How to unlock Xiaomi bootloader without a Mi Account: all working ways in 2026

Why Xiaomi is blocking the bootloader and can it be unlocked without an account?

The bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is locked by default, a security measure designed to protect the device from unauthorized access and installation of unofficial software. However, for enthusiasts who want to install custom firmware, obtain root rights or restore a brick after a failed update, unlocking becomes a necessity.

Are there legal and illegal ways to get around this restriction? Yes, but each of them has its own risks, from loss of warranty to complete loss of device performance. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of unlocking without an account, their pros, cons and nuances for different models, from the Redmi Note 10 Pro to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Important: the unlocking procedure resets all data on the device, and if your goal is simply to reset your pattern lock or password, use alternative methods of access recovery.

The Official Unblocking Method: Why It Doesn't Always Work Without an Account

The standard Xiaomi procedure involves using the Mi Unlock Tool and logging in via Mi-account, but even here there are loopholes:

• 🔑 Account is not tied to the device: if the smartphone is bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie his account, unlocking is impossible without his data.
• ⏳ Waiting 72-360 hours: Xiaomi servers artificially delay unlocking for new accounts.
• 🚫 Lock-in IMEI: Some devices (especially from China) may be locked at the hardware level.

If you don’t have access to the original account but have the option to create a new one, try the following algorithm:

1. Create a Mi Account on another device and confirm it via SMS/email.
2. Sign in to this account on your target smartphone (Settings → Accounts → Add Account).
3. Link your device to your account: go to Settings → About Phone → All settings → Mi Unlock Status and click “Connect Account”.
4. Wait at least 7 days (sometimes up to 15 days for new accounts).
5. Run the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC and follow the instructions.

⚠️ Note: If the smartphone was purchased in China (China version) ROM), Unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool may not be possible without a Chinese phone number to confirm your account.

Alternative Unblocking Methods Without a Mi Account

If the official method is not available, informal solutions remain, and these can be divided into three categories:

Let’s look at each method in more detail, starting with the most reliable one.

1. Unlock through EDL-The mode (for experienced users)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash the device directly through the qualifying bootloader, which works even on locked smartphones, but requires:

• 🖥️ Windows computer (for QDLoader drivers).
• 🔌 Cable. USB Type-C with data support (not all cables are suitable!).
• 📦 Firmware in.mbn or.elf format for your model.
• 💰 Possibly a paid auth file (for new models).

Instructions:

1. Download and install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for Snapdragon) or MediaTek Preloader (for MTK).
2. Turn off your smartphone and transfer it to EDL-Mode: For Qualcomm: Press Volume Up + Volume down and connect the cable to the PC. For MediaTek: it may require disassembling and closing contacts on the board.

Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008

Mi Flash Tool

EDL Tool

⚠️ Note: Starting with Xiaomi 12 and Redmi Note 11 with HyperOS, for EDL-Firmware requires a unique auth file that can only be obtained through paid services (cost) ~$10–$Free Internet auth files often contain viruses!

Exploit vulnerabilities (for older models)

Some versions of MIUI on Android 8-10 contain vulnerabilities that allow you to unlock the bootloader without official permission.

• 🐄 DirtyCOW (CVE-2016-5195) — He's working for Redmi. 4X, Redmi Note 4.
• 🔓 CVE-2020-0041 — A vulnerability in Qualcomm that bypasses signature verification.
• 📱 MIUI OTA Exploit – uses bugs in the update mechanism.

Example of using DirtyCOW:

adb push dirtycow /data/local/tmp/


adb shell chmod 777 /data/local/tmp/dirtycow




adb shell /data/local/tmp/dirtycow

After a successful exploit, you can manually modify the bootloader files or install TWRP via fastboot.

⚠️ Note: Exploits are often patched in new versions MIUI. If your device gets an update after 2021, the chance of success is minimal. XDA Developers or 4PDA.

3. Paid services: is it worth paying?

Services like DC Unlocker, Octopus Box, or Chinese platforms like Taobao offer a bootloader unlock for money.

• 💵 $5–$15 - for older models (Redmi 5, Mi) A1).
• 💵 $20–$50 for new flagships (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5).
• 💵 $100+ — for hardware-locked devices (e.g. Black Shark 5 Pro).

Pros:

• ✅ Fast (usually 1-2 hours).
• ✅ There is no need to understand the technical details.

Cons:

• ❌ Fraud Risk (Many Services Take Prepayment and Disappear).
• ❌ Possible data leakage (if sending is required) IMEI or serial number).
• ❌ There is no guarantee of success (especially for new models).

If you decide to do this, choose services with XDA or 4PDA reviews and payment through secure systems (for example, PayPal with the ability to dispute the payment).

💡

Before paying, ask the service for a screenshot of successful unlocking for your smartphone model, which will reduce the risk of running into scammers.

Unblocking through Fastboot: Does it work without an account?

In some cases, you can unlock the bootloader through fastboot without being tied to the Mi Account, but this depends on the MIUI version and model. For example, the Redmi Note 8 Pro (from MediaTek Helio G90T) before MIUI 12.0.3 worked the following method:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to log into fastboot.
2. Connect the device to the PC and execute the command: fastboot oem unlock
3. If a confirmation request appears, select Yes using volume buttons and confirm with the power button.

However, on newer devices (Xiaomi 12T, POCO X5 and later), this command will return the error:

(bootloader) This device is locked.


(bootloader) Use 'fastboot oem unlock' to unlock device.




FAILED (remote: 'Device is locked. Cannot flash images')




OKAY [  0.001s]




finished. total time: 0.001s

This means that without official permission from Xiaomi, unlocking is impossible, and in such cases only EDLs or exploits remain.

💡

Starting in 2022, Xiaomi tightened the bootloader protection. Even if the fastboot oem unlock command passes without errors, after a reboot, the device can again be locked if an official Mi Account was not used.

Xiaomi models that are the hardest to unlock

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are equally easy to unlock, especially the following are problematic:

If your model is on this list, be prepared for the fact that unlocking will require more time, money or technical skills.

What to do after successful unblocking?

Once you unlock the bootloader, you gain full control of the device, but you also lose:

• 🔒 Guarantee (official service centers will refuse repairs).
• 🛡️ Protection against viruses (installation of unofficial software increases risks).
• 📱 Stability (Castom firmware may contain bugs).

The recommended steps are:

1. Install TWRP Recovery for backups and firmware installation.
2. Sweep through custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS, Pixel Experience) or get root rights through Magisk.
3. Restore the data from the backup (if you did it before unlocking).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14) installation TWRP This may result in loss of data in the section /data, Even if you didn't format it manually, always back it up to an external drive!

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader