How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 8: official and safe way

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still popular with Android customization enthusiasts, but before installing custom firmware, obtaining root rights, or changing the region of the device, you need to unlock the bootloader, a process officially supported by Xiaomi, but with strict rules and restrictions.

Unlike newer models (such as the Mi 11 or Redmi Note 12), where unlocking can take up to 360 hours of waiting, the Mi 8 is simpler – but requires careful attention. In this article, we will analyze all the steps of unlocking: from preparing a Mi Account to the final reboot with an unlocked bootloader, and also consider possible errors and their solutions.

Important: unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings, so save important data in advance. Also note that after the procedure, Xiaomi’s hardware warranty is maintained, but support for software problems may be limited.

Why you need to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 8

The blocked bootloader is a standard security measure from Xiaomi, preventing:

• 🔒 Install unofficial firmware (e.g. LineageOS or Pixel Experience)
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU
• 🌍 Change of device region (e.g., from Chinese to global)
• 🔄 Recovery through Custom Recovery (TWRP)

After unlocking, you will be able to:

• ✅ Install firmware from third-party developers
• ✅ Optimize performance through cores and mods
• ✅ Remove Xiaomi system applications (bloatware)
• ✅ Use features not available in your region (e.g. Google Pay in Chinese)

However, there are downsides: unlocked bootloader reduces the security of the device, attackers can access data if the smartphone is stolen, and some banking applications (such as SberBank Online) can block work on devices with unlocked bootloader.

Requirements before unlocking the loader

Before starting the procedure, make sure that all the conditions are met:

Important: If your device was purchased in China (the C-suffix version in the model, such as the Mi 8 SE), you will need a Chinese SIM- card in the first slot at the account binding stage to unlock the process.

⚠️ Warning: If you have previously changed IMEI or the serial number of the device (for example, through an engineering menu), unlocking will not be possible. Xiaomi checks the originality of this data before approving the request.

Step 1: Linking your Mi Account to your device

The first step is to link your Xiaomi account to a smartphone, which is necessary to prove ownership of the device.

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account and log in.
2. Activate the option to Sync Data (if disabled).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Developer.
4. Click on Mi Unlock Status and select Add Account and Device.
5. Confirm the binding via SMS or email (depending on your account settings).

Once the link is successfully linked, the message will appear: "The device is successfully tied. Now you can unlock the bootloader." If instead you see the error "This device is linked to another account," then it has already been unlocked.

• 📱 Try resetting to factory settings (Settings → Additional → Restore and Reset).
• 🔄 If the reset did not help, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with IMEI).

Linked to the Mi Account to the device|The latest version has been installed MIUI|Battery charge > 60%|Drivers installed ADB PC-only|Download the official Mi Unlock Tool-->

Step 2: Install drivers and Mi Unlock Tool

To unlock, you will need the official Mi Unlock Tool utility and correctly installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

Installation of drivers (for Windows)

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool (official Xiaomi website).
2. Unpack the archive and launch it. miflash_unlock.exe on behalf of the administrator.
3. Accept the driver installation (if Windows requests confirmation).
4. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power when your phone is off).

If the driver is not automatically installed:

• 🖥️ Download Android SDK Platform-Tools by Google.
• 🔌 Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and check for device detection by command:

fastboot devices

If you see the serial number of the device in response, the drivers are installed correctly.

Problems with drivers

Windows 10/11 may have a "Mi Flash Unlock Can't See Device" error.

• 🔄 Disable driver signatures: restart your PC with Shift pressed → Diagnostics → Additional settings → Boot options → Disable mandatory driver signature verification.
• 🔧 Install drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use unofficial versions of the Mi Unlock Tool from third-party sites. These may contain malicious code or outdated certificates that will cause Xiaomi to block your account.

Step 3: Unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool

Now, the main step is unlocking the bootloader, which takes 5-10 minutes, but requires a stable Internet connection (the utility checks the data on Xiaomi servers).

1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool and log in to the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
2. Connect the Mi 8 in Fastboot mode (screen with a hare and the inscription Fastboot).
3. In the utility, press Unlock (unlock).
4. Confirm the action on the phone (if you receive a request).
5. Wait until the process is completed (the screen will show the inscription Unlocked successfully).

Once successfully unlocked, the device will automatically reset to factory settings. The first boot can take up to 10 minutes - don't interrupt the process!

If the utility gives an error "Current account is different from the account info on the device", it means that:

• 🔄 You have logged in to Mi Unlock Tool under a different account than your phone.
• 📱 Find Device from another account is enabled on the device.

Solution: untie all accounts in Settings → Mi Account and repeat the binding.

Step 4: Checking the Unblocking Status

After restarting the device, you need to make sure that the bootloader is actually unlocked.

1. Turn off the Mi 8 and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and type a command:

fastboot oem device-info

In the answer, find the lines:

• Device unlocked: true - the bootloader is unlocked.
• Device unlocked: false – unblocked.

Also, the status can be checked visually: when you turn on the phone in Fastboot mode, the inscription UNLOCKED in red should appear at the bottom of the screen.

If the unlock is successful, but you want to return to LOCKED status (for example, to sell the device), this can only be done through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of proof of purchase.

💡

Once the bootloader is unlocked, all data on the device is automatically reset, and can only be restored from the backup created before the procedure began.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, users are faced with errors.

If none of the solutions worked, try:

• 🔄 Replace MIUI (e.g., Chinese to global or vice versa).
• 📡 Use another PC or operating system (e.g., Linux instead of Windows).
• ⏳ Wait 72 hours – sometimes Xiaomi temporarily blocks accounts after several failed attempts.

💡

If Mi Unlock Tool freezes at the stage of “50%”, try to disable antivirus on PC – some programs (for example, Avast or Kaspersky) block the interaction of the utility with Xiaomi servers.

What to do after unlocking the loader

Now your Xiaomi Mi 8 is ready to be customized.

• 📱 Install TWRP Recovery for backup and recovery:

fastboot flash recovery twrp.img


fastboot boot twrp.img

• 🔧 Get root rights through Magisk:

1. Download the latest Magisk.zip from GitHub.
2. Reboot to TWRP and file it.

• 🌐 Install custom firmware (e.g. Pixel Experience or LineageOS):

First, check the firmware compatibility with the Mi 8 model (codenamed dipper). Download the image and run it through TWRP or fastboot.

Warning: After installing custom firmware, you may stop working:

• 📶 Modules NFC and Google Pay (additional configuration required).
• 🎥 Some camera features (e.g., AI- Mode or Night Mode).
• 🔋 Fast charging (if the firmware is not optimized for the Mi 8).

⚠️ Warning: Installing unofficial firmware may result in IMEI loss or network problems. Before firmware save the original persist.img (partition with IMEI) via TWRP.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions