How to check and unlock Xiaomi bootloader: official and unofficial methods

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a must for custom firmware installation, root rights or device recovery after software failures. However, since 2023, the company has tightened the rules: now the procedure requires you to bind your Mi Account account, wait 168 hours (7 days) and comply with strict security conditions. In this article, we will discuss how to check the status of the bootloader, prepare for unlocking and perform it without the risk of locking the device.

It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader will void the Xiaomi warranty and can lead to data loss. After the procedure, the smartphone automatically performs hard reset, so save important files in advance. Also note that for models Redmi Note 12, Xiaomi 13 and later there are additional restrictions – they can only be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock Tool version 7.0+.

If you’ve never unlocked, start by checking your current status, which will help you avoid mistakes and see if you need to go through the procedure at all, and then we’ll look at all the steps from preparation to final unlock, including bypassing common bugs like Couldn’t unlock or Account not bound.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and what it gives the user

A bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system and controls the Android boot process. Xiaomi, like other manufacturers, blocks it by default to:

• 🔒 Virus protection – blocked bootloader prevents malware installation at system level.
• 📱 Preserve warranty – unlocking is considered an interference with firmware and cancels official support.
• 🔄 Update control – users will not be able to roll back to the old version MIUI, If it contains critical vulnerabilities.

However, the unlocked loader opens up wide possibilities:

• 🛠️ Install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, Havoc-OS).
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🔄 Brick recovery via Fastboot or EDL.
• 📱 Removing pre-installed applications (bloatware) and optimizing performance.

Since 2026, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: it now requires a device-based Mi Account and 168 hours of waiting (previously 72 hours) to unlock, and this is done to combat theft – a thief will not be able to quickly drop the phone and sell it. However, circumventing this restriction is possible through informal methods (discussed below), but they carry the risk of blocking the account.

How to check the status of the bootloader on Xiaomi: 3 working methods

Before unlocking, you need to make sure that the bootloader is indeed locked. There are three reliable ways to check:

Method 1: Fastboot Mode (most accurate)

This method works on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including the new Xiaomi 14 and Redmi Note 13:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears (Android robot with an open belly).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command line (cmd) and enter:

fastboot oem device-info

In the answer, find the line Device unlocked: false, which means that the bootloader is locked. If true, it is already unlocked.

Method 2: Through Developer Settings

This method does not require a connection to a PC, but does not work on all firmware:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version and tap 7 times on the build number.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find the OEM Unlocking option, and if it's active, the bootloader is unlocked.

Method 3: Using the Mi Unlock Status app

For older models (Redmi Note 9, Mi 9 and earlier) you can use the official application:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Install and run the utility on the PC.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
4. Press Check – the program will show the lock status.

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If you see a waiting for device error when checking through fastboot, install Mi USB Driver drivers and check USB 2.0 connection (some new PCs require a USB-A port).

Preparing for Unlocking: What to Do in advance

Unlocking Xiaomi bootloader in 2026 requires careful preparation, and if you skip one step, you will get an error like Couldn't unlock or Account not bound.

1. Linking the Mi Account

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account and log in.
• 🔗 Make sure your account is linked to your phone: in Settings → Additionally. → Special opportunities → For developers, the Mi Unlock Status item must be active.
• ⚠️ Important: The account must have been created at least 30 days ago, otherwise unlocking will not be available.

Including debugging by USB and OEM-unlock

• 🔧 Activate Developer Mode (Tap 7 times on Version) MIUI).
• 🔓 Turn on Debugging. USB and Unlock. OEM developer-side.
• 📱 Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your debugging permission.

Wait 168 hours (7 days)

Since 2023, Xiaomi has increased the wait time from 72 hours to 168 hours, which means that once you have an account tied and OEM Unlock enabled, you will have to wait exactly 7 days before unlocking becomes possible.

4. Preparation of PCs and tools

• 💻 Install Android SDK Platform-Tools (includes fastboot and adb).
• 🔌 Download Mi Unlock Tool version 7.0 or later (older versions don't work with newer models).
• 🔄 Disable the antivirus – it can block the Mi Unlock Tool.

Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

If you have completed all the preparatory steps, you can proceed to unlock.Using the official Mi Unlock Tool, which works on all models, including the Xiaomi 13T, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and POCO F5.

Step 1: Launch the Mi Unlock Tool

1. Unpack the archive with Mi Unlock Tool and launch it miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
2. Accept the license agreement and log in under the same Mi Account that is linked to the phone.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).

Step 2: Checking the connection

The program must automatically identify the device, if it does not,

• 🔌 Check the cable – use the original USB-Type-C.
• 💻 Install Mi drivers USB Driver manually through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone, then reconnect.

Step 3: Starting Unlocking

1. Click Unlock in Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Confirm the action on the phone (if you receive a request).
3. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically reset. Don't be afraid, that's okay. Now you can flash custom restore (TWRP) or get root.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool is giving you a Couldn’t unlock error, check if your account is linked to your phone, 168 hours have passed, or if it’s turned on. OEM-unlocking.

How to Bypass Restrictions: How to Unlock a bootloader Without Waiting 168 Hours

The official method requires 7 days of waiting, but there are ways around this limitation, which are suitable for power users and involve risks (it is possible to block a Mi Account).

Method 1: Through EDL-Regime (for qualified users)

Emergency Download Mode (EDL) allows you to flash the bootloader without official restrictions.

• 💻 PC with Qualcomm Drivers and Mi Flash Tool installed.
• 🔗 Firmware file for your model (for example, fastboot) ROM).
• 🔧 A jumper or testpoint for entering EDL (New models may require a phone to be disassembled).

Process:

1. Transfer the phone to EDL (usually by closing contacts on the board or via adb reboot edl command).
2. Connect to a PC – the device should be defined as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
3. In the Mi Flash Tool, select a firmware file and press Flash.

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For models running a MediaTek processor (e.g. Redmi 10C), BROM mode is used instead of EDL. It will require the SP Flash Tool utility and an authorization file.

Method 2: Through a temporary bug in Mi Unlock Tool (relevant to MIUI 14)

Some users report that MIUI 14 (Android 13) firmware can bypass the wait by following the following steps:

1. Put Mi Account on the phone.
2. Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command:

adb shell settings put global oem_unlock_allowed 1

1. Reboot your phone to Fastboot and immediately start the Mi Unlock Tool.
2. Sometimes the tool skips the time check and allows you to unlock the bootloader right away.

⚠️ Note: This method does not work on all devices and may result in the Mi Account being blocked for attempting to circumvent restrictions.

Typical Unlocking Errors and How to Fix Them

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to solve them.

If you see an error that is not in the table, check:

• 🔌 Connection to USB — use the port USB 2.0 (on new PCs) USB 3.0 may not work).
• 💻 Antivirus – temporarily disable it as it can block the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 📱 Firmware region – on some models, unlocking is possible only on global (Global) or Chinese (China) firmware.

What to do after unlocking the loader

Once successfully unlocked, your Xiaomi will automatically reset to factory settings.

1.Install Custom Recovery (TWRP)

To install unofficial firmware, you will need TWRP Recovery:

1. Download the current version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
2. Reboot your phone to Fastboot.
3. Follow the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

2. Get root rights through Magisk

To obtain the rights of the superuser:

1. Download the latest version of Magisk from GitHub.
2. Squeeze Magisk via TWRP or Fastboot:

fastboot flash boot magisk_patched.img

3. Sweeve custom firmware

Popular firmware for Xiaomi:

• 📱 LineageOS – pure Android without MIUI.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel features.
• 🎯 Havoc-OS – customizable firmware with many functions.

⚠️ Attention: Installation of custom firmware can lead to unstable operation of the module NFC, Before you run your firmware, check the reviews on compatibility with your model in the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader