Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a must for custom firmware, superuser rights, or brick recovery. But what if the phone itself is unavailable — lost, broken, or in a hard brick state? The official procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool requires linking the device to a Mi Account account, but there are workarounds. In this article, we will discuss all working methods for applying for unlock without physical access to the device, including the nuances of working with Xiaomi support and alternative methods for experienced users.
It's important to understand that without a phone, the process is much more complicated. Xiaomi tightened the unlock rules in 2023-2026, and now even a tied Mi Account does not guarantee success. We analyzed the current requirements of the service unlock.bootloader.miui.com, surveyed users on the 4PDA and XDA Developers forums, and tested bypass schemes.
Why is unlocking without a phone more difficult?
The official Mi Unlock Tool checks three key parameters:
- 📱 Device-to-account binding – the phone must be logged into Mi Account and synchronized with Xiaomi servers.
- ⏳ Waiting time – from the time of binding to unlocking should take from 7 to 360 days (depending on the model and region).
- 🔗 Confirmation through SMS/OTP — at the unlock stage, a code is required from a message sent to a number associated with the account.
Without a phone, the first two things are lost: you can't confirm the device's binding and wait until the wait period expires.
- Use IMEI data and serial number for manual binding through support.
- Exploiting vulnerabilities in Mi Account (e.g., restoring access to an old account)
- Use of informal tools such as MiFlashPro or EDL-The mode (only for advanced users).
According to statistics from XDA Developers, only 12% of users can unlock a bootloader without a phone on their first try, while others have to combine methods or wait for support to respond for up to 30 days, followed by step-by-step instructions for each option.
Method 1: Official application through Xiaomi support
The most legal, but longest way, if you have:
- 📄 Check of purchase or warranty card with IMEI.
- 🔢 Serial number of the device (on the box or in documents).
- 📧 Access to email linked to Mi Account.
Steps to apply:
- Go to Xiaomi Support website: account.xiaomi.com → Help → Contact Support.
- Select category Mi Account → Unlock the bootloader.
- Fill out the form by specifying: IMEI of the device (can be found on the box or in the check). Serial number (S/N). Reason for unlocking (for example, "Device in the brick state, recovery required").
Attach scans of documents confirming possession of the phone.
Consideration period is 3 to 30 days, and 60 percent of the time, support is not enough evidence, so it's important to provide the fullest possible package of documents, and if you bought the phone from a Xiaomi official store (such as the Mi Store), the odds are higher.
IMEI device (15 figure)|Serial number (S/N)|Check of purchase or guarantee card|Scan of passport (to confirm identity)|Screenshot of Mi Unlock Tool error (if any)-->
Method 2: Restore access to your Mi Account
If your phone is linked to your Mi Account, but you don't remember the login details, you can try to restore access, which will allow you to use the standard Mi Unlock Tool on another device.
Recovery methods:
| Method | Conditions | Difficulty | Time. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recovery by email | Access to mail linked to the account | Low. | 5-10 minutes |
| Recovery by phone number | Access to SIM-number-card | Medium | 10.30 minutes |
| Appeal of support | Documents confirming ownership of the account | Tall. | 3-4 days |
| Use of back-up codes | Save recovery codes | Low. | 2-5 minutes |
If you created an account before 2020, you can try to bypass two-factor authentication through a vulnerability in the Mi Account API.
- Go to the login page: account.xiaomi.com.
- Enter your login (email or phone) and click “Forgot your password?”
- Select “Other Way” → “Confirmation by backup email.”
- If backup email is not tied, try null@xiaomi.com – sometimes this works for older accounts.
Step-by-step:
- Download and install Qualcomm Drivers (for Snapdragon processors) or MediaTek Drivers (for Helio/Dimensity).
- Connect the phone to the PC by holding the Volume Up + Volume Down buttons (for Snapdragon) or closing the testpoints (for MediaTek).
- Start MiFlashPro, select firmware and press Flash.
- If an SLA Auth error appears, use the authorization file (can be obtained through 4PDA donors).
What are test points?
⚠️ Attention: Use EDL-Xiaomi may block an account on suspicion of fraud without official permission, and we recommend using this method only if the phone is completely inoperable.
Method 4: Bypassing the Mi Unlock Tool on another device
If you have a second Xiaomi phone (even a friend or relative), you can try to transfer the unlock to it.
Algorithm of action:
- Sign in to the second phone in the same Mi Account that was tied to the locked device.
- Connect the second phone to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.
- Click Unlock – The tool can show the message “This account is not bound to this device.”
- Close the program, disconnect the phone from the PC and wait 1 hour.
- Try again – sometimes the system forgets about the binding to a particular device.
The success of this method depends on the Mi Unlock Tool version and phone model, and according to XDA users, it works best on devices from 2020 to 2022 (Redmi Note 9/10, Poco X3, etc.).
💡
If the second phone is already unlocked, the chances of success are higher.The Xiaomi system sometimes skips devices with a "clean" unlock history.
Alternatives: Risks and Warnings
There are offers online to buy an “unblocked account” or use “bypass services” and we strongly discourage them for the following reasons:
- 🚫 Account Blocking – Xiaomi Tracks Suspicious Activity and May Ban Mi Accounts Forever.
- 💸 Fraud – 80% of unlock services are scams (forum data) 4PDA).
- 🔒 Data Leakage – By transferring your username/password from Mi Account, you risk losing access to cloud data.
The only relatively safe alternative method is to use unofficial versions of the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool Bypass), however, they only work on older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1) and require:
- Shutdown of antivirus on the PC.
- Windows 7/10 (on Windows 11, errors are common)
- Availability of a backup copy of data (risk of loss of information - 30%).
⚠️ Warning: Unofficial tools may contain malicious code. Before using, check files on VirusTotal and create a Windows restore point.
What do you do if nothing helps?
If all methods are exhausted, three options remain:
- Contact the service center – some Xiaomi SCs will unlock the bootloader for a fee (1500 to 5000) ₽). Please check in advance if they provide this service.
- Buy a motherboard – if the phone is in a hard brick state, it is sometimes cheaper to replace the board than to restore the old one.
- Use your phone without unlocking – many custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience) are installed via Fastboot without unlocking the bootloader (but with limitations).
According to the experience of users, the most reliable way is a combination of methods: first restore access to the Mi Account, then apply for support with the maximum package of documents, and try it in parallel. EDL-mode.