You bought Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO You're holding hands, but you find that the bootloader is locked, and the official unlocking procedure requires a wait of 72 to 720 hours, or maybe you started the process yourself, but you didn't write down when exactly? In this situation, the main thing is not to reset the counter accidentally and know exactly how much longer to wait before the opportunity to flash custom software or get root rights.
Manufacturer deliberately complicates the process: in the interface MIUI or HyperOS doesn't have a built-in wait timer display, but there are at least three reliable ways to check the remaining time, from simple (via the app) to technical (fastboot commands). 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13 and POCO F5/X5, We also explain why the meter can reset and how to avoid it.
Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and how long to wait to unlock
Since 2017, Xiaomi has made it mandatory to link a Mi Account to a device before unlocking the bootloader, a security measure designed to:
- 🛡️ Protect users from data theft when losing their phone (an attacker will not be able to quickly flash the device).
- 🔄 Reduce the number of “bricks” due to incorrect firmware.
- 📱 Comply with Chinese regulators (for domestic sales).
The waiting period depends on the account status and device model:
| Type of account | Models (examples) | Standby time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| New account (registered) <30 days ago) | All right. | 720 hours (30 days) | Even if your account is linked to another device |
| Account over 30 days old | Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/M4 | 168 hours (7 days) | For budget models |
| Account over 30 days old | Xiaomi 12/13, Redmi K50, POCO F4 | 360 hours (15 days) | For flagships and the mid-segment |
| Account with Unblocking History | All right. | 72 hours (3 days) | If you have previously unlocked other devices |
Important: the timer starts counting only after the first time you associate your account with your device via fastboot oem device-info. If you just add an account in your phone settings, it doesn't start waiting!
- ⚠️ Reset to factory settings (even through fastboot).
- ⚠️ Account untied in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account.
- ⚠️ The official version below the current version.
Method 1: Check the timer through the Mi Unlock Status application (without PC)
The easiest method is to use a third-party Mi Unlock Status app (not to be confused with the official Mi Unlock Tool!) that reads data directly from the system without requiring a computer connection. MIUI 12-15 and HyperOS.
Instructions:
- Download. APK-Application file with APKMirror (look for the latest version of Mi Unlock Status from the developer) lin0x99).
- Install the file by allowing installation from unknown sources (Settings → Applications → Special Rights → Installation of Unknown Applications).
- Open the app and grant root rights (if the phone is not rooted, skip this step - some data will not be available, but the timer will show up).
- In the Unlock Status section, find the Time remaining line, and the remaining time in the clock will be indicated here.
If you see N/A or 0 instead of numbers, you will see:
- 🔹 The timer is not running yet (you haven’t linked your account through fastboot).
- 🔹 The app can't read the data (try restarting your phone).
- 🔹 The device is not supported (rarely, but it happens on new models like Xiaomi 14 Ultra).
💡
If the app doesn't show a timer, try turning off signature verification MIUI in the developer settings (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to tap → set up USB and Allow unlocking OEM).
Method 2: Fastboot commands – the exact method for tech-savvy people
This method requires a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot and the debugging included USB He's on the phone, but he works on the phone. 100% Devices and shows the exact data that the Xiaomi server sees.
Step-by-step:
- Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then press Volume Down + Power before the Mi Bunny logo appears with the inscription FASTBOOT).
- Open the command line (Win) + R → Type in cmd and go to the folder from fastboot (or add it to the environment variables).
- Run the command to check the status of the device: fastboot oem device-info In the answer, find the lines: (bootloader) Device unlocked: false (bootloader) Unlock time left: 120:00:00 Here 120:00 is 120 hours (5 days) before unlocking.
If you see 0 instead of time, it can mean:
- ✅ Timer expired - you can unlock the bootloader.
- ❌ No account attached (you need to fastboot oem add-account TOKEN Account).
- ❌ The device does not support unlocking (rarely, for example, on the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold 3 for the Chinese market).
Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot|Enable debugging on USB phone-on|Download your phone to Fastboot mode|Connect the original USB-cable|Check the connection of the fastboot devices team-->
Decoding other parameters in device-info:
| Parameter | Meaning true | Meaning of false |
|---|---|---|
| Device unlocked | The bootloader is already unlocked. | bootloader locked |
| Charged | Battery charged >50% | We need to charge the phone. |
| Account bound | Account tied to device | You need to tie the account. |
What if the fastboot oem device-info command is not working?
Method 3: Using the official Mi Unlock Tool (with limitations)
Xiaomi’s official Mi Unlock Tool can also show the remaining time, but with reservations:
- 🔹 It only works after linking an account via fastboot oem add-account.
- 🔹 Requires login in the same account as on the phone.
- 🔹 On new models (e.g. Xiaomi 14) the timer may not be displayed until the last 72 hours.
How to check:
- Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
- Open the utility and log in to your Mi Account.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (as in Method 2).
- If you have an account attached, a message will appear at the bottom of the window, such as Waiting for 120 hours to unlock this device.
⚠️ Warning: Do not press the Unlock button in the utility before the timer expires! this will result in a reset of the counter and an increase in the waiting time to 720 hours (even if there was 1 hour left).
If the utility says Couldn't unlock. Wait for 0 hours, but the phone still doesn't unlock:
- 🔹 Try reconnecting the device.
- 🔹 Update the Mi Unlock Tool to the latest version.
- 🔹 Check if the date/time settings on your phone are reset (this can knock the timer down).
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced users sometimes have problems checking the timer, and here are the most common errors and solutions:
1.Timer dropped off after flashing it over
If you flash your phone through the Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot, the counter is reset.
- 📌 Only stitch through O.TA-Updates (in phone settings).
- 📌 Do not use fastboot flash commands before unlocking.
2 The utility doesn't see the phone.
The problem is usually the drivers or the cable.
- 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable (cheap cables often don't transmit data to fastboot).
- 🔌 Install Mi Phone Manager drivers from the official website.
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-port USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
3. Time is not diminishing.
The timer is updated on Xiaomi servers every 24 hours, if you see the same value on a day:
- 🔄 Reboot your phone in fastboot and check the time again.
- 🔄 Make sure the phone has the correct date and time (automatic sync should be enabled).
💡
If the timer is stuck on one value for more than 48 hours, try untie and re-link the account via fastboot oem add-account.This can wake up the Xiaomi server and resume counting.
Models with features of unlocking
Some Xiaomi devices have unique nuances when unlocked, here is a list of models where timer checks may differ:
| Model | Feature | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi 12S Ultra, 13 Ultra | The timer may not appear in the Mi Unlock Tool until the last 72 hours. | Use fastboot oem device-info |
| POCO F3 GT, F4 GT | Device-info command returns error | Use fastboot getvar all + unlock |
| Redmi K60, K70 | Requires an account link even to verify status | First, run fastboot oem add-account. |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold 2/3 | Unlocking is only possible for global versions (EEA) | Check the firmware region in Settings → The phone. |
For HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13), the verification process is no different, but a more recent version of the Mi Unlock Tool (at least 6.5.224.24) may be required.
What to do if the timer is zeroed or time is not reduced
If you find that the meter has dropped or stuck, don't panic.
1. Check the account binding
Follow the command:
fastboot oem device-infoLook for Account bound: true. If false, re-link your account:
fastboot oem add-account Token accountToken can be obtained through the personal account Mi Account (Security section) → Device management).
2. Synchronize the time
On your phone, go to Settings. → System system → Date and time and:
- ⏰ Enable Auto-Determination of Date and Time.
- ⏰ Choose the right time zone.
- ⏰ Turn off and turn on Autosynchronization again.
3. Check the version. MIUI/HyperOS
On some firmware (e.g, MIUI China Stable) timer may not work correctly.Solution:
- 🌍 Go to Global or EEA Version through Mi Flash Tool.
- 🔄 Update to the latest version through Settings → Updating the system.
⚠️ Note: If you unlock the bootloader, but after firmware custom software the phone stopped turning on ("brick"), do not try to re-unlock it through the Mi Unlock Tool. EDL-Mode and official firmware via Mi Flash Pro (requires an authorized account).