Why the Mi 5 needs to be unlocked and what it does
The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still in demand among Android enthusiasts thanks to its powerful hardware (Snapdragon 820 processor, 3/4 GB of RAM) and custom firmware installation capabilities. However, the manufacturer blocks the bootloader on all devices, which limits the user to the standard MIUI shell. Unlocking opens access to:
✅ Installation TWRP and custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience);
✅ Route through Magisk for deep system setup;
✅ Removing Xiaomi’s built-in apps and system debris;
✅ Upgrade to current versions of Android (e.g. Android 12 via unofficial builds).
Important: unlocking resets the device to factory settings – save data in advance! Also note that the procedure will void the warranty (if it is still valid) and can lead to a “brick” if errors occur.
Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool
The safest method is to use Xiaomi’s proprietary Mi Unlock Tool, which works on all versions of MIUI, but requires account and waiting (usually 72-168 hours).
Step 1: Preparing your smartphone
1. Activate Debugging over USB:
Go to Settings → About Phone and 7 times click on the MIUI Version to enable Developer Mode. Then to Settings → Additional → For developers, enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlock.
2. Link the Mi Account:
In Settings → Xiaomi account log in to the profile and sync the data. Without binding, unlocking is impossible!
Enable the developer mode (7 taps according to MIUI)
Activate USB debugging and OEM unlocking
Link Xiaomi account to device
Install ADB drivers on PC
Download Mi Unlock Tool (Last version)
-->
Step 2: Installation of Mi Unlock Tool
1. Download the utility from the official website (the version must match the region of your account).
2. Install ADB and Fastboot drivers (e.g., via Minimal ADB and Fastboot or Xiaomi Driver Installer).
3. Connect the Mi 5 to the PC in Fastboot mode (turn off the phone, then press Volume down + Power until the hare appears in the eardress cap).
Step 3: The Unlocking Process
1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator and log in to the associated Mi Account.
2. The utility will automatically detect the device. Press Unlock – if you receive a waiting message, wait for SMS or push notifications (usually in 3-7 days).
3.After successfully unlocking, the phone will reboot with reset settings.
What if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?
⚠️ Note: If the Couldn't unlock error occurs when unlocking, or Current account is different from the account info on the device, then the account is not tied correctly.
Alternative method: Unlocking through EDL (for experienced)
If the official method did not work (for example, due to an error This device is locked after waiting), you can use EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which is risky - if you do not act correctly, the phone will turn into a "brick".
What's the matter?
- 🔧 Windows PC (EDL-firmware is not working on macOS/Linux);
- 📱 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged);
- 💾 Firmware for EDL (For example, fastboot for your model);
- 🛠️ Utilities: Mi Flash Tool, Qualcomm 9008 driver.
Step-by-step instruction
1. Install the Qualcomm 9008 driver (can be found in the archive with the Mi Flash Tool).
2. Turn off Mi 5 and switch to EDL mode:
Press the buttons < Volume up> + < Volume down> and connect the cable to the PC.
Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 port appears in Device Manager.3. Run the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip) and press Refresh. COM-port.
4. At the bottom of the program, select Clean all and press Flash. The process will take 5-10 minutes.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Sahara connection failed | Wrong driver or cable | Reinstall the Qualcomm 9008 driver, try another one USB-port |
| Firehose mismatch | Inconsistency of firmware and model | Download the firmware specifically for Mi 5 (codename gemini) |
| Device not found | Phone not in EDL mode | Repeat the button combination, check the connection |
⚠️ Note: After the firmware is through EDL phone can be loaded into MIUI To unlock it permanently, repeat the procedure with the Mi Unlock Tool (the wait for 72 hours does not take).
💡
If the phone doesn't turn on after EDL, try pressing Volume Up + Power for 30 seconds for a forced reboot. If that doesn't help, re-sweep with the Clean all and lock selection in the Mi Flash Tool.
Unlocking Without Waiting: Bypassing Restrictions
Some users are faced with Xiaomi indefinitely delaying unlocking (Couldn't unlock error. Wait 167 hours), in which case you can try to bypass the restriction by changing the account region or using alternative versions of the Mi Unlock Tool.
Method 1: Change the region of the account
1. Register a new Mi Account with India or Russia (via VPN if required).
2.Plug it to the phone in the settings and repeat the unlock procedure.Indian accounts are often unlocked without waiting.
Method 2: Patched version of Mi Unlock Tool
There are modified versions of the utility (e.g. Mi Unlock Tool 4.5.908.55) that ignore the waiting timer.Risk: these tools may contain malicious code or fail on newer versions of MIUI.
If you choose to use the patched version:
- 🔍 Download only from verified forums (XDA Developers, 4PDA);
- 🛡️ Check the file on VirusTotal;
- 🔄 Disable the antivirus before starting.
💡
Bypassing waiting can result in the blocking of your Xiaomi account. Use this method only if you are prepared for risks!
What to do after unlocking
When the bootloader is unlocked, you have new possibilities. Here's what you can do next:
1. Installation of TWRP Recovery
TWRP Castom Recovery will allow you to install firmware and modifications without a PC. For the Mi 5, the current version is TWRP 3.7.0 (or later).
fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-gemini.img
fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0-gemini.img2. Custom ROM firmware
Popular firmware for Mi 5:
- 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11);
- 🤖 Pixel Experience (Pure Android with Google chips);
- 🔥 Havoc-OS (maximum customization).
Important: Check compatibility with the device code name (gemini for Mi 5) before firmware.
3. Getting root rights through Magisk
1 Download the latest Magisk (.zip) and upload it to TWRP.
2.Swipe the file through Install →Select ZIP →Swipe to Confirm Flash.
3.Reboot and check root through the Magisk Manager app.
How to check if the bootloader is unlocked?
Typical errors and their solutions
Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.
1 Mi Unlock Tool error cannot connect to server
✅ Decision:
- 🌐 Use it. VPN China-Hong Kong;
- 🕒 Check the date and time on PC – they should match the real ones;
- 🔄 Reinstall the utility by pre-deleting the folder C:\Users\Your name\AppData\Local\Xiaomi.
2.The phone is not identified in Fastboot
✅ Decision:
- 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (original from Xiaomi);
- 🖥️ Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface);
- 🔄 Restart your PC and phone.
3. Once unlocked, the phone does not turn on
✅ Decision:
- 🔋 Wait 10-15 minutes – the first download after unlocking can be long;
- 📱 Try to get in. TWRP (Hold the volume up + Nutrition);
- 💾 If the screen is black, run the stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean all).
⚠️ Note: If after the scaling of the EDL The phone vibrates, but the screen remains black, and the persist partition is likely damaged, in which case only the flashing with the choice of Clean all and lock in the Mi Flash Tool will help.