The Xiaomi Redmi Go, which is built on Android Go Edition, is often the first step for those who want to experience the world of custom firmware. However, the standard MIUI shell limits the device’s capabilities, and the only way to gain full control of the system is to unlock the bootloader, which opens up access to installing a receptacle like TWRP, obtaining root rights and installing full versions of Android beyond the stripped-down Go version.
The procedure is not instantaneous and requires careful preparation, since Bootloader in Xiaomi devices is locked at the software level. You will need not only the phone itself, but also a computer with Internet access, as well as a stable connection to pass authorization. It is important to understand that after unlocking all data on the device will be irretrievably deleted, so pre-creating a backup is not a recommendation, but a prerequisite.
In this article, we will discuss each step in detail, from activating hidden developer functions to entering special commands in Fastboot mode. We will also touch on the waiting timer, which can be from 7 to 360 hours, and discuss how to properly interact with the Mi Unlock Tool utility so as not to get an account blocked.
Preparation of the device and necessary tools
Before you start any manipulation of the system partition, you need to make sure that your Redmi Go is fully ready for the procedure.The first step is to create a full backup of all important data, as the process of unlocking Bootloader initiates a forced reset to factory settings. Copy photos, contacts and documents to an external drive or to cloud storage.
You will need quality. USB-cable, preferably original or certified, which is guaranteed to transmit data, not just charge the battery. USB 2.0 or 3.0 on the back of the system unit (when using a PC) is often more stable than using front ports or hubs.
The battery must be charged at least 60%, preferably up to 100%, and interruption of the process due to battery discharge can lead to critical errors of the bootloader, after which the phone will turn into a “brick” and require complex recovery through the battery. EDL-regime.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account. Once the bootloader is unlocked, the system will require you to enter the account information that was tied to the device before the reset. If you forget the password, unlocking the phone will be almost impossible without contacting support.
Activation of the developer mode and OEM-unlock
The standard MIUI interface is the one that you need to modify your system to adjust your settings. To access it, you need to activate the developer menu. Go to Settings → About your phone and find the MIUI version line. You need to quickly click on it 7-10 times in a row until the "You're a developer" notification appears on the screen.
After that, a new section will appear in the settings menu, Additional → For developers. In this section, you need to find and activate the OEM Unlocking switch. The system will warn you about the security risks, agree. Also in the same menu, it is recommended to include the Debugging over USB option, although it may not be necessary for the Mi Unlock procedure itself, but it will be useful for further work.
The next critical step is to link the device to your account. In the Developer Menu, look for Mi Unlock Status (Mi Unlock Status), click on it and follow the account add instructions, make sure the phone is connected to mobile Internet (Wi-Fi can sometimes cause anchor errors), and wait for the message "Added successfully."
☑️ Readiness check for Redmi Go
Importantly, after you have attached your Mi Unlock Status account, a timer will appear on the screen, which shows how long you have to wait until you can unlock it, and the standard wait time is 168 hours (7 days), but in some cases it can be extended to 360 hours or even 30 days.
Installation of ADB drivers and software
You need drivers to communicate with your phone in bootloader mode, and without them, Mi Unlock will not see the connected device, and the easiest way to do that is to install Google's official SDK Platform Tools, or use the drivers that come with the Mi Unlock app.
It is recommended to download the latest version of the Mi Unlock Tool program from the official website miui.com/unlock. Using third-party versions or “modified” builds can lead to the blocking of your Xiaomi account by IMEI. After installing the program, log in using the same Mi Account that was linked to the phone.
If Windows Device Manager displays an unknown device when connecting your phone in Fastboot mode, you need to manually update the driver. Select the device in the list, click Update the driver → Select from the list of available drivers and specify the path to the folder with Xiaomi or Android Bootloader Interface drivers.
Where to download secure drivers?
Translation of the smartphone to Fastboot mode
Fastboot mode is a special diagnostic interface that allows you to change the flash memory of the device. To get into it on Redmi Go, you need to completely turn off the smartphone. Then press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously.
Keep the buttons clamped until you see a picture of a hare repairing an android, or an orange FASTBOOT label on a black background. In this mode, the touch screen does not work, only the volume (select) and power (confirmation) buttons are controlled, but to work with Mi Unlock, we just need to leave the phone in this state.
Connect your phone with a cable to your computer. The screen on your smartphone should show an image at the top. USB-If the image doesn't show up, try replacing the cable or USB-port.
| Indicator | Meaning | Action. |
|---|---|---|
| The android hare | Successful entrance to Fastboot | You can connect to a PC. |
| Inscription FASTBOOT | Regime active. | Team wait |
| Mi logo | Regular loading | Turn it off and repeat it. |
| Black screen | Phone's off. | Click the buttons again |
Unlocking process with Mi Unlock Tool
Run Mi Unlock on your computer and log in to your account. The program will automatically check the server status. If Xiaomi servers are overloaded (which is common), you may need several login attempts. Make sure the phone is connected and in Fastboot mode.
Press Unlock. The program will start checking the status of the device. If the wait timer has not expired, you will see a message with the remaining time. In this case, you will have to wait. If the time is up, a warning will appear that all data will be deleted.
Confirm the action by pressing Unlock anyway. The unlock process will begin, the progress bar will fill up to 100%, after which the phone will automatically restart. The whole process can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
⚠️ Attention: During the unlocking process, the program may give an error "Couldn't verify device." This often happens if the account on the phone and in the Mi Unlock program are different.
Solving Typical Errors and Problems
One of the most common problems is the 10006 error or the message that “account is not authorized” is treated by re-assigning the device: delete the Mi Unlock account on the phone, log out of the Mi Account in the phone settings, then log in again and link the device again via the mobile Internet.
If the program is stuck at 54% or 99%, try using another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or another cable, also helps to restart the Fastboot service in Device Manager or re-enter Fastboot mode on the phone itself.
Sometimes users encounter an error: “Current account is different from the account info on the device.” This means desynchronizing the data, logging out of the Mi Account on the device completely, clearing the data from the Security and Mi Unlock Status applications, then logging in again.
💡
If Mi Unlock is constantly giving a network error, try changing the Windows network settings (or via a proxy client) IP-Unlock servers in these regions often respond more consistently to users from the CIS.
It's worth remembering that after successfully unlocking the first boot, the system will recover longer than usual. Don't panic if the phone hangs on the Mi or Android logo for 5-10 minutes - this is normal behavior for the first start after a reset.
Consequences of Unblocking and Next Steps
Once the bootloader is unlocked, Xiaomi Redmi Go is given modified device status, which means that some banking applications and services (Google Pay, Mir Pay) may fail due to system integrity breaches, requiring additional modules such as Magisk and SafetyNet setup to bypass.
Also in the curtain of notifications and when downloading will constantly hang a warning that the bootloader is unlocked. You can not remove it with regular means, you can only hide visually, but it is not recommended for beginners to do so as not to lose the ability to quickly enter recovery mode.
Now you can install custom recavators (TWRP), which will allow you to make full backups of the system and install firmware with zip files. For Redmi Go, this is especially true, as it allows you to replace the heavy MIUI with a lightweight LineageOS or Pixel Experience, significantly speeding up the work of a budget smartphone.
💡
Unlocking the bootloader is a point of no return for the guarantee. Although the software device can be returned to its original state, Xiaomi service centers easily detect the fact of opening the software from the logs, even if you lock the bootloader back.