Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 5: a complete guide with current methods 2026

The Xiaomi Mi 5, released in 2016, is still a popular device among Android customization enthusiasts. However, installing custom firmware, root rights or modified cores requires unlocking the bootloader. The official unlock process from Xiaomi has changed over the years — many old guides contain outdated data that will lead to errors or account lock. In this article, we will discuss current ways to unlock the Mi 5 in 2026, including bypassing typical problems and Mi Account requirements.

It's important to understand that unlocking a bootloader is not just a technical procedure, it's an agreement with the manufacturer. Xiaomi ties it to a binding to a Mi Account, which makes it difficult for devices bought "by hand" or with inactive accounts of previous owners. Also, after unlocking, all data on the phone is reset, and the warranty (if it still works) is canceled. But if you're ready for these consequences, read on.

Why do I need to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 5?

The factory bootloader Xiaomi blocks:

• 🔧 Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, MIUI Pro and others.).
• 🛠️ Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🔄 Modification of system partitions (e.g., to remove bloatware or modify animations).
• 📱 Use of alternative cores to improve performance or autonomy.

Without unlocking, even official tools like fastboot flashing unlock won't work -- the phone will simply ignore the command.

• 🔒 All data (including internal memory) is reset.
• 📵 Some Mi Cloud features (e.g., device search) may stop working.
• ⚠️ The risk of "bricking" increases with incorrect actions with firmware.

If your goal is simply to remove ads in MIUI or disable unnecessary services, you don't have to unlock it. You just need ADB- commands or developer settings. But if you're planning deep customization, you can't unlock it.

Requirements before unlocking: what to prepare

Before starting the procedure, make sure that all the conditions are met:

A critical note for the Xiaomi Mi 5: if the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else’s Mi Account, unlocking without the previous owner’s data is impossible.In this case, the only way out is to contact Xiaomi support with proof of purchase (check, box) to reset the tether.

Also check if the bootloader is locked at the hardware level.

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter fastboot.
3. Connect to your PC and type the command: fastboot oem device-info
4. If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the bootloader is locked and can be unlocked.

Create and confirm Mi Account (if not)| Update MIUI to the latest version| Charge phone to 60%+| Install ADB/Fastboot drivers on PC| Download Mi Unlock Tool (official version)| Backup data-->

Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only method Xiaomi supports, and while it seems simple, there are pitfalls, especially for older devices like the Mi 5.

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account to your phone

Without this step, the Mi Unlock Tool will not unlock the bootloader.

1. Turn on your phone and connect to the internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data).
2. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
3. Enable data synchronization (required!).
4. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on the build number to activate the developer mode.
5. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable: 🔘 Debugging with USB 🔘 Unlock OEM (important item!)

If the option Unlock OEM is inactive (grey), then:

• 🔹 Mi Account is not confirmed (you need to link the phone number).
• 🔹 The phone is linked to another account (reset via Xiaomi is required).
• 🔹 The device is blacklisted (e.g., stolen).

Step 2: Installation of Mi Unlock Tool

Download the latest version of the utility from the official website (Windows only!) Install it and run it on behalf of the administrator.

In the program:

1. Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
2. Turn off the Mi 5 and press Volume Down + Power to enter the fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC. Wait until the Mi Unlock Tool says Phone Connected.
4. Press Unlock.

If everything goes well, in 5-10 seconds, the Unlocked successfully message will appear. The phone will automatically reboot with the bootloader unlocked.

Alternative methods: if the official method does not work

On Xiaomi Mi 5 (codename gemini), workarounds sometimes go off if the Mi Unlock Tool refuses to unlock the bootloader.

Method 1: Unlocking through EDL (Emergency Mode)

This method requires an authorized EDL account (it can be bought from trusted sellers or obtained through acquaintances in service centers).

• 🔸 Mi Unlock Tool is a Couldn't verify device error.
• 🔸 Phone is not turned on (but is defined in fastboot).
• 🔸 The bootloader is locked at the hardware level.

Instructions:

1. Download Mi Flash Pro and firmware for Mi 5 in.tgz format.
2. Turn off your phone and press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power to enter the EDL (the screen will be black).
3. Connect to a PC. Device Manager should appear Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. In Mi Flash Pro, select firmware, specify the path to the auth file (if required), and click Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Incorrect firmware through EDL can turn the Mi 5 into a brick. This method is recommended only for power users or in service centers.

Method 2: Bypassing test firmware (for advanced)

Some enthusiasts use Xiaomi's test firmware, which temporarily disables the bootloader check. Mi 5 will do the MIUI 7.3.23 firmware (development).

1. Download the archive with firmware and rename it to update.zip.
2. Put it at the root of the phone’s internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
4. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Select the firmware file.
5. Install update.zip and wait for the reboot.

After installing the test firmware, try unlocking the bootloader again through the Mi Unlock Tool. The chances of success increase, but there is no guarantee.

💡

If the phone is stuck on the Mi logo after unlocking, don't panic. Turn it off with a long hold on the power button (20+ seconds), then press Volume Up + Power to log into Recovery and make Wipe Data.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, users of Xiaomi Mi 5 are faced with errors.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔹 Does the phone have anti-rollback protection (ARB) for the Mi 5, it appears on firmware newer than MIUI 10.2.
• 🔹 Is the phone linked to a corporate account (e.g., if the device was issued by a company to employees).
• 🔹 Is the IMEI phone in the Xiaomi blacklist (can be checked via fastboot oem get_imei).

💡

If the Mi Unlock Tool is 100% error and hangs on the check, don't turn off your phone! wait for a timeout (10-15 minutes) or restart the utility.

What to do after successful unblocking?

Now the bootloader is unlocked, but this is just the first step, and the next steps depend on your goal.

1. Installation of custom firmware

For Xiaomi Mi 5 popular:

• 📱 LineageOS (Pure Android without unnecessary services)
• 📱 Pixel Experience (like the Google Pixel interface).
• 📱 MIUI Pro (modified MIUI without ads).

For installation:

1. Download the firmware in.zip format and place it on the SD- card or internal memory.
2. Install custom recovery (e.g. TWRP): fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0_gemini.img fastboot boot twrp-3.7.0_gemini.img
3. In TWRP, make Wipe → Format Data (required!).
4. Install the firmware through Install.

2. Obtaining root rights

The most reliable way is through Magisk:

1. Download the latest version of Magisk.zip from GitHub.
2. Download to TWRP and search Magisk.zip.
3. Check root through the Magisk Manager app.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware for Mi 5 You need to turn off the dm-verity, otherwise the phone will not boot. disable_dm-verity_forceencrypt.zip.

3.A return to stock firmware

If something goes wrong, go back to the original MIUI.

1. Download fastboot firmware for Mi 5 from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive and run the script flash_all.bat (Windows) or flash_all.sh (Linux).
3. Wait until it's finished. The phone will reboot from a clean MIUI.

After returning to stock firmware, the bootloader will remain unlocked, but the OEM Unlock option in the developer settings may become inactive again.

How to avoid turning the Mi 5 into a brick

Unlocking the bootloader and further manipulation of the firmware always involve risks.

• 🔐 Always check checksums (MD5) of downloaded firmware and tools. Fake files may contain malicious code.
• 🔋 Don't interrupt the firmware process, even if it's longer than usual. For the Mi 5, the normal installation time for LineageOS is up to 15 minutes.
• 📡 Use stable firmware versions. Developers often label experimental builds as unofficial or alpha — they can contain critical bugs.
• 🔄 Backups are done with TWRP before every system change. Store them on your PC, not just your phone.

If the phone is still "bricked" (does not turn on, hangs on the logo, is not defined in fastboot), try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 30+ seconds (sometimes helps with soft brick).
2. Connect to your PC in EDL- mode and flash the stock firmware through Mi Flash Pro.
3. Contact the service center with an indication that the phone has been officially unlocked (this is important for warranty cases).

Tips for Mi 5 owners: If you don’t plan to install custom firmware but want to remove ads in MIUI, you just need to get root rights without unlocking the bootloader. There are methods through exploit (like DirtyCOW), but they only work on older versions of MIUI (up to the 10th).

💡

Before selling the Xiaomi Mi 5 with an unlocked bootloader, be sure to return the stock firmware and lock the bootloader back (via fastboot oem lock).This will increase the chances of a successful sale and avoid questions from the buyer.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 5