You turned on a Xiaomi smartphone, and instead of the usual logo, you saw the words "This device is locked" or "Bootloader locked"? This means that the manufacturer blocked the bootloader, a low-level mechanism that controls the launch of the operating system, such a lock does not allow you to install custom firmware, obtain root rights or even restore the device through Fastboot after a failure.
Since 2016, Xiaomi has been actively blocking bootloaders on all new models, from budget Redmi to flagship Mi and POCO. The company has motivated this by concern for security: a closed bootloader protects against viruses, unauthorized access and “bricks” (turning the phone into a non-working “brick” after a failed firmware).
In this article, we will discuss:
- 🔍 Why Xiaomi is blocking downloaders and which models are affected
- ⚠️ How dangerous is unlocking for security and security
- 📱 Official and Unofficial Ways to Unlock in 2026
- 🔧 Step-by-step instructions with pictures for beginners
- ❓ Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
What is a Bootloader and why is it blocked?
A bootloader is a program that runs to the operating system. It checks firmware integrity, loads the Android kernel, and transfers control to the system. In Xiaomi, the bootloader is implemented on the basis of Fastboot (for modern models) or EDL (emergency mode for recovery).
When the bootloader is locked, you cannot:
- 📦 Install custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox)
- 🔓 Get root rights through Magisk or SuperSU
- 🔄 Switch to alternative firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience)
- 🛠️ Restore your phone via Fastboot after a crash
Xiaomi began blocking bootloaders in 2016 after a wave of complaints about “bricked” devices, according to the company, up to 30% of calls to service centers were due to failed firmware attempts, blocking this figure reduced to 5%, but deprived users of flexibility.
⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader will void Xiaomi’s software malfunction warranty, but it does not affect the hardware warranty (screen, battery, speakers.
| Year of release | Models with a blocked loader | Models with unlocked default |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 and earlier | — | Mi 3, Mi 4, Redmi Note 2 |
| 2016–2018 | Mi 5, Mi 6, Redmi Note 4X | Mi Max (first batch) |
| 2019–2021 | Mi 9, Redmi Note 8 Pro, POCO F1 | — |
| 2022–2026 | Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 | — |
The official way to unlock through Mi Unlock
Xiaomi provides a legal unlock tool, the Mi Unlock Tool, which takes between 7 and 360 hours (depending on company policy) and requires you to link your Mi Account to your device.
- Link your Mi Account to your phone: go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sync and enable the Find Device option.
Once connected, the utility will show a waiting timer: In 2026, the standard time is 168 hours (7 days), but for some regions (for example, India), it can be reduced to 72 hours.
Linking Mi Account to phone|Enable debugging on USB|Download Mi Unlock Tool|Install drivers ADB|Charge the phone. >50%-->
⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone after unlocking, the new owner won't be able to link their Mi Account for 30 days.This rule is introduced to combat stolen devices.
Informal methods of unlocking: risks and features
If the official method seems too long, some users resort to informal methods, which fall into three categories:
- 🔗 Exploits (firmware vulnerabilities, such as DirtyCOW for older versions) MIUI)
- 💻 Paid services (for example, DC-Unlocker or Chinese “masters” on AliExpress)
- 🔧 EDL-Unblocking (through emergency mode using authorized accounts)
The most common unofficial method is unlocking via EDL. It works even on newer models (Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13), but requires:
- Special cable (EDL cable or homemade with closing contacts)
- Mi Flash Pro or QFilm
- Authorized Xiaomi account (they are sold on forums for $5–$20)
In 2026, Xiaomi tightened control over the EDL-unlocking: new models now require a unique “token” from the service center, which is issued only on request from the service center. IMEI This has made the method less accessible to ordinary users.
What happens if you use the informal method?
Frequent Unlocking Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even when following instructions, users encounter errors, and here are the most common ways to solve them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Couldn’t unlock (100%) | Mi Account is not tied to phone | Repeat the binding in Settings → Xiaomi account and wait 24 hours |
| Current account is different from the account info on the device | Another account is authorized on the phone | Perform a reset to factory settings and log in with the desired account |
| Device is locked. Wait XX hours | Waiting timer has not expired | Wait until the time is set (no speeding up) |
| Mi Flash not responding | Qualcomm drivers not installed | Install the QDLoader HS-USB Driver manually |
Another common problem is that the phone is not detected in Fastboot mode.
- Check the cable (you need an original or certified USB Type-C).
- Try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0 on the back of the PC).
- Disable driver signatures in Windows: Enter bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on and restart your PC.
💡
If the Mi Unlock Tool gives a "Network error" error, try connecting via mobile internet (turn off Wi-Fi) or using a VPN with the China/India region. Xiaomi servers sometimes block requests from other countries.
What to do after unlocking the loader
When the bootloader is unlocked, you have new opportunities — but also new risks. Here's what you can do next.
- 📥 Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox) for backups and firmware ZIP-For Xiaomi, the current versions of recovery are laid out on the XDA Developers.
- 🔓 Get root rights through Magisk, which will allow you to remove system applications, change fonts and customize the kernel.
- 🔄 Swipe custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS).Please note: for new models (Xiaomi) 13/14) You may need a patch for the camera (ANX Camera).
- 🛡️ Return the lock (if you need to hand over the phone for warranty repair). To do this, swipe the official firmware through Mi Flash with the clean all and lock option.
Important: After unlocking, turn off:
- 🔒 Find My Device (You can't find your phone when you lose it)
- 📡 Mi Cloud Sync (not synchronized notes, SMS, call-up)
- 🛡️ Anti-Rollback Protection (Protection against rollback on old firmware)
💡
Before installing custom firmware, always check compatibility with your phone model by name code (such as tucana for Redmi Note 8 Pro).
Xiaomi models that can’t be unlocked in 2026
Despite official support for unlocking, some Xiaomi models have limitations:
- 📵 Devices for the Chinese market (Mi 11 Ultra China, Redmi) K40 Pro – require Chinese Mi Account and phone number +86.
- 🔒 Smartphones with MediaTek processor (Redmi 10, POCO M3) — There are no stable methods of unlocking through Fastboot.
- 🚫 Anti-rollback devices (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) — When rolling back on the old firmware, camera and network modules are blocked.
- 🔧 Phones with hardware binding (Black Shark, Mi Mix Fold) - unlocking is possible only through the service center.
For these models, the only legal way to get root or custom firmware is to use virtual environments (like UserLAND to run Linux inside Android) or cloud services (Termux with remote access).
⚠️ Attention: Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi implemented a "Dynamic Partition" mechanism that breaks up memory into logical partitions. TWRP It can cause data loss without recovery.