Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco devices often face the need to obtain extended access rights to the system after it is blocked, this may be necessary to install a custom recover, obtain root rights, or reflash the device to the global version of the software. If you have already undergone the procedure, but now the system requires you to go through it again, then the account association has been reset or temporary rights have expired.
The process of re-activating the Fastboot mode and then unlocking it has its own nuances, different from the initial setup. SIM-Mi Account with a standby timer, and ignoring these rules will result in an error during the server verification phase.
In this guide, we will take a look at everything from preparing your smartphone to typing special commands into your console, how to get around common Mi Unlock bugs and what to do if you want to wait 168 hours anew. The right sequence of steps is critical to maintaining your warranty and performance.
Analysis of the causes of blocking and preparation of the environment
Before we take action, we need to understand why the system has closed access again, most often after a full Hard Reset or official flashing through Recovery, at which point the phone returns to the factory state, where the bootloader is locked again by default, and the reason may be the exit of the Mi Account account on the device itself, which breaks the digital connection with the authorization server.
To successfully carry out the procedure, you will need a stable Internet connection and a serviceable one. USB-It is advisable to use the original wire, which comes with the kit, or a high-quality analog with data support. Cheap "charging only" cables will not be able to ensure stable exchange of data packets between the PC and the smartphone, which will cause malfunctions in the Mi Unlock Tool.
It is important to make sure that the computer has the current ADB and Fastboot drivers installed. Without them, Windows will not be able to correctly identify the connected device in bootloader mode. Lack of drivers is one of the most common reasons why the utility simply does not see the phone, even if it is in the right mode.
⚠️ Warning: Before you start any manipulations, be sure to back up your critical data. The process of unlocking the bootloader will completely destroy all information in the device's internal memory, including photos, contacts and applications.
Setting up developer parameters and linking the account
The first step is to activate the hidden settings menu. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and find the MIUI Version (or HyperOS) bar. You need to quickly click on this line 7-10 times in a row until a pop-up notice shows that you have become a developer, and then a new option will appear in the menu “Additional” or “Extended settings”.
Inside the developer menu, we're interested in the Mi Unlock Status section, and that's where the basic anchoring magic happens. SIM-card (preferably the same one used before, although it is not always strictly necessary for a repeat procedure, but recommended), connect to Wi-Fi and click "Add account and device" button.
If the link is successful, you will see a message, but often there is a situation when the system says that “the device could not be added”, in which case it helps to clean the data of the application Security or change the network type (switching from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet). 4G/5G). Sometimes you have to wait. 24 One hour after a failed attempt before trying again.
☑️ Checklist before unlocking
The Mi Unlock Tool is a tool for you.
The official unlock tool is only available for Windows. Once you download and install the archive from the official website, start the program on behalf of the administrator. Log in to the same Mi Account that was tied to the smartphone in the previous step. Account matching is a prerequisite, without which the process will not move.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. To do this, you need to pinch the device turned off with the combination of the Volume down + Power keys and hold it until the image of the hare appears in the eardress cap. Connect the phone to your computer and press the Unlock button in the utility. The program will begin checking the status of the device and account rights.
If you re-unlock the device and it's been less than 7 days (168 hours) since the last unlock, the system may need to wait the rest of the time. This is a security mechanism that prevents frequent flashing. However, if more than a week has passed, the unlock must go away instantly, in the process the phone will reboot and all data will be deleted.
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Use it. USB-port 2.0 The motherboard is on the back of the system unit. USB 3.0/3.1 Sometimes cause driver conflicts when working with low-level loader modes.
Solving timer and server errors
The most common problem is waiting. If you're sure that 7 days have passed and the timer is counting down, the server may not have updated the status, and then waiting another 24 hours helps, and trying to "download" the timer by changing the date on the phone or reinstalling the application doesn't work because the time is fixed on the server side of Xiaomi.
Another common error is “Couldn’t verify device” or “Current account is different from the account info on the device.” This means desynchronizing accounts. Make sure that the Settings menu → Advanced Settings → For developers → Mi Unlock State displays exactly the login you signed in to on your PC. If there is another account, you need to log out and log in to the correct one.
Sometimes the utility freezes by 99% or gives a network error, in this case, it is worth trying to use a proxy server or change the DNS on your computer (for example, 8.8.8.8). It also helps to run the program in Windows 7 or 8 compatibility mode. It is important not to interrupt the process, if the progress bar has stalled, it is better to wait 10-15 minutes.
| Type of error | Probable cause | Method of decision |
|---|---|---|
| Account is different | Disparity of accounts on PC and on the phone | Log out and re-enter Mi Unlock on both devices |
| Wait 168 hours | The waiting period has not expired after the last unlock | Wait for the end of the timer (7 days) |
| Couldn't connect | Problems with drivers or USB-port | Install drivers, change port/cable, use USB 2.0 |
| Error 10006 | Network problems or server lockdown | Change DNS, use mobile Internet via phone |
Using ADB and Fastboot commands for advanced
For users who prefer the console interface or have encountered graphical shell bugs, there are direct commands that allow you to check the status of the bootloader and force you to send a request to unlock.
Once you connect your phone in Fastboot mode, open the command line in the tool folder. The first command of fastboot devices must output the serial number of the device. If the list is empty, the drivers are not installed. Next, you can check the current status with the fastboot oem device-info command, which will show whether the bootloader is locked (Device unlocked: false).
The unlock command itself looks like a fastboot oem unlock or fastboot flashing unlock (for new Android 10+ devices).However, in the case of Xiaomi, this command often returns the answer that the feature is blocked and redirects the user to the Mi Unlock Tool.
fastboot oem device-info
fastboot flashing unlockSecret team to reset timer
Features of unlocking on HyperOS and new versions of MIUI
With the release of HyperOS, the company's policy has become even more stringent, and now it requires not just an account to be eligible to unlock, but also an active community in the Community app at a certain level, to combat the resellers and the grey market for over-shopped devices.
Users now often have to apply through the app and wait for approval. The number of available unlock slots is limited and allocated on certain days of the month. If you upgrade to HyperOS, the "just inserted SIM and unlocked" procedure may not work without going through additional verification in the community app.
It is also worth noting that when unlocked, some security features such as Google Pay (now Google Wallet) or banking apps may stop working on new versions of the software without the use of additional root rights concealment modules (Magisk/KernelSU), which is a direct consequence of the violation of the integrity of the bootloader.
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Newer versions of HyperOS require a high level of community application, making the process more difficult than older versions of MIUI.
Impact of Unblocking and Security Measures
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will appear in the top left corner with the word "Unlocked" on it, which is a normal phenomenon, indicating that the bootloader's protection is removed, but it also means that any malware can theoretically access the deep layers of the system if the user lets it in.
Find Device becomes critical, because when the bootloader is locked, the attacker can't scour the phone and get around the lock. When it's unlocked, it's possible, so never turn off the device search function and keep the Mi Account password safe.
The manufacturer's warranty obligations can be waived in the event of software malfunctions caused by custom firmware. If the phone stops turning on ("bursts") after your experiments, the service center has the right to refuse free repairs. Always weigh the risks before installing untested software.