This tutorial will show you how to unlock the bootloader on any Xiaomi device using the Mi Unlock Tool. As Xiaomi’s primary focus is on the low-cost market, it doesn’t have a large number of high-end devices. The company is doing well so far, and its current system is working well.
The Redmi series of smartphones offers a wide range of features at an affordable price, making them a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers. The MIUI operating system is full of customization options. It also comes with an underlying operating system, called MIUI, which offers a lot of flexibility and options.
There are endless ways to customize your phone’s look and feel, so you can always find something that’s perfect for you. You can change the theme, icon pack, and font at any time, making your phone uniquely yours. There are also many different options to choose from, so you can find the perfect one for your needs.
There are many different tweaks available for devices from the Chinese OEMs. You could take advantage of some of these tweaks to improve your device’s performance. Custom development is necessary for this project. It will require working with a specific developer to create the desired outcome.
Rooting your device or installing a custom recovery like TWRP allows you to gain administrative privileges. There are a number of ways to flash custom binaries, Magisk Modules, and Substratum themes on your Android device. You can also flash custom binaries, Magisk Modules, and Substratum themes using a flashing tool.
However, in order to carry out any of the aforementioned changes, your device must meet one major requirement. That is why an unlocked bootloader is required. We are now going to help you with that in this guide.
First, we’ll go over the Bootloader and the advantages and disadvantages of unlocking it. Following that, we’ll go over how to use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi device. So, without further ado, let’s begin the tour.
What is a Bootloader
Without resorting to technical jargon, the Bootloader is a software program that determines which programs must be booted during device startup. Furthermore, it aids the device in booting into recovery mode. Every smartphone manufacturer, however, ships their device with a locked bootloader. And Xiaomi is no exception. The reason for this is that they only want the user to experiment with the ecosystem that they have delivered.
However, not everyone appears to like MIUI. Some may argue that it comes with a plethora of pre-installed apps, but for others, in-device advertisements are a no-no. In this regard, you could flash a custom ROM or experiment with a variety of other related tweaks.
However, you must first unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi device. This is where this tutorial will be useful. But, before we get into the specifics, consider the benefits and drawbacks of having an unlocked bootloader. This will assist you in making an informed decision.
Advantages and Risks of an Unlocked Bootloader
There are numerous advantages to having an unlocked bootloader. To begin, you will be able to swap out the device’s stock recovery for a custom one such as TWRP. This has many advantages, such as creating a Nandroid backup, flashing ZIP and IMG files, and so on. Aside from that, an unlocked device allows for the installation of custom ROMs such as LineageOS, Pixel Experience, HavocOS, and so on.
Similarly, you could gain access to your device’s system partition by rooting it with Magisk. Similarly, you could overclock your device by flashing a custom kernel.
However, this is not the entire picture. An unlocked device also carries a number of risks. For example, your device’s warranty may become void. Furthermore, you will lose all data.
Some apps, such as Google Pay and Pokemon Go, may refuse to function. Others, such as Netlfix, may work with limited capabilities. Because the device’s Widevine L1 certification will be downgraded to L3, you will be unable to stream HD content. Aside from that, if not done correctly, the entire process can be dangerous, resulting in a boot loop or bricked device in rare cases.
So far, we’ve discussed all of the benefits and risks that an unlocked bootloader brings with it. If you’re ready to get started, here are the steps to unlock the bootloader on any Xiaomi device.
