Unlocking the bootloader Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro: expert guide

Owners of the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro smartphone often face the limitations of the MIUI operating system, which do not allow to fully unlock the potential of the device. Standard firmware blocks access to system partitions, prohibits the installation of custom receptacles and obtaining root rights. It is unlocking the bootloader is the first and most important step for those who want to gain full control of their gadget.

The bootloader release process opens the door to installing global firmware versions, modifying the interface, and optimizing battery life. However, this requires careful and rigorous algorithmic follow-up, as any errors can lead to data loss or software failures. In this article, we will take a detailed look at each step of the preparation and execution of an operation.

It should be understood that unlocking is an irreversible process that entails a complete reset of data from the internal memory of the device. Before starting any manipulations, you need to back up all important photos, contacts and documents. Once the procedure is completed, it will be impossible to return the smartphone to its original factory state with the preservation of warranty.

Preparation for unlocking and account requirements

The first step is to properly set up your Mi Account, so you need to log in to your smartphone and link your current device to your profile, a mandatory security requirement from Xiaomi that prevents device theft and unauthorized access to data.

In the phone settings, go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version several times in a row to activate the developer menu. Without this step, access to the necessary debugging functions will be closed by the system.

Next on the menu Advanced settings → Developers need to activate the item OEM-unlocking and debugging USB. After you turn on these functions, click on the Mi Unlock Status button and select the option to add an account and a device. The system will warn about the risks - confirm the action.

⚠️ Note: Once you have an account attached, your device must be online for at least 168 hours (7 days) without logging out. If you drop your phone or log out during this period, the timer will reset.

Make sure that the smartphone has the latest version of the firmware, preferably a stable MIUI Stable branch. Using beta versions or custom builds during the preparation stage can cause errors when trying to unlock through an official tool.

Necessary tools and driver installation

To successfully perform the procedure, you will need a computer running Windows version 7 or higher. The PC must have the Mi Unlock Tool installed, which should be downloaded exclusively from the official developer site to avoid malware.

The critical point is to install the correct ADB and Fastboot drivers. Without them, the computer will not be able to recognize the smartphone in boot mode. Often, the automatic installation of drivers through the Device Manager is incorrect, so it is better to use the specialized Xiaomi USB Driver package.

Use only original or quality certified USB-Cheap charging cables often don’t support data transmission, leading to permanent connection breaks at the most inopportune time.

Translation of the smartphone to Fastboot mode

When the preparation is complete, you need to transfer the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro to a special Fastboot boot mode. To do this, completely turn off the smartphone and wait for the vibration or fade of the screen.

Hold the volume and power buttons together until you see a hare in a hat, a corn-haired android repairer, or a FASTBOOT sign, which means that the device is ready to interact with the computer at a low level.

Connect your phone to your computer through USB-Windows Device Manager in Android Devices or Other Devices should have Android Bootloader Interface. If an unknown device with an exclamation mark is displayed instead, the drivers are installed incorrectly.

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If your computer can’t see your phone in Fastboot mode, try another one. USB-port, preferably located on the motherboard behind the system unit, or replace the cable.

Unlocking process with Mi Unlock Tool

Run the Mi Unlock Tool program on your computer and log in to the same Mi Account that was linked to your phone.

Press Unlock. The utility will start checking the bootloader status. If all conditions are met, a warning will appear that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action, and the unlock process will begin.

Unlocking... Please wait...


Success: The device is unlocked.

As you go through the progress bar, you'll see the current status of the operation, and it usually takes 30 to 60 seconds for the whole procedure to be done, and when it's done, the phone automatically reboots, and you start resetting to the factory settings.

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Successful unlocking is confirmed by the appearance of the corresponding inscription in the program and the complete cleaning of the internal memory of the smartphone at the first boot.

Solving common mistakes

During the unlock process, users often encounter error codes that interrupt the procedure, most popular being the 10008 error, which indicates problems with the network connection or Xiaomi servers.

Also, a frequent message is Current account is different from the account info on the device, which means that the program on the PC and the phone menu used different accounts.

• 🔴 Timer error: If you didn't wait 7 days, the program will show the remaining time in hours.
• 🔴 Mi Unlock software error: Sometimes you need to upgrade the Mi Unlock utility to the latest version, as older versions may not support new security protocols.
• 🔴 Connection error: check if the antivirus or Windows firewall is blocking the program. Try to disable them during the procedure.

If the program gives a Failed to unlock (1) error, try logging in through the browser in the utility itself, not through the authorization pop-up window. Sometimes the browser cache interferes with the correct transfer of authorization tokens.

What to do after unlocking the loader

After successfully unlocking and first booting the system, you will get a clean smartphone without your data, which is the perfect time to install a custom recavator, such as TWRP, which allows you to install modified firmware.

Now you can get SuperUser (Root) permissions, which will give you access to system files, but remember that some banking applications and Google Pay services will stop working with the open bootloader due to a breach of security integrity.

To return the device to its original state, you can use the My Xiaomi function or the official Mi Flash Tool in Clean All Lock mode. This will close the bootloader, but only if you use global firmware on a global device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)