How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 10: from bootloader to Mi Account

Xiaomi Mi 10 remains a popular device even years after its release, but owners often face the need to unlock it. The reasons can be different: a forgotten pattern lock, buying a used phone with a tied Mi Account, wanting to install custom firmware or get root rights. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking – from officially removing the bootloader lock to bypassing the protection through the engineering menu.

It is important to understand that the procedures vary depending on the type of lock, for example, unlocking the bootloader requires approval from Xiaomi and takes up to 72 hours, while resetting the pattern lock can be done in 10 minutes via Fastboot. We will describe each method in detail, specify the necessary tools and warn about the possible risks - from data loss to the device's "brick".

If you are not sure about your technical skills, we recommend you to contact a service center. EDL-Require experience and can cause permanent damage to the smartphone if the error occurs. For beginners, safest choice is the official method of unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool or reset via Recovery.

1. Unlock bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 10

The bootloader on all Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure that prevents the installation of unofficial software. To unlock it on the Mi 10, you will need to:

• 📱 Smartphone with battery charge ≥ 60%
• 💻 Computer running Windows 7/10/11 (For the Mi Unlock Tool)
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (importantly, cheap cables may not transmit data to Fastboot)
• 🔑 Mi Account Account Linked to Phone ≥ 7 days

The process consists of three stages: linking an account to a device, obtaining permission to unlock and directly unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool. Since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: now at least 168 hours (7 days) must pass between linking an account and unlocking, even if the device is new.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Options: Go to Settings → About Phone and click on MIUI 7 times.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.
3. Link Mi Account to Settings → Xiaomi Account (required!).
4. Download the Mi Unlock Tool (official website) and run it on PC.
5. Transfer the phone to Fastboot: turn it off, then press Volume Down + Power.
6. Connect the Mi 10 to your PC and follow the instructions in the Mi Unlock Tool.

⚠️ Note: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the smartphone will perform a full reset (wipe). Data backup is mandatory! Also note that some banking applications (for example, Sberbank Online) may stop working on devices with unlocked bootloader.

A tied Mi Account ≥ 7 days|On. OEM-unlock|Battery charge ≥ 60%|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version-->

2. Reset the pattern lock without loss of data

Forgot the pattern lock or PIN-If you have Mi Account sync enabled, you can reset the lock without losing data via i.mi.com.This method only works when you have an active Internet connection on your phone (Wi-Fi or mobile network).

Algorithm of action:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com from any device.
2. Sign in with the same account as the blocked Mi 10.
3. Select Find the device → Xiaomi Mi 10.
4. Click Unlock the device and confirm the action SMS-code.
5. Set a new pattern lock or PIN on your phone.

If the sync is off or the phone is not connected to the network, you have to use Fastboot or Recovery, in which case the data will be deleted!

For advanced users, there is an alternative method through ADB, but it requires pre-enabled USB debugging:

adb shell


rm /data/system/gesture.key




reboot

3.Mi Account bypass after reset (FRP)

Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a factory reset protection that activates if the phone was tied to Mi Account. After a hard reset, Xiaomi Mi 10 will require you to enter the username and password from the previous account. If you bought a used phone and can not contact the previous owner, you can bypass FRP in several ways.

Method 1: Engineering menu (for MIUI 12-14)

1. On the FRP lock screen, press Emergency Call.
2. Enter the code ##4636## (the test menu will open).
3. Go to Usage Statistics → Settings.
4. Turn on USB debugging and connect your phone to your PC.
5. Use it. ADB file-delete FRP: adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1
6. Reset the device.

Method 2: Through Fastboot (requires an unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader is already unlocked, you can flash a modified boot.img with FRP bypass.

1. Download a special boot.img for Mi 10 (make sure the version matches your firmware!).
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot (Loudness down + Power).
3. Fastboot flash boot boot.img fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Use of informal boot.img It can cause system instability or locking of the device. Before you run the firmware, check the reviews of a particular file in the forums (for example, XDA Developers or 4PDA).

Through the engineering menu|Through Fastboot.|Using specialized programs (for example, Mi Account Bypass Tool)|I didn’t try it, my phone unlocked.|Another way.-->

4. Unlock through EDL-The mode (for experienced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is an emergency firmware mode that allows you to restore the Xiaomi Mi 10 even in severe crashes. It is used when the phone does not turn on, hovers on the logo or does not respond to other unlock methods. To enter the EDL on the Mi 10 requires a special cable (EDL-cable) or short circuit test points on the board.

Pre-launch warnings:

• 🔧 The risk of a full breeze (turning your phone into a brick) when you make an error.
• 🛠️ Requires rationing skills or EDL-cable (~$10–$20 on AliExpress).
• 📥 You need an official.tgz firmware file for your model (download from the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Mi Flash Pro.
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
3. Turn off the phone and plug in. EDL-cable (or close the test points).
4. In Device Manager, check that the phone is identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
5. In Mi Flash Pro, select a firmware folder and click Flash.
6. Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).

Once firmware is EDL, the phone will be completely reset and the bootloader will remain locked, a method that is suitable for recovering “brick” devices, but not for bypassing Mi Account (FRP will remain active!).

💡

If you don't. EDL-And you can temporarily close the test points on the board with tweezers or needles. On the Xiaomi Mi 10, they're located next to the SIM card jack: 4PDA (Look for a theme by model).

5 Unlocking with Third-Party Tools

If the official methods didn't work, you can use specialized software, which automates the process, but you need to be careful, because many tools contain malicious code or install backdoors.

Proven utilities for Xiaomi Mi 10:

Examples of Mi Account Bypass Tool:

1. Download the program with XDA Developers (check the author’s reputation!).
2. Connect the Mi 10 to your PC in Fastboot mode.
3. Start the utility and select the model umi (codename Mi 10).
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (usually you need to enter the phone’s IMEI).

⚠️ Note: Third-party tools are often recognized by antivirus software as Potentially Unwanted Programs (PUP). Before using, check files on VirusTotal and read reviews on forums. Do not enter your Mi Account information into suspicious programs!

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When unlocking the Xiaomi Mi 10, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

• 🔄 Couldn't unlock in Mi Unlock Tool: Make sure that between account binding and unlocking ≥ 168 hours, also check if it's on. OEM-unlocking.
• 🔌 Phone is not defined in Fastboot: Try another USB-cable or port. Install the drivers. ADB manually.
• 🔐 This device is locked when firmware: The bootloader is not unlocked. Return to section 1 of this article.
• 📵 phone is stuck on startup logo after firmware: Sweat the full firmware package through Mi Flash with Clean All option.
• 🔒 Mi Account verification failed: The account is not tied to the device or Xiaomi servers are temporarily unavailable.

If after unlocking the bootloader, the phone stopped booting, try:

fastboot flash boot boot.img


fastboot flash recovery recovery.img




fastboot reboot

(file boot.img and recovery.img It should be from the official firmware for your model!).

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Before any firmware operation, save a command line log, and if something goes wrong, it will help diagnose the problem on forums or in a service center.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions