Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that allows you to install custom firmware, obtain root rights and other deep system settings. However, the formal process takes time, patience and sometimes money. In 2026, the rules for unlocking changed, the company tightened control, and alternative methods became more risky.
The cost of unlocking depends on the chosen method: official (via Mi Unlock Tool), informal (through intermediaries or services), or software bypass locks. In this article, we will analyze the current prices for each method, the risks of fraud, and give step-by-step instructions for popular models – from Redmi Note 12 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra. If you plan to sew your phone or restore it after locking, this information will help save and avoid errors.
Mi Unlock Tool Unlocking: How Much Does It Cost?
Xiaomi’s policy is that official unlocking of the bootloader is free, but requires a number of conditions, but in practice users face hidden costs – temporary, technical or even financial (for example, when buying a Mi Account with a history).
Here's what you need to keep in mind:
- ⏳ Wait 7–30 days after your account is linked to your device (depending on model and region).
- 📱 Model support: New flagships (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may have additional limitations.
- 🔗 Tethering SIM-maps: some regions (China, India) require local SIM.
- 💻 Windows PC: Mi Unlock Tool does not work macOS/Linux emulatorless.
If you don’t have a Mi Account with a history (over 30 days), it will cost 500-1500 to buy it on the secondary market. ₽. Risk: account can be blocked for suspicious activity, Xiaomi officially does not sell "unblocked" accounts - these are gray schemes.
The cost of unlocking through intermediaries and services
If the official method seems complicated, many turn to paid services, whose prices vary depending on the model, region and speed of execution, and the current prices for 2026 (in rubles, for Russia and the CIS):
| Xiaomi model | The cost of unlocking (₽) | Time limit for implementation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12/13, POCO X5 | 800–1 200 | 1-3 days | Simple models, low risk of blocking |
| Xiaomi 13/13T, Redmi K60 | 1 500–2 500 | 3-7 days | Confirmation of possession is required |
| Xiaomi 14, Mix Fold 3 | 3 000–5 000 | 7-14 days | High risk of failure, SIM binding is required |
| POCO F5, Redmi K50 | 1 000–1 800 | 2-5 days | Firmware rollback is often required |
Services charge for:
- 🔓 Unlocking itself (principal cost).
- 📦 Additional services: firmware custom recaveri (TWRP), rue-filling (+500–1 000 ₽).
- ⚡ Urgent: Accelerated unlocking in 1 day can cost 30-50% more.
⚠️ Warning: Fraudsters often offer "unlocking" for 300 ₽" They disappear after payment or send in useless instructions. Check the reviews on the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers.
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Before paying for the service, request a screenshot of the successful unlock for your model.
Self-Unlocking: Risks and Hidden Costs
There are ways to bypass official unlocking, such as through exploits (EDL mode, Fastboot) or buying authorized accounts, but they can:
- 🚨 Blocking. IMEI (The phone will be a brick").
- 🔄 Warranty loss (even if the later restores the firmware).
- 💸 Hidden payments: for example, purchases EDL-cable (from 1,000) ₽) Software licenses (Mi Flash Pro).
The cost of self-unblocking can exceed the price of services.
- EDL-cable + firmware + lost time = 2 000–4 000 ₽.
- Authorized account for Xiaomi 14 on Aliexpress – 3000-6000 ₽ (lockdown risk 50%).
What is it? EDL-The regime and why it is dangerous?
If you still decide to unlock yourself, prepare:
Battery charge > 60%|Backup of data (photos, contacts)|Installed drivers (Mi) USB Driver)|Disabled two-factor authentication in Mi Account|PC with disabled antivirus (can block Mi Unlock Tool)-->
How to save on unlocking Xiaomi: legal ways
If your budget is tight, try these methods:
- Waiting for the official unlocker: for some models (for example, Redmi 10C), Xiaomi periodically simplifies the process.
- Exchange of services: In forums (such as 4PDA) you can find enthusiasts who unlock the phone in exchange for help with the firmware of another model.
- Buy a used phone with an unlocked bootloader: on Avito or Yula, such devices cost 10-15% less, but check them through # #4636## (test menu).
Important: From 2023, Xiaomi will block unlocking on phones bought on credit or lease until the debt is fully repaid.
Unlocking for Specific Models: What Changed in 2026?
The unlock rules differ for different Xiaomi lines, and here are the key changes:
For flagships (Xiaomi 13/14, Mix Fold 3):
- The waiting period has been increased to 30 days (previously it was 7-15 days).
For budget models (Redmi 12C, POCO M6):
- Unlocking is possible after 1-7 days of waiting.
For older models (Redmi Note 8, Mi 9):
- The only way out is — EDL-The mode, but it requires the purchase of an authorized account (Mi Authorized Account).
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Before buying Xiaomi, check if the model supports official unlocking. For this, type in the IMEI at [MIUI Unlock Status] (https://en.miui.com/unlock/).
What to do if the unlocking failed?
If you try to unlock the phone:
- 🔄 He's fixated on the logo. MI → Try to flash stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool.
- 🚫 It's a mistake, Couldn't unlock" → Check if your Mi Account is blocked.
- 📵 Not included at all. → It can be a hard brick (required). EDL repair).
Recovery through the service center will cost:
- 1 500–3 000 ₽ — if the problem is firmware.
- 5 000–15 000 ₽ — If the motherboard is damaged (for example, after a failure) EDL).
⚠️ Note: If the phone was purchased on credit or under contract from an operator (for example, MTS or Beeline), unlocking the bootloader can lead to automatic network lock.