How to unlock a bootloader on Xiaomi without losing data: official and unofficial ways

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphones is a must for custom firmware installation, root rights or device recovery after software failures. However, the standard procedure through the Mi Unlock Tool requires a complete data reset, making it unacceptable for users who do not have a backup. Are there ways to circumvent this restriction?

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking the bootloader without losing data, including official loopholes, alternative tools and risks associated with each approach. It is important to understand that Xiaomi tightens its security policy every year, so the performance of methods depends on the device model, MIUI version and even the firmware region. For example, on new flagships (Xiaomi 14, Redmi K70), reset circumvention is almost impossible, whereas on older models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1) the chances are higher.

Before you start, check if your device is suitable for unlocking without losing data. To do this, check the compatibility table below and prepare the necessary tools. We remind you that any manipulation of the bootloader can lead to the blocking of your Mi Account, cancellation of the warranty or the “brick” of the device – act at your own risk.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and demanding a data reset?

Xiaomi introduced a forced data reset when unlocking the bootloader in 2017, citing concern for user safety.

• 🔒 Preventing data theft when selling/losing a device (an attacker will not be able to unlock the bootloader and extract personal information).
• 🛡️ Protection against the installation of malware through custom firmware.
• 📱 Compliance with Chinese regulators (unblocking without reset is prohibited by law in China).
• 🔄 Reducing the number of “brick” devices that users send to service centers.

But the real reason lies in controlling the ecosystem: Xiaomi has no interest in users installing third-party firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) that deprives the company of advertising and analytics revenue.

Interesting fact: on devices for the Chinese market (CN-ROM) Unlocking without reset is technically possible via service mode, but requires physical access to Xiaomi service centers (Global/EEA-ROM) This method is blocked programmatically.

Mi Unlock Tool with reset bypass (does not work on all models)

Xiaomi’s standard Mi Unlock Tool requires you to link your Mi Account to your device and wait 7 to 168 hours (depending on the model) after unlocking the data is erased. However, there is a loophole on some devices: if you do not confirm unlocking in the tool itself, but use alternative commands, you can avoid resetting.

This method works on Qualcomm processor devices (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) and requires:

1. Activated USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (7 times press) → Additional → For developers → USB debugging).
2. Linked Mi Account to the device (at least 72 hours ago)
3. Installed drivers Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
4. Mi Unlock Tool (newer version 5.5.224.30)

Step-by-step:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
2. Run the Mi Unlock Tool and wait for the tool to recognize the device.
3. Press Unlock, but do not confirm action in the warning window!
4. Close the Mi Unlock Tool and open the command line in the tool folder.
5. Enter the command: fastboot oem unlock_go If the device supports this method, the bootloader unlocks without resetting.

USB debugging and OEM unlocking activated

Mi Account tied to device over 72 hours ago

Qualcomm and ADB/Fastboot drivers installed

Mi Unlock Tool is not newer than 5.5.224.30

Backup of important data (in case of failure)

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This method has stopped working on devices with MIUI 13+ and new chips (Snapdragon) 8 Gen 2/3, Dimensity 9000+). On the Redmi Note. 12 And it's more likely to cause a reset.

⚠️ Note: If you are following the fastboot oem command unlock_go The device rebooted to Fastboot with this device is locked, which means the method didn't work. 30 days!

Alternative methods: EDL and service modes

If the official method does not work, there are still informal methods associated with the use of EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which allows you to flash the device at a low level, bypassing the locks of Xiaomi.

• 🔌 Authorized EDL-account (paid, worth it) ~$5–$Free accounts are often blocked.
• 🖥️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil (for Qualcomm).
• 📄 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 🔧 Phone with a discharged battery (30–50%) to prevent failures.

The process of unlocking through EDL:

1. Put the device into EDL mode: For Qualcomm: Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Connect USB. For Mediatek: Use the command adb reboot edl (requires root).

Mi Flash Pro

Flash

Don't turn off the USB!

After the reboot, the bootloader will be unlocked and the data stored.

This method works on 80% of Xiaomi devices (except the latest flagships), but has risks:

Unlocking through exploits (for advanced users)

Some devices can exploit firmware vulnerabilities that unlock the bootloader without reset, such as the DirtyCOW exploit (CVE-2016-5195) running MIUI 8-10, and the CVE-2020-0041 running on Qualcomm chips until 2021.

