How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi: official and unofficial ways

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones is a must for custom firmware installation, root rights or device recovery after software failures. However, the procedure involves risks ranging from loss of warranty to full “bricking” of the phone if you break the sequence of actions. In this article, we will discuss current 2026 unlock methods, including the official method through the Mi Unlock Tool and alternative solutions for devices with a blocked Mi Account.

The manufacturer deliberately complicates the process: since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened the requirements for unlocking, introducing mandatory binding to the account and increasing the time for waiting for confirmation. However, it is possible to circumvent these restrictions – the main thing is to follow the proven instructions and understand the consequences.

The article will suit the owners of all Redmi lines - from the budget Redmi A2 before the Redmi flagship K60 Pro, as well as devices under the brand POCO (for example, POCO X5 Pro, because they use a similar lock system, and if your model is released before 2018, some steps may be different, we will mention this separately.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and what it gives the user

Factory lock bootloader is standard practice for most Android devices, but Xiaomi is taking it especially strictly.

• 🔒 Data security: A blocked bootloader prevents malware from being installed at the system level, even if an attacker gains physical access to the phone.
• 📱 Firmware Control: Xiaomi wants users to use only official software, avoiding custom builds that can disrupt services (for example, Mi Cloud or Mi Pay).
• 🛡️ Protection against theft: binding to a Mi Account makes it difficult to use the stolen device - after reset, it will require entering the username / password of the original owner.
• 🔄 Reducing the number of bricks: inexperienced users often ruin phones when trying to flash incompatible software.

On the other hand, the unlocked bootloader opens up wide possibilities:

• 🚀 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience or MIUI Pro) with extended functions.
• 🔧 Getting root rights for deep system configuration (change) DPI, Removal of embedded applications, overclocking of the processor).
• 🔄 Restore the device after a soft brick (for example, if the phone is stuck on the logo) MI).
• 📡 Use of modems and cores optimized for specific regions (relevant for global firmware devices purchased in China).

⚠️ Attention! Unlocking the bootloader will cancel the warranty on the device. Even if you Later locks it back, the Xiaomi service center will be able to determine the interference from the system logs.

Preparing for Unlocking: What to Do Before Starting

Before you start unlocking, follow the mandatory preparatory steps, which can lead to data loss, account locking, or even the inability to turn on your phone.

Backup all data (photos, contacts, messages)

Make sure that the battery charge is ≥ 60%

Disable two-factor authentication in Mi Account (if enabled)

Download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool from the official website

Prepare. USB-cable (preferably original)

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First and foremost, backup. Unlocking the bootloader results in a complete hard reset.

• 📸 Photos and videos (for example, through Google Photos or on PC).
• 📞 Contacts (export to.vcf or sync with Google Account).
• 💬 Messages (use applications like this) SMS Backup & Restore).
• 🎮 Game and Application Data (if cloud-based storage is supported).

Check the status of your Mi Account:

1. Make sure you remember your login and password. If you forgot, restore access before the procedure begins.
2. Disable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Otherwise, Mi Unlock Tool can block the unlocking.

Also prepare a PC with Windows (on the macOS/Linux the official instrument is not working; and:

• 🖥️ Install the latest drivers for Xiaomi (download from the official website).
• 🔌 Use the original. USB-cable (cheap cables can cause connection errors).
• 🔋 Battery charge should be at least 60% - when discharged during the procedure, the phone can turn into a brick".

⚠️ If your device was purchased in China and runs on firmware for the region CN, Before unlocking, be sure to run the global version MIUI Otherwise, the Mi Unlock Tool may not recognize the model or lock it permanently.

Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

This is the only method Xiaomi supports, and the safest is to follow the instructions, but it requires waiting (usually 7-15 days) and binding to an account, and it involves three steps: linking the account to the device, waiting for confirmation, and actually unlocking.

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account to your phone

This step is critical – without it, the Mi Unlock Tool will not allow you to unlock the bootloader.

1. On your phone, go to Settings. → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Turn on sync and make sure your email is displayed at the top of the screen.
3. Back to Settings → About the phone and tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, to activate the Developer Mode.
4. Then go to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable:

Device added

Step 2: Waiting for confirmation (7-15 days)

Once the account is tied, Xiaomi temporarily locks the phone so that the user cannot unlock it immediately after the theft.

To speed up the process, some users try to reset the timer by unbundling and re-associating the account, but this does not work - Xiaomi fixes the first connection. The only legal way to reduce the wait is to use a device with a tied account for longer than 30 days (for example, if the phone was bought a long time ago, but the unlock was not performed).

Step 3: Unlocking with Mi Unlock Tool

After the waiting period has expired:

Let’s look at the two most common alternative methods:

Method 1: Unlocking through mode EDL (power-user)

Emergency Download Mode Mode (EDL) It allows you to flash the device at a low level, bypassing the bootloader lock, but this requires an authorized Xiaomi account (which you can buy from sellers on forums) or a vulnerability in the firmware.

Instructions:

1. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil to firmware the file prog_emmc_firehose.mbn (firmware-archive).

⚠️ Attention, firmware through EDL Without an authorized Xiaomi account, it will be blocked. IMEI (The phone will lose communication with the network operators, and you can only restore it through an official service, which costs you a lot of money. ~30-50% of the cost of the device.

Method 2: Use community utilities (e.g. XiaomiTool) V2)

There are informal tools that automate unlocking, such as XiaomiTool. V2 Or Mi Flash Unlock. They work on the following principle:

1. Bypass the verification of the Mi Account through the emulation of the official server.
2. Use vulnerabilities in older versions of the Mi Unlock Tool.
3. In some cases, it is possible to unlock the device without waiting.

However, these methods have serious shortcomings:

• 🕵️‍♂️ High risk of account data leakage (some utilities send a login / password to third-party servers).
• 🚫 Xiaomi could lock the device permanently if it detects the use of unofficial tools.
• 💻 Knowledge of working with ADB Fastboot and without them it is easy to make a mistake.

If you do decide to do this, follow the instructions from trusted sources, such as the forum. XDA Developers.The following is an example of a team to check the status of a lock through ADB:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.verifiedbootstate

If the answer is orange, the bootloader is unlocked, if green is blocked.

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Before using unofficial utilities, check their reputation on forums. e.g. XiaomiTool V2 It has open source code on GitHub, which reduces the risk of malware.

What to do after unlocking the loader

Once successfully unlocked, your device is ready to install custom software, but you need to take a few critical steps first:

Step 1: Install custom recovery (TWRP)

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is an alternative recovery that allows you to install firmware, make backups and get root rights:

1. Download the latest version of TWRP for your model from the official website.
2. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB.
3. Turn off your phone and log in to Fastboot (Loudness Down + Power).
4. Connect to the PC and execute the command:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

After that, the phone will be loaded into TWRP. Make a backup section persist (it contains) IMEI and other critical data).

Step 2: Getting root rights through Magisk

Magisk is the most popular root tool to get without violating system integrity.

1. Download the latest version of Magisk (.zip) from GitHub.
2. Move the file to the phone.
3. In TWRP, select Install → specify the path to Magisk.zip → swipe for confirmation.
4. Once installed, reboot. Check for root through the Magisk Manager app.

Step 3: Install custom firmware

With the unlocked loader and TWRP You can also use an alternative firmware, for example:

• 📱 LineageOS – “clean” Android without unnecessary applications.
• 🔧 Pixel Experience – firmware with Google Pixel functionality.
• 🚀 MIUI Pro – a modified version of the standard firmware with advanced settings.

Before installation:

1. Make sure the firmware is compatible with your model (check in the forum). XDA or 4PDA).
2. Make a full backup in TWRP (including boot, system, data).
3. Run the Wipe. → Format Data (this will delete all data, but is necessary to avoid conflicts).

⚠️ Attention, installing firmware that is not designed for your model will cause loss. IMEI, For example, firmware for Redmi Note 11 (spes) is not suitable for Redmi Note 11 Pro (veux), even if the devices are similar in appearance.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when unlocking Xiaomi Redmi, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If after unlocking the phone stopped turning on or stuck on the logo MI, try:

1. Press Volume up + Power for 10-15 seconds for forced reboot.
2. Log in to Fastboot and flash the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean all option).
3. If nothing helps - contact the service center (but note that unlocking the bootloader deprives of warranty).

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If sensors (such as a gyroscope or proximity sensor) stop working after unlocking, flash the original firmware marked Save user data into the Mi Flash Tool.

How to lock the boot loader back (if necessary)

Sometimes you need to return the device to its original state, for example, before selling or contacting a service center.

1. Swipe the original firmware through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean all and lock option).
2. Or manually block the bootloader with a command:

fastboot oem lock

After that, the device will return to the factory settings, but:

• 🔒 The possibility of installing custom firmware is blocked.
• 📱 All data (including internal memory) will be reset).
• 🔄 The binding to the Mi Account will remain – to unlock again you will need to wait 7-15 days.

⚠️ Attention! If you block the bootloader on a device with custom firmware installed, the phone won't turn on and will require a complete flashing through the device. EDL or Fastboot.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi