Unlocking the bootloader Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro: the full guide

Many owners of the popular smartphone Redmi 3 Pro sooner or later face the limitations of the standard shell MIUI. Standard interface can seem overloaded, and the lack of superuser rights does not allow you to unlock the full potential of the device.

The unlocking procedure opens the door to customized recavators like TWRP, and allows you to install clean versions of Android or optimized builds. However, it is important to understand that this is not just a switch in the settings, but a complex process that requires care and preparation. Errors at this stage can lead to software failures, so it is important to follow the algorithm of actions clearly.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the nuances of interaction with Mi Unlock servers, ways to bypass weekly waiting and methods applicable specifically to the model with a Snapdragon 650 processor. You will learn what drivers are needed, how to enter Fastboot mode correctly and what to do if the utility does not see the device. Experimental readiness is good, but technical literacy is most important here.

Preparation of a smartphone and Mi Account

The first and most important step is to link your Mi Account to the device. Without this procedure, Xiaomi servers will not give permission to unlock, and the utility will give an error. You need to go to the phone settings, find the About section and click on the MIUI version several times to activate the developer menu.

Then you go to the advanced settings and select "Developers For" and you need to find the option "Mi Unlock Status" and click "Add Account and Device" and the system will warn about the risks, then you need to confirm through the system. SMS. Make sure the device is installed SIM-card with active mobile Internet, as Wi-Fi for this operation is not suitable.

⚠️ Note: Once an account is linked, Xiaomi servers need time to process the request, which is officially 168 hours (7 days), although in rare cases, the resolution may come faster or, conversely, delay.

In parallel with the expectation, it is worth checking the version of MIUI. For some versions of the firmware, there are specific bugs that can prevent the process from starting normally, it is recommended to upgrade to the latest stable version available, or, conversely, roll back to an earlier one if specific methods of unlocking through the engineering menu require it.

Required tools and drivers

To do this successfully, you'll need a computer running Windows. While there are methods for Linux and macOS, the official Mi Unlock Tool works best in Windows 10 or 11. The computer must be functional, have a charged battery (if it's a laptop), and have a stable Internet connection.

The critical thing is to install the right drivers, and the computer needs to recognize the smartphone in two modes: as a drive (MTP) and as an Android Bootloader Interface device. Often the problems arise precisely because there are no ADB and Fastboot drivers, which can be installed separately or through a composite package Platform Tools.

You will also need quality USB-Cheap charging cables often lack data lines, leading to permanent shutdowns at the most critical time.

Don’t forget to download the unlock utility from the official website. en.miui.com/unlock. Using third-party versions of the program can lead to data leakage or malfunctioning of the verification algorithm. After downloading, unpack the archive and launch the file. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.

Obtaining unlocking rights

After the seven-day waiting period has expired, you can proceed to directly receive the unlock token. Go to the Mi Unlock utility and log in using the same account that was linked to the phone.

If done correctly, you will see a message that the device is linked to this account. In some cases, especially on older firmware versions or when using certain regions (e.g. India or Global), additional activation may be required via the engineering menu.

There is a method to bypass the wait by using the swapping of identifiers in the service pack or through the Qualcomm processor’s engineering menu. However, this method requires deep knowledge and carries high risks. For most users, it is safer to simply wait out the manufacturer’s deadline, so as not to get a permanent ban. IMEI-device-code.

The process of unlocking the loader

When all is complete, switch the smartphone to Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the Redmi 3 Pro completely, and then press the volume down and on buttons at the same time. Hold them until the image with the android hare repairing, or the inscription FASTBOOT in orange or blue appears.

Connect your phone to your computer with a cable. The Mi Unlock utility should have an "Unlock" button. Press it. A warning will appear that all data on the device will be destroyed. This is an inevitable step, since unlocking the bootloader will initiate a complete reset to the factory settings for security purposes.

Confirm the action by pressing "Unlock anyway." The process will take from a few seconds to a few minutes, at which time the progress bar may appear on the phone screen.

Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. It can take up to 10-15 minutes to launch the first time. If you see the MI logo and then boot again, don't panic. If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, you may need to flash it through EDL mode.

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Use it. USB-port built into the computer motherboard (back of the system unit), rather than the front panel or USB-This will provide stable voltage and data transmission.

Installation of TWRP and obtaining Root rights

An unlocked bootloader is just the first step. Now you can install custom recavers. There are many versions of TWRP for Redmi 3 Pro (codenamed kenzo). Download the current image file with the.img extension and put it in the folder with the ADB tools.

Reset your phone to Fastboot mode and connect to your PC. Open the command line in the tool folder and type in the command to run the recovery firmware:

fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.x.x-x-kenzo.img

Important: immediately after firmware, you can not just reboot the phone with a button, otherwise the stock recaveri will overwrite TWRP. You must execute the command fastboot boot twrp-3.x.x-x-kenzo.img or press the volume and power buttons to forcefully go into recovery mode.

From the TWRP menu, you can make a full Nandroid Backup and flash the Magisk archive to get the Root rights, which allows you to remove system applications, change fonts, make full copies of data, and install modules that change the operation of the kernel.

Possible errors and their solution

During the unlock process, users often encounter a "Couldn't verify device" error, which means that the account on the phone and the program do not match, or the waiting time has not passed, check whether the account is used, and make sure that the Internet on the PC is stable.

Another common problem is 99 percent freeze in Mi Unlock, which could be due to an antivirus or firewall blocking the connection, and try temporarily disabling the protection or running the program in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

⚠️ Note: If the utility gives an error "Error code: 10008" or a message that "Current account is different", in no case do not try to unlock the device from another account. IMEI Xiaomi server-level.

Also worth mentioning is the driver problem: if the Device Manager shows "Unknown Device" or «QHSUSB_BULK» When connecting a phone that is turned off, you need to manually install Qualcomm drivers. HS-USB QDLoader 9008. Without them, the restoration of the “brick” will be impossible.

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Unlocking the bootloader irreversibly changes the state of the device’s flash memory, and it is possible to return the Locked status back, but this often leads to problems with software updates and banking applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)