Unlocking a bootloader on Xiaomi devices is a must for custom firmware installation, root rights or brick restoration. However, since 2023, the company has tightened the rules: now the process requires not only confirmation of a Mi Account account, but also a mandatory wait of up to 720 hours (30 days) for new devices. In this article, we will analyze current ways of unlocking, taking into account the latest changes in Xiaomi policy, and consider alternative methods for devices that do not support the official procedure.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty and can lead to data loss.After the procedure, the smartphone is completely reset, and some features (for example, Widevine) L1 viewable HD-Netflix content may not work properly, but for enthusiasts and developers, it's the only way to unlock the full potential of the device.
Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and what it gives the user
Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader on all its devices – from the budget Redmi to the flagship Xiaomi 14 – for several reasons:
- 🔒 Security: Closed bootloader protects against malware installation and unauthorized access to system partitions.
- 📱 Stability: prevents devices from “bricking” due to incorrect firmware or modifications.
- 📉 Ecosystem Control: Restricts the use of custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS) that can bypass Xiaomi’s built-in services.
For the average user, the unlocked bootloader opens the following possibilities:
- 🔧 Installation TWRP Or other custom recovery for backups and recovery.
- 📲 Firmware for alternative OS: Pixel Experience, ArrowOS, MIUI EU (Advertising-free and Chinese-based).
- 🛠️ Getting root rights through Magisk for deep system customization.
- 🔄 Recovery of the device after software failures (“soft brick»).
⚠️ Warning: Unlock the bootloader on devices with MediaTek processors (for example, Redmi Note 12) 5G) may result in loss IMEI Before the procedure, save a backup copy of the nvram partition!
Official method of unlocking: requirements and preparation
Since 2026, Xiaomi has been demanding stringent conditions to unlock the bootloader. If you bought a device recently, you will have to wait 30 days (720 hours) from the time your Mi Account is linked to your phone. For older devices (released before 2022), this rule may not apply, but you need to check the relevance individually.
What will be required for official unlocking:
- Mi Account with confirmed phone number and email.
- The device Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO version MIUI lower 12.5 (new-model — 14).
- Mi Unlock Tool (last version 6.5.224.24)
- Find My Device and Mi Cloud Sync are disabled in the phone settings.
Before starting the procedure, follow the following steps:
Link Mi Account to Settings → Xiaomi Account
Enable Developer Mode (7 times click on MIUI version in Settings → About phone)
Activate USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking in Settings → More → For Developers
Disable all screen locks (PIN, pattern lock, fingerprint)
Make a backup of the data (unlocking will reset the phone)
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If you see a gray item in the developer settings Unlock OEM (inactive), it means that your device has not yet passed the mandatory latency, in which case attempts to unlock through the Mi Unlock Tool will lead to a Couldn't unlock error.
Up to 7 days |1-2 weeks |3-4 weeks (standard deadline) |More than a month |I'll try to get around the wait-->
Step-by-step: unlock through Mi Unlock Tool
Once all the conditions are met, proceed to the procedure itself. Follow the instructions strictly in steps to avoid errors:
- Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official en.miui.com/unlock website (the version must match your MIUI).
- Launch Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator. Sign in with the same account.
- Press Unlock and wait until the process is completed (usually takes 1-3 minutes).
If it went well, you'll see a message called Unlocked successfully, the phone will automatically reboot and reset to factory settings, and you can now flash custom recovery or install alternative firmware.
⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T or Redmi K60) After unlocking, you may need to re-assign your account in the settings, otherwise the phone will ask for a password every time you turn on!
Common mistakes and their solutions
Even with accurate follow-up, users often encounter errors, and below is a table of the most common problems and ways to fix them:
| Error code | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn’t unlock (100%) | 720 hours of waiting or no account is tied to the device. | Wait 30 days from the time of attachment of the Mi Account or use workaround methods (see the next section). |
| Current account is different from the account info on the device | Mi Unlock Tool and phone use different accounts. | log out of all accounts on the phone, log in again and try again. |
| Device is locked. Unable to unlock | The device does not support unlocking (e.g., Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G with MediaTek processor). | Use informal methods (e.g. EDL) or look for firmware with an already unlocked bootloader. |
| Mi Unlock Tool doesn't see the device | There are no Fastboot drivers or cable issues. | Install drivers via Mi Flash Tool or try another USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0). |
If you get a Couldn’t verify device error, try:
- 🔌 Connect the phone to another USB-port (rear PC panel is preferred).
- 🔄 Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).
- 📱 Enable File Transfer (MTP) customized USB-Connect before switching to Fastboot.
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If the Mi Unlock Tool gives an error about the mismatch of the MIUI version, download the archive with the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website and install it through Fastboot before unlocking.
Bypassing the wait of 720 hours: working methods in 2026
The official 30 days wait is a major hurdle for many users, and luckily there are several ways to get around this restriction, but they require caution and can result in a Mi Account being blocked.
Method 1: Resetting latency through EDL (Engineering Mode)
This method works on devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (e.g. Xiaomi 12T, POCO F5).
- 🔧 EDL-cable or testpoint to convert the phone to 9008 mode.
- 💻 Mi Flash Pro or QFilm.
- 📄 File. persist.img modified-waiting.
Algorithm of action:
- Put your phone in EDL mode (via testpoint or a combination of buttons).
- Connect to your PC and run a modified persist.img.
- Restart the device and check the standby status in the Mi Unlock Tool.
⚠️ Attention: Incorrect firmware in mode EDL This method can turn a phone into a brick without recovery.
Method 2: Using an old Mi Account
If you have an account that was linked to another Xiaomi device before 2022, try:
- Sign in to a new phone under an old account.
- Wait 2-3 days (sometimes the wait is reduced to 72 hours).
- Try unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.
Method 3: Buying a device with an unlocked bootloader
In the secondary market (for example, Avito or AliExpress), you can find devices that have a bootloader already unlocked by the previous owner.
- 🔍 Check the status of the bootloader through the command: adb reboot bootloader fastboot oem device-info (the line Device unlocked: true means that the bootloader is unlocked).
- 📱 Make sure your device is not blacklisted by Xiaomi (check through fastboot getvar anti).
What happens if you use informal methods?
Unlocking on devices with MediaTek: features and risks
MediaTek processor devices (e.g., Redmi Note 12, POCO M5) have additional difficulties unlocking, with the main problem being the loss of IMEI and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth serial number, making the phone unusable for calls and the Internet.
How to minimize the risks:
- Save backup of nvram and nvdata before unlocking: adb shell su dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/nvram of=/sdcard/nvram.img dd if=/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/nvdata of=/sdcard/nvdata.img
- Use special MediaTek utilities such as MTK Client or SP Flash Tool.
- Only flash compatible firmware (e.g. MIUI EU with MediaTek support).
If the IMEI is missing after unlocking, restore it via the Maui META or SN Write Tool using stored backups. Some models (such as the Redmi 10C) may require soldering of the resistor on the DAA (MediaTek protection) unlock board.
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On devices with MediaTek, unlocking the bootloader often leads to a loss of warranty and network issues.If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to use the official method or contact specialists.
What to do after unlocking: the first steps
Once the bootloader is successfully unlocked, your device will reset completely.
- 📱 Installation of custom recovery (TWRP): fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img (download the current version TWRP For your model from twrp.me).
Getting root rights
- Download the latest version of Magisk (Magisk-v26.4.zip).
- Flip it through TWRP or patch it through Fastboot.
These devices require alternative methods (e.g., EDL or firmware via SP Flash Tool).