Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader (2021): full instructions with nuances

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a must for installing custom firmware, obtaining root rights or restoring the device after software failures. In 2021, the company tightened the requirements for the procedure: now unlocking requires not only binding the Mi Account account, but also compliance with strict time limits. This article will help you understand current rules, avoid typical errors and successfully unlock the bootloader on the models of Redmi Note 10, POCO F3, Mi 11 and other devices of 2021 release.

It is important to understand that the unlocking procedure carries risks from loss of warranty to complete “bricking” of the device. Xiaomi officially allows unlocking, but only if all conditions are met — otherwise the system will block attempts for 30 days or forever. We will discuss each step in detail, from preparation to solving possible problems, including Couldn’t unlock and Account not bound errors.

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

A bootloader is a program that starts when a smartphone is turned on and determines which operating system to boot. Xiaomi blocks it by default on all devices starting in 2016, for several reasons:

• 🔒 Security: Protection against the installation of malware or unofficial firmware that may contain backdoors.
• 📱 Stability: preventing failures due to poor-quality custom firmware that can “brick” the device.
• 📊 Controlling the ecosystem: Xiaomi aims to keep users in its ecosystem (MIUI, Mi Cloud services).
• 🛡️ Warranty obligations: unlocking automatically cancels the warranty on the software part.

However, the unlocked bootloader opens up new possibilities for the user:

• 🔄 Install custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) with pure Android.
• 🔧 Getting root-rights for deep system configuration (change system files, delete bloatware).
• 🔄 Restore your device via Fastboot if standard methods don’t work.
• 📱 Testing of beta versions MIUI before official release.

Since 2021, Xiaomi has tightened the rules: now between the account binding and unlocking must pass at least 168 hours (7 days), this is done to protect against theft of devices – an attacker will not be able to quickly erase data.

Requirements for unlocking the bootloader in 2021

Before starting the procedure, make sure that your device and account meet all the conditions, otherwise the system will block attempts for 30 days or even forever.

⚠️ Note: If you bought the device with your hands, make sure the previous owner untie his Mi Account.Otherwise, unlocking will not be possible without his participation. Xiaomi does not provide a way to reset the account without confirmation from the previous owner.

Pay special attention to the region of the account, if your Mi Account is registered in China and your device is a global version (or vice versa), you may have problems unlocking, in which case you should create a new account in the same region as the firmware of the device.

Preparing the smartphone for unlocking: step-by-step instructions

Before starting the Mi Unlock Tool, you need to properly prepare the device, and skipping any of the steps can lead to errors Couldn't verify device or Account not bound.

Enable the developer mode (click 7 times on the build number in "About phone")

Activate USB-debugging and unlocking OEM developer-setting

Attach Mi Account to your device (in account settings)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Install ADB and Fastboot drivers on PC

Download the official Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi website

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Let us examine each item in more detail:

1. Activate Developer Mode Go to Settings → About Phone and press 7 times on the MIUI Version line. A notification will appear “You became a developer”.
2. Inclusion USB-debugging OEM-Unlock Back to the main settings, open the section For developers (may be called Additional) → For developers. Activate the switches: 🔌 Debugging by USB (USB debugging) 🔓 Unlocking OEM (OEM unlocking) ⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10S) release point OEM In this case, first link Mi Account, then reboot the device, the option should appear.
3. Mi Account binding Go to Settings → Xiaomi account and log in. Make sure your device is displayed in the Mi Cloud section. If the link fails, try restarting your smartphone.
4. Waiting time check After the account is linked, 168 hours must pass: 🔄 Resetting to factory settings 📱 Fastboot flashing through Fastboot 🔧 Untied Xiaomi account

If you missed a step, Mi Unlock Tool will give you an error with the code. For example, 86006 means that it is not enabled. USB-86012 says that the account is not linked to the device, and we will discuss the full list of error codes in the section on problems.

Installation of Mi Unlock Tool and drivers on PC

The official utility Mi Unlock Tool works only on Windows (7/8/10/11). For macOS or Linux, you will need a virtual machine. You need to download the program only from the official Xiaomi website - third-party sources may contain viruses.

Download link: https://en.miui.com/unlock/ (select the version for your region). The current version is Mi Unlock Tool 5.5.224.24 as of 2021.

Installation of drivers:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC through the original USB-cable (use the port) USB 2.0 for stability).
2. On the menu. USB-Debugging on the phone select File Transfer mode (MTP).
3. Launch Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator. The program will automatically install the ADB and Fastboot drivers.
4. If the drivers are not installed, download them manually from the Android Developer website.

After installing the drivers, transfer the device to Fastboot mode:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power + Volume button down for 10 seconds.
3. Connect the device to the PC – a hare in a hat-eared hat (Fastboot logo) will appear on the screen.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use USB-Hubs or extensions – they can cause connection errors. Also disable all antiviruses while you unlock them: they can block the Mi Unlock Tool.

Unlocking process: step-by-step guide

Now, to unlock itself, the whole process takes 5-10 minutes, but requires strict adherence to the instructions.

1. Open the program on behalf of the administrator. Sign in under the same Mi Account that is associated with the device.
2. Connect your device to make sure your smartphone is in Fastboot mode. Connect it to your PC. The Mi Unlock Tool should have a Phone connected message.
3. Check the Unlock Status Press the Unlock button. the program will check: 🔄 Waiting time (should be 0 days 0 hours) 🔒 Account binding status 📱 Device compatibility

If all conditions are met, a warning will appear about the loss of warranty.

Starting unlocking

Press Unlock anyway. The process will take 1-2 minutes. Upon completion, the device will automatically restart.

Once unlocked, all data on the device will be deleted (including photos, messages, and apps). Backup in advance via Settings → Additional → Backup or Mi Cloud.

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Once successfully unlocked, the bootloader will remain unlocked even after flashing or resetting, but the binding to the Mi Account remains – it will take 168 hours to re-unblock after the reset.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, errors can occur, and the following are the most common problems and ways to solve them.

If you see an error Current account is different from the account info on the device, it means that:

• 🔄 You have logged in to the Mi Unlock Tool under a different account than the one linked to the device.
• 📱 An old account is tied to a smartphone (for example, from a previous owner).

Solution: untie your old account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Delete your account, then link a new one and wait 168 hours.

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If the Mi Unlock Tool is stuck in the device verification phase, try changing Windows regional settings to China (a temporary solution that helps 30% of the time).

What to do after unlocking the loader

Once you successfully unlock, you'll get a device that unlocks the bootloader and resets.

• 🔄 Install custom recovery (for example, TWRP) backup.
• 📱 Switch to alternative firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience).
• 🔧 Get root rights through Magisk.
• 🔄 Restore your device via Fastboot if it has been “bricked".

However, keep in mind the risks:

• 🚫 Loss of the guarantee on the software part (hardware guarantee is retained).
• 🔒 Security vulnerabilities: Unlocked bootloader makes it easier to install malware.
• 📱 Unstable work: custom firmware may contain bugs.

If you unlocked the bootloader to install TWRP, follow this instruction:

1. Download the official TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
2. Put the device into Fastboot mode.
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and execute: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img fastboot boot twrp.img
4. After downloading to TWRP, back up the Boot and Data section.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader