Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget devices, but its owners often face the limitations of the security system MIUI. The need to unlock the bootloader (Bootloader) usually occurs when installing custom firmware, obtaining root rights or deep flashing the device. Also, users can look for ways to remove the forgotten pattern lock or password lock screen. In both cases, the process requires care, as interference in the system partitions always carries certain risks.
It’s important to understand that official unlocking of the bootloader through Mi Unlock servers takes 7 to 168 hours of latency. This is not a technical delay, but a security measure of the manufacturer. If it is a question of delocking the screen without losing data, modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell almost eliminate this possibility without knowing a password or Google account. In this article, we will discuss all the current and working methods for solving these problems for the Redmi 8 model.
Preparation of the smartphone and computer for the procedure of unlocking
Before you start any manipulation with the bootloader, you need to carefully prepare the software environment. Xiaomi Redmi 8 requires drivers ADB And Fastboot, which is installed with platform tools, and without properly installed drivers, the computer will not be able to recognize the device in bootloader mode, and the process will start at an early stage. USB-cable supplied in the kit, or a quality analogue with support for data transfer, not just charging.
The second critical step is to link your Mi Account. You must log in to your phone's settings, open Advanced Settings, and select Developer's. If this section is hidden, you must click seven times on the build number in the About menu. Inside the developer menu, find the Mi Unlock Status option and log in to your account. Without linking your account to your device via mobile data (Wi-Fi must be turned off at this stage), the unlock program will give you an error.
Remember to make a full backup of all important data. The process of unlocking the Bootloader involves a complete reset of user information. Photos, contacts and correspondence will be deleted irrevocably unless they are saved in advance to the Mi Cloud or to your computer. Also make sure that the battery of the smartphone is at least 60%, so that the device does not turn off at a critical moment.
- 🔌 Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70% steady-work.
- 💾 Save all important files to external media or to the cloud.
- 📶 Use a stable Internet connection (mobile Internet is better for binding).
- 💻 Install Xiaomi drivers USB Driver on a personal computer.
☑️ Checklist before unlocking
Official method of unlocking the bootloader through Mi Unlock
The safest and most recommended way is to use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility. This method ensures that you do not damage the hardware of the device and can receive official OTA updates in the future. First download the latest version of the program from the official Mi website. After installation, launch the utility and log in to the same Mi Account that was linked to the smartphone.
Put the Xiaomi Redmi 8 into Fastboot mode. Turn off the phone completely, then press the volume and power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until an image of a hare repairing an android appears on the screen or the inscriptions. FASTBOOT. Connect the device to the computer through USB-In Mi Unlock, press Unlock. If less than 168 hours have passed since your account was linked, the system will tell you to wait.
⚠️ Note: After the wait timer has expired (7 days), you need to repeat the procedure for logging into the Mi Unlock Status menu and re-link the account, resetting the data if you made a reset during the waiting period. IMEI device.
If the timer is over, pressing the Unlock button again will start the process. The phone will reboot, and the data will be erased. When the process is over, the utility will report success, and the smartphone will boot to the clean system. It is important not to interrupt the cable connection during the progress bar, otherwise you can get a brick with a locked bootloader.
💡
If Mi Unlock is 50% or 99% down, try changing the program. USB-port on the motherboard (use ports at the back of the system unit) or temporarily disable the antivirus and Windows firewall.
Alternative methods and resetting of forgotten password
The problem with a forgotten pattern lock or password is different from unlocking a firmware bootloader. If you can't get into the phone's menu, the standard path is Hard Reset via Recovery Mode. However, if a Google or Mi Account account was enabled on the device, after a reset, the system will require you to enter login data (FRP protection), which is almost impossible to circumvent by legal methods without losing data on modern versions of Android.
Turn off your smartphone to enter recovery mode. Press the volume button and the power button. When the Mi logo appears, release the power, but keep the volume until the Recovery menu appears. This is controlled by the volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
There are also specialized unlocking tools, such as Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools or paid service programs, but they require a lot of knowledge, such as using ADB commands to delete key files only if the phone has been pre-enabled to debug USB. Without debugging enabled, this method will not work.
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key
adb shell rm /data/system/password.keyThese commands only work if the phone is already unlocked for debugging and connected to the PC. Otherwise, only a complete reset remains. Remember that third-party programs from unverified sources may contain malicious code that will steal your personal data or passwords from banking applications.
What is FRP Lock?
Fixing Errors When Unlocking Bootloader
When you unlock, users of Xiaomi Redmi 8 often encounter common errors, one of the most common is the Error 10008 or 10013. They usually indicate problems with the network connection or Xiaomi servers. DNS-server on your computer (e.g., 8.8.8.8) or using a mobile access point instead of home Wi-Fi.
Another common problem is the Waiting for device status, when the program can't see the phone, which is solved by reinstalling the drivers, and Windows Device Manager, when the phone is connected in Fastboot mode, can display an unknown device. You need to manually update the driver by choosing the path to the folder with the drivers Xiaomi or Qualcomm. USB-Port 2.0 instead of 3.0, as some older versions of Mi Unlock are unstable with controllers USB 3.0.
| Error code | Description of the problem | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| 10005 | Network or server error | Change IP (use mobile Internet), disable proxy. |
| 10008 | The account doesn't match. | Sign in to Mi Unlock and phone under the same account. |
| 20032 | Incorrect login/password | Check the password from the Mi Account, change the language of the program interface to English. |
| 40005 | No device found. | Reinstall drivers, change drivers USB-cable. |
If the error persists for a long time, it makes sense to try to carry out the procedure on another computer with another version of the operating system (for example, Windows 7 instead of Windows 10/11). Sometimes antivirus software blocks the utility from accessing COM ports, so temporarily disabling protection is a reasonable step.
Consequences of unlocking the bootloader for the user
The user should be aware that unlocking Bootloader changes the status of the device. First, it voids the manufacturer's warranty in many regions. Second, once unlocked, some security features will stop working. For example, banks' applications may refuse to launch, seeing a changed security environment, and Google Pay (now Google Wallet) will become unavailable for paying with the phone, as the integrity of the system will be violated.
The camera’s shooting quality can also decrease if you install custom firmware, as Xiaomi’s original image processing algorithms will be replaced. On the other hand, unlocking gives you complete control over the device: the ability to remove system debris, set themes, change CPU frequency, and more. It’s a choice between security/stability and freedom/flexibility.
⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the "Mi Find Device" function may not work properly or be disabled. Make sure you remember your Mi Account password, otherwise you won't be able to activate your phone when you reset your settings.
To return the device to its original state, you can lock the bootloader again, and this is done using the fastboot oem lock command in Fastboot mode. However, this should only be done on the stock (official) firmware. If you try to lock the bootloader with custom firmware installed, the phone will turn into a brick and require service intervention to restore.
💡
Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible loss of warranty and data, and consider the need to obtain root rights against the loss of security for banking applications.