How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 5: all the ways from bootloader to MI-account

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still popular among Android enthusiasts thanks to its hardware (Snapdragon 820, 3GB of RAM) and support for custom firmware. It is a forgotten pattern lock, tied to a MI-account after buying a used phone or a locked bootloader for installing custom software. In this article, the unlocking methods that are relevant for 2026, including official tools from Xiaomi and workarounds.

It is important to understand that the procedures differ depending on the type of lock. For example, resetting the graphical password through Recovery will take 10 minutes, and unlocking the TWRP bootloader will require waiting for confirmation from Xiaomi (up to 72 hours).

1. unlocking the pattern lock or PIN-code

If you forget your lock screen password, you have 3 official ways to reclaim access - without losing data (in some cases) or with a full reset. MI-account and whether you have access to your mail/phone for recovery.

The fastest option is to use Find Device via i.mi.com, which only works if:

• 🔹 The phone is enabled mobile Internet or Wi-Fi
• 🔹 The device is tied to MI-account
• 🔹 In the account settings activated option Find the device

If the conditions are not met, you have to reset hard through Recovery. On the Mi 5, you do it like this.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Up + Power before the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the action and restart.

⚠️ Note: After reset via Recovery, the phone will require data input from the latter MI-If you're not using that data, it's going to be a brick»!

2. Unlocking MI-account (remote linking)

Buying used Xiaomi Mi 5 often turns into an unpleasant surprise: the phone asks for data from someone else MI-This is anti-theft protection, but it also blocks legal use. Officially, Xiaomi only removes the link at the request of the previous owner. If you can't contact him, then semi-official and "grey" methods remain.

The most reliable way is to contact Xiaomi service center with the purchase documents (check, contract), which does not always work in Russia and the CIS, but there is a chance.

• 🛠️ Mi Account Unlock Tool (requires PC and debugging mode)
• 📱 Bypass Mi Account (APK fitting ADB)
• 🔧 Fastboot Firmware with Removal of Persistent Partition (Risky!)

For the ADB method, you will need:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute the command: adb shell content insert --uri content://settings/secure --bind name:s:user_setup_complete --bind value:s:1
3. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Bypassing techniques MI-Accounts may result in blocking IMEI or "brick" on new versions MIUI 12+. Mi 5 with firmware older than 2021 is less risky, but no warranties.

3. Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader)

To install custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or TWRP on the Mi 5, you need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process requires waiting and has limitations:

Requirements for unlocking:

• 📱 Phone with version MIUI No newer than 12.5 (on new firmware lock is stricter).
• 🖥️ Windows computer and Mi Unlock Tool installed.
• 🔑 Tieted. MI-Account (at least 30 days of activity).
• 🕒 Waiting for confirmation from Xiaomi (3 to 72 hours).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool and install it.
2. Enter in. MI-account on your phone and link it to Settings → Additionally. → Unlocking the loader.
3. Connect the Mi 5 to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
4. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool, log in to the same account and follow the instructions.

If the tool is unable to unlock or Device not supported, check:

• 🔸 Version MIUI (on MIUI 13+ Unlocking may not work).
• 🔸 Account Status (must be active) >30 days).
• 🔸 Internet connection (tool checks Xiaomi servers).

4. Anti-rollback bypass (Anti-Rollback)

Xiaomi Mi 5 is equipped with anti-rollback protection (Anti-Rollback, ARB), It blocks the rollback of older versions of firmware. ROM downgrade MI-If you see an Anti Rollback Check Fail error, it means the firmware is too old for the current version. ARB.

There are two ways to get around the limitation:

1. Firmware via EDL (emergency mode) using Qualcomm box or MiFlashPro utility. requires knowledge of auth keys and risks "killing" the phone if you make an error.
2. Using patched firmware with ARB bypassing (e.g., from the XDA Developers community) is suitable for power users.

For the Mi 5, the current versions of the ARB are:

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL Without an authorized Qualcomm account, it could lead to a loss IMEI Or "brick." On the Mi 5s. ARB 3 chances of successful bypass are minimal.

💡

Before you run through EDL, backup the nvdata partition (responsible for IMEI) with the command.

adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0p12 nvdata.img

5 Unlocking after "brick" (brick)

If the Mi 5 doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or shows This device is locked, it's called a "brick." Causes: a failed firmware, an interrupted update, an error when unlocking the bootloader. In 80% of cases, the phone can be "resuscitated," but the method depends on the type of "brick":

• 🧱 Soft-brick: The phone turns on but doesn't boot (cyclical reboot) Treated by firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
• 🧱 Hard-brick: phone doesn't respond to buttons, PC doesn't see it. EDL soldering.

For soft-brick:

1. Download the official firmware for Mi 5 (select the Fastboot version).
2. Unpack the archive and launch MiFlash.
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and swipe with the Clean All option.

For hard-brick:

• 🔧 Need tools: Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 driver, MiFlashPro utility or QFil.
• 🔧 Firehose firmware (special file for firehose) EDL).
• 🔧 Risk: 30% chance of losing IMEI or Wi-Fi module.

💡

If the phone is not detected by the PC even in EDL mode (the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008) port does not burn, the problem may be in the “killed” bootloader, in which case only the flashing through test-point (contact soldering on the board) will help.

6. Alternative methods of unlocking

If the official methods don't work, then the gray schemes are left out, illegal from Xiaomi's point of view, but sometimes saving the device. Use them at your own risk!

Ways for experienced users:

• 🔓 Zeroing FRP through SP Flash Tool (only versions) MIUI until 2019).
• 🔓 Firmware engineering firmware (for example, Fastboot) ROM patchy MI-account).
• 🔓 Replacement of fees NFC/eMMC (physical method, requires disassembly).

For the SP Flash Tool method, you will need:

1. Download MTK-firmware for Mi 5 (although it's on Snapdragon, some versions are supported).
2. Select the option Format All + Download in the utility settings.
3. Swipe only the FRP section (without the rest, otherwise the phone will become a “brick”).

⚠️ Attention: Use SP Flash Tool on Snapdragon devices is fraught with permanent loss IMEI. This method is only suitable for the Mi 5 with a MediaTek processor (rare modifications for some regions).

Xiaomi Mi 5 with newer firmware MIUI 12 roundabout MI-account via software is almost impossible without physical intervention (replacement of memory chip or flashing through the EDL logged-in).

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock the Mi 5, you'll find that you're facing some common problems, and we've collected some of the most common bugs and ways to fix them:

If the phone does not run through TWRP after unlocking the bootloader, check:

• 🔹 Version TWRP (It should support the Mi 5 and your version. MIUI).
• 🔹 File availability no-verity-opt-encrypt.zip (needle).
• 🔹 Disabling the option OEM Unlock in the developer settings (sometimes interferes with the).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions