How to reflash Xiaomi smartphone with a locked bootloader: the full guide 2026

Firmware on a Xiaomi smartphone with a locked bootloader is a challenge that scares many users. The manufacturer deliberately limits the ability to install custom firmware to protect the device from unauthorized changes and potential security threats. However, sometimes the need to reflash the phone arises for objective reasons, from the desire to get rid of advertising in MIUI to restore functionality after a failure.

The main problem is that Xiaomi blocks the bootloader on all devices by default, which means that standard firmware methods via fastboot or recovery won’t work without first unlocking. Moreover, since 2023, the company has tightened its policy: it now requires a Mi Account account to be linked to the device and waiting up to 720 hours (30 days) for new models to be unlocked.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to flash Xiaomi with a locked bootloader, from official methods to alternative solutions for power users, you will learn how to minimize the risks of “bricking” the device, what tools will be required, and what to do if something goes wrong.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and what it means for the user

A locked bootloader is not a manufacturer’s whim, but a security measure, and Xiaomi argues that it needs to protect against:

• 🛡️ Device theft – without unlocking, an attacker will not be able to erase data or reflash the phone after theft.
• 🔒 Viruses and malware – custom firmware may contain backdoors or spyware modules.
• 📉 Warranty losses – any unauthorized changes to the software automatically void warranty obligations.

However, for users, this creates a number of inconveniences:

• 🚫 It is not possible to establish custom recovery (for example, TWRP) unlockless.
• 🔄 Official updates via fastboot require authorization of Mi Account.
• ⚠️ Risk of turning the device into a brick when trying to circumvent restrictions.

Since 2021, Xiaomi has implemented an anti-rollback system, which means that if you upgrade your phone to MIUI 14 and then try to return to MIUI 12, the device can lock permanently, except for models until 2020 (such as the Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi 9T), where anti-rollback is missing or easily bypassed.

⚠️ Note: If your device was purchased in China (China version) ROM), Unlocking the bootloader may require additional actions, including confirmation via a Chinese phone number. ROM) This step is unnecessary.

Preparation for unlocking: what to do before the firmware

Before you start unlocking, make sure you follow all the preliminary steps, which will save time and reduce the risk of errors.

Link Mi Account to your device|Enable debugging on USB unlock OEM|Download the Mi Unlock Tool for the latest version|Create a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone at least 60%-->

Let’s look at each item in more detail:

1. Without this step, unlocking is impossible. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security and make sure your account is linked to your phone. If not, log in. New models (such as the Redmi Note 12 or Xiaomi 13) will require a wait of 720 hours (30 days) from the time of the peg.

Mi Unlock Tool

The official unlock utility is available on Xiaomi's website. Download only the latest version - old ones may not support new models. The utility only works on Windows (requires.NET Framework 4.5+).

For models older than 2020 (such as the Redmi Note 9 Pro or Mi 10) sometimes the wait-by-pass operation is triggered. EDL-However, this method requires an authorized Xiaomi account for service centers and is suitable only for advanced users.

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If you have a model with a Qualcomm processor (like the Poco X3 Pro), check for EDL support via the QFil utility. Mediatek (like the Redmi Note 11) will require an SP Flash Tool and an authorized auth.ini file.

Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

It is the safest method, but also the longest, and is suitable for most models released after 2019.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and run on behalf of the administrator.
2. Sign in to the utility under the same Mi Account as on your phone.
3. Turn off your smartphone and put it into fastboot mode, clamping Volume down + Power.
4. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable (preferably original).
5. In the utility, press Unlock and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: If the utility releases a "Couldn't unlock" error coded 86006 or 86012, it means that the account is not tied to the device or the waiting period has expired. Solution: re-link the account and try again in 24 hours.

Alternative methods: bypassing the lock without waiting

For users who don’t want to wait 30 days, there are informal ways to unlock, which are not suitable for all models and require technical skills.

Method 1: Use of vulnerabilities in MIUI (for older models)

Some versions of MIUI (e.g. MIUI 12.0.3 for Redmi Note 9S) contain vulnerabilities that allow you to bypass the bootloader lock.

1. Remove the firmware to the vulnerable version via fastboot.
2. Use an exploit (e.g., DirtyCOW) to obtain root rights.
3. Install TWRP and flash custom firmware.

⚠️ This method only works on models until 2021 and can result in hard-brick (irreparable damage).

Method 2: EDL-Authorized account mode

For Qualcomm devices (e.g. Poco) X3 NFC You can use the Mi 11 Lite. EDL-(emergency loading) will be required:

• 🔧 USB-to-USB cable (to enter the USB cable) EDL testpoint).
• 💻 QFil or Mi Flash Pro.
• 🔑 Authorized file auth.ini (can be obtained through service centers or paid services).

Process:

1. Put the phone in. EDL-(closing testpoints or using adb reboot edl).
2. In Mi Flash Pro, select the firmware.tgz for your model.
3. Run the firmware with the clean all and lock option (this will unlock the bootloader).

Method 3: Using Time Loopholes (2026)

In some regions (such as India or the EU), Xiaomi temporarily reduces the wait time for unlocking to 72 hours for individual models.

1. Change your Mi Account region to India or EU in your profile settings.
2. Link the device to your account and try to unlock again.

⚠️ Note: Changing your account region may result in blocking some features (such as Mi Cloud or Mi Pay.

Firmware through fastboot: step-by-step instructions

Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, you can start running firmware, and we'll look at two options: official firmware via the Mi Flash Tool and custom firmware via TWRP.

Option 1: Official firmware (stock ROM)

This method will restore the device to factory status or upgrade it to the latest version of MIUI.

Steps:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the official Xiaomi website. The file must have the extension.tgz (for fastboot) or.zip (for recovery).
2. Unpack the archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
3. Install the Mi Flash Tool and run on behalf of the administrator.
4. Turn your phone into fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
5. In the utility, select a folder with firmware and press Refresh - the device must be determined.
6. Select firmware mode: clean all - complete cleaning (recommended in case of failures). clean all and lock - firmware with bootloader lock (for sale of the device). save user data - saving user data (not always stable).

Flash

If the process is interrupted by an error "flash_write_failed", try:

• 🔌 Use the other USB-cable.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone.
• 📁 Download the firmware again (possibly the archive is damaged).

Option 2: Install custom firmware (TWRP + Custom ROM)

To install LineageOS, Pixel Experience or other custom firmware, you will need TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project).

Instructions:

1. Download. TWRP for your model from the official website twrp.me. the file must have the name of the view twrp-3.7.0_12-0-surya.img.
2. Transfer the phone to fastboot and connect to the PC.
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_12-0-surya.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_12-0-surya.img
4. In TWRP, make a backup of the persist section (important for models with Mediatek).
5. Flip the custom firmware (.zip file) through Install in TWRP.
6. Clear the cache (Wipe → Dalvik / ART Cache).
7. Reset the device.

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After installing custom firmware, support for some features (for example, Widevine L1 for Netflix in HD or Miracast) may disappear, due to the lack of proprietary drivers in informal builds.

What to do if the firmware went wrong: the restoration of the “brick”

Even if you follow all the instructions, you run the risk of getting a brick, a device that doesn't turn on or hangs on the Xiaomi logo.

Scenario 1: Phone doesn't turn on, only red lights on

It's a sign of soft-brick, a software failure.

1. Try going to fastboot (Loudness down). + If you can, run the official firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
2. If fastboot is not available, try logging in to EDL: For Qualcomm: lock testpoints on the board (seek instructions for a particular model). For Mediatek: use the button combination Volume up + Volume down + Power (hold 10-15 seconds).

Mi Flash Tool

clean all and lock

Scenario 2: The device hung on the MI logo

This is a common problem after a failed firmware through TWRP.

1. Load to TWRP (Loudness Up + Nutrition).
2. Run Wipe → Format Data (this will delete all data, but restore the functionality).
3. Refresh the firmware.

All of these methods are risky and can result in the device being blocked.