• 🐞 Exploit for Mediatek: exploits vulnerability in bootrom (Redmi) 9A/9C, POCO C3). Requires a program MTK Client.
• 🔓 Fastboot-oem-bypass: bypasses the check of Mi Unlock Tool on older versions MIUI (up to 12.5).
• 📱 ADB-Circuit commands: Adb shell su setprop persist.vendor.unlock 1 reboot

Example of unlocking through MTK Client:

1. Install Python 3.9+ and the libusb library.
2. Download MTK Client and connect your phone in BROM mode (clip Volume up + down when the phone is off).
3. Run the command: python mtk e metadata,userdata This will create a backup of metadata and userdata partitions.
4. Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool (data will be erased).
5. Restore backup: python mtk w metadata,userdata

⚠️ Note: Exploits are often closed in new versions MIUI. For example, the method of MTK Client has stopped working for Mediatek Helio G96/G99 After Security Update in May 2023 Before using, check the relevance in the forums. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

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Before using exploits, check the bootloader version with the command fastboot getvar all. If the output has the bar unlocked: yes, your bootloader is already unlocked and no further action is needed!

Data recovery after unlocking (if the reset still occurred)

If you can't avoid a reset, you can try to recover some of the data using specialized tools, and keep in mind that the odds depend on whether File-Based Encryption (FBE) was enabled in MIUI. If so, the data is encrypted and can't be restored.

Recovery methods:

• 📁 Through TWRP: If you managed to install custom recavators before reset, connect the phone to the PC and copy files from the section /data/media/0/.
• 🔍 Recovery software: DiskDigger (Android) – looks for deleted photos and documents. Dr.Fone (PC) – restores contacts and messages (requires root); R-Studio – for deep scanning of internal memory (works only on an unlocked bootloader).
• ☁️ Cloud Backups: Check Google Drive, Mi Cloud or Telegram (if you have enabled auto-pload media files).

To recover via TWRP:

1. Install TWRP via fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
2. In TWRP, go to Mount → Enable MTP.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and copy files from /data/media/0/.

If FBE is enabled, the data will be in.enc format and require an encryption key, which can be extracted from the TWRP backup ( /data/unencrypted/) or through ADB (if rooted):

adb pull /data/misc/vold/user_keys/de_keys

Xiaomi models that can unlock without data loss (2026)

List of devices that have at least one method confirmed to work (according to XDA Developers and 4PDA data as of June 2026):

On devices. 2022–2026 year of issue (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/F6) Bypassing data resets when unlocked is virtually impossible due to hardware protection (Qualcomm Secure Boot and Mediatek HyperEngine). EDL with an authorized account, but this often results in a loss of warranty.

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On new Xiaomi devices (2022+ years), unlocking without data loss is possible only through service centers with official access to EDL. Independent attempts are fraught with blocking IMEI or "brick".

Risks and how to minimize them

Unlocking the bootloader without resetting data is always a compromise between the desired result and potential problems.

• 🚨 Mi Account lock: if you use Mi Unlock Tool frequently or fail to try, you can block your account for 30-365 days.
• 📵 Loss of loss IMEI/serial number: relevant for methods with EDL on Qualcomm devices.
• 🧱 "Brick: the device stops turning on (most often due to interrupted firmware).
• 🔒 Data leakage: using informal tools (e.g, MTK Client from unknown sources).

How to reduce the risks:

• Use only trusted firmware sources (Xiaomi official website, XDA Developers, 4PDA).
• Before unlocking, disable two-factor authentication in your Mi Account (it can block access).
• For EDL, use authorized accounts (e.g., at edl.authorization.com).
• Create a full backup with TWRP or ADB: adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

If the device has become a brick:

1. Try flashing through EDL with an authorized account.
2. If it doesn’t help, contact the Xiaomi service center (the cost of “resuscitation” is ~$20-$50).
3. In extreme cases, use JTAG (requires soldering skills).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60) attempt to unlock without resetting through EDL leads to locking eMMC – the memory chip ceases to be defined, and recovery is possible only by replacing the motherboard.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader