Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (codenamed vince) is still a popular budget smartphone among custom firmware enthusiasts. However, installing TWRP, root rights or alternative software requires pre-unlocking the bootloader. The procedure is officially supported by Xiaomi, but has nuances ranging from linking a Mi Account to dealing with errors like Couldn't unlock or Current is different from the account info on the device.
This guide provides an update for 2026, taking into account changes in Xiaomi’s policy, including bypassing the binding limit. SIM-maps (which many users miss:
- 🔓 Official way through Mi Unlock Tool with step-by-step screenshots
- ⏳ Waiting times (72 hours to 360 days) – why is the difference?)
- ⚠️ Common errors and their solutions (including: 0x80070057 and 10008)
- 📱 Alternative methods for devices with a blocked Mi Account
Important: The procedure irreversibly resets all the data on the phone -- even if you interrupt it halfway through. Prepare backups in advance.
Preparing for Unlocking: What to Do Before Starting
Before starting the Mi Unlock Tool, follow the mandatory steps – otherwise the program will give an error at the stage of checking the device.
Link your Mi Account to your phone (Settings → Mi Account)
Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version 7 times → For Developers → Debugging by USB)
Turn it on. OEM-Unlocking (Same section for developers")
Install the latest version of MIUI (via Settings → System Update)
Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (link below)-->
Many users experience an error Current account is different from the account info on the device because:
- 📱 Accounts were tied after debugging was enabled USB (We need to do it)
- 🔄 Changed the password from the Mi Account while waiting for unlock
- 📶 Used. VPN or proxy when logging in (Xiaomi blocks such accounts)
Also check the MIUI version: on older builds (below MIUI 10), the Mi Unlock Tool may not recognize the device. Update via Settings → System Update, even if the system says there are no updates - sometimes manual verification is required.
Up to 72 hours |3-7 days |1-2 weeks |More than a month |I don't know-->
Download and install Mi Unlock Tool
The official unlock utility can only be downloaded from Xiaomi's website. Avoid third-party sources - they often distribute outdated or modified versions that can block an account.
Current link for 2026: https://en.miui.com/unlock/
(Select the Windows version – there are unofficial ports for Linux/Mac, but they are not supported by Xiaomi.)
After downloading:
- Unpack the archive in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiUnlock).
- Launch it. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
- Sign in with the same Mi Account as you do on your phone.
If the utility gives an error 0x80070005 at startup, check:
- 🖥️ Antivirus – it can block the Mi Unlock Tool (add the program to exceptions)
- 🔌 Cable USB — Use original or certified (cheap cables often don’t transmit data for debugging)
- 🔄 Port port USB — Try to connect to the port. USB 2.0 (blue ports) USB 3.0 sometimes causes crashes)
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If the Mi Unlock Tool is stuck in the "Checking device" phase, try turning off the Internet on your PC before connecting your phone. After successful device recognition, you can turn the Internet back on.
Unlocking process: step-by-step instructions
When you're done, move on to the unlock itself. The whole process takes no more than 5 minutes, but requires a wait (about this in the next section).
Instructions:
- Turn off Redmi 5 Plus.
- Press the Volume Down + Power buttons to enter the Fastboot (a screen with a rabbit and the inscription FASTBOOT).
- Connect your phone to your PC with a USB cable.
- In Mi Unlock Tool, click Unlock (if the button is inactive, update the page or restart the utility).
- Confirm the unlock on the phone (if you receive a request).
Once successfully unlocked, the phone will automatically restart and reset to factory settings. The first turn on can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process.
What if Mi Unlock Tool says “50%” and doesn’t go any further?
Why wait 72 hours, 7 days or 360 days?
Xiaomi has introduced a "wait-and-see" system to protect against theft, and depending on the history of the device, you'll have to wait:
| Conditions | Standby time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New Mi Account + New Device | 360 days | Maximum period for "suspicious" accounts |
| Account older than 30 days + device tied >7 days | 72 hours | Standard case for most users |
| The device has previously been unlocked | 0 days | You need to link the same Mi Account. |
| Account is linked to multiple devices | 7-14 days | Xiaomi is checking the activity of the account |
The time frame starts with the first successful link to the phone, not the time you request to unlock, and you can check the remaining time in the Mi Unlock Tool, which will have a countdown timer.
How do you speed things up? Officially, no way. But there's an undocumented way:
- 📱 Put it on the phone. SIM-map of the same region as the Mi Account (for example, if the account is registered with the +7, insert Russian SIM).
- 🌍 Use it. IP-address of the country of registration of the account (without VPN! — It is enough to connect to the local network).
- 🔄 Reboot your phone after you tie it up. SIM and repeat the unlock request.
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If the waiting period suddenly dropped to 0, don’t be too excited, which could mean that Xiaomi has blocked your account for “suspicious activity”, in which case unlocking will become impossible until manually unblocked through support.
Unblocking errors and their solutions
Even with proper preparation, the Mi Unlock Tool can produce errors.
1. Couldn't unlock error (10008)
Reasons:
- 🔗 The device is not tied to a Mi Account (or partially tied to a Mi Account).
- ⏳ It's not enough waiting time.
- 🔄 Mi Account was changed (password, mail) after linking.
Solution: Unplug your account (Settings → Mi Account → Sign out), reboot your phone, re-sign in and wait another 72 hours.
Error 0x80070057
Linked to the Fastboot drivers. Install them manually:
- Download the Android SDK Platform-Tools.
- Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
- Open Device Manager on PC, find Android Bootloader Interface and update the driver by specifying the folder with the downloaded platform-tools.
3. Device error is locked. relocking
It happens if:
- 🔌 Cable USB Unstable (try another port).
- 🔋 Battery discharged below 60% (charge your phone).
- 📱 The device was unlocked earlier, but the firmware reset status.
For the latter case, a re-assignment of the account and waiting for a new term is required.
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If the Mi Unlock Tool is in Chinese, copy the text to Google Translate, often trivial issues like "incorrect password" or "device not supported."
Alternative Unlocking Methods (if the Official One is Not Working)
If the Mi Unlock Tool stubbornly refuses to unlock the Redmi 5 Plus, there are workarounds.They are risky (brick device possible), but sometimes remain the only option.
Method 1: Unlocking with EDL (Emergency Download Mode)
Demands:
- 🔧 Authorized Xiaomi account (for downloading firmware) EDL).
- 🖥️ Mi Flash Pro or QFil.
- 🔌 Cable USB Type-C with support EDL (Not all cables fit!).
Step-by-step:
Instructions for unlocking via EDL
⚠️ Attention: method EDL may result in loss IMEI Or sensor problems. Use only if other methods have been exhausted.
Method 2: Unlocking via Fastboot (for power users)
If the Mi Unlock Tool is 99% error, you can try hand-in-hand to give the command to unlock via ADB:
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot flashing unlockBut this method only works on older versions of MIUI (before MIUI 11), and on new builds Xiaomi has blocked this feature.
What to do after unlocking the loader
When the bootloader is unlocked, you have new opportunities — but also new risks. Here's what you should do first:
- 🔄 Install custom recapavere (for example, TWRP Download the current version on the official website TWRP.
- 📱 Make a full backup through TWRP (section EFS, stored IMEI and serial numbers).
- 🔐 Install Magisk to get root rights (but remember that this can break SafetyNet and block banking apps).
- 🔄 Update your firmware to the current version (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience for Vince).
⚠️ Warning: After unlocking the bootloader, Redmi 5 Plus loses support OTA-Updates from Xiaomi. All updates will have to be installed manually through the TWRP or Fastboot.
Also, note that some functions may not work smoothly:
- 📷 Camera (especially) HDR and Portrait mode on custom firmware).
- 🔋 Battery optimization (castomy cores sometimes increase consumption).
- 📶 VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling modules (depending on firmware).