Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader: what is it and all the nuances of the procedure

Android is a highly customizable operating system that you can change to suit your needs. But in order to make some changes, the user needs to unlock the system bootloader. Before you decide to go deeper into this process, you should check if your bootloader is unlocked. We will explain in detail how to do this.

To check, you can use one of the methods below. First of all, we recommend trying the first one, as it involves less manipulation and only requires the smartphone itself. But if it does not work with your device, then you will have to use the second or third longer method, which involves using a computer and downloading necessary software such as ADB and Fastboot.

What is a bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones?

It happens that your Xiaomi smartphone does not work correctly and you need to flash it, as well as add some patches or custom Recovery to the kernel. If you just purchased a smartphone, most likely it will have a locked bootloader. A loader or bootloader is a special program responsible for loading and launching the Android operating system. But this program also has another task - to prevent changes in the firmware itself or the system kernel.

In different models of devices, the bootloader is designed differently, and the process of unlocking it can also occur in different ways. Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with the proprietary MIUI shell, which is almost a different subsystem installed on the stock Android OS. And it doesn’t matter what kind of smartphone you have: Xiaomi Mi5, Mi 5X or Mi Max - they all have one system installed. Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader occurs the same way on all company devices.

Method three - through the developers menu

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In the device settings, find the “About phone” section and click on the “Device version” line until you see the “You have become a developer” notification. Options for the name of the required line may be different, depending on the device model and “build number”, “serial number” and others.

After all the manipulations in the device settings, access to the “For Developers” section will open. In it you can go to the “Bootloader Status” item and check its status.

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These methods may not work on all devices. Manufacturing companies are constantly innovating to differentiate themselves from their competitors, so each model often has its own unique verification algorithm.

Why does Xiaomi block the bootloader in its devices?

The answer to this question is quite simple. The bootloader in this context acts as a kind of block at the hands of the user who wants to change something in the firmware or install additional software elements into the kernel of the Android operating system. Also, a locked bootloader is the key to system longevity. Therefore, the manufacturer blocks bootloaders on smartphones so that an inexperienced user does not perform “harmful” actions on his phone. Because of this, more and more people want to know how to unlock the Xiaomi bootloader quickly and for free, because the Android operating system can crash at any moment, so it’s better to play it safe. The next point why the manufacturer blocks the bootloader is the requirement of Google, which is the founder of the Android operating system and is developing it.

Stage 1: developer tools and gadget driver

Download the zip archive suitable for your operating system from the official Android SDK download site https://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and unpack it. You must select the desired archive in the footer of the page after the words “SDK Tools Only”.

Next, launch SDK Manager and install exclusively “Android SDK Platform-tools”, and also install USB drivers for the gadget. They can be found on the manufacturer's official website. Connect the gadget to the computer in fastboot mode via a native USB cable. Open the folder where you installed the Android SDK. Right-click on an empty area with the Shift button pressed. From the list of options, select “Open command window” and enter the command “adb devices”.

note

If you connect and complete the steps correctly, the serial number of the connected gadget should be displayed. Otherwise, review how to unlock the bootloader again, recheck the connection and repeat the process.

Advantages of unlocking the bootloader

Despite the fact that the bootloader is the security of the firmware and kernel of the system, sometimes it is simply necessary to unlock it. Let's look at several advantages of unlocking the bootloader, and what exactly it gives to the average user:

• after unlocking, you can quickly flash your smartphone or install a recovery environment to enter recovery mode, in which you can return the gadget to a working state;
• this is useful for testing various firmware for developers who can make their ports to other devices;
• Unlocking insures your device in case of sudden reboots, stuck on turning on the smartphone, etc. After all, if something suddenly happens to the firmware, you can connect your phone and flash it even without the MiFlash program, because everything happens in Fastboot mode.

It is these advantages that can convince the user to unlock the bootloader of the MIUI shell. Yes, there is a risk of affecting the normal operation of Android, but if you are looking for how to unlock a bootloader, you will not do anything illegal with your gadget.

How to unlock Bootloader

The program that controls the kernel of your device's operating system is called the bootloader, also known as bootloader or Hboot. It is a firewall for installing programs and firmware. It doesn’t matter what device we mean: a computer, laptop or Android smartphone.

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The bootloader is activated first when you turn on the device. It contains the trigger for loading the operating system. Thanks to this fundamental component, you can enter the system recovery mode in case of any errors, as well as reset the settings to factory settings. The bootloader status can be either locked or unlocked.

Checking bootloader lock status

You can see whether the MIUI bootloader is unlocked or not in two ways: through the smartphone menu or Fastboot mode. The first method is that you go to the developer menu and there click on the “Bootloader Status” button. To activate the API mode, go to the “Settings” menu, then to the “About phone” menu and click on the “MIUI Version” item about seven times. After that, in the “Advanced Settings” the “For Developers” section will appear, in which there is a menu “Mi Unlock Status” or “Bootloader Status” and click on it. In the window that opens, you will see the message: “Bootloader locked” and will offer to link an account or “Bootloader unlocked.”

The second method is more complicated and not practical. You need to put your smartphone into Fastboot mode. To do this, turn off the device and simultaneously press the volume “-” button and the power key. You need to wait for the picture with a hare poking around in Android's stomach. Download a special tool to your PC and unpack it into any folder with an English name, which is located in the root of your system drive.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B8on05W8-j-YUFJwaXNWalNSTXM

Go to this folder, hold down the “Shift” button and right-click on an empty space. In the context menu, you must select “Open command window” and wait for the command line to open. In it we type one by one (using the “Enter” button) the commands: fastboot devices and fastboot oem device-info. We are looking for the line Device unlocked and if there is a value next to it “True”, then the bootloader is unlocked, and if “False” then vice versa. You can exit Fastboot mode by holding the power button for about 15 seconds.

Benefits of Unlock Bootloader

Firmware

Perhaps the most important advantage will be the ability to install custom firmware, and this is:

• improved functionality and a large number of additional options, with the help of which you will have complete control over the device;
• new, simplified and more understandable management interface;
• an upgraded navigator that works with GPS and determines location much faster than the standard one;
• optimization of the operating system, which is designed to either increase performance or increase autonomy.

Custom Recovery

Recovery translated from English means recovery. In Android devices, this is a special “System Restore” menu, which can be accessed by holding down the power and “Volume plus” buttons simultaneously while the phone is turned off.

The standard recovery menu on Xiaomi usually consists of 3 items:

• reboot – Reboot;
• clear the Data partition – Wipe Data;
• Connect with Mi Assistant.

Third-party Recovery opens up much more possibilities. Let's look at the example of one of the most popular TWRP:

• cleaning various sections. This includes returning to factory settings, resetting the cache, and clearing battery statistics;
• creating backups;
• installing firmware;
• removal of standard applications;
• restoring data from a backup;
• formatting and creating partitions on Flash cards;
• Magisk installation.

Superuser rights

Obtaining Root rights opens up wide possibilities for managing your device. The list of advantages is very long, so we will limit ourselves to only the main ones:

• complete change in the external and internal appearance of the system - shortcuts, themes, pictures, sounds, notifications;
• CPU overclocking;
• removal of built-in advertising and any application, including standard ones;
• Each installed program can be given system status;
• activation of hidden OS functions.

Official unlock methods

At the moment, you can only unlock the bootloader on a Xiaomi smartphone in an official way using a utility from the manufacturer called MiFlash Unlock. You can download it on the official website. First you need to submit an application (read on how to do this). Next, in developer mode, link the device to your created Xiaomi account. After this, we transfer the long-suffering gadget to “Fastboot” mode. We launch the official utility as an administrator, enter the username and password, click enter, accept the license agreement and wait for the smartphone to be searched in Fastboot mode. If your application is approved and the smartphone is in the “fast boot” state, click on the “Unblock” or “Unlock” button and wait. Please note that now, after the application is approved, you need to wait about 72 hours, after which you can unlock the device. This is a mandatory rule from Xiaomi, which has been applied since MiFlash Unlock 2.2.5. In new devices such as Xiaomi Mi 5X, Redmi 5A and Redmi Note 5A and others, the wait for unlocking costs up to 360 hours. If everything is fine, the smartphone will reboot with the bootloader unlocked.

Create a Mi account

This is a mandatory step, since we will need this account to unlock the bootloader of our Xiaomi. But that's not the only thing it can be used for. You will also receive:

• access to 5 GB in the cloud, where you can save photos, music, documents, contacts, messages;
• the ability to communicate via Mi-Talk;
• searching for your device in case of loss, as well as deleting all data from the device if it was stolen.

Let's start creating the Mi-Account itself. This can be done in two ways.

From phone

1. Settings => Mi account.
2. Select “Registration by E-mail”.
3. Enter your email address and create a password.
4. Click “Registration”.
5. Afterwards, go to your email and follow the link to activate your account.
6. We return to the settings and tap on the “Account Verified” button.
7. Enter the previously specified data and allow access to the files.
8. Ready.

From computer

1. Open the address xiaomi.com/pass/register.
2. We indicate the country. In theory, it is determined automatically, but if this does not happen, then we select it manually.
3. Enter your email and click on the “Create” button.
4. We come up with a password and click on “Submit”.
5. Go to your mail and confirm it by clicking on the link in the letter.
6. Ready. You can now log into your profile on your device.

Applying for unlocking

You should apply to unlock the bootloader on the official Xiaomi website where you downloaded the utility. You need to log in to your account and fill out your name in Chinese or English, depending on which version of the site is opened. You can use Google Translator. Next, enter your real phone number and tell us why you decided to unlock the bootloader (you can write anything, but in English or Chinese). Wait for an SMS message with a confirmation code and that’s it, the application has been submitted. Now you just have to wait for a second SMS with approval or refusal of your application. If you didn’t wait for it, then you can do this: try to unlock your smartphone using the program. If the device initializes, then the application has been approved.

FAQ

Many questions arise as the project progresses; the smartphone from Xiaomi presents many surprises. Here are the answers to the most pressing questions about unlocking.

If refused or the wait is more than a month

At first, this happened quite often; the Chinese sent a refusal either in the application itself or in the unlock, with an apology about the impossibility of unlocking your device. Now such cases are not observed, especially after the “fall” of the system.

Not observed at all, especially after the “fall” of the MI account database in 2021. But if suddenly the consideration of your application is delayed or even rejected, you need to act decisively.

First, write to Chinese support at [email protected] In the letter, indicate your problem and ask to unlock the bootloader. For quick processing, write “Unlock Your Mi Device” in the subject of the email. After some time, you will receive a response by email, which will include a template for you to fill out. You indicate everything that is required of you, phone name, number, country and other data and send it back. Wait, they will give you permission (usually within 24 hours).

If it doesn’t come or something goes wrong again, then change your account, register again and ask for permission like the first time.

Possible errors when unlocking

Sometimes, when submitting an application, an unexpected message appears in Chinese. But the SMS does not arrive at all. This means one thing - that there are currently too many applications from Russia and the service asks you to wait. Postpone your application and try again the next day. Don't forget that the difference between Beijing and Moscow is 5 hours. For advanced users, I suggest using a Chinese VPN.

If “Mi Unlock” does not see your device, this means that the necessary drivers are not installed.

If “Mi Unlock” refuses to unlock your phone, then it’s not difficult to understand - you don’t have permission (it hasn’t arrived yet, for example, or it’s been revoked), such cases have become more frequent in 2021, when the Chinese database crashed, you need to write to the service support (described above).

An inactive green button to start the process means that your browser is blocking pop-ups.

If the account field does not accept a nickname, then enter a phone number.

If errors occur during the unlocking process, 50% or later, then rebooting or reinstalling the drivers helps.

How to increase the chance of unlocking approval

Remember that the unlocking is not given to the phone, but to your account. Once and for all. Then you can use your account to unlock all your phones, no need to ask for permission anymore. Therefore, its activity is important. To do this, just go to the official Xiaomi forum and register there, your tolerance will be noticed.

How many devices can you unlock at once?

One. No matter how good and active a user you are, no matter how much you have bought up all of China, it makes no difference to them. Rules are rules. One device once a month. We waited a calendar month and you had the opportunity to unlock another Xiaomi.

Unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader is not an easy task. You need to be patient and read all the necessary instructions. Do everything carefully and thoroughly. Take the necessary tools only from trusted sites, and look for support there in the form of good advice from adequate people, and these are the absolute majority. Create an account for yourself on 4PDA, in any case they will answer and help you there.

Unofficial unlocking methods

There are no unofficial methods for unlocking Xiaomi phones, but the problem can be solved in other ways. For example, you can flash your smartphone using the Xiaomi MiFlash program, which allows you to install new firmware even with a locked bootloader. Unfortunately, or fortunately, the Mi Unlock program is the most reliable and fastest way to unlock a bootloader. If you are offered to unlock the bootloader by other illegal methods, do not fall for these provocations, because the company has not yet officially recognized the possibility of doing this procedure by means other than its development tools.

Well, now we have dealt with the question of how to unlock the Xiaomi bootloader, but there are still some nuances that need to be taken into account at the end of this article.

Common errors

• Removal of protection is interrupted at 50 percent . This may occur as a result of problems with Xiaomi servers. Wait a while and try again;
• In the middle of the process, a stop occurs and the message appears: “Not connected Mi Phone” . You should reinstall the drivers;
• The error appears : “Your device isn't supported by Mi Unlock ”. This means that your firmware is not supported and you need to replace it;
• It is impossible to log in to your Mi account . The solution is very simple, enter not the email address, but the Account ID.

If you have long wanted to unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi and install a custom recovery or application to control your smartphone, now you can easily do this with the help of our detailed manual. The method we described is completely official and is suitable for all Xiaomi models.

Does locking the bootloader affect the operation of a smartphone?

No, locking the bootloader does not affect the day-to-day operation of your phone. It only changes some nuances in the MIUI firmware, which is specified in the license agreement for the MiFlash Unlock program. Locking the bootloader is the return of that “block” that was mentioned at the beginning of the article. After this procedure, the user will not be able to install Russified firmware or a custom recovery environment. Access to system files will be denied to you, but there is a high chance of not losing your data if you take any action on the system, because it simply won’t be there. It is worth noting that if you have found some method of unofficially unlocking the bootloader, then after changing the firmware you can get a so-called boot loop, and the bootloader will be locked back, since this is not the correct approach to the procedure. The system will simply determine exactly how the bootloader was unlocked and will stop starting - that’s when problems will overtake you.

Why unlock the bootloader?

Main question. If you don’t answer it, then you shouldn’t start.

Several years ago, Google imposed a condition on all manufacturers of devices running the Android OS that the bootloader must be locked. This was done with the sole purpose of protecting my creation from inept use. Xiaomi complied with the requirement, and the bootloader closed itself from outside interference. Devices began to arrive from the manufacturer that were not available for modification. If some Chinese sellers unlocked the bootloader, it was only to install global firmware on the sold phone for a specific Russian buyer.

Basically, smartphones came with original firmware from Xiaomi in Chinese and English. Which created certain inconveniences.

To download localized or custom firmware, I desperately needed to change MI recovery to CWM or TWRP. These modified recoveries provide the ability to install systems for any color and taste on a Xiaomi phone. Local (converted stock, with the addition of additional functions and languages), customized firmware from fan clubs, bare android and many others.

Even the global (multilingual) version of the system cannot be installed without unlocking the bootloader. Not to mention the variety of patches, mods, features, decorations, fixing bugs and creating backups, all of the above cannot be “stuck” into a smartphone from the stock version of the recovery.

