How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 10: a complete guide to removing all locks

Xiaomi Mi 10 is the flagship smartphone of 2020, which still remains relevant due to the powerful hardware and support for updates. However, owners often face the need to unlock, whether it is a factory loader tied to Mi-account after a reset, or software restrictions from the manufacturer. In this article, we will analyze all possible lock scenarios and ways to get around them, from official methods to alternative solutions for power users.

It is important to understand that the unlock procedures on the Mi 10 (including the Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10 Ultra and Mi 10 Lite) are nuanced due to the features of the firmware. MIUI And Xiaomi's policies, for example, since 2021, the company has tightened the requirements for unlocking the bootloader, and in 2023, it changed the algorithm for checking the account.

Before you start, answer two questions: what kind of lock you need to remove (bootloader, account, pattern lock) and whether you are ready for possible risks (loss of warranty, data reset, device “brick”).

Types of locks on Xiaomi Mi 10: how to identify the problem

Before you can find a solution, you need to accurately diagnose the type of lock, and the Mi 10 is most likely to have three scenarios:

• 🔒 Mi-account locking – appears after resetting to factory settings, if the device was tied to a Xiaomi account.
• 📱 Bootloader: prevents custom firmware, root rights or modified Recovery installations, defined by this device is locked when you try to log into Fastboot.
• 🔐 pattern lock/PIN-code is a user lock screen that has been forgotten or entered incorrectly too many times. 5 Failed attempts may require resetting.

To distinguish Mi-account from the pattern lock, look at the lock screen:

• If you see a field for entering a password from a Xiaomi account (with the Mi logo) – this is a binding to Mi-account.
• If the screen asks to enter PIN, A graphical pattern or fingerprint is a local lock.

To diagnose the bootloader, turn off the phone, press Volume down + Power, and look at the bottom of the screen. If you have a line called Device is locked, the bootloader is locked.

⚠️ Attention: Mi 10 with firmware MIUI 14+ (Released in 2023, the Factory Reset Protection is available (FRP). It can lock the device even after a successful reset via Recovery, if you do not untie the account in advance.

Unlock Mi-account on Xiaomi Mi 10: official and unofficial ways

Mi-account locking is the most common problem when buying a used Mi 10. Xiaomi officially requires you to enter the data of the previous owner, but there are several workarounds.

Official method: link to previous owner

If you bought your phone with your hands, try:

1. Contact the seller and ask him to untie the device via account.xiaomi.com (Devices section).
2. If the seller does not answer, ask for checks or a box of cash. IMEI. This information can be used to support Xiaomi (via the official website).

Unofficial methods (at your own risk)

If you cannot contact the seller, there are alternative ways that require technical skills and can lead to data loss or blocking. IMEI.

• 🛠️ Dumping through EDL-Mode - suitable for Mi 10 on firmware before MIUI 13. requires special cable and software (for example, Mi Flash Pro).
• 🔧 Fastboot bypass – works on some versions MIUI 12/13 using the command: fastboot oem remove-frp Note: on new firmware, this command may not work.
• 📱 Use of custom recavator - if the loader is already unlocked, you can flash TWRP and manually delete account files (/data/system/mi_account.db).

⚠️ Note: Since 2022, Xiaomi has implemented anti-Rollback protection on the Mi 10. MIUI to bypass the lock may result in a full blink (inability to turn on the device).

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Starting with MIUI 14, most unofficial Mi-account bypass methods have stopped working.The only reliable way is to officially remove the tether through the previous owner or support Xiaomi.

3. Unlock the bootloader (Bootloader) on Xiaomi Mi 10: step-by-step instructions

Unlocking the bootloader on Mi 10 is a mandatory step for installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), obtaining root rights or firmware modified TWRP. The process consists of three stages: account binding, waiting for permission and actually unlocking.

Step 1: Linking your Xiaomi account to your device

Before unlocking, it is necessary to:

1. Log in Mi-account on your phone (in Account settings) → Xiaomi).
2. Link the device to your account: go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers and include OEM-unlocking and debugging USB.

Step 2: Getting permission to unlock

Xiaomi requires confirmation via the official Mi Unlock Tool app:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (Windows version)
2. Start the program, log in to the same Mi-account as on the phone.
3. Connect Mi 10 in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down) + Power with the phone turned off).
4. Press Unlock, and the program will send a request to the server, usually in 3-7 days (sometimes longer).

Since 2023, Xiaomi has increased the wait time for new accounts to 30 days, and if your account was created less than a month ago, the request may be rejected.

Step 3: Unlocking the bootloader

After obtaining the permit:

1. Reconnect your phone in Fastboot mode.
2. Open the Mi Unlock Tool and press Unlock.
3. Wait until the process is completed (the phone will restart).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader on the Mi 10 results in a complete data reset (including internal memory!

Create a backup copy of the data|Charge your phone at least 60%|Make sure that Mi-account is linked to the device|Download the Mi Unlock Tool for the latest version|Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original)

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Challenges and solutions

If the Mi Unlock Tool is making errors, try:

• 🔌 “Couldn’t unlock” error – check what’s on your phone OEM-Unblock and you use the same account as in the application.
• ⏳ "Waiting for 72/168/360 "hours" - wait for the timer to expire.
• 🔧 "Device not supported" - upgrade the Mi Unlock Tool to the latest version or try a different build (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool Bypass).

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If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t see the device, try connecting the phone to another device. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of your PC) or disable driver signatures in Windows.

4. Unlocking the pattern lock/PIN-code without loss of data

If you have forgotten the pattern lock or PIN-code on Mi 10, there are several ways to reclaim access without being completely reset, but their effectiveness depends on the version. MIUI and loader status.

Method 1: Unlocking through Mi-account (if tied)

If the phone is tied to Mi-account, you can reset the screen lock:

1. On the lock screen, enter the wrong key 5 times until the button Forgot the password appears.
2. Select Unblock via Mi-account and enter your account details.
3. Follow the instructions to create a new key.

Method 2: Use of ADB (if debugging is enabled)

If the lock was activated before the debugging USB, You can delete the key file through ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line.
2. Enter the commands: adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key rm /data/system/password.key reboot
3. After the reboot, the screen lock will be reset.

⚠️ Attention: On Mi 10s MIUI 13+ This method may not work due to changes in the file system structure, in which case only resetting through Recovery will help (see next section).

Method 3: Recovery Reset (with data loss)

If other methods do not help, there is a hard reset:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (control – volume buttons, confirmation – power button).
4. After resetting, the phone will boot as new.

On Mi 10 with unlocked bootloader can be flashed TWRP and backup before reset to save data.

5. Alternative methods of unlocking: EDL, TestPoint and Service Centers

If standard methods fail, more complex (and risky) methods remain, requiring specialized equipment or deep technical knowledge.

Unlocking through EDL-Mode (Emergency Download Mode)

EDL — It's a service mode that allows you to stitch the phone down even if it's locked:

• 🔧 EDL-cable (or a jumper on the board for forced entry into the mode).
• 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
• 📄 Firmware file in.mbn format (for example, fastboot-ROM for your model).

Process:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in EDL mode (via cable or circuit of contacts on the board).
2. Run Mi Flash Pro, select firmware and press Flash.
3. Wait until the end (10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: Incorrect Firmware Through EDL may cause damage IMEI Use only official firmware for your model (Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, etc.).

Unlocking through TestPoint

TestPoint is a physical closure of contacts on the motherboard for forced entry into the motherboard. EDL. On the Mi 10, the dot is next to the battery connector:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the back cover.
2. Find TestPoint (usually marked as TP or EDL).
3. Close the contacts with tweezers and connect USB-cable.
4. The phone will be identified as Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 – now you can flash through Mi Flash.

This is a risky method, because there's a chance of damaging the fee, and if you're not sure, you should go to the service.

Contacting the service center

If self-unlocking seems too difficult, contact:

• 🏢 The official service Xiaomi - will help with unlocking Mi-account in the presence of checks: ~1 500–3 000 ₽.
• 🔧 Unofficial services – offer unlocking through EDL Or TestPoint. Cost: ~1 000–2 500 ₽. Risk: Possible loss of warranty.

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Before contacting the service, check whether the warranty period for the Mi 10 has expired. Official centers can refuse to unlock if the phone is purchased not in Russia or through authorized sellers.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When unlocking the Xiaomi Mi 10, users often face typical problems, and we have collected the most common errors and ways to solve them.

Another common problem is data loss after unlocking the bootloader.

• 📱 Create a backup using Mi Cloud or Google Account (contacts, photos, notes).
• 💾 Copy files to a PC or external drive (internal memory will be cleared!).
• 🔧 Use it. TWRP (If the boot loader is already unlocked, create a complete system image.

On the Mi 10 with firmware MIUI 14 and later unlocking the bootloader automatically activates Factory Reset Protection (FRP), Even if the phone was not previously linked to the account, which means that Mi-account data may need to be re-entered after the procedure.

7.How to protect Xiaomi Mi 10 from future locks

To avoid future blockage issues, follow these guidelines:

• 🔐 Untie Mi-account before selling: Go to Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi. Select Delete Account. Confirm Action with Password.

Create backups regularly

• Use the settings. → System system → Backup to save data in Mi Cloud.
• For a full backup firmware use TWRP (requires an unlocked loader).

Update the firmware in a timely manner

New versions MIUI They often close vulnerabilities that are used to bypass locks, but they can also add new protections (e.g., Anti-Rollback).

If you often experiment with the following:

• 🛡️ Use OrangeFox or TWRP To create a persist partition image (where stored) IMEI).
• 🔄 Check the Anti-Rollback version before running the old versions. MIUI.

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Even if you do not plan to sell the Mi 10, it is recommended to untie and re-attach the Mi-account every 3-6 months. FRP accidental discharge.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions