How to Get a Release Permit to Unlock Xiaomi Redmi bootloader: The Complete Guide to 2026

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a must for custom firmware installation, root rights or device recovery after software failures. However, Xiaomi has a strict control over this process: it is impossible to unlock the bootloader without official permission. In 2026, the rules received updates, and the approval deadlines have changed, now they depend on the device model and the user region.

This article will help you understand how to legally obtain permission to unlock, avoid typical errors (for example, Couldn't verify device or Account not bound), and what to do if the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to work. 12/13, Redmi 10/11, POCO X5 Other models and alternative ways for devices with a blocked Mi Account.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and why unlock it

Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader on all its devices for two key reasons: the security of user data and protection from unauthorized access.

• 🔓 Installation of pirated firmware or modified versions MIUI.
• 🛡️ Theft of personal data in case of loss of the device (without unlocking the attacker will not be able to reset Mi Account).
• 🔧 Uncontrolled changes in system partitions that can lead to a “brick” (complete device failure).

However, unlocking is necessary for:

• 📱 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS).
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🔄 Restore the device after a failed update or failure MIUI.
• 🚀 Performance optimization (e.g., disabling unnecessary system applications).

It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and deletes all data, including files in internal memory. MIUI (Find Device or Mi Cloud Sync may not work properly.

Xiaomi Requirements to Unlock bootloader in 2026

Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules for unlocking, and now 5 prerequisites must be met to obtain permission:

1. Linking your Mi Account to your device (at least 72 hours before your request)
2. Active Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) during binding and unlocking.

If at least one of the conditions is not met, Mi Unlock Tool will give an error, for example, if you try to unlock the device before 72 hours after the account is linked, a message will appear:

Couldn't verify device.


Please add your account in MIUI and wait for 72 hours.

For new models (Redmi Note 13 Pro)+, POCO F5) The waiting period can be extended to 168 hours (7 days) due to increased fraud protection.

💡

If you are buying a used Xiaomi Redmi, make sure that the previous owner untie his Mi Account from the device. Otherwise, unlocking will be impossible without his participation.

Step-by-step: how to link Mi Account to your device

The first and most important step is to link your Mi Account to your phone, and without that, the Mi Unlock Tool won't even begin the unlocking process.

Turn on Wi-Fi or mobile internet

Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account

Sign in (if there is no account, register)

Confirm your email and phone in your profile

Enable data synchronization-->

1. Open the Settings. → About the phone and 7 times click on "Version" MIUI", to activate the Developer Mode.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include: 🔧 Debugging by USB 🔓 Unlocking OEM (point!)

Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-cable (importantly, cheap cables may not transmit data).

Download and install the Mi Unlock Tool (official version of 2026) on PC.

Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same Mi Account you have on your phone, and wait for the Added successfully message. XX hours.

If you see a Couldn’t verify device error instead of a successful binding, check:

• 🔌 Is the phone connected to the Internet during tethering (Wi-Fi must be turned on!).
• 📱 Mi Accounts on your phone and Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔄 Reboot your phone and PC, then try again.

Download and setup Mi Unlock Tool 2026

Mi Unlock Tool is the official utility from Xiaomi, but even with it users face problems.

• 🖥️ Outdated version of the program (for example, 2022 does not support new models).
• 🔌 Lack of drivers ADB/Fastboot PC-only.
• 🚫 Blocking antivirus (for example, Windows Defender can remove Mi Unlock Tool as "suspicious software").

To avoid errors, follow this algorithm:

1. Download the latest version of Mi Unlock Tool from the official website: https://new.mi.com/global/miui-unlock/.
2. Install the drivers. ADB: For Windows: Download Android SDK Platform-Tools. Linux/macOS: Install Android-tools-adb via the terminal.

Disable the antivirus while working with the Mi Unlock Tool (or add the utility to the exceptions).

Run the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator (right click → Run on behalf of the administrator).

If you see Mi Unlock Tool not responding after running the utility, try:

• 🔄 Reinstall the program to another folder (for example, C:\MiUnlock).
• 🖥️ Run on another PC (sometimes the problem is in conflict with others) USB-device).
• 📡 Connect to another internet connection (e.g., from a mobile phone via a mobile phone) USB-tetering).

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Use only the original Xiaomi cable to connect to your PC. Cheap cables often don't support fastboot mode, leading to the fastboot: error: Failed to boot into fastbootd error.

Unlocking process: from waiting to successful unlock

Once you have the Mi Account and set up the Mi Unlock Tool, you have to wait until the waiting period expires, and in 2026, the algorithm is:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in fastboot mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume down. + Power before the appearance of the Fastboot logo.

In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock (if the waiting period has expired, the button will be active).

Confirm the unlock on the phone (if necessary).

Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).

Successful unlocking is confirmed by the message:

Unlocked successfully

After that, the phone will automatically reset to factory settings. All data will be deleted!

⚠️ Note: If the error occurs during the unlock process Current account is different from the account info on the device, it means that another Mi Account is tied to the phone. Solution: perform a reset via fastboot with official firmware and link your account again.

To check the status of the loader enter in the terminal:

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: true, the unlock is successful.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow all the instructions, users encounter errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the solutions worked, try:

• 🔧 Use another version of the Mi Unlock Tool (e.g., modified from the XDA).
• 📡 Connect to the PC via another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0).
• 📱 Switch the device to the official MIUI Repeat the process with the Mi Flash Tool.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro)+, POCO F4 GT) After unlocking, it may disappear. IMEI or stop working the module NFC. It's a firmware thing. Solution: flash the device with the help of QCN-File (requires skills to work with the QPST).

Alternative ways to unlock (if the official one does not work)

If the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to unlock the device, there are alternative methods, but they are informal and can lead to the loss of warranty or "brick" of the device. Use them at your own risk!

Method 1: Use of the EDL-regime

• 🔧 Suitable for Qualcomm processors (Redmi Note) 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4).
• 📥 Requires firehose files and Mi Flash Pro.
• ⚠️ Risk: If you do the wrong thing, your phone can turn into a brick".

Method 2: Exploitation through ADB

• 🖥️ It works on some models with MIUI 12–14.
• 🔓 Requires root rights or vulnerabilities in firmware.
• 📌 Example: Adb shell setprop sys.unlock 1 (not working on new devices!).

Method 3: Contacting a Service Center

• 🏢 Some Xiaomi service centers will unlock the bootloader for a fee (from 1000 to 3000 rubles).
• 📄 You will need a check to purchase the device.
• ⏳ Implementation time: 1-3 days.

What to do after unlocking the loader

After successfully unlocking, you gain full control of the device, but at the same time lose some functions. MIUI. Here's what you need to do first:

1. Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP Or OrangeFox. That's what it takes: 📦 Make backups of the system. 🔧 Install modified firmware. 🗑️ Recover data after resetting.

You can use Magisk to get root rights, and that gives you access to:

• 🎮 Modules for optimizing games (Game Turbo).
• 🔋 Core tuning CPU battery-saving.
• 🚫 Blocking advertising in MIUI.
• Turn off forced encryption (if you plan to use it) TWRP): fastboot format userdata

Important: After unlocking, turn off:

• 🔒 Find Device (finding your phone when you lose it).
• 📱 Mi Cloud Sync (Contact Synchronization and Notes).
• 💳 Contactless payments via Mi Pay (due to security certificate changes).

⚠️ Note: On devices with unlocked bootloader, Xiaomi may refuse warranty repairs, even if the breakdown is not related to the software. MIUI and lock the bootloader back (fastboot oem lock command).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi