The Bootloader unlocking procedure is one of the most important steps for enthusiasts who want to gain full control of their device. Xiaomi has implemented a strict security policy that requires mandatory confirmation of user rights through the company's official server. Without this procedure, installing custom recavators, obtaining superuser rights or flashing the device on global versions of the software becomes impossible.
Many users are struggling at the application stage, as the Mi Unlock Tool interface is not always intuitive and account requirements may change. In this article, we will detail how to properly prepare a smartphone, link it to an account and send a final request to the server for permission. Since 2026, verification algorithms have tightened, and simply linking an account to the developer menu no longer guarantees instant unlocking.
You need to be clear about the difference between locking a device and unlocking it directly. These are two different technical processes separated by a waiting time interval. Sequence disruption can cause a timer to reset or a function to be locked for a longer period. Let's look at the prerequisites and the initial steps.
Preparing a Mi Account and checking the status of the device
The first step is to create or use an existing Mi Account. It is important that this account is the primary one on the device and used solely for unlock purposes on that particular smartphone. Xiaomi’s security system monitors account activity, and using “fresh” accounts registered five minutes before the procedure often results in a denial of permission.
To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and click 7-10 times in a row on the field of the MIUI Version (or HyperOS Version). Once the notification "You became a developer" will open a new menu in the main settings of the system.
⚠️ Note: Account binding to the device is valid only for 7 days (168 hours) If you do not unlock during this period, the binding procedure will have to be repeated and the countdown will start again.
Next comes the critical step of tying the status of the device. → Advanced settings → For developers, find Mi Unlock Status. Click on it and select Add Account and Device. Make sure the device is connected to the mobile Internet (Wi-Fi may not work for this operation) and SIM-card.
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Use the mobile network 4G/5G to link an account, as Xiaomi servers often block requests coming from the user IP-addresses of home providers or corporate networks.
Installation of drivers and preparation of PC
To interact with a smartphone in boot mode, the computer needs the appropriate drivers. Windows standard tools often cannot correctly identify the device in Fastboot mode. It is recommended to download the official version of the Mi Unlock program from miui.com/unlock, which will automatically install the necessary components on the first run.
Use of the original USB-cable and port connection USB 2.0 on the motherboard (back of the system unit) significantly increases connection stability. Cheap charging cables may not transmit data at the desired speed or cause communication interruptions at a critical time of transfer of encryption keys.
- 📱 Make sure that the charge of the smartphone is at least 60% before starting any operations with the bootloader.
- 💻 Disable the antivirus and firewall while you are working with the Mi Unlock Tool so that they do not block the program’s network traffic.
- 🔌 Check that in the Windows Device Manager when connecting a smartphone in Fastboot mode, the Android Bootloader Interface device is displayed without exclamation points.
If the computer can't see the phone, try replacing the cable or port. Sometimes it helps to remove all Android-related devices in the Device Manager and reconnect. ADB and Fastboot must work correctly for successful command transfer.
The process of submitting a request through the Mi Unlock Tool
Once the hardware and software are ready, you can go to the direct request, run Mi Unlock on your computer and log in to the same Mi Account that was linked to your smartphone, which is a prerequisite: your PC and phone accounts must match.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Turn the device off completely, then press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until you see an image of a hare repairing an android, or the FASTBOOT label. Connect the phone with a cable to your PC.
☑️ Checking before unlocking
In the program, press Unlock. The system will check the status of the device on the server. If all the conditions are met, you will see a message that the device is associated with this account. However, this is not unlocked. This is only confirmation that the request has been received in the processing queue.
⚠️ Note: If the program says “Couldn’t verify device” or “Account is not bound”, then the link in the phone menu was not successful or you were logged into another account on the PC.
At this point, the program may suggest unlocking the device immediately (if the wait period has expired) or inform you that you need to wait. By pressing the unlock button, you send a final digital request to the Xiaomi server to remove the restrictions.
Waiting times and unblocking statuses
The company’s policy is to wait a period to prevent devices being stolen and then flashed back, with a standard waiting period of 168 hours (7 days) from the first time an account is linked to a developer menu, but when new versions of HyperOS are released or suspicious activity occurs, the waiting period can be extended to 30 days.
There are several statuses that the program can display:
- ⏳ Waiting for 168 hours: request accepted, countdown.
- ✅ Unlocked successfully: bootloader unlocked, device ready for modifications.
- ❌ Unable to unlock: server rejects request, often requires waiting or changing account region.
It's important to understand that the timer is ticking continuously. You can reboot your phone or your computer, but you don't have to unplug your account in the developer settings. If you do, the timer will reset. In rare cases, with special permission from the community, the waiting time can be shortened, but for ordinary users, the 7-day rule is ironclad.
Compatibility and Requirements Table for Different MIUI Versions
Unlocking requirements may vary depending on the operating system version and the regional location of the device, and a comparative description of the conditions for different firmware versions is provided below.
| POS version | Standby time | SIM requirement | Device limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12/13 (Global) | 7 days (168 hours) | I'll be sure. | 1 device for 30 days |
| MIUI 14 (CN/Global) | 7-15 days | I'll be sure. | 1 device per account |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Up to 30 days. | Definitely + Level Checking in the Community | Strictly 1 device per year |
| HyperOS 2.0+ | Individually | Identity verification is required | Limited by region |
As you can see from the table, with the release of HyperOS, Xiaomi has made it much more difficult, and now often requires not only an account, but also a certain level of activity in the local Mi Community, which makes the unlocking process for new users more time-consuming.
Why are waiting times increased?
Possible errors and methods of their elimination
When querying, users often encounter error codes, one of the most common is 10013 or the message that "Current account is different from the account info on the device," which means desynchronizing data between the server and the local cache.
To solve the problem, try logging out of your Mi Account on your phone (in the Mi Cloud settings), rebooting your device, logging in again and re-assigning status to the developer menu, and cleaning up the Security and Settings app data through the app menu also helps.
⚠️ Warning: When unlocking the bootloader, all data from the device (Wipe Data) is completely deleted. Be sure to back up photos, contacts and documents before starting the procedure.
Another common problem is network error, and the unlock servers can be overloaded. IP-address (use mobile internet instead of Wi-Fi) or try to submit a request at other times of the day when the load on Xiaomi servers is minimal (usually early morning Beijing time).
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Successful unlocking of the bootloader will void the software warranty and may affect the operation of some of the banking applications and services of Google Pay (Mir Pay) that require certification of the device.