Supported Xiaomi Devices
| Xiaomi Mi 1/ 1S | Xiaomi Redmi Go | Xiaomi Poco F1 |
| Xiaomi Mi 2 / 3 | Xiaomi Redmi / Prime | Xiaomi Poco X2 |
| Xiaomi Mi 4 / 4i | Xiaomi Redmi 1 / 1S | Xiaomi Poco M2 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 5 | Xiaomi Redmi 2 / Prime | Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 5 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 3S / Prime | Xiaomi Poco M2 |
| Xiaomi Mi 5s | Xiaomi Redmi 4 | Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC |
| Xiaomi Mi 5c | Xiaomi Redmi 4X | Xiaomi Poco C3 |
| Xiaomi Mi 5x | Xiaomi Redmi 4A | Xiaomi Poco C40 |
| Xiaomi Mi 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Y1 | Xiaomi Poco M3 |
| Xiaomi Mi 6x | Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite | Xiaomi Poco F3 |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 | Xiaomi Redmi 5 | Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer | Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 SE | Xiaomi Redmi Note 3G / 4G | Xiaomi Poco M2 Reloaded |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 / Prime | Xiaomi Poco F3 GT |
| Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite | Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 | Xiaomi Poco X3 GT |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 MediaTek | Xiaomi Poco C31 |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 Explorer | Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 / 4X | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 SE | Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 MediaTek | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Max | Xiaomi Redmi Note | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi Max 2 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi Max 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Prime | Xiaomi Poco F4 |
| Xiaomi Mi Note / Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 | Xiaomi Poco F4 GT |
| Xiaomi Mi Note 2 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Plus | Xiaomi Poco X4 GT |
| Xiaomi Mi Note 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M5 |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix | Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro | Xiaomi Poco M5s |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 | Xiaomi Black Shark |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S | Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark Helo |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 7S | Xiaomi Black Shark 2 |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 6 | Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi A1 | Xiaomi Redmi 6A | Xiaomi Black Shark 3 |
| Xiaomi Mi A2 | Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 3 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi A2 lite | Xiaomi Redmi S2 | Xiaomi Black Shark 3S |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 2 | Xiaomi Redmi Y2 | Xiaomi Black Shark 4 |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Y3 | Xiaomi Black Shark 4 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 | Xiaomi Redmi 7 | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 4 Plus | Xiaomi Redmi 7A | Xiaomi Black Shark 4S Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad / 7.9 | Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Play | Xiaomi Redmi K20 | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 |
| Xiaomi Mi 9T | Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro | Xiaomi Black Shark 5 RS |
| Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi CC9e | Xiaomi Redmi 8A | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ |
| Xiaomi Mi CC9 | Xiaomi Redmi 8 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi A3 | Xiaomi Redmi 8 Dual | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 Lite | Xiaomi Redmi K30 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11T Pro+ |
| Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T | Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix Alpha | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport |
| Mi Note 10 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 | Xiaomi Redmi 9 Activ |
| Mi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro Zoom | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 5G | Xiaomi Redmi K30 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11SE |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro Max | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi K30i 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E |
| Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite 5G | Xiaomi Redmi K30 5G Racing | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11E Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 9 | Xiaomi Redmi K50 |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 9 Prime | Xiaomi Redmi K50 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Lite | Xiaomi Redmi 9C | Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 9C NFC | Xiaomi Redmi K50 Ultra |
| Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra | Xiaomi Redmi 9A | Xiaomi Redmi K50i |
| Xiaomi Mi 10i 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 9i | Xiaomi Redmi A1 |
| Xiaomi Mi 10S | Xiaomi Redmi 10X 4G | Xiaomi Redmi A1 Plus |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 | Xiaomi Redmi 10X 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime |
| Xiaomi Mi 11i | Xiaomi Redmi 10X Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi 11 Prime 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro | Xiaomi Redmi K30 Ultra | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11R |
| Xiaomi Mi 11X | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T | Xiaomi Redmi Pad |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold | Xiaomi Redmi 9T | Xiaomi 12 Pro |
| Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 | Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power | Xiaomi 12 |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 5G | Xiaomi 12X |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G | Xiaomi 12S |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite | Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 4G | Xiaomi 12S Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max | Xiaomi 12S Ultra |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro | Xiaomi 12 Lite |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 Pro 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | Xiaomi 12T |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 Pro 12.4 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S | Xiaomi 12T Pro |
| Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10T 5G |
| Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite | Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022 |
| Xiaomi Civi | Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro+ | Xiaomi Redmi 10 |
| Xiaomi Civi 1S | Xiaomi Redmi K40 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi 10 5G |
| Xiaomi Civi 2 | Xiaomi Redmi K40 | Xiaomi Redmi 10A |
| Xiaomi 11T | Xiaomi Redmi K40S | Xiaomi Redmi 10C |
| Xiaomi 11T Pro | Xiaomi Redmi K30S | Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime |
| Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (China) | Xiaomi Redmi 10 Power |
| Xiaomi 11T Lite 5G NE | Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 2021 | Xiaomi Redmi 10 Prime 2022 |
| Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge 5G | Xiaomi Redmi K40 Gaming | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 |
| Xiaomi 11i | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Explorer | Xiaomi Redmi K60 |
| Xiaomi Redmi K60E | Xiaomi Redmi K60 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro Speed |
| Xiaomi Redmi 12C | Xiaomi Poco C50 | Xiaomi Poco X5 |
| Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Discovery | Xiaomi 13 |
| Xiaomi 13 Pro | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 SE |
How to Unlock the Bootloader on any Xiaomi Device
Before you proceed with the steps, there are a few prerequisites that your device must meet. Please go over them once.
Prerequisites
- Create a complete device backup. This is needed because the unlocking process will wipe off all the data from your device.
- Next up, also download and install the Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.
- Finally, download and install the Mi Unlock Tool on your PC. We will use this tool to unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi device.
That’s all. You can now begin the steps. For your convenience, we have divided the instructions into sections.
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking
To enable USB debugging and OEM unlocking, you first need to enable these features on your device. The former will be used to authenticate your device with ADB. The latter will allow us to unlock the bootloader of the device. This will allow us to flash a custom recovery, modify system files, and more. Here are the instructions to enable both of them:
Navigate to Settings on your Xiaomi device. Then go to About Phone and seven times tap on the MIUI version. Return to Settings and select Additional Settings System. Go to Developer Options and enable both the USB Debugging and OEM Unlock toggles.
Bind your Account to your Xiaomi Device
You must now bid your Mi Account to your device. You must have a Mi Account to do so; if you do not already have one, register and create one right away. Once that is completed, proceed as follows:
Navigate to the Settings menu on your Xiaomi device. Navigate to Additional Settings, then Developer Options. There should be a Mi Unlock Status option there; tap on it.
At the bottom, click the Add account and device button and follow the on-screen instructions. Enter the phone number that is currently stored on your device. When the account has been successfully bound, you should see the message “Added successfully.” MI account is associated with this device now”.
After this, you may now proceed ahead and unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi device.
Boot Xiaomi to Fastboot
The unlocking procedure necessitates that your device is booted into Fastboot Mode. To do so, follow the steps below: Connect your device to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure Debugging is turned on. Navigate to your PC’s platform tools folder. In its address bar, type CMD and press Enter.
This will open the Command Prompt window. Now run the following command to boot your device into Fastboot Mode:
-
adb reboot bootloader
After that, you should see the famous Mi Bunny logo along with the Fastboot text. You can now use the Mi Unlock Tool to unlock the bootloader on your Xiaomi device. Continue reading.
Unlock Xiaomi Bootloader using Mi Flash Tool
Start the Mi Unlock Tool on your computer. Make sure your Xiaomi device is in Fastboot Mode and connected to the PC. Sign in with your credentials now. The server will then determine whether or not this account is associated with your Xiaomi device. Because you have already done so, the tool should display the Phone Connected message.
So, go ahead and press the Unlock button. A confirmation dialog box will then appear. Select the Unlock anyway option. Your device will also be wiped at this point. As a result, make sure you have a backup.
The procedure will then begin and should only take a few minutes. After that, you will see the Unlocked Success message. To restart your device, press the Reboot phone button.
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to unlock the bootloader on any Xiaomi device. The initial boot may take some time, which is completely normal. Furthermore, because your device has been reset, you will have to start over. Aside from that, if you have any further questions, please leave them in the comments section below.