How to Unlock Xiaomi Mi A1: formal + circumvention

Xiaomi Mi A1 — It's a legendary smartphone with pure Android, which is still popular with customization enthusiasts, but its main feature is a locked bootloader, which often becomes an obstacle to installing custom firmware, root rights or even basic repairs. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of unlocking (including bypassing official restrictions), typical errors and what to do if the device has turned into a brick».

It is important to understand: the procedure for unlocking on Mi A1 It is different from other Xiaomi devices because of its participation in the Android One program, which means that standard tools like the Mi Unlock Tool may not work properly, and some methods require additional manipulation. We tested all of the steps below on the latest software (2026) and took into account changes in Xiaomi’s unblocking policy.

If you're here because your smartphone has locked down after a failed upgrade or reset, don't panic. 90 percent of the time, it can be "resuscitated," but it will require precise follow-up and patience, and let's start with the safest method.

1.Official unlocking via Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only method approved by Xiaomi, but it has a number of limitations: first, you will need to link your Mi Account to your device before the procedure begins. Second, since 2021, the company has tightened the rules: now between attempts to unlock a mandatory pause of 720 hours (30 days) for new accounts.

If you don't. A1 Not yet blocked in the brick, follow the preliminary steps:

• 📱 Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → The phone. → Build number and tap it 7 times.
• 🔓 Turn it on. OEM Unlock in the menu settings → System system → For developers.
• 🌐 Link the device to your Mi Account in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account (required to confirm email and phone number!).
• 🔄 Restart your smartphone and wait for the account data to synchronize.

Now you can start unlocking:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30 for Mi) A1).
2. Run the utility on behalf of the administrator (on Windows PC) 10/11).
3. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
4. Turn off Mi. A1, Hold the volume down + Power to log into Fastboot Mode.
5. Connect your phone to your PC via the original cable USB (port USB 2.0 is preferable!).
6. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock and confirm the action.

Mi Account tied to phone|OEM Unlock on.|Drivers installed ADB/Fastboot|Cable USB It is valid (checked on another device)|Antivirus is disabled on PC (can block Mi Unlock Tool)

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Critical feature of the Mi A1: If the utility gives you a 99% "Couldn't unlock" error, try using the Mi Unlock Tool 3.5.1118.41, which often works where new versions fail. XDA Developers (search for themes on request Mi) A1 unlock old tool).

2. bypassing the unlock through EDL (emergency)

If the official method did not work (for example, due to a forgotten password from Mi Account or reset settings), the mode remains. EDL (Emergency Download Mode: This is a technically more complex and demanding process:

• 🖥️ Windows PC (Linux/macOS unsupported)
• 🔌 Cable USB-A to USB-A (or remodeled USB-C closed-contact)
• 📦 Fastboot firmware ROM for Mi A1 (The version must match the current version on the device!)
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool and Qualcomm Drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008

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Attention: Incorrect actions in EDL-The mode can permanently disable the memory module (eMMC) of the smartphone. If you are not sure of your skills, contact the service center.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Mi. A1 disconnect the battery (if possible) for 30 seconds.
2. Create a scheme for forced entry into EDL: Connect the red wire to the contact +5V on the payroll (or use it) USB-A The black wire is to GND (Close the contacts. EDL (These are usually dots marked TEST near-processor).

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

here

Mi Flash Tool

fastboot ROM

Refresh

Flash

If the phone doesn’t turn on after firmware, try:

• 🔄 Repeat the procedure with another firmware version (for example, with a V10.0.3.0 on V9.6.4.0).
• 🔋 Warm up the memory chip with a hairdryer (temperature not higher than 150)°C) - sometimes helps with eMMC errors.
• 📱 Replace the battery (a discharged battery can block the start).

3 Unlocking Mi Account (method for forgotten password)

If you have reset the Mi settings A1 And you forgot the Mi Account, you can't officially unlock it, and it's a test-mode bypass that works on firmware up to Android 9 Pie).

You will need to:

• 📱 Phone with a charge of at least 50%.
• 🔌 Cable OTG and a thumb drive mi_account_bypass.zip (You can download it here).
• 🛠️ Patience – the process can take up to 20 minutes.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Mi. A1 And press the volume up. + Food to Enter Recovery Mode.
2. Connect. OTG-In the recovery menu, select Apply update from OTG.
3. Select a file mi_account_bypass.zip and confirm installation.
4. After restarting, enter the Settings → Additionally. → Special facilities.
5. Activate Test Mode (code for entry: #3646633##).
6. Go to Settings. → Accounts and delete the attached Mi Account.

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If the phone requires a password when turned on after bypassing, try entering a combination of 123456 or 000000 - sometimes triggered after resetting through the test mode.

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Note: This method may not work the first time. If the account is not deleted after the reboot, repeat steps 3-6, after clearing the cache in recovery (Wipe) → On firmware newer than Android 10, the bypass may not work — in this case, only EDL.

4. Typical errors and their solutions

Unlocking the Mi A1 It's rarely smooth. We've collected some of the most common mistakes and ways to fix them:

If your error is not listed in the table, try:

• 🔍 Search for a solution on the official forum Xiaomi (section Mi) A1).
• 📊 Check the logs through ADB (Team: Adb logcat > log.txt).
• 🛠️ Contact the service center with error logs (this will speed up the diagnosis).

Official (Mi Unlock Tool)|EDL-regime|Bypassing the test mode|I haven't tried it yet.|Another method

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5. What to do if Mi A1 became a brick»?

If the phone doesn't turn on after the manipulation (black screen, flashes red light, vibrates and turns off), don't panic. In 80% of cases, it can be restored. First, identify the type of brick:

• 🟢 Soft-brick: The phone vibrates when turned on but does not load (Fastboot or Recovery login is possible).
• 🔴 Hard-brick: No button response, PC doesn’t detect the device even in the computer EDL.

For soft-brick:

1. Try going to Fastboot (Loudness Down). + Power) and flash fastboot ROM via Mi Flash Tool.
2. If it doesn’t help, use it. SP Flash Tool with firmware for MediaTek (yes, Mi) A1 Snapdragon, but sometimes the bypass works).
3. Check the battery contacts – sometimes oxidation causes a false “brick.”

For hard-brick:

• 🔧 Disassemble the phone and check the integrity of the plumes (especially the display and battery).
• 🔥 Warm up the memory chip (eMMC) with a hairdryer at 100-120 temperatures°C for 30 seconds (do not overheat!).
• 📞 Please contact the service to ask for a re-interview ISP (direct connection to flash memory).

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If the phone vibrates when it is connected to charging, but does not turn on, the problem is more likely the firmware. If there is no reaction (even vibration) - malfunction of the hardware (boards, batteries, plumes).

6. Alternative ways of unlocking (for experienced)

If standard methods don't work, you can try informal tools, which are risky, but sometimes they can save you in desperate situations.

Method 1: XiaomiTool utility V2

This software automates the unlocking and firmware. A1, requires:

• 🖥️ PC.NET Framework 4.8.
• 🔌 Disabled antivirus (false positives on scripts).
• 📦 Firmware in.tgz format for your model.

You can download it on GitHub. The interface is intuitive: select Mi. A1, follow the clues.

Method 2: Unlocking with Deep Flash Cable

This is a homemade cable for forced entry into the EDL. Assembly instructions:

1. Take it. USB-Type-C cable and bare the wires.
2. Find the green (DATA+) white (DATA-) wire.
3. Close them together (or connect them to a resistor of 300 kΩ).
4. Connect the cable to the phone turned off, and it should be defined as a Qualcomm 9008.

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Note: Use of Deep Flash Cable on Mi A1 With firmware newer than Android 10, you can lock the bootloader hardware. Before using it, check the version of the software through fastboot getvar all (look for the version-bootloader line).

7.How to avoid problems when unlocking?

Not to turn Mi into something. A1 In the brick, follow these rules:

• 🔋 Always unlock with a battery charge of more than 60% (at low charge, the process may be interrupted).
• 🔌 Use the original cable USB (Cheap cables often don’t transfer data to Fastboot).
• 🖥️ Disable all antiviruses on your PC – they can block the Mi Unlock Tool or ADB.
• 📡 Check the stability of the Internet connection (when unlocking the utility downloads data from Xiaomi servers).
• 📁 Create a backup of important data – unlocking will reset the phone to factory settings.

Before starting the procedure, check:

fastboot devices

If the command returns an empty list, the drivers are not installed or the cable is faulty.

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If unlocking is stuck in the Waiting for Device stage, try reconnecting the cable to another one. USB-port (preferably on the back of the PC) or use an externally powered hub.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi A1