When Xiaomi is locked, it can take any owner by surprise: the device turns into a “brick” if you forgot your password, bought a gadget with someone else’s account or decided to flash custom firmware without preparation.
First of all, you need to clearly define the type of lock, this can be bootloader protection, blocking the Mi Account (FRP), regionalization SIM-The Global Version in China, or the banal forgotten pattern lock, depends on the algorithm of actions: in some cases, a simple reset will help, and in others, a complex procedure will be required via a PC. In this article, we will analyze all the scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions.
It is important to understand that unlocking the bootloader to install the Global ROM on the Chinese version takes time and the manufacturer’s conditions are met, but if it is a lock after resetting, it will be almost impossible to restore data access without data from the previous owner due to Google’s security protocols.
How to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi
Unlocking the bootloader is the first and must-see step for those who want to get full administrator rights (Root) or install custom firmware. By default, the Xiaomi bootloader is closed, which protects the system from unauthorized changes, USB-cable and Mi Account with a linked phone number.
The process is not instantaneous. After applying for the Mi Unlock Status app, you will have to wait 7 to 168 hours (usually 7 days), a security measure introduced by the company to make it harder to steal and flash the devices, during which you can not log out of your phone account, otherwise the countdown will be lost.
To successfully unlock, you need to do a number of preparatory steps: make sure that the device is debugging over USB and OEM-unlocking is allowed. Without these parameters, the utility on the PC simply will not see the phone in the right mode.
It is worth noting that after unlocking the bootloader, the TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) security system can be broken, which will lead to the inability to work banking applications and Google Pay without additional manipulations (for example, using Magisk Hide).
What happens to the data when you unlock it?
When you unlock the bootloader, you have a forced full reset of all data (Wipe Data). All photos, contacts and applications will be deleted, so be sure to back up in advance. Attention! Unlocking the bootloader will void the warranty in many regions, although in some countries this consumer right is protected by law. Unlocking the Mi Account and Google FRP Blocking Mi Account or FRP (Factory Reset Protection) occurs most often after you buy a used device or a forgotten password. If the previous owner did not untie the device from his account, after resetting the phone will require you to enter the username and password. This is the service, if the official service is difficult to contact the store, the only way to contact the service is the official way to get the store. If purchased by hand, contact the seller and ask them to remotely remove the device from the trusted list in the Mi Cloud account settings. There are technical ways to bypass, but they are often temporary or require specific vulnerabilities in the Android version. MIUI Connecting via TeamViewer or using certain combinations in the settings menu worked, but with the release of Android 11-14 These holes are closing. ⚠️ Note: Using paid services to unbundle your account carries risks: you transfer your data to third parties, and the result is not guaranteed. Only the account owner or the service center can officially unlock Mi Account without a password if there are documents. If you have forgotten your password, use the recovery procedure via i.mi.com. You'll need access to a linked phone number or backup email, and without that, you won't be able to restore access to data inside your account. SIM-China Version (Cards) Owners of Chinese Versions of Smartphones (CN Version: Often faced with a lock SIM-When you install a Russian or European SIM, the phone writes «SIM-The card is locked" or "Emergency Calls Only" is a software restriction built into the firmware for the Chinese market, and the solution is to flash the device to a global version. ROM). However, on new models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13/14 And then there was a tight binding of the region, even after the Global firmware. ROM The phone can identify the Chinese region IMEI block calls. For such cases, there is a method of changing the region through the engineering menu or special patches, but they require an unlocked bootloader. Without an unlocked bootloader, it is almost impossible to change the region programmatically on new models. Version type SIM Lock Needs Unlock BL Solutions No China Version (Global ROM) Possible Yes (to change the region) Patch / Change the region China Version (CN ROM) Yes (always) Yes, Global ROM EEA Version No (Europe) No Works in Russia / CIS Some users use cruts in the form of a special application, if you do not remember the reset system, the reset and the situation, if you do not need to stop the reset. The data on the internal drive will be deleted, but the device will return to factory settings. To enter the recovery mode (Recovery), usually a combination of power and volume buttons. Press and hold the Volume+ and Power button simultaneously until the Mi logo appears. In the Recovery menu (which is controlled by volume buttons and power confirmation), select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data and confirm the action. After the reboot, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synchronized earlier. This is FRP protection, if you do not remember the data with the account. 📊 What type of lock you encountered?Forgot screen passwordBlocking Mi AccountBlocking SIM (China) Need Root-right Important: if the device was enabled two-factor authorization, to log in may require a code from SMS or an authenticator application. SIM-The card is active, or use backup codes if they were saved. Using the Mi Unlock Tool The official tool for unlocking the bootloader is called Mi Unlock Tool. It only works on the Windows operating system. ADB And Fastboot, without them, the computer won't be able to recognize the phone in bootloader mode, and the process is, you put the phone in Fastboot mode, you plug it into the PC, you run the utility, and you log in to your Mi Account. The program will check the status of the binding and, if (wait time) is out, will allow unlocking, and users often encounter errors such as "Couldn't verify device" or "Unlock failed". This may mean that the account is not tied in the developer settings, or too little time has passed since the link. USB-cable USB 3.0 (better to use) USB 2.0). fastboot oem unlock fastboot flashing unlock Manually enter commands via ADB It is possible, but on Xiaomi devices they redirect to use the official Mi Unlock utility, since the encryption keys are stored on the company’s servers. After successful unlocking and flashing, users often notice that some functions are not working correctly. For example, it may not work. NFC For payment, the fingerprint will stop working or the camera will fail, because the persist or modem partitions may be damaged when flashing. NFC Sometimes you need to reflash the backups of these partitions if they were saved in advance, and if you don't have a backup, recovery is extremely difficult, and only possible in a service center using programmers, and it's also worth remembering about security. An unlocked bootloader makes the device vulnerable to physical access.Attacker who gets the phone in their hands can easily read data unless it's encrypted with a strong password. ⚠️ Warning: Never unlock a bootloader on a device you use to store critical banking data unless you understand the risks. Some banking apps may refuse to work on such devices forever.In some cases, after unlocking Widevine L1 (necessary HD-Netflix content is downgraded to L3, That limits the quality of the video. L1 It is not possible to return the keys, because DRM They burn when you unlock. Can you unlock the bootloader without a computer? Officially, no. Mi Unlock only works on Windows. There are informal methods through Android emulators, but they are extremely unstable, require Root rights on another device and are not recommended for beginners because of the high risk of turning the phone into a "brick." The standard waiting time is 168 hours (7 days) from the time an account is linked to the developer settings. In rare cases (especially for new accounts), the period can be extended to 30 days. The countdown goes on continuously, turning off the phone does not reset the timer. What if Mi Unlock writes "Account isn't bound"? This means that in the phone settings (Section "Developers» -> «Mi Unlock status) account is not tied to a device, or another account is tied. You need to log in to the correct account, click Add Account and Device and wait for confirmation. Is it safe to buy an unlocked phone with your hands? Buying a phone with an unlocked bootloader is risky; the previous owner could have installed a modified system with hidden miners or malware. BL Unblock it yourself under your account.