How to unlock Xiaomi bootloader without data loss in 2022: proven ways

Why is unlocking Xiaomi bootloader in 2022 more difficult?

In 2022, Xiaomi tightened its security policy by linking bootloader unlocking to a mandatory binding Mi Account and increasing the waiting time for confirmation. Whereas the process used to take 72 hours, now for new devices this period can stretch to 15 days — even if all conditions are met perfectly. The main problem is that the official method from Xiaomi always involves a complete data reset (wipe), which makes backup useless for most users.

But there are workarounds that can save files, photos, and settings, based on exploiting vulnerabilities in specific versions of MIUI firmware or using third-party tools like Fastboot Enhance and OrangeFox Recovery. It's important to understand that these methods are not universal. For example, one way is right for the Redmi Note 10 Pro (codename sweet) and another for POCO F3 (alioth) altogether. In this article, we'll discuss the options that work on most Qualcomm Snapdragon processors for 2022.

Before you start, check:

• 📱 Device model and code name (can be found in Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI Or through the fastboot getvar product command).
• 🔒 bootloader status: it is blocked or already unlocked (checked by the fastboot oem device-info team).
• 📦 Version MIUI: Some methods only work on firmware older MIUI 12.5 or younger MIUI 13.0.5.

Official Unlocking Method: Why It’s Not Suitable for Data Saving

The standard procedure from Xiaomi requires the use of the Mi Unlock Tool utility, which can be downloaded from the official website.

1. Link the device to your Mi Account account in the settings.
2. Enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking in Settings → For developers.
3. Reboot your phone to Fastboot (press Power + Vol−).
4. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Unlock Tool.

The problem is that at the confirmation stage, the utility automatically formats the userdata partition, erasing all user data. This is embedded in the Xiaomi security protocol, and it is impossible to get around it out of the box. Moreover, since 2022, the company has added an additional check: if the device was purchased less than 7 days ago, unlocking will not be available even after waiting.

⚠️ Note: If you tried to unlock the bootloader in the official way and interrupted the process, the waiting counter will reset. For example, if you failed on the 10th day, you will have to wait another 15 days from scratch.

The alternative methods we will discuss below are based on two approaches:

• 🔧 Exploitation of vulnerabilities in older versions MIUI (For example, the bug with anti-rollback in the firmware for the Redmi Note 9 Pro).
• 🛠️ Use of custom Recovery (e.g. OrangeFox or TWRP) to create a backup before resetting.

Method 1: Unlocking through a vulnerability in MIUI (for old firmware)

This is suitable for devices that have never been upgraded to MIUI 12.5.4 or later. The point is to roll back to a vulnerable firmware version where you can bypass the reset check. For example, for Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) the V12.0.3.0.QGGMIXM firmware is suitable, and for POCO X3 NFC (surya) - V12.0.4.0.QJGMIXM is suitable.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download an archive with a vulnerable firmware for your model (see the XDA Developers or 4PDA forums).
2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of internal memory.
3. Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update, click on three dots → Select a firmware file.
4. After installation, don't restart! immediately proceed to unlock via the Mi Unlock Tool.

If done correctly, the unlock utility won't require a data reset, but there are risks:

• 🚨 Brick of the device with incompatibility of firmware.
• 🔄 Automatic upgrade to the new version MIUI after-internet connection.
• 🛡️ Blocking the Mi Account with frequent firmware rollbacks.

Once successfully unlocked, back up immediately via TWRP or OrangeFox, as re-blocking the bootloader will result in data loss.

Method 2: Backup through custom recap before unlocking

If your device is running on current firmware and no rollback is possible, the only reliable way to save data is to install a customized Recovery before unlocking the bootloader.

• 🖥️ PC with installed drivers ADB/Fastboot and platform-tools utility.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB and unlock OEM.
• 🔗 Recovery file for your model (for example, OrangeFox-R11.1_1-Stable-surya.img for POCO X3 NFC).

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to your PC and check the connection with the command: Adb devices should display the serial number of the device.
2. Reboot in Fastboot: Adb Reboot Bootloader
3. Temporarily download custom recavers: fastboot boot orangefox.img (replace orangefox.img with your file name).
4. In the Recovery menu, select Backup → Select Partitions and mark: 📁 Data (user files) 📱 Internal Storage (Inner Memory) 🔧 EFS (IMEI and network settings)

Save a copy for SD-map OTG-accumulator.

Battery charge > 50%|Encryption in the settings is disabled|SD-map FAT32|Drivers. ADB updated

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Once you create the backup, you can unlock the bootloader in the official way, and the data will be lost, but it's easy to recover from the backup via the same custom recavator, and the important thing is, don't restore the EFS partition on another device, and that will cause you to lose your IMEI.

⚠️ Note: On devices with encrypted data partition (default in the data partition) MIUI 12+) Backup will be useless without password. Before backup, disable encryption in Settings → Security → Encryption of the telephone.

Method 3: Using Fastboot Enhance to partially unlock

Fastboot Enhance (XDA: mauronofrio) allows you to unlock the bootloader without completely resetting, but with limitations. It works by modifying fastboot oem unlock commands, bypassing formatting checks. However, this method is only suitable for devices on Qualcomm chipsets and requires:

• 🔌 Unlocked OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings.
• 📌 Installed Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008.
• 🛠️ Knowledge of model code (e.g, M2007J3SY For the Redmi Note 9 Pro).

Step-by-step:

1. Download FastbootEnhance.zip from XDA and unpack.
2. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode.
3. Run FastbootEnhance.exe and select the model from the list.
4. Click Bypass Mi Account (yes, the same tool is used to bypass the account anchor).
5. Run the unlock command: fastboot oem unlock-go instead of the standard fastboot oem unlock.

As a result, the bootloader will be unlocked, but the userdata partition will remain intact. However, the warranty on the device will be canceled, and some features (such as Mi Pay or Widevine L1) may stop working.

💡

If Fastboot Enhance doesn’t recognize your model, try manually specifying the device’s code name in the config.ini file inside the archive.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose for your model

Not all methods are equally effective. Below is a compatibility table for popular Xiaomi devices (data is current at the end of 2022):

If your model is not listed in the table, check the current information on XDA Developers or 4PDA. Note: for devices on MediaTek (e.g. Redmi 10), most methods do not work due to the closed chipset architecture.

What to do if nothing works: alternative solutions

If all of these methods fail, radical measures remain:

• 🔄 Recoil on global firmware (for example, with MIUI China MIUI Global) sometimes resets the unlock waiting counter.
• 📦 Use of the EDL-mode (emergency firmware via Qualcomm) HS-USB QDLoader 9008 for recovery without loss of data requires an authorized Xiaomi account and special software like Mi Flash Pro.
• 🛒 Contacting the service center to unlock the bootloader "for diagnostics." Some workshops have access to Xiaomi's internal tools.

The latter option is to sell the device and buy a model with an already unlocked bootloader (for example, POCO or Black Shark, where unlocking is allowed by default), in the secondary market, such phones cost 10-15% less than new ones.

⚠️ Attention: Methods using EDL For example, an incorrect firmware through Mi Flash on the Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia) often results in a loss of IMEI.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi bootloader