How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro: the full guide

Owners of the legendary Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro (codenamed kenzo) often face the need to unlock the device, which may be required to install custom firmware, obtain root rights or restore access after a forgotten password. Despite the age of the model, it remains relevant due to the excellent price-performance ratio, as well as the huge amount of software supported.

The process of removing restrictions is divided into two fundamentally different directions: unlocking the bootloader to modify the system and bypassing the lock screen (Mi Account or pattern lock).It is important to understand that these procedures require different preparation and carry different risks. In this article, we will discuss both scenarios in detail, paying special attention to data security.

Before you start to take action, you need to assess the current state of the gadget. If the device turns on and reacts to touch, the range of possibilities is wide. If the smartphone hangs on the logo or goes into a cyclical reboot, the methods will be different. It is critical to save backup copies of all important data before starting any manipulations, since the process of unlocking the bootloader is guaranteed to destroy all information in the internal memory.

Preparation of the device and necessary tools

The success of the operation depends on 90% of the correct preparation of the workplace and the smartphone itself. USB-Minimum length cable for stable connection and charged battery. Make sure the charge level is at least 60%, as a sudden power outage during firmware can lead to irreversible consequences.

The first step is to activate hidden features in Android. Go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click on MIUI Version seven times, which unlocks access to the developer’s advanced settings. Without this step, no further manipulation is possible.

Next, link the device to your Mi Account. Go to the developer menu that just appeared and find the Mi Unlock Status item. The system will require you to turn on mobile data (Wi-Fi can be left off for the cleanliness of the experiment, although this is not always critical) and make the binding. Successful completion will confirm the corresponding notification.

Don’t forget to download and install the official Mi Unlock Tool on your computer. You’ll also need up-to-date drivers for Qualcomm or MTK, depending on the processor modification, although in most cases the Redmi Note 3 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 650.

The method of official unlocking of the bootloader through Mi Unlock

The official method is the safest and most recommended by the manufacturer, allowing the Bootloader to be legally unlocked, allowing access to custom recavators (TWRPs) and full firmware installations, a process that requires waiting, as Xiaomi has imposed temporary restrictions to protect against device theft.

Once you have an account linked, as discussed in the previous section, you have to wait a certain time period, which is usually 168 hours (7 days), but in rare cases can last up to 30 days, during which time you just use your smartphone as normal, without deleting your Mi Account or resetting your settings.

When the wait period expires, turn off the phone completely. Then press the volume buttons (both) and the power button simultaneously. Hold them until the image with the android hare repairing appears, this is Fastboot mode. Connect the smartphone to your PC and launch the Mi Unlock Tool. The program will automatically check the status of the device and, if all conditions are met, prompt you to unlock it.

During the unlocking process, you may have an account verification error, in which case you may try reconnecting the cable or using another one. USB-Also make sure that the antivirus does not block the utility. If the program says "Couldn't verify device", check that the account data is entered correctly.

⚠️ Warning: After successfully unlocking the bootloader, all data on the device will be permanently deleted.The smartphone will return to factory state, as if you just bought it in a store.

Unlocking the pattern lock and screen password

A situation where the user forgets the pattern lock, PIN-If you've been synced to Mi Cloud, you can retrieve it remotely via the web interface, otherwise you'll need to reset your data completely through Recovery mode.

To enter Recovery mode on the Redmi Note 3 Pro, you need to turn off the device, then press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume down. You will see a menu with several items in English or Chinese.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. After choosing, confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn you about the loss of data again - agree.

Once the cleaning process is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System. The smartphone will reboot and you will see the screen of the initial settings. However, if the device has been searched for, you may need to enter a password from the Mi Account to which the phone was linked.

Resetting the Mi Account (FRP Lock)

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) or Mi Account binding is a serious security mechanism. If you bought a used phone and the previous owner did not untie the account, or you do not remember the password, logging in will be extremely difficult. Officially, Xiaomi does not provide tools to reset this lock without a password.

There are software methods of bypassing, which often change depending on the version. MIUI. For older versions of firmware, the replacement method sometimes worked SIM-maps and exploiting vulnerabilities in the phone app or browser, but on current versions of the software, these holes are most often closed.

One option for advanced users is to use specialized FRP reset software such as XRST Tools or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, which require unlocked bootloader rights or use of engineering cables (Test Point), which is already an interference with the hardware.

If the phone is blocked by someone else’s account, the only legal way is to contact the previous owner or service center with a check about the purchase. Using dubious services for “disconnection” through IMEI carries the risk of blocking the device at the server level.

Using Fastboot Mode and Firmware

Fastboot mode is a low-level interface that allows you to interact with your phone directly, bypassing the operating system. This is the mode in which the bootloader is unlocked and the device is firmwareed through your computer. On the Fastboot screen, you will see a picture of a hare and the words "FASTBOOT" in orange.

To work in this mode, you use the Windows command line or graphical shells like Minimal ADB and Fastboot. The main commands you may need are: fastboot devices (check connection), fastboot oem unlock (unlock command, does not work on all versions of MIUI without utility) and fastboot reboot.

If the phone is stuck in Fastboot mode on its own and doesn't get out (the power button doesn't help), it may be a volume button or software failure. Try to hold the power button for a long time (15-20 seconds). If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it again.

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Tip: If the phone is constantly rebooting in Fastboot, try to press the power and volume buttons at the same time on the phone. 10-15 It's a forced reset that often helps you get out of the hanging state.

When running through Fastboot, it is important to use a good quality cable. Cheap cables can provide enough current to charge, but do not provide stable data transfer, which will lead to an error when writing partitions.

Solving Typical Errors and Problems

During the unlock process, users often encounter error codes. For example, the code 10004 or 10007 in the Mi Unlock Tool usually indicates problems with the network connection or Xiaomi servers. Try using mobile Internet (distributed from your phone) instead of Wi-Fi or change the system. DNS-servers on the computer at 8.8.8.8.

The error “This device could not be verified” indicates that the account in the utility does not match the account associated with the phone, or 168 hours of waiting has not passed. Check if you have entered the username and password correctly, and make sure that the developer settings are ticked “Unlock the bootloader”.

If the phone is identified in the Device Manager as «QHSUSB_BULK» or Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008», This means that it is in the mode. EDL. To exit it is usually enough to press the power button on 15 If the phone doesn't respond, you may need to open the case and turn off the battery plume for a few minutes.

⚠️ Warning: Don’t try to stitch your phone with firmware from another model (like the Redmi Note 3 Standard) and this will cause the device to “brick” because the hardware platforms are different.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible process for the data (it is deleted), but reversible for the system (the bootloader can be closed again), the main thing is not to interrupt the firmware process and have stable power.