when you flash.
Avoid installing modified system applications and themes from unverified sources. They can conflict with Android system processes, causing those very cyclical reboots. Use only the official GetApps store or Google Play.