How to unlock Xiaomi Mi 4: from bootloader to Mi-account

Xiaomi Mi 4

loader

Mi-account

Mi 4

Unlocking the device opens up access to TWRP installation, custom firmware (like LineageOS), or even re-access after buying a used phone with a previous owner’s account tied. But it’s important to understand that the methods of 2016-2020 may not work today due to changes in Xiaomi policy. In this article, current methods for 2026, tested on Mi 4 LTE (codename cancro) and Mi 4 3G (cancro without 4G module).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings. If the phone is on Find My Device protection or has a Mi Account attached, you will need to enter the original owner's data after unlocking».

1.Preparation for Unlocking: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start unlocking, make sure that all the preliminary steps are followed, which will save you from errors like Couldn't verify device or freeze during the verification phase of the account.

First, check the MIUI version and the status of the bootloader.

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the line with the build number to activate Developer Mode.
2. Go back to Settings → Additional → For developers, and look for Mi Unlock Status. If it says Locked, the bootloader is closed.

Second, prepare the necessary tools:

• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap cables often don’t transmit data to unlock).
• 💻 Computer on Windows 7/10/11 (On macOS and Linux, the official Mi Unlock Tool software is unstable).
• 📱 SIM card with active Internet (required to link the account).
• 🔐 Mi-account tied to the phone (if not, register a new one here).

⚠️ Note: If you buy Xiaomi Mi 4 handheld, ask the seller to unplug the Mi Account and disable Find My Device in your presence. Once the bootloader is unlocked, these features are automatically deactivated, but if the account is left tied, the phone will be locked at the setup stage.

Battery charge > 60%|All off. PIN/password|Installed drivers Xiaomi on PC|Download the Mi Unlock Tool of the latest version|SIM card with mobile Internet in the phone-->

2. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only legal method approved by Xiaomi, but since 2021, the company has tightened the requirements: now you need to wait 72-168 hours to unlock the account from the device. For the Mi 4, this period can be reduced to 24 hours, but there are no guarantees.

Step-by-step:

1. Link your Mi Account to your phone: Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Accounts. Log in to your account (or create a new one). Activate sync and Find My Device.
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool: Official page: en.miui.com/unlock. Select the version for Mi 4 (usually MiFlashUnlock_5.5.224.30 or newer).

Run the unlock:

• Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
• Connect your phone to your PC and run the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
• Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone.
• Press Unlock and wait until it is completed (usually 10-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't verify device or Current account is different from the account info on the device, then the device is a different account:

• Your account is not tied to your phone (check sync).
• It's been less than 72 hours since the tie-up.
• The original cable is used or USB-port 3.0 (try it out) USB 2.0).

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If the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, install the drivers manually through Device Manager. Download the Mi Flash Tool – the right drivers are included.

3. Alternative methods of unlocking the bootloader

If the official method does not work (for example, due to the error This Mi Account is not bound to this device), you can try workarounds. They are suitable for devices that have previously unlocked the bootloader, but it is blocked again after the update.

Method 1: Use the old version of the Mi Unlock Tool

• Download Mi Unlock Tool 3.5.503.24 (works with Mi 4 without waiting 72 hours).
• Turn off the Internet on your PC before you start the tool (so that the program does not update).
• Connect your phone to Fastboot and follow the standard procedure.

Method 2: Unlocking with EDL (Emergency Download Mode)

This is a risky method that can lead to hard-brick, and only use it if other methods have failed.

• Download Mi Flash Pro and firmware for Mi 4 in.tgz format.
• Transfer the phone to EDL mode: adb reboot edl If adb doesn't work, close the Test Point contacts on the motherboard (disassembly required).
• In Mi Flash Pro, select the firmware and press Flash (choose the clean all option).

⚠️ Attention: Firmware through EDL erase IMEI They'll need some additional software to recover them. SN Writer Tool and original auth-file from Xiaomi (you can request it from the official service center).

4.How to unblock Mi-account after resetting

If you bought the Mi 4 handheld and after a Wipe Data reset, the phone requires the previous owner to enter data, there are several ways to bypass the lock. note: since 2023, Xiaomi has tightened protection, and some methods (such as deleting files via TWRP) have stopped working.

Method 1: Officially Deleting Your Account

If you cannot contact the previous owner, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, purchase agreement) and they can delete the account remotely within 3-7 days.

Method 2: Fastboot bypass (for firmware up to MIUI 10)

This method only works on older versions of MIUI:

1. Download the Mi Account Remove Tool.
2. Transfer the phone to Fastboot.
3. Open the tool and select the Remove Mi Account option.
4. Restart your phone and the lock should disappear.

Method 3: Firmware via SP Flash Tool (for models running a MediaTek processor)

Xiaomi Mi 4 is built on Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, so this method is not suitable. However, if you have a different model (for example, Redmi Note 3 MTK), you can use the SP Flash Tool to completely flash with the deletion of your account.

⚠️ Note: After bypassing the Mi-account through informal methods, problems with the use of the Mi-account may arise:

• Google Pay (due to security breach)
• Updates MIUI OTA (the system can block updates)
• Find My Device (you will have to shut it down forever)

Official deletion via support |Mi Account Remove Tool | Fastboot | Firmware via TWRP | Not tried, phone unlocked-->

5. Installation of TWRP and custom firmware after unlocking

After successfully unlocking the bootloader, you can install TWRP Recovery and custom firmware (for example, LineageOS 14.1 or Pixel Experience).

Step 1: Installation of TWRP

• Download the latest version of TWRP for cancro from the official website.
• Transfer your phone to Fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-cancro.img
• Then reboot to recovery: fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-cancro.img

Step 2: Firmware custom software

• Download firmware (e.g. LineageOS 14.1 for cancro) and GApps (Google Services Package).
• In TWRP, run Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
• Install the firmware, then GApps, and restart.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Mi 4 with firmware newer MIUI 10 may not work Wi-Fi and mobile network in custom builds.This is due to proprietary Qualcomm drivers that are not ported to new cores.

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For stable work custom firmware on the Mi 4 recommended to use Linux 3.4.x kernels (for example, LineageOS 14.1). new versions of Android (9+) may not work properly due to outdated hardware.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock the Xiaomi Mi 4, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB — Try another cable or port on your PC.
• 🖥️ Windows Version – Windows 11 may not run drivers for Mi 4.
• 📱 Battery status – if the charge is below 30%, unlocking may be interrupted.

7.Security after unlocking: what you need to know

Unlocked bootloader and custom firmware open up new opportunities, but also create risks:

• 🔓 Malware Vulnerability – Without Official Security Updates, Phone Becomes a Target for Attacks.
• 🚫 Loss of warranty – even if the phone was purchased a long time ago, service centers will refuse to repair.
• 📵 Problems with banking applications – Sberbank Online, Tinkoff and others can block access on uncertified firmware.

To minimize the risks:

• Install firmware only from trusted sources (XDA Developers, LineageOS).
• Update Magisk (for root rights) and TWRP regularly.
• Use AFWall+ or NetGuard to monitor network traffic.

Critical! On the Xiaomi Mi 4 with unlocked bootloader, you can not install firmware for other models (for example, for the Mi 4c or Mi 4s), this will lead to hard-brick, and you can only restore the phone through EDL with the original auth-file.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions