Unlock the bootloader of Xiaomi devices

Before updating any Android device, some preparatory procedures are required. If we consider the installation of the system software on Xiaomi devices, in several cases it is necessary to unlock the bootloader. This is the first step on the road to success throughout the flashing procedure and achieving the desired results..

Without delving into the reasons why Xiaomi started blocking the bootloader on the devices of its own production in a given period of time, It should be noted that once it is unlocked, the user has many possibilities to manage the part of the software on his device. These benefits include the attainment of root rights, installing custom recoveries, modified and localized firmware, and more.

Before you start to manipulate the bootloader unlock, including officially permitted by the manufacturer, you should pay attention to the following.

The owner of the device who has performed the procedures is solely responsible for the results and consequences of the operations performed on the device.. Resource management advises that all actions with the device are done by the user at their own risk.

Unlock Xiaomi bootloader

The manufacturer Xiaomi makes available to users of their smartphones and tablets an official way to unlock the bootloader, which we will talk about next. It only takes a few steps and it has a positive effect in almost all cases..

It is important to note that unofficial locking methods have been developed and are quite widespread by enthusiasts for many devices., including Xiaomi MiPad 2, Redmi Note 3 Pro, Redmi 4 Pro, Mi4s, Redmi 3/3 Pro, Redmi 3S / 3X, Mi Max.

The use of unofficial methods cannot be considered safe, since the use of such solutions, especially by inexperienced users, often damages the software part of the device and even damages the device.

If the user has already decided to make a serious change in the software part of the device released by Xiaomi, it is better to spend a little more time unlocking by the official method and forget about this problem permanently. Let's see the unlocking procedure step by step.

Paso 1: check bootloader crash status

Since Xiaomi smartphones are shipped to our country through various channels, including unofficial ones, it is very feasible that it is not necessary to unlock the bootloader, since this procedure has already been carried out by the seller or previous owner, in case you have bought a used device.

There are several alternatives to check the lock status, each of which can be applied depending on the device model. The universal method can be considered the next instruction:

1. Download and unzip the package with ADB and Fastboot. In order not to disturb the user with searching for necessary files and downloading unnecessary components, we suggest you use the link:

Download ADB and Fastboot to work with Xiaomi devices

2. Install the Fastboot mode drivers following the instructions in the post:

Lesson: Installing drivers for Android firmware

3. Put the device in Fastboot mode and connect it to the PC. All Xiaomi devices are switched to the desired mode by pressing the off key of the device “Volume…” and when you hold it down “Switched on”..

   Hold down both buttons until an image of a rabbit repairing an Android appears and the caption “FASTBOOT”.

4. Running the Windows command line.

read more:
Open the command line in Windows 10
Running command prompt in Windows 8

5. On the command line, enter the following:

6. According to the system solution on the command line, determine lock status:

   • “device unlocked: fake” – bootloader unlocked;
   • “device unlocked: true” – unlocked.

Paso 2: request unlocking

From 2019, no need to follow suggested instructions below to prepare to unlock bootloader of Xiaomi devices. Unlock permission is issued automatically and is valid for all Mi accounts, and the instructions to obtain it are left in this post as an introduction and in case the manufacturer decides to return the requirement to send the request described below.

To complete the bootloader unlock procedure, first you need to get permission from the device manufacturer. Xiaomi has tried to make the bootloader unlocking procedure as simple as possible for the user, but you must be patient. The application procedure can take up to 10 days, even though the approval generally comes within the 12 hours.

It should be noted that it is not necessary to have a Xiaomi device to request it. Therefore, you can do everything you can to get full control of the software part of the device in advance, as an example, while waiting for device delivery from the online store.

1. Register your account on the official Xiaomi page by following the steps in the instructions:

   Lesson: Registration and deletion of My account

2. Xiaomi has enabled a special page to request it:

   To request the unlock of the Xiaomi bootloader

3. Follow the link and click the button “Unlock now”.
4. Authorize in My Account.
5. After verifying the credentials, the unlock request form opens “Unlock your Mi device”.
   

   Everything must be completed in English.

6. Enter the username and phone number in the appropriate fields. Before entering the digits of the phone number, select country from drop down list.
   

   The phone number must be real and valid. A confirmation code will be sent to you by SMS, without which you will not be able to apply.

7. In the countryside. “Please, state the real reason …” you need to enter a description of the reason the bootloader unlock is needed.

   Here you can and should show your imagination. In general, a text like "Installing the translated firmware" will suffice. Since all fields must be completed in English, we will use Google Translate.

8. After completing the name, number and reason, It only remains to enter the captcha, put checkbox “I confirm that I have read …” and press the button “Apply now”.

9. Wait for the sms with the confirmation code and enter it in the special field of the verification page. After entering the digits, Press the button. “Next”..
10. In theory, Xiaomi's positive decision on the opportunity to unlock must be notified in a text message to the number specified when the request was sent. Note that this SMS does not always arrive, even when approval is granted. You must visit the page every 24 hours to check status.
    • If permission has not yet been granted, the page looks like this:
    • Once permission is granted, the request page changes to look like this:

Paso 3: work with my unlock

As an official tool to unlock the bootloader of your own devices, the manufacturer has developed a special utility My Unlock, whose download is enabled after receiving the approval of the operation by Xiaomi.

Download Mi Unlock from the official web portal

1. The utility does not need installation and to run it, just unzip the package obtained from the link above into a separate folder and then double click on the file miflash_unlock.exe.
2. Before proceeding directly to change the bootloader state via My Unlock, it is essential to prepare your device. Do the next step by step.
   • Link the device to the Mi account for which you have received permission to unlock.
   • Enable visibility of menu items “For developers”. clicking five times on the inscription “MIUI version” on the menu “On the phone”..
   • Go to menu “For developers.” and activate the function “Factory unlocked”.
   • In the case of a menu “For developers”. Post “Status of my unlock” login and add account by clicking “Add account and device”..
     

     Post “Status of my unlock” may not be available in the menu “For developers.”. Its availability depends on the specific Xiaomi device and type / firmware version.

   • If the Mi account is new, entered into the device shortly before the unlock procedure begins, it is advisable to do something with the account to make sure that there are no errors when working with the device through My Unlock.

     As an example, turn on sync, backup to Mi Cloud, search for the device via i.mi.com.

3. After the preparation is complete, reboot device in “Fastboot”. and run Mi Unlock without connecting the device to PC yet.
4. Confirm knowledge of risk by pressing “Agree” in the warning window.
5. Enter the My Account details entered on the phone and press the button “Log in”.
6. Waiting for the program to contact the Xiaomi servers and verify the permission to perform the bootloader unlock operation.
7. After the window appears indicating that there is no device paired with the PC, connect the changed device to “Fastboot”. to USB port.
8. Once the machine is detected in the program, Press the button “To unblock”

   and wait for the procedure to complete.

Everything happens pretty fast, The procedure must not be interrupted!

9. When the operation is completed, a message appears indicating the unlocking success. Press the button. “Rebound”to restart the machine.

Returns the Xiaomi bootloader crash

Although Xiaomi provides an actionable tool in the form of the Mi Unlock utility to unlock the bootloaders of your devices, the reverse procedure does not involve an official method. For this case, bootloader crash is doable with the help of MiFlash.

To return the bootloader status to “locked”, It is necessary to install the official version of the firmware through MiFlash in “Clean everything and close” according to the instructions in the post:

Read more: How to flash a Xiaomi smartphone with MiFlash

After this flashing, the device will be absolutely clean of all data and the bootloader will fail, In other words, at the exit we will obtain a device such as "out of the box", at least in terms of software.

As you can see, Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader does not need excessive effort or special skills on the part of the user. It is essential to understand that the procedure can be time consuming and patient. But after getting a positive result in front of the owner of any Android device, all possibilities are opened to change the software part of the device for your own purposes and needs.

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