Unlocking the Xiaomi Mi 8 bootloader: the official way without a ban account

The Xiaomi Mi 8, released in 2018, is still popular with customization enthusiasts thanks to its powerful hardware (Snapdragon 845, 6/8 GB of RAM) and active community support. However, installing custom firmware, root rights, or even some modifications through ADB requires unlocking the bootloader, a procedure that Xiaomi has made difficult over time. Unlike new models, where unlocking takes up to 720 hours of latency, for the Mi 8, the process remains relatively fast but has its nuances.

In this article, you will find the instructions for unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Mi 8 (codenamed dipper) that are up to date for 2026, including Mi Account requirements, device preparation, and solving common errors (e.g. Couldn’t unlock or This device is locked).

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and voids the warranty. on some firmware (e.g, MIUI Global Stable) may have problems encrypting data after unlocking. If you use the Mi 8 as your primary phone, back up via Mi Cloud or TWRP (if already established).

1. Mi Account and device requirements before unlocking

Xiaomi has imposed strict restrictions on unlocking the bootloader to reduce the number of fraudulent actions with devices. For the Mi 8 in 2026, the following rules apply:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: The device must be running on official firmware (Global, China or China). EEA) version MIUI 10. Castom firmware or modified Recovery (TWRP) block the possibility of unlocking.
• 🔐 Account Link: The phone must be authorized by Mi Account, to which the phone number is linked (confirmed via SMS). Accounts without a number or with suspicious activity (repeated attempts to unlock) are blocked by the system.
• ⏳ Wait times: For new accounts (registered less than 30 days ago), Xiaomi can set a wait of up to 360 hours.Old accounts (created before 2022) usually pass without delay.
• 🌍 Account Region: The account must be from the same region as the device's firmware, for example if the Mi 8 is installed MIUI Global, and the account is registered in China, unlocking will be blocked.

🔹 How to check the linking of the account?

1. Go to Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Make sure that your Mi 8 is displayed in the Devices section.
3. Check your account status in Settings → About Phone → Mi Unlock Status. If it says Added, the device is tied correctly.

⚠️ Note: If you previously tried to unlock a bootloader on another device and got a Couldn't unlock error, Xiaomi could temporarily block your account.

2.Preparation of Xiaomi Mi 8 to unlock

Before starting the procedure, you need to follow several critical steps, and skipping any of them can lead to errors such as This device is locked or Unable to verify.

Enable debugging over USB in the developer settings

Link Mi Account to your device in the Mi Unlock Status menu

Install official firmware (not caste!)

Charge your phone at least 60%

Download Mi Unlock Tool (Last Release, 26)

-->

Step 1. Enable the Developer Mode and USB Debugging

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Activate switches: Debugging over USB OEM Unlock (important item!) Factory Unlocking (if any)

Step 2: Link the device to your Mi Account

This step is often overlooked, which is why Mi Unlock Tool issues an error Current account is different from the account info on the device.

1. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers → Mi Unlock state.
2. Click Add Account and Device.
3. Confirm the action via SMS (the code will come to the number associated with the Mi Account).

How to install Mi Unlock Tool?

1. Download the archive with the utility and unpack it.
2. Launch the file. miflash_unlock.exe (For Windows, or use Wine on Linux/Mac.
3. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is linked to your phone.
4. Connect the Mi 8 to your PC through the original USB-cable (cheap cables can cause connection errors).

⚠️ Note: If you start the Mi Unlock Tool with an Unable to connect to the server error, check: Disable VPN/proxy (Xiaomi blocks connections from certain regions) Make sure that drivers are installed on the PC ADB Fastboot (you can download it via Android) SDK). Try to run the utility on behalf of the administrator.

4. Step-by-step instruction for unlocking the loader

When you're done, you can start unlocking, and it takes 5 to 15 minutes to do this, unless you have a waiting time limit.

Step 1: Put your phone in Fastboot mode

1. Turn off Mi 8.
2. Press the Power + Volume buttons at the same time and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears (the Mi Bunny robot with the inscription FASTBOOT).

Step 2: Connect your phone to your PC and start unlocking

1. In Mi Unlock Tool, press Unlock.
2. The utility will automatically determine the device and show the lock status.
3. If you receive a message Unlocking time: 168/360/720 hours, so your account is new and you have to wait for the specified time. 2022 year) waiting usually not.
4. Press Unlock anyway and confirm the action.

Step 3: Wait for the process to be completed

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

💡

Once the boot loader is unlocked, the Mi 8 boot screen will display a warning, This device is unlocked. This is normal and does not affect the device.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the correct instructions, users often encounter errors, and below are the most common problems and ways to fix them.

🔹 What to do if the Mi Unlock Tool can’t see the device?

• 🔌 Check Connection: Run in Command Prompt: Fastboot devices If the list is empty – drivers are not installed.
• 🖥️ Reinstall drivers manually through Device Manager (select Android Bootloader Interface).
• 🔄 Restart your PC and phone.

6.What to do after unlocking the bootloader?

Now that the bootloader is unlocked, you have new options for customizing the Xiaomi Mi 8.

• 📱 Install TWRP: The scaling can be used to make ZIP-Files (e.g. Magisk for root rights or GApps) for Mi 8 up-to-date version TWRP 3.7.0 (download to twrp.me).

⚠️ Important: After installing custom firmware or Magisk, some features may not work properly:

• 📸 Camera: The unofficial firmware may not work 48-megapixel mode or HDR+.
• 🔋 Battery: Increased charge consumption due to lack of optimizations Xiaomi.
• 📶 Network: Some firmwares lose support for VoLTE or Wi-Fi Calling.

💡

Before you install custom firmware, check compatibility with your Mi modem. 8. Some assemblies (for example, for dipper_global) It does not work on Chinese versions of the device (dipper).

7.How to return the boot loader lock (if necessary)?

In rare cases, users are required to lock back the bootloader — for example, to sell a phone or restore warranty — a reversible process that has its own nuances:

Method 1. via Fastboot (official method)

1. Make it official. MIUI Fastboot: fastboot flash all [firmware].tgz
2. After restarting, the boot loader will automatically lock.

Method 2. via Mi Flash Tool (for bricks)

If your phone is not loading, use the Mi Flash Tool:

1. Download the full firmware for Mi 8 (.tgz).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool.
3. Select Clean all and lock mode (this will reset the device and block the bootloader).
4. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and press Flash.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is blocked, all data will be deleted and the ability to unlock again will not appear again after 30 days (if the account is new!

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Mi 8