How to activate the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones: the official way and bypass locks

The bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a software component that controls the launch of the operating system. It is blocked by the manufacturer by default, which limits the ability of users: you can not install custom software, get root rights or flash alternative firmware. Unlocking the bootloader opens up access to advanced functions, but requires caution - wrong actions can turn the device into a "brick".

In this article, you will find the current instructions for 2026, which is suitable for most models Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO (From Mi 5 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra, we will break down the official method through the Mi Unlock Tool, alternative ways for older devices, and also tell you how to avoid typical errors (for example, Couldn't unlock or Account not bound). MIUI, Install LineageOS or just want more control over your gadget – this guide is for you.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and why unlock it

The manufacturer blocks the bootloader for three key reasons:

🔒 Security: Protection against the installation of malware or unofficial firmware that may contain backdoors.
📱 Stability: Preventing failures due to incompatible modifications (e.g. custom cores).
📉 Controlling the ecosystem: Xiaomi aims to keep users in its ecosystem (MIUI, HyperOS, limiting the installation of third-party OS.

However, unlocking the bootloader gives users a number of advantages:

🔄 Possibility of installing custom firmware (Pixel Experience, LineageOS, ArrowOS).
🛠️ Getting root rights to deep-set up the system (for example, removing embedded applications).
🔧 Installation of modified Recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox) for backup and recovery.
📡 Optimizing performance through the core (FrancoKernel, Kiriskernel).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings - all data (photos, contacts, messages) will be deleted. Be sure to back up through Settings → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.

It is important to understand that once unlocked, the device warranty may be cancelled (depending on the region and service center policy), however, in most cases, the bootloader can be re-locked, returning the device to its original state.

📊 Why you are unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi?

Installation of custom firmware

Getting root rights

Bloat removal

Nuclear experiments

Other

Preparation of the device: what to do before unlocking

Before starting the process, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed. Skipping at least one item can lead to errors such as Couldn't verify device or Current account is different from the account info on the device.

Linking your Mi Account to your device

Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking

Install Mi Unlock Tool on PC

Download the official drivers Xiaomi

Create a backup copy of the data

Charge your phone at least 60%

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Let’s look at each item in more detail:

1. Linking the Mi Account to the device

This is the most critical step. Without a tied Mi Account, you can't unlock it.

Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account and log in (if not authorized).
In the same menu, find Mi Cloud and enable synchronization.
Return to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click on it 7 times to activate the developer mode.
Now go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable:

⚠️ Note: On some devices (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) Option Unlocking OEM It can be hidden. To activate it, first bind it. SIM-card to your Mi Account (insert the card, wait 24 hours and reboot the phone).

2. Installation of Mi Unlock Tool and drivers

The official unlock utility, Mi Unlock Tool, is only available for Windows, download it from Xiaomi's official website (version must be at least 5.5.224.30 for new devices).

🖥️ Drivers. ADB: Download Platform Tools from Google.
🔌 Xiaomi Drivers: Install Mi PC Suite or download them manually from Xiaomi’s website.

After installing the drivers, connect the phone to the PC in File Transfer mode and check the device recognition command:

adb devices

If you see the serial number of the phone in response, the drivers are installed correctly.

The official way to unlock through Mi Unlock Tool

This is the most reliable method approved by Xiaomi, but it requires waiting (usually 72-168 hours after an account is attached) and following the instructions strictly.

Step 1: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool

1. Unlock the file with the Mi Unlock Tool and open the file. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.

2. log in to the utility under the same Mi Account that is linked to the phone.

3. Connect the phone in Fastboot mode (to do this, turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power before the Fastboot logo appears).

Step 2: Checking the Unblocking Status

Once you've connected, the utility should identify your device. If the serial number is Unknown, check:

🔌 Correct installation of drivers (try reinstalling them through Device Manager).
📱 Connection mode (should be Fastboot, not Recovery).
🔄 Restart the utility and phone.

If the device is recognized, click Unlock, the system will check if enough time has passed since the account was attached, if not, a message will appear:

Couldn’t unlock. Bind account and device in Mi Cloud first (waiting time: 168 hours)

What to do if the waiting time is not reduced?

If the timer is stuck on one value (e.g. 72 hours don’t decrease after 24 hours of waiting), try: 1. Untie Mi Account from the device in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete account. 2. Reboot your phone and re-link your account. 3. Wait another 24 hours and try again in Mi Unlock Tool. Sometimes changing the region of the account to China helps (but this can block access to global services).

Step 3: Unlock and Reboot

After successful verification, press Unlock anyway (if a data reset warning appears). The process will take 10–30 seconds. Upon completion, the phone will automatically reboot to Fastboot with the bootloader unlocked.

Check the unblock status of the team:

fastboot oem device-info

The answer should be Device unlocked: true.

💡

If the phone doesn't turn on after unlocking or hangs on the MI logo, don't panic - that's OK. reset via fastboot erase userdata, then reboot the device with the command fastboot reboot.

Alternative ways to unlock (for older devices)

If the official method doesn’t work (e.g., on devices older than 2018 or with a damaged Mi Account), workarounds can be tried, which are risky and can lead to account locking or phone bricking.