As a result, as soon as it became difficult to customize the phone for yourself, to change the filling, at the same time the issue of lifting the bans began to be decided. Since the barrier at the entrance to the phone’s memory was closed, the bootloader refused to do what it was created for, namely download system and other files into the device’s memory.

And only by eliminating this obstacle, users around the world could breathe a sigh of relief.

Some may object that it is possible to flash the phone even when the bootloader is locked; there is a fairly detailed description of this method.

But this path is quite difficult and dangerous. With some probability you will end up with an unusable brick phone that has lost all signs of life. And getting a smartphone out of this state is even more difficult, and most importantly, it will require a colossal amount of time and effort, without any guarantee of a happy outcome.

Return Xiaomi bootloader lock

If you want to protect your device from itself, you can put the bootloader lock back. To do this, we follow the steps described in the section of the article on checking the status of the bootloader via the command line. After the verification command, you need to write one more command: fastboot oem lock. We wait for the procedure to complete and check the status of the bootloader with the command: fastboot oem device-info.

There is another way, which is to flash the device to the official MIUI firmware. It is suitable for those for whom the method above did not work. Find all the drivers for your smartphone and download the MiFlash program. Run it with administrator rights, select the firmware, check the box at the bottom next to “clear all and lock” and start “flashing” your device. After a long reboot, you will be greeted by a clean system with a locked bootloader.

How to unlock bootloader

Unlocking is possible in two ways:

• official - for phones whose manufacturers provide this opportunity to users;
• unofficial (using third-party programs) - if the first option is not suitable.

• Synchronize all your data from your device with cloud storage. All information will disappear from the device during the manipulation process.
• Fully charge the device's battery.

It is important to know

Warranty service will end after unlocking, and you assume all risks.

Stage 4: Final Unlock

Your device is connected to the computer in Fastboot mode and the “Command Window” is open. Based on your device model, enter the required instruction into the command line:

• for the latest new Nexus - “fastboot flashing unlock”;
• for older Nexus models - “fastboot oem unlock”;
• for LG - “fastboot flash unlock unlock.bin”. The unlock.bin file is the unlock key obtained after entering the Device ID;
• for HTC - “fastboot oem unlock unlock_code unlock_code.bin”. The key received after entering the Device ID is the unlock_code.bin file;
• You will receive the command for Sony Xperia after completing the entire model selection process directly on the official website.

If, when entering the required command on the device screen, confirmation of the unlock action is required, select “Yes” by pressing the Volume and Power buttons. In conclusion, a certain waiting process follows: old files will be formatted, and new ones will be installed. Your bootloader is unlocked.

It is important to know

Turning on the device after unlocking the bootloader may take quite a long time, so be patient. All the difficulties are already over, you just have to wait for the process to complete.

Vitaly Solodky

Nowadays, most Android phones and tablets have a locked bootloader, also known as Bootloader, this is done to protect devices from viruses, system changes, and also to support secure payments using NFC, such as Google Play.

But what if you want to try the “new Android” using custom ROMs? First, check to find out if Bootloader Andorid is blocked.

Stage 3: Hboot Unlock Key

Almost all phones require a code or key to unlock the bootloader (unless you own a Nexus, of course). On the official websites of manufacturers you can find a description of how to unlock the bootloader and get this key, for example:

• LG https://developer.lge.com/resource/mobile/RetrieveBootloader.dev;
• Huawei https://emui.huawei.com/en/plugin.php?id=unlock&mod=detail;
• HTC https://www.htcdev.com/bootloader;
• Sony Xperia https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/.

To receive a key from HTC and LG, you must provide a Device ID. You can get it in the “Command Window” using the commands:

• for HTC - “fastboot oem get_identifier_token”;
• for LG - “fastboot oem device-id”.

Will be useful

A long digital code of several lines is the same Device ID. Use it to get the unlock key.