Modern Xiaomi smartphones, including the popular Redmi 9 Pro, initially ship with a closed bootloader, which limits the system’s customization capabilities. Unlocking Bootloader gives you access to the installation of modified firmware, superuser rights, and deep interface customization. However, this process requires care, as it entails the complete removal of all user data from the device.
Before you start technical manipulation, you need to understand the risks and prepare the device. The procedure is officially supported by the manufacturer, but requires waiting for a certain period of time after the application. In this article, we will discuss in detail each step, from registering an account to the final stage of unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool utility.
It is important to understand that once the operation is complete, the software warranties may be removed and some banking applications will cease to work without additional security settings. However, for enthusiasts, this is the only way to have full control of the Android smartphone. Let's start by preparing the necessary tools and checking the compatibility of your account.
Preparation of the device and account Mi
The first critical step is to link your Mi Account to a particular device, and without that, the company's servers won't allow it to be unlocked, and the utility will give you an error. SIM-card with active mobile Internet, as binding via Wi-Fi in some versions of the firmware may not work correctly.
Go to your smartphone settings and find the About Phone section, and you'll need to click on the MIUI version several times to activate the Developer Menu, and then in the advanced settings, you'll need to find the Uploader Status and click Add Account. Make sure you're logged in to the account you're planning to use on your computer.
⚠️ Attention: Once you have an account attached, the waiting time starts counting down. For new accounts, this can be from 7 to 15 days, during which time you will not be able to unlock the phone.
It’s also worth checking the battery level, which should be at least 60% so that the device doesn’t turn off at a critical moment.Make sure the latest available firmware version is installed on the smartphone, as older versions of MIUI may have vulnerabilities or not work properly with the new version of the unlocker.
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Use the original. USB-cable coming with the kit, as cheap analogues often do not support data transfer mode and work only for charging.
Necessary tools and software
To do this, you'll need a personal computer or laptop running Windows. On macOS or Linux, the process is possible, but requires complicated workarounds and is not guaranteed by the manufacturer. The main tool will be the official Mi Unlock utility, which you need to download from the official website.
It is also critical to establish the correct USB-Xiaomi drivers, without which your computer will not be able to recognize your smartphone in Fastboot mode, are usually installed automatically with the unlock program, but in some cases you need to manually install it through Device Manager.
Below is a list of what needs to be ready for the start:
- 📱 Redmi 9 Pro smartphone with a tied account
- 💻 PC with Windows 10 or 11 and a stable Internet
- 🔌 Original. USB-type-c cable
- 🔑 Login and password from Mi Account
Installation of drivers and configuration Mi Unlock
After downloading the archive with the Mi Unlock utility, unpack it into the root folder of the disk, for example, C:\MiUnlock, To avoid problems with encoding paths, run the executable file. miflash_unlock.exe When you first start, it will prompt you to log in to your Mi Account, using the same data as you used on your phone.
If the drivers are not installed automatically, you can use the Device Manager. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode (we will talk about how to log in to it in the next section). Device Manager will appear unknown device or device called Android Bootloader Interface. You need to update the driver by specifying the path to the folder with drivers inside the utility archive.
A common problem is the conflict of versions of the program. If the utility requires an update, be sure to agree, as older versions may not support new models or versions of MIUI. Also make sure that antivirus software does not block the utility from working, adding it to exceptions.
What to do if the driver is not installed?
Enter Fastboot Mode and Connect to PC
Fastboot mode is a special diagnostic interface that allows low-level interaction with the device. To enter this mode on a switched-off Redmi 9 Pro smartphone, you need to press the volume button and, holding it, connect a USB cable connected to the computer.
The device will display an image of a hare repairing an android and the words FASTBOOT.This means that the phone is ready for commands. If the screen remains black, try pinching the combination of power and volume buttons at the same time, and then plug in the cable.
In Mi Unlock, click Check. The utility will contact the server and confirm the status of your device. If your account is tied correctly and the waiting time has expired, a message will appear about the possibility of unlocking. If the time has not run out, the program will show how many hours or days are left to wait.
| Status | Description | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Tieted. | The account is successfully linked to the device | Wait for the timer to end |
| Not tied. | Account not found in the device system | Tie in the phone settings |
| Network error | No connection to the server | Check the Internet and Proxies |
| Ready. | Waiting time is up. | Press "Unblock" |
The process of unlocking the loader
When all the checks are done and the countdown timer is over, the Unlock button will be active. Press it. A warning will appear that all the data on the device will be destroyed. This is an irreversible process, so backup of important photos and contacts must be done in advance.
Once confirmed, the program will begin the unlocking process. The progress bar will show the execution status, which usually takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. At this time, it is strictly forbidden to turn off the cable or interrupt the computer.
⚠️ Warning: During the data cleanup process, the phone may reboot several times, the screen may go out and light up - this is normal security behavior.
☑️ Checklist before launch
When the procedure is completed, the program window will display the words “Unlocked successfully” with the corresponding emoji, the phone will go into initial settings, as after buying from the store, the bootloader is now open, as confirmed by the corresponding inscription when the device is turned on.
Possible errors and methods of their solution
During the unlock process, users often encounter error codes 10009 or 10013. The first usually indicates problems with the Internet connection or the servers are blocked by the provider. DNS-servers on a computer or using an alternative internet connection, such as handouts from a mobile phone.
Error 20003 is most often due to the wrong version of your account or the fact that your phone has entered a different Mi Account than the one used in the program. Check the settings in the Advanced Settings section → Uploader Status again. This error can also occur if you try to unlock a device that has already been unlocked and reset without re-assigning.
Sometimes the utility hangs on 99% In this case, don't panic. 10-15 If progress is not shifted, force the phone to restart (clamping the power button on the phone). 10 And then you try to start it again. Often, you try again.
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Most errors are solved by simply re-linking an account and waiting for a full 168 hours (7 days) from the first link.