How to unlock Xiaomi Mi8: bootloader, Mi Account and firmware

Xiaomi Mi8

Mi

Fastboot

"This device is locked"

All the current ways to unlock

Xiaomi

MIUI 14/15

Unlocking the Mi8 differs from other Xiaomi models due to the features of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip and bootloader version. For example, this device does not work the standard method through the Mi Unlock Tool if the phone is tied to an account with two-factor authentication. We will consider alternative ways, from official tools to engineering solutions for power users. Important: some methods require preliminary preparation (for example, linking an account in advance), so read carefully!

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone. Mi8 You're locked to your Mi Account, and you don't remember your password -- first try to restore access through the official website. EDL) It can lead to total loss. IMEI and the communication module on some firmware.

1.Preparation for Unlocking: What to Do Before You Start

Before you unlock the Xiaomi Mi8, follow the mandatory steps, and ignoring them can lead to a “brick” (complete failure) of the device or lock for 72 hours.

🔹 Link your Mi Account in advance (if your phone is not already blocked:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sign in.
2. Create a new account or sign in to an existing one.
3. Enable data synchronization (this will confirm the device’s binding).

If the phone is already locked, skip this step - it is only needed for prevention.

🔹 Check the version. MIUI. Nana Mi8 firmware-old MIUI 12.5 Some unlocking methods may not work. → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

🔹 Prepare the PC:

Linked to Mi Account (if phone is working)| Version MIUI| Version checked Qualcomm/ADB| Installed drivers Used original cable | Phone charged at 60%+

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2. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

This is the safest method, but it only works if:

• The phone is not blocked from the Mi Account.
• You have linked your Mi Account to your device in advance (at least 72 hours).
• You have access to SIM-map/email, account-bound.

📌 Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30).
2. Launch the utility on behalf of the administrator.
3. Sign in to your Mi Account (should match the one on your phone!).
4. Turn off the Mi8 and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
5. Connect your phone to your PC. Press Unlock in the utility.
6. Confirm the unlock on the phone (if you receive a request).

⚠️ If the utility gives an error "Couldn't unlock" or "Device not supported" it means:

• The account is not tied to the device (you have to wait 72 hours).
• The phone is locked by the operator (IMEI unlocking is required).
• You have an old version of the Mi Unlock Tool (update to the latest!).

3. Unlock via EDL (Emergency Download Mode) – if Mi Unlock does not work

The EDL (Emergency Loading) method is used when:

• The phone is locked to Mi Account and not allowed to enter the system.
• Mi Unlock Tool is a "Device is locked" error.
• You need to flash the phone from the "brick" (for example, after an unsuccessful update).

⚠️ This method is risky - if you do the wrong thing, you can lose it. IMEI, module NFC Use only Wi-Fi if other methods do not help!

🔧 Instructions:

1. Download Mi Flash Pro (version 6.5.2020+).
2. Turn off the phone. Press the volume up. + Loudness down + USB-The screen must remain black, which means that the phone is in mode. EDL.
3. In Mi Flash Pro, select the firmware for Mi8 (for example, dipper_global_images_...).
4. Press Refresh – the program must define the COM port.
5. Select Clean All mode and press Flash.

📊 Possible errors and solutions:

Official Mi Unlock Tool|EDL (emergency mode)|TWRP|Another way |I haven't tried-->

4. bypassing the blocking of the Mi Account (if you forgot the password)

If the Xiaomi Mi8 requires a Mi Account after a reset, and you don't remember the login details, there are several ways to bypass it. Importantly, not all methods work on MIUI 14/15 - Xiaomi has tightened the protection.

🔓 Method 1: Recovery of the password

• 📧 Go to account.xiaomi.com and click Forgot Password?.
• 📱 Enter the linked email or phone number.
• 🔑 Follow the instructions for resetting the password (the code will come to you). email/SMS).

🔓 Method 2: Bypassing TWRP (only for the unlocked loader)

If the bootloader is already unlocked, you can delete account files through the custom recavator:

1. Install TWRP for Mi8 (download from the official website).
2. Boot to TWRP (click Volume Up + Power).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete the folders: /data/system/mi_account/ /data/data/com.xiaomi.account/
5. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ This method may not work — Xiaomi has added integrity check system files, in which case only the firmware through the EDL (see section 3).

💡

If the phone is locked into an account after buying from hand, try contacting the previous owner. Xiaomi can lock the device permanently if it considers it stolen (at the complaint of the original owner).

5.IMEI recovery after unlocking

When you run through EDL or fail to unlock the Mi8, you often lose IMEI, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, which is caused by damage to the modemst1/modemst2 partition. You can restore the IMEI in two ways:

📡 Method 1: Through the Engineering Menu

1. Enter the dialer code: ##4636##.
2. Go to Phone Information → Settings.
3. Choose. DSDS Information → Slot 1/2.
4. Enter the original IMEI (it is listed on the box or under the battery).
5. Save and restart the phone.

📡 Method 2: Through QCN-file (for experienced)

If the engineering menu does not help, you will need to flash QCN-file with original module data:

• 🔧 Download. QPST Tool and Qualcomm Drivers.
• 📄 Find it. QCN-file Mi8 (You can ask from the backup or ask on the forums).
• 🔌 Connect the phone in mode EDL (see section 3).
• 🖱️ V QPST Select a port and download it. QCN.

⚠️ Attention: Wrong QCN-The file can permanently disable the communication module. If you're not sure, contact the service center.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you unlock the Xiaomi Mi8, users face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

🚨 "This device is locked in Fastboot

Means the bootloader is locked and the Mi Unlock Tool can't unlock it.

• 🔄 Try another Mi Account (sometimes linking to another region helps).
• ⏳ Wait 72 hours after you have linked your account.
• 🔧 Use it. EDL (see section 3).

🚨 "Invalid token in Mi Flash

The error occurs if the firmware is not suitable for your model.

• 📁 Download the firmware just for the sake of Mi8 (dipper).
• 🔍 Check the version with fastboot getvar product.

🚨 The phone does not turn on after the firmware

Possible causes:

• 🔋 Battery is discharged (plug in charge for 30 minutes).
• 🔄 Wrong firmware (repeat the process with another version).
• 💥 bootloader damaged (eMMC soldering is required in the service).

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after unlocking, try going to Fastboot first. + If the screen is black, it's a hardware problem, not a software problem.

7. Alternative methods: unlocking without PC

If you don't have a computer, you can unlock the Mi8 directly from your phone, but there are limited options available, and these are only suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader or if you remember your Mi Account details.

📱 Reset via Recovery

If the phone is locked to the account, but the bootloader is unlocked:

1. Turn off the Mi8.
2. Press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
4. Confirm the reset (the data will be deleted!).

📱 Passage ADB (if debugging is on)

If USB debugging was enabled on the phone, you can try deleting your account via ADB:

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/system/mi_account/*




reboot

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 14+ This method only works if the phone is rooted.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions