How to unlock Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: the full guide 2026

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro (codenamed whyred) is still popular due to its performance and price balance. However, many users face the need to unlock — whether it’s removing the Mi-account binding, unlocking the bootloader to install custom firmware, or bypassing the lock after resetting. In this article, we’ll look at all the current ways to unlock, including official and alternative methods, taking into account changes in Xiaomi’s policy over 2023-2026.

It is important to understand that the procedure for unlocking can vary depending on the reason for blocking: it can be an activation lock (Mi Cloud Lock), a locked bootloader, or even a hardware lock after a failed firmware. We will look at each case separately, indicating the risks and necessary tools. If you have never worked with an ADB, Fastboot or tools like Mi Unlock Tool, we recommend that you carefully study each step - errors can lead to a "brike" (complete failure) of the device.

Xiaomi has tightened the rules for unlocking the bootloader: now you need to link your account to the device for up to 360 hours (15 days) to get a permit, which is legally impossible to circumvent, but we will tell you how to speed up the process and what to do if the device is blocked after buying from hand or resetting.

1. Reasons for blocking Redmi Note 5 Pro and their diagnosis

Before you start unlocking, you need to determine exactly what type of lock you have, and here are the most common scenarios:

• 🔒 Mi-account Lock: appears after resetting if the device was linked to a Xiaomi account. Requires login/password input from the previous owner.
• 🔓 Blocked bootloader: standard state for all Xiaomi devices. Unlocking is necessary for installing custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, etc.).
• 🚨 Hard Brick: The device does not turn on, does not respond to charging, does not vibrate. Often occurs after a failed firmware or interrupted update.
• 📱 Soft Brick: The phone turns on but gets stuck on the Mi logo, doesn’t boot into the system, or reboots cyclically.

To diagnose the problem:

1. Connect the device to charge and watch the indicator. If the red light is on, the battery is dead, orange is charging, green is charging.
2. Try to log in to Fastboot: press Power + Volume down for 10-15 seconds. If you see a picture of a rabbit in a hat (Fastboot mode) - the bootloader works.
3. If the device boots to the Mi-account password screen but you don’t know it, it’s Mi Cloud Lock.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a Redmi Note 5 Pro with your hands and the seller did not untie the device from his Mi-account, it is impossible to officially unlock it without the data of the previous owner. IMEI.

2. Official unlocking of the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool

If you need to unlock the bootloader to install custom firmware, Xiaomi provides the official tool, the Mi Unlock Tool. However, the process has become more complicated: now you need to link your account to the device for 15 days (360 hours).

Enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)| Link the device to your Xiaomi account in Settings → Xiaomi Account| Connect the device to the Internet (required via SIM or Wi-Fi) | Download Mi Unlock Tool (version no lower than 5.5.224.30) | Install Xiaomi drivers for Fastboot (see spoiler below)

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After preparation:

1. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume Down to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect your device to your PC via the original cable (important!).
3. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same account your phone is linked to.
4. Press Unlock. If you have a waiting message, wait 360 hours.

If the Mi Unlock Tool makes a mistake:

⚠️ Note: After unlocking the bootloader, all data, including files in internal memory, will be deleted from the device. PC Suite or Google Drive.

3 Unlock Mi-account Lock without previous owner data

If the phone requires a Mi-account password after resetting, and you can't contact the previous owner, there are no official ways to bypass. However, there are informal methods that can only help on firmware older than MIUI 12.5. For newer versions (MIUI 13/14), these methods don't work because of the increased security.

Method 1: Bypassing EDL-regimen (9008)

• 🔧 Required: Authorized EDL-account (paid) or Test Point (contact soldering on the board).
• 📥 Needs: Firmware for Redmi Note 5 Pro in.mbn format and Mi Flash Tool.
• ⚠️ Risk: Hard Brick is possible with incorrect firmware.

Instructions:

1. Transfer the device to EDL: Turn off the phone. Close Test Point and plug in. USB-The device will be identified as Qualcomm. HS-USB QDLoader 9008.

Mi Flash Tool

whyred_global_images...

Flash

Mi-account

Method 2: Use of the vulnerability in MIUI 10/11 (only for old firmware)

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.MiuiWarningActivity

This command runs a reset menu that some versions of MIUI have allowed you to bypass locking, but on the Redmi Note 5 Pro with MIUI 12+, this method does not work.

⚠️ Attention: Purchase of “authorized” EDL-Accounts on dubious sites (such as AliExpress) are fraught with fraud. Many sellers offer accounts that stop working after a few days. The alternative is to contact a service center with evidence of purchase of the device (check, purchase agreement).

4.Unlock after Soft Brick (hangs on logo)

If the Redmi Note 5 Pro is turned on but not loaded beyond the Mi logo, it is called Soft Brick. Causes: firmware failure, conflict of Magisk modules or damage to system files.

Method 1: Fastboot Flashing

• 📌 Download the official firmware for whyred (choose the Fastboot version).
• 🖥️ Use the Mi Flash Tool with the Clean All option (full reset).
• ⏳ It'll take 5 to 10 minutes, and when you restart, it'll be like new.

Method 2: Installation of custom Recovery (TWRP)

If the boot loader is already unlocked, you can install TWRP sniff ZIP-firmware:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img


fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_9-0-whyred.img

Then, in TWRP, select Wipe → Format Data (enter yes) and run the firmware through Install.

💡

If the phone is cyclically restarted after firmware, try disabling dm-verity check via Magisk or patch it. Disable_Dm-Verity_ForceEncrypt.zip.

5 Unlock after Hard Brick (not included)

Hard Brick is the most serious condition where the device is not showing any signs of life: no vibration, no screen is burning, PC is not detecting the phone.

• 🔌 Failed firmware through Fastboot with process interruption.
• 🔥 Short-circuiting or damage to the eMMC chip.
• ⚡ Power problems (charge controller damaged).

Decisions:

1. Power check: Connect the battery to work (if you have access to the board) and check the voltage on the battery contacts with a multimeter (should be ~3.8V).
2. EDL-Mode (hardware reset): Requires Test Point soldering or use of Deep Flash Cable. Sweep through the full firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in mode EDL.

Calling the service:

• If the eMMC is damaged, a replacement chip (cost) will be required. ~3000–5000 ₽).
• In the official service Xiaomi can refuse if the device with custom firmware.

⚠️ Attention: Test Point soldering without experience can cause damage to the board.If you're not sure about your skills, it's best to consult a specialist.The cost of recovering from a failed soldering often exceeds the price of the phone itself.

6. Alternative methods of unlocking (at your own risk)

If the official methods do not help, some users resort to informal methods, we give them only for information - using these methods can lead to blocking of IMEI or breakage of the device.

Method 1: Using the XiaomiTool V2 utility

This program automates unlocking the bootloader and removing Mi-account through exploits.

• ✅ Works on firmware until MIUI 12.
• ❌ New versions require an authorized EDL-account.
• 🔗 Reference to XDA (Use it at your own risk).

Method 2: Bypassing DNS-spoofing (only for older devices)

On some versions MIUI You could have cheated Xiaomi servers by redirecting them. DNS-This method doesn't work now, but it's still found on forums:

adb shell settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0


adb shell settings put global captive_portal_server your-fake-server.com

⚠️ On the Redmi Note 5 Pro with MIUI 13+ this way is useless.

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None of the alternative methods guarantee 100% results, and risks include loss of warranty, blocking IMEI, and inability to restore the device.

7.How to avoid blocking in the future

To avoid unblocking problems, follow these rules:

• 🔐 Always untie your device from Mi-account before selling: Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete the account.

If you often experiment with firmware, we recommend:

• Use an unlocked bootloader (but remember that this reduces security).
• Install Magisk to manage root rights without changing the system partition.
• Check in MD5-hashes of firmware before installation (for example, via HashMyFiles).

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Redmi Note 5 Pro