Do you want to install a ROM on your Xiaomi mobile or have your own recovery personalized? Well, there is a mandatory first step: unlock phone bootloader. We explain what steps you need to take to achieve this and what risks you need to take.
All Xiaomi mobiles have the bootloader blocked to prevent the installation of ROMs other than those stipulated by the model or to prevent the devices from being ROOTED, for example. However, Xiaomi provides a way to unlock said bootloader: without excessive complexity and, yes, with a wait of several days. Always with risks to assume: mobiles will be less secure and all information will be deleted in the process.
Warning: unlocking the bootloader is a process that can damage your device. If you decide to do so, make sure you are aware of the risks and assume the possible problems that this may cause.
Unlocking the bootloader erases the whole phone
To ROOT a Xiaomi, change the recovery, install a Chinese ROM or one from Xiaomi.eu always you need to go through the bootloader unlock process. The brand has improved this process until it eliminates the need to request unlocking manually, as was the case before: now all you have to do is download the Mi Unlock app for Windows and wait.
Xiaomi has simplified the process, but don’t get too confident: unlocking the bootloader not only formats the phone, but also poses a security risk. We are not responsible for what may happen to your Xiaomi.
To unlock the bootloader of a Xiaomi mobile, you need a Windows computer (the system can be emulated), a PC program (download Mi Unlock from the MIUI website and install it) and a a USB cable. In addition, back up everything you consider important on your phone. Photos, contacts, messages and more: unlocking will factory reset your Xiaomi.
Unlocking the bootloader completely erases your Xiaomi: make a backup before starting the process
Once everything is ready, perform the following steps to unlock the bootloader of your Xiaomi mobile:
- Open Mi Unlock on your computer and sign in with your Xiaomi account. It must be the same account registered on the mobile you want to unlock.
- Turn off the phone completely and start it by pressing and holding the volume up and power buttons. The “fastboot” mode should appear.
- Connect the mobile to the computer via USB and wait for Windows to recognize it and load the correct drivers. On the app screen, the “Unlock” button will turn green.
- Click “Unlock” and accept the warnings. Remember that unlocking the bootloader is a security risk for your phone.
- Once Mi Unlock verifies that your account and mobile are suitable, the software will make a request to the Xiaomi servers with the associated device. The waiting hours until the final unlocking of the bootloader (seven days) will be displayed on the computer screen.
My Unlock informs you of the hours you have to wait
- After the time is up, you can complete the unlocking process. Your mobile will not warn you and Xiaomi will not send you a message because your mobile is already adapted: You have to remember.
- Connect the mobile to the computer, open Mi Unlock, click on the button, accept the warnings and wait for the process to complete. In case the waiting time has not expired, the app will tell you how many hours you have left.
- Remember: Unlocking the bootloader completely erases your phone’s data and restores it to factory settings.. Make backup copies before unlocking it.
When you have unlocked the bootloader, you will see an open padlock appear when the system boots. The process can be reversed using ‘fastboot’ as long as the recovery installed is the original Xiaomi: it is convenient to block the bootloader again when you installed the new ROM in the phone.
