Unlocking the bootloader Xiaomi Redmi Note 5: official and unofficial methods

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (codenamed whyred for global and vine for Chinese) is a must-have for custom firmware installation, root rights, or device recovery after software failures. The process requires not only technical training, but also an understanding of the risks: wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a “brick.” In this article, we will discuss the official method through the Mi Unlock Tool and alternative methods for devices that do not receive permission from Xiaomi.

The manufacturer deliberately blocks the bootloader on all Redmi and Mi series devices to protect against unauthorized changes. However, enthusiasts have found workarounds that work even on older versions of MIUI. Importantly, once unlocked, all data on the device will be reset, and Xiaomi’s warranty will be canceled. If you are ready for this, then we start preparing.

Before you start the process, make sure your Redmi Note 5 meets the following requirements:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 60% (to avoid shutdown during the procedure).
• 📱 Version. MIUI Up to 12.5 (newer versions may require additional steps).
• 🔌 Original. USB-cable (cheap analogues often cause connection errors).
• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (MacOS and Linux are not supported by Mi Unlock Tool).

1. Device Preparation: Linking the Mi Account and enabling debugging

The first step is to link the Redmi Note 5 to a Xiaomi account and activate the developer modes, without which the Mi Unlock Tool will not be able to identify the device.

Go to Settings → About Phone and click 7 times on the MIUI Version bar until the notification “You’ve become a developer!” appears. Then go back to the main settings menu, open Additional Settings → For developers and turn on:

• 🔓 Debugging by USB (Allow access when connecting to the PC).
• 🔄 Unlocking OEM (It may not be available on some versions. MIUI).
• 🔗 Mi Unlock status → Add an account and device.

Once a Xiaomi account is linked to a device, you need to wait 72–168 hours (3–7 days) to protect yourself from data theft, and in some cases, the wait can be reduced to 24 hours if the device was purchased officially and not previously unlocked.

⚠️ Note: If you bought Redmi Note 5 from hand, the previous owner may have already linked his account.In this case, unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool will not be possible without his data. → Xiaomi account → Devices.

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If the Mi Unlock Status option is not in the developer menu, upgrade MIUI to the latest stable version via Settings → System Update.

2. Installation of Mi Unlock Tool and drivers

The official Mi Unlock Tool is only available for Windows, download it from the official Xiaomi website (the version must match your MIUI).

1. Connect the Redmi Note 5 to your PC in Fastboot mode (turn off your phone, then press Power + Volume Down until the rabbit logo appears in the earpiece cap).
2. In Windows Device Manager, find a device with an exclamation point (usually Android Bootloader Interface).
3. Update the driver manually by specifying the folder with the unpacked Mi Unlock Tool (drivers lie in the driver subfolder).

If Windows refuses to install drivers, turn off signature verification:

1. Press Win + X, select Command Prompt (Administrator).
2. Enter the command: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on
3. Restart the PC and re-install.

⚠️ Note: Do not use unofficial versions of the Mi Unlock Tool from third-party sites. They may contain malicious code or be outdated, which will lead to a Couldn’t unlock error or lock your Xiaomi account.

3. Unlock process via Mi Unlock Tool

After the waiting period (3-7 days) you can proceed to unlock:

Make sure that your Xiaomi account is linked to your device|Charge the phone. ≥60%|Install drivers and Mi Unlock Tool|Connect the original USB-cable|Disable the antivirus (can block the utility)

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1. Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on behalf of the administrator.
2. Sign in with the same Xiaomi account as you do on your phone.
3. Put the Redmi Note 5 into Fastboot mode (as described above) and connect to your PC.
4. In the utility, press Unlock. If done correctly, a data reset warning will appear.
5. Confirm the action. It'll take 1-3 minutes.

Once completed, the phone will automatically restart. Now the bootloader is unlocked, which can be checked by the team in Fastboot:

fastboot oem device-info

The answer should be Device unlocked: true.

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If the utility gives an error "Couldn't unlock", check: 1) the correct account link; 2) version MIUI and utilities; (3) originality USB-cable.

4. Alternative Unlocking Methods (if Mi Unlock Tool does not work)

On some Redmi Note 5 devices (especially those with Chinese firmware), the official method doesn’t work.

• 🔧 EDL-Emergency Download Mode – requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.
• 📦 Firmware through Fastboot with lock bypass (risky, can lead to bricks).
• 🔓 Exploits for older versions MIUI (For example, dirtycow for MIUI 8).

The most reliable alternative is to use EDL.

1. Download fastboot firmware for Redmi Note 5 (for example, with Xiaomi Firmware Updater).
2. Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Connect the phone in EDL mode (requires a short circuit test points on the board or a special cable).

⚠️ Attention: Use EDL Without authorization, Xiaomi may lead to a lock IMEI (The phone will lose communication with the carriers' networks, and this method is recommended only for advanced users.

5. Install TWRP and obtain root rights after unlocking

The unlocked bootloader gives you access to install the custom TWRP recavator and obtain superuser rights. Redmi Note 5 is suitable version TWRP 3.6.2 from the developer mauronofrio.

Instructions:

1. Download the image twrp-3.6.2_9-0-whyred.img official website TWRP.
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.6.2_9-0-whyred.img
3. Immediately after firmware, go to the recavery, holding Power + Volume Increase.
4. In TWRP, you can file Magisk (e.g. version 25.2) to get root.

Important: After installing TWRP, do not restart to the system until you turn off the recovery check in Magisk (otherwise, the stockware will reboot TWRP).

Possible errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If the Redmi Note 5 is stuck on the Mi logo after unlocking, reset via Fastboot:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

7. How to return the stock firmware and block the loader back

If you need to return the phone to its original state (for example, for sale or warranty repair), follow the following steps:

1. Download the stock firmware for your model (whyred or vine) from the official website.
2. Unpack the archive and launch the script flash_all.bat (for Windows or flash_all.sh (for Linux/Mac).
3. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and wait for the firmware to complete.
4. To lock the bootloader, use the command: fastboot oem lock Attention: this will delete all data and return the phone to factory settings.

After blocking the bootloader, installing custom firmware will become impossible until re-unblocking.

FAQ: Frequent questions about unlocking Xiaomi Redmi Note 5