Video guide

Video: Unlock Bootloader on Any Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO Phone | Mi Unlock Tool (YouTube).

What unlocking the bootloader lets you do

The bootloader decides what software your phone is allowed to start. Xiaomi locks it on every phone. Once it is unlocked, you can:

• Install a custom recovery like TWRP or OrangeFox
• Flash a custom ROM such as Xiaomi.eu, LineageOS or Pixel-based ROMs
• Root the phone with Magisk or KernelSU
• Flash a different regional ROM or repair broken software

Step 1: Enable Developer options

1. Open Settings > About phone.
2. Tap MIUI version 7 times.
3. Enter your lock screen PIN if asked. You will see “You are now a developer”.

Step 2: Turn on OEM unlocking and USB debugging

1. Go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options.
2. Turn on OEM unlocking. Confirm the warning.
3. Turn on USB debugging.

Step 3: Bind your Mi Account to the phone

This tells Xiaomi that the account owner wants to unlock this phone. Do it on mobile data, because binding often fails on Wi-Fi.

1. Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on mobile data.
2. In Developer options, open Mi Unlock status.
3. Tap Add account and device.
4. Wait for “Added successfully”.

Seeing “Couldn’t verify” here? Follow our “Couldn’t verify” error fix.

Step 4: Download and set up Mi Unlock Tool

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool and extract the ZIP to a short folder like C:\MiUnlock.
2. Run miflash_unlock.exe and accept the terms.
3. Click the gear icon and install the drivers.
4. Sign in with the same Mi Account that is on the phone.

Step 5: Boot the phone into Fastboot mode

1. Turn the phone off completely.
2. Hold Volume Down + Power together.
3. Release when you see the Fastboot screen (the bunny logo).

Step 6: Connect and unlock

1. Connect the phone to the PC. The tool should show Phone connected.
2. Click Unlock and confirm both warnings.
3. If your account is ready, the unlock finishes in under a minute and the phone restarts.

If the tool says “Please unlock 168 hours later”, that is normal. Keep the account signed in, wait for the time shown, then repeat Steps 5 and 6. Read what resets the 168-hour timer so you don’t have to wait twice.

Step 7: Check that the bootloader is unlocked

After the phone restarts, you will see an unlocked padlock on the boot screen. This is normal and shows every time the phone starts.

You can also check in Developer options > Mi Unlock status. It will say the device is unlocked.

Running HyperOS instead of MIUI?

This video and guide cover MIUI. On HyperOS phones, Xiaomi adds one step before Step 3: you must apply for unlock permission in the Xiaomi Community app (region set to Global) and get approved. After that, the steps above are the same.

What to do after unlocking

• Flash a custom recovery like TWRP using Fastboot.
• Install a custom ROM from the recovery.
• Root by patching the boot image with Magisk.

Always download recoveries and ROMs made for your exact model and codename. Flashing the wrong file is the most common cause of a bricked phone.

Common problems

More errors are listed in the Mi Unlock Tool error list.

Frequently asked questions

Is unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi legal and safe?

Yes. Xiaomi gives you the official Mi Unlock Tool to do it. It is safe if you follow the steps, but it erases all data and lowers the phone’s security, so back up first.

How long does it take to unlock a Xiaomi bootloader?

The unlock itself takes under a minute. Most accounts must first wait 168 hours (7 days) after binding, so plan for about a week in total.

Will unlocking the bootloader delete my data?

Yes. Unlocking always performs a full factory reset. Back up photos, contacts and chats before you start.

Does this method work on HyperOS phones?

Partly. HyperOS phones need extra approval in the Xiaomi Community app before Mi Unlock Tool will work. The rest of the steps are the same.

Can I unlock the bootloader without a PC?

Not with Xiaomi’s official method. Mi Unlock Tool runs only on Windows.

Can I relock the bootloader later?

Yes. Flash the official stock ROM with Mi Flash Tool and choose “clean all and lock”. Only relock on official firmware, or the phone may not boot.