Method 1: Use of the EDL-The system (for qualified users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a service mode that allows you to flash a device directly through a Qualcomm chip.

🔧 Authorized Xiaomi Account for EDL (You can buy it on forums like this. XDA or 4PDA).
💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
📄 Firmware in.mbn format for your model.

Algorithm:

Transfer the phone to EDL-Mode (close the Test Point contacts on the board or use the adb reboot edl command if debugging is enabled).
Connect the device to a PC – Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in Device Manager.
Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL Without an authorized account, it can lead to hard-brick (irreparable damage), a method recommended only for devices that are no longer turned on.

Method 2: Unlocking via Fastboot (for devices up to 2017)

On older models (Mi 5, Redmi Note 3, Mi Max) sometimes the command is triggered:

fastboot oem unlock-go

However, on new devices, it is blocked and will return the FAILED error (remote: oem unlock is not allowed).

If the command is triggered, the bootloader will be unlocked without waiting, but the warranty is voided and the Mi Account may be blocked for "unauthorized actions."

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter errors, and here is a table of the most common problems and how to fix them.

Mistake.	Reason.	Decision
Couldn’t unlock. Bind account and device in Mi Cloud first	Mi Account is not tied to the device or has not been 72 hours.	Wait for the specified time, check sync in Mi Cloud.
Current account is different from the account info on the device	Mi Unlock Tool uses a different account than your phone.	To log out of the account in the utility, log in again with the same login as on the phone.
Mi Unlock Tool stuck at 50% or 99%	Driver problems or antivirus will block the process.	Disable the antivirus, reinstall drivers, try another USB-port.
Device is locked. Relocking is not allowed	Attempt to re-block the bootloader after unlocking.	On new devices, you can't re-block. On old ones, you can use fastboot oem lock.
Invalid token	Xiaomi server does not issue an unlock token.	Try it through. VPN (region of China, change IP-address.

If your error is not listed in the table, check the Mi Unlock Tool log (file) unlock_log.txt in the folder with the utility) and look for a solution in the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA.

💡

If the Mi Unlock Tool is 0x80070005, try running it in Windows 8 compatibility mode and on behalf of the administrator, and disabling Driver Signature Enforcement on Windows will also help (via Run → bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on).

What to do after unlocking the loader

Now your device is ready to install custom software. Here's what you can do next:

1. Installation of custom recaveri (TWRP)

The most popular backup and firmware tool is TWRP. To install it:

Download the TWRP image for your model from the official website.
Transfer your phone to Fastboot and execute the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-xiaomi.img

(Replace the file name with the current one).

2. Getting root rights through Magisk

To obtain root:

Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub.
Download your phone to TWRP and search Magisk.zip.
Reset the device.

Check for root commands in the terminal:

su

If you receive an input invitation (#), the rights are obtained successfully.

3. Custom OS firmware

Popular firmware for Xiaomi:

📱 Pixel Experience – pure Android with Google Pixel features.
🔄 LineageOS is a stable and lightweight alternative MIUI.
🎯 ArrowOS – Balance between productivity and customization.

Firmware instructions:

Download firmware and GApps (if you need Google services).
Download to TWRP and make a full backup (Backup section).
Sweep through the firmware, then GApps and Magisk (if root is needed).
Run Wipe → Format Data (required!).

💡

After firmware custom OS may disappear IMEI or stop working NFC module. To avoid this, before firmware save the modem and nvram partitions via TWRP.

How to re-block the bootloader (if necessary)

If you decide to return the device to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repair), the bootloader can be blocked back. However, on devices newer than 2019, this is not always possible - Xiaomi has limited this feature.

Instructions for supported models:

Install the official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All and Lock mode).
Or use the command in Fastboot:

fastboot oem lock

After that, the device will return to factory settings with a locked bootloader.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi) K70) Re-blocking the bootloader can cause data loss in the userdata section, even if you haven't done the reset.Always backup before manipulation!

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader

❓ How long does it take to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool?

The standard waiting time is 72–168 hours (3–7 days) from when a Mi Account is linked to a device, and on some devices (e.g. POCO F5), the wait can be reduced to 24 hours if the account is older than 30 days.

❓ Can I unlock the bootloader without waiting?

On new devices (2020 and later) - no. On older models (Mi 8, Redmi Note 5) sometimes the command fastboot oem unlock-go is triggered, but it is risky (can block the account).

❓ What to do if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?

Check if the Xiaomi driver is installed and ADB. The phone is connected to Fastboot (not Recovery) if the antivirus is disabled (it can block the utility). USB-cable (preferably original).

❓ Unlocking the bootloader deletes the data?

Yes, all data will be erased (including files on internal memory) and it is recommended to backup on a PC or Mi Cloud before the procedure.

❓ Can I unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi with a damaged screen?

Technically, yes, but it's complicated. It'll take: Connect your phone to your PC and control it via adb. OTG-- a cable and a mouse for navigation (if the sensor is working) - at the very least, flash the device through the EDL (riskyly).