How to unlock Xiaomi bootloader through ADB Run: a step-by-step guide with nuances

Why unlocking Xiaomi bootloader requires a special approach

Xiaomi smartphones are known for their closed ecosystem, where the manufacturer actively limits user manipulation of the system. Unlocking the bootloader is the first step to install custom firmware, obtain root rights or restore bricks. However, in 2026, the process became more complicated: the company tightened the requirements for Mi Account accounts and introduced additional checks through ADB.

Using ADB Run (GUI Utility for ADB Commands) simplifies the process, but requires understanding the keys, from linking the device to the account to correctly entering commands. In this article, we will discuss the current unlock algorithm through ADB Run, taking into account the latest changes in Xiaomi’s policy, as well as typical errors that interrupt the process by 50% or 99%.

Important: the procedure is officially supported by Xiaomi, but voids the warranty. Once unlocked, the smartphone will be reset to factory settings and the data on internal memory will be deleted. From 2023, new models (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+) require a mandatory wait of 168 hours (7 days) after the device is linked to the account, even if you have previously unlocked other devices.

Preparing for Unlocking: What to Do Before Working with ADB Run

Before you start unlocking through ADB Run, you need to follow a number of mandatory steps, which will lead to errors such as Couldn't unlock or This device is locked.

First, make sure that on your smartphone:

• 📱 Developer Mode Enabled: Go to Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI and tap 7 times on this item.
• 🔗 Debugging is permitted. USB: Settings menu → Additionally. → For developers, activate the debugging by USB and Unlock. OEM.
• 🔒 The device is linked to a Mi Account (required to have a confirmed phone number!). ADB Run will not be able to send a request to Xiaomi servers.
• 📶 There is a stable Internet connection (preferably Wi-Fi) as the process requires data exchange with servers.

Second, prepare the computer:

• 💻 Install the latest version ADB Run (you can download from the official website or verified sources such as: XDA Developers).
• 🔌 Connect your smartphone to your PC with the original cable (cheap cables may not transmit data to your PC). ADB).
• 🛡️ Disable Antivirus and Firewall – They Can Block Connection to Xiaomi Servers.

⚠️ Note: If you are using Windows 11, install Mi drivers before connecting your device USB Driver manually through Device Manager. Automatic driver installation often skips critical components for ADB.

Install and configure ADB Run to unlock the bootloader

ADB Run is a shell for simplified management ADB It automates command input and reduces the risk of errors. Download the utility from the official website (version no lower than the previous version). 3.5) and unpack it to the root of the disk. C:\ (for example, C:\ADB_Run\). This will eliminate the problems with the tracks in the teams.

After installation:

1. Run ADB Run.exe on behalf of the administrator (right click → Run on behalf of the administrator).
2. Connect your smartphone to your PC and select the utilities menu item 1. ADB Commands.
3. Enter the adb device command to check the connection. If the device is displayed, you can continue.

If ADB Run doesn’t see the smartphone:

• 🔄 Reconnect the cable, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0 on the back of the PC).
• 🔧 In the developer menu on your smartphone, select Configuration USB → File transfer (MTP).
• 🖥️ Reinstall drivers via Device Manager (remove current and update configuration).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F4, Redmi K50) after-connection ADB A confirmation request is made RSA-If you missed it, disconnect and reconnect the device, and without confirmation, the commands will not execute.

Install ADB Run at the root of the C:\ disk

Launch on behalf of the administrator

Connect your smartphone and check out AdB devices

Allow debugging over USB on your phone

Disable antivirus and firewall-->

Step-by-step: unlock the bootloader through ADB Run

When the preparation is complete, we move on to the main process. In ADB Run, unlocking is done through the Fastboot menu, but first you need to transfer the smartphone to this mode.

Step 1 - Transition to Fastboot

In the main menu of ADB Run, select:

7. Reboot


→ 1. Reboot Bootloader (Fastboot)

The smartphone will reboot in Fastboot mode (black screen with a rabbit and the inscription FASTBOOT).

Step 2. Check the connection in Fastboot

In ADB Run, select:

6. Fastboot Commands


→ 1. Fastboot Devices

If the device is displayed, you can continue. If not, check the drivers or cable.

Step 3: Requesting to Unblock

Enter the command:

fastboot oem unlock

On the screen of the smartphone will appear a warning about the reset. Confirm the unlocking button volume (Volume Up - "Yes").

Step 4: Waiting for a server response

Once confirmed, ADB Run will send a request to Xiaomi servers, with two scenarios:

• ✅ Success: Unlocked successfully will appear on the screen, and the smartphone will reboot.
• ⏳ Waiting: If the account is new or the device is tied for less than 7 days, the server will return the error Couldn't unlock. Try again after 168 hours.

Common mistakes and their solutions

Even with the correct following of the instructions, users are faced with errors. Below is a table of the most common problems and their solutions:

Particularly noteworthy is the Anti-rollback error that occurs when you try to unlock on smartphones with a lowered version of the firmware. For example, if you rolled back Redmi Note 11 from MIUI 14 to MIUI 13, Xiaomi's server will block the unlock.

💡

If after unlocking the smartphone is fixated on the MI logo, don't panic! That's OK - reset via Fastboot with fastboot erase userdata, then restart the device.

What to do after successfully unlocking the bootloader

Once unlocked, the smartphone bootloader will be marked as Unlocked and all data will be erased.

• 📱 Installation of custom firmware: Download TWRP For your model and run it through Fastboot with the fastboot flash recovery command twrp.img.
• 🔓 Getting root rights: Install Magisk through TWRP patchy boot.img.
• 🔄 Brick Recovery: Use the Mi Flash Tool to Firmware Official Software.

Important: once unlocked, data encryption (FBE) is disabled, and some features like Mi Pay or Face Unlock stop working, and the smartphone will be more often checked for compliance with the original software during updates.

If you plan to sell the device, we recommend re-blocking the bootloader with the command:

fastboot oem lock

This will restore Locked status and increase customer confidence, but remember, once you lock it, custom firmware installation will be impossible without re-unblocking.

💡

Unlocking the bootloader via ADB Run is the official method, but it requires account binding and 168 hours waiting for new devices.Use only the original cables and disable the antivirus during the process.

Alternative Unlocking Methods: When the ADB Run Fails to Work

In some cases, ADB Run may not be able to do the job, such as on models with a MediaTek processor (Redmi 9A, POCO C40) or devices running HyperOS.

• 🔓 Official Mi Unlock Tool: Download the utility from Xiaomi and follow the instructions. Minus - requires authorization and often gives an error 10008.

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer is Device unlocked: false, the unlock hasn’t been done yet.

• 🔧 168 hours bypass: Some firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.EU) can reset the timer with command:

fastboot oem unlock-go

⚠️ This method does not work on all devices and can result in account blocking.

POCO or Black Shark owners may need additional permission from the manufacturer, such as Black Shark 5, to request support from the device’s IMEI.

FAQ: answers to frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi