The Xiaomi Mi5, despite its age, remains a popular device among enthusiasts due to its excellent performance and availability of custom firmware. However, the standard MIUI shell imposes a number of restrictions that prevent the full potential of the gadget. A key step in the modification of the system is unlocking the bootloader, without which it is impossible to install third-party recaps or root rights.
The process of obtaining administrative access to the system partition requires care and preparation, as any incorrect actions can lead to software failures. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages from applying for Xiaomi to the final command entry in Fastboot mode.
It is worth noting that the official procedure of unlocking is the only guaranteed way that will not turn your phone into a brick.The use of third-party exploits or paid services carries high risks of personal data loss and hardware modules disruption.
Preparation of the device and account Mi
Before you start any manipulation of system partitions, you need to do a lot of preparation. The first step is to link your Mi Account to the device. Go to your phone settings, select About Phone, and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu.
Inside the developer menu, activate the USB Debugging option and, critically, enable the Unlock bootloader option. The system will require you to enter a confirmation phone number, then issue a risk warning. By agreeing to the terms, you confirm that you are aware of the consequences, including the possible loss of warranty and data.
- 📱 Charge your smartphone battery to at least 60% to avoid turning off at a critical moment.
- 🔒 Make sure that the device is installed SIM-card to which the Mi Account is registered.
- 💾 Make a full backup of all important data, as unlocking will completely clear the memory.
⚠️ Warning: Once unlock bootloader is enabled in the settings, the phone may require you to wait 168 hours (7 days) before actually unlocking.
It is also crucial to check the Android and MIUI version. The Xiaomi Mi5 can have different firmware versions, and for stable operation, the Mi Unlock Tool is best to use the current official build. If you have custom firmware or a modified bootloader installed, return the stock image first.
Required tools and drivers
To successfully perform the procedure, you will need a personal computer or laptop running the Windows operating system. Mobile applications or versions for macOS do not officially support the unlock function, so using a PC is a must. The computer must have a good one. USB-Ports and stable Internet connection.
The main tool will be the Mi Unlock Tool. It must be downloaded from the official developer website, as versions from third-party resources may contain malicious code or work incorrectly with authorization servers.
Special attention should be paid to drivers. The computer must correctly recognize the smartphone in Fastboot mode. Often Windows 10 and 11 automatically install the necessary components, but in some cases, you need to manually install the ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without properly working drivers, Mi Unlock program simply will not see the connected device.
☑️ Verification of PC readiness
Connection cables also play a role. Use the original wire or thick-vein quality cables. Cheap charging-only cables can transmit power but don't provide stable data exchange, leading to permanent connection breaks during the unlocking process.
Unblocking application process
Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi devices is impossible without first obtaining permission from the company, this procedure is carried out through a special application on the smartphone itself. Go to the “Developers” menu, select “Mi Unlock status”.
In the window that opens, click Add Account and Device. The system will contact the server and, if all the data is correct, link the current Mi Account to the unique identifier of your Xiaomi Mi5. Once successfully linked, you will see a message that the account has been added, and a countdown timer if unlocking is not already available.
Sometimes the linking process can end in error, often due to problems with the network connection or Xiaomi servers, in which case try to switch from Wi-Fi to mobile Internet or vice versa, and also make sure that the date and time on the device are set automatically and synchronized.
⚠️ Warning: Don't try to get around the 168-hour wait by resetting your settings or re-binding your account.This can reset your timer or, in the worst case, result in a security lock.
After the waiting time (usually 7 days, but sometimes the time can be reduced to 36 hours or increased to 30 days depending on the activity of the account), you can proceed to the final stage.
Step-by-step instructions for unlocking
When the wait period is up, and everyone is done, you can go to the practical steps of turning off the smartphone completely. Then press the power and volume buttons at the same time. Hold them until the image of a hare in a hat-husband repairing an android appears on the screen. That is the Fastboot mode.
Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and log in to the same Mi Account that was attached to your phone. The program will automatically identify the device and check the status of the unlock permission.
If the status is positive, click the "Unlock" button, a warning will appear that all data will be deleted, confirm the action, the process will take a few seconds, after which the phone will automatically restart, and you will see a message about the successful unlock.
FASTBOOT INFO: Device unlocked successfully
FASTBOOT INFO: Rebooting system...In some cases, especially on older versions of the software, it may be necessary to manually unlock through the command line if the GUI doesn’t work, but for the Xiaomi Mi5, the regular functionality of the utility works consistently in 99% of cases.
What if the progress is 99% stuck?
Solving typical mistakes
During the unlocking process, users often encounter various error codes, one of the most common is the “Couldn’t verify device” error, which occurs when the account in the program on the PC does not match the account associated with the phone, or if not enough time has passed since the link.
Another common problem is, "Unlock failed: Couldn't connect to Mi server." This indicates that your computer has an Internet connection problem. DNS-Firewall or antivirus can also block the connection of the utility to Xiaomi servers.
The table below will help you quickly identify the problem by error code:
| Error code | Description of the problem | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| 10006 | Network problems | Check the Internet, disable the proxy/VPN |
| 10020 | Wrong account. | Sign in to the same Mi Account as your phone. |
| 10027 | No device found. | Reinstall the drivers, replace them. USB-cable |
| 10034 | Waiting time has not expired. | Wait for the specified number of hours |
If the error persists after all attempts, it makes sense to try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the motherboard (back of the system unit), and not through USB-Hub. Also helps to use compatibility mode for Windows 7 when starting Mi Unlock.
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Use it. USB-Port 2.0 instead of 3.0 to connect older devices Mi5. Fastboot drivers are often more stable with previous-generation ports.
Actions after unlocking the loader
Once the procedure is completed, the phone will boot to a clean system, and all your data, including contacts, photos and apps, will be permanently deleted, which is the standard data protection mechanism, and you will need to re-set your initial Android settings.
Now you can install custom recavators like TWRP, which allows you to do full backups of the system and install firmware of any type. Having an unlocked bootloader also allows you to get Root rights through Magisk, which allows you to access system files and fine-tune the interface.
But remember to take security measures: An unlocked bootloader makes the device more vulnerable to attackers if it falls into the wrong hands. Some banking applications may refuse to work on devices with the changed system, although modern root-rights concealment techniques (Magisk Hide) often solve this problem.
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Unlocking the bootloader is a point of no return that gives you full control of the device, but requires responsibility for data security.
For the Xiaomi Mi5, there are plenty of stable custom firmware, such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience, that allow you to extend the life of the device by installing more recent versions of Android than the official ones.