Mi Flash Unlock 5.5.224: What's New and How to Use It

How to Use Mi Flash Unlock Tool to Unlock Bootloader on Xiaomi Devices

If you own a Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device and want to customize it with custom ROMs, root access, or other modifications, you need to unlock its bootloader first. The bootloader is a program that runs before the operating system and checks for its integrity and authenticity. By default, most Android devices have a locked bootloader, which prevents users from installing unauthorized software.

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However, Xiaomi provides an official tool called Mi Flash Unlock that can help you unlock the bootloader of your device easily and safely. This tool works on Windows PC and requires you to have a Mi account that is bound to your device. Once you unlock the bootloader, you can install custom ROMs, root your device, or perform other modifications.

However, unlocking the bootloader also has some risks and drawbacks, such as voiding your warranty, losing your data, and exposing your device to security threats. Therefore, you should be careful and follow the proper steps before and after unlocking the bootloader.

In this article, I will provide you with a detailed guide on how to use the mi flash unlock tool to unlock the bootloader of your device. I will also explain how to backup your data, check if your bootloader is unlocked or not, relock the bootloader if needed, and troubleshoot some common errors with the tool. I hope you will find this article helpful and informative.

How to download and install mi flash unlock tool

The first step to unlock the bootloader of your Xiaomi device is to download and install the mi flash unlock tool on your PC. You can download the latest version of the tool from the official Xiaomi website. The file size is about 50 MB and the file name is miflash_unlock-5.5.224.zip. You need to extract the zip file and run the miflash_unlock.exe file to install the tool on your PC.

After installing the tool, you need to agree to the terms and conditions and click on Next. The tool will create a shortcut on your desktop and you can launch it from there. You will see a screen like this:

As you can see, you need to sign in with your Mi account to use the tool. Make sure you use the same Mi account that you have logged in on your device. If you don't have a Mi account, you can create one for free from here. You will also need to verify your phone number and email address for security purposes.

How to backup data before unlocking bootloader

Before you proceed to unlock the bootloader of your device, you should backup your data first. This is because unlocking the bootloader will erase all your data on your device, including your contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, settings, etc. You don't want to lose your important data, do you?

There are several ways to backup your data before unlocking bootloader. You can use Xiaomi's built-in backup feature, which allows you to backup your data to Mi Cloud or local storage. You can access this feature from Settings > Additional settings > Backup & reset > Local backups or Mi Cloud backup. You can also use third-party apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Titanium Backup to backup your data to cloud or external storage. You can also connect your device to PC and copy your files manually.

Whatever method you choose, make sure you backup all your data before unlocking bootloader. You can restore your data after unlocking bootloader from the same source.

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How to unlock bootloader on Xiaomi devices using mi flash unlock tool

Now that you have downloaded and installed the mi flash unlock tool and backed up your data, you are ready to unlock the bootloader of your device using the tool. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device

The first step is to enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking on your device. These are two options that allow you to communicate with your device from PC and unlock the bootloader respectively. To enable these options, you need to enable Developer Options first. To do that, go to Settings > About phone and tap on MIUI version seven times until you see a message saying "You are now a developer".

Then, go back to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options and turn on USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. You may need to enter your PIN or password to confirm these actions. You will also see a pop-up message asking you to allow USB Debugging from your PC. Tap on OK.

Step 2: Bind your Mi account to your device

The next step is to bind your Mi account to your device. This is a security measure that ensures that only you can unlock the bootloader of your device with your Mi account. To bind your Mi account, go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock Status and tap on Add account and device. You may need to enter your Mi account password and verify a captcha code.

You will see a message saying "Added successfully. Mi Account is associated with this device now". This means that you have successfully bound your Mi account to your device. You may also see a message saying "Couldn't verify" or "Please wait for 72 hours". This means that you need to wait for some time before you can unlock the bootloader. This is a waiting period that Xiaomi imposes on some devices for security reasons. You can check the remaining time from the same screen.

Step 3: Turn on Fastboot mode on your device

The third step is to turn on Fastboot mode on your device. Fastboot mode is a special mode that allows you to flash firmware or unlock bootloader using fastboot commands. To turn on Fastboot mode, you need to power off your device and then press and hold the volume down and power buttons simultaneously until you see the Mi Bunny logo on the screen. You will also see the word "Fastboot" at the bottom of the screen. This means that you have successfully entered Fastboot mode.

Step 4: Connect your device to PC using USB cable

The fourth step is to connect your device to PC using a USB cable. Make sure you use a good quality USB cable and port to ensure a stable connection. You may hear a sound or see a notification on your PC indicating that your device is connected. You can also check the connection by opening a command prompt on your PC and typing "fastboot devices". You should see your device's serial number in the output. If not, try changing the USB cable or port or reinstalling the drivers.

Step 5: Launch mi flash unlock tool on PC and sign in with your Mi account

The fifth step is to launch the mi flash unlock tool on your PC and sign in with your Mi account. You can double-click on the shortcut on your desktop or go to the installation folder and run the miflash_unlock.exe file. You will see a screen like this:

Enter your Mi account username and password and click on Sign in. You will see a disclaimer screen like this:

Read the disclaimer carefully and click on Agree if you accept the terms and conditions. You will then see the main screen of the tool like this:

You will see your device model and serial number on the top left corner of the screen. You will also see a message saying "Phone connected" at the bottom of the screen. This means that your device is ready to be unlocked.

Step 6: Click on Unlock button and wait for the process to complete

The final step is to click on the Unlock button at the bottom right corner of the screen and wait for the process to complete. You will see a warning message like this:

Click on Unlock anyway if you are sure that you want to unlock the bootloader of your device. You will then see a progress bar showing the unlocking process like this:

The unlocking process may take a few minutes to complete. Do not disconnect your device or close the tool during this process. Once the process is completed, you will see a success message like this:

Congratulations! You have successfully unlocked the bootloader of your device using the mi flash unlock tool. Your device will reboot automatically and you will see an unlocked padlock icon on the boot screen. You can now install custom ROMs, root your device, or perform other modifications.

How to check if bootloader is unlocked

If you want to verify that your bootloader is unlocked or not, you can use one of these methods:

• Use dialer code: On your device, open the dialer app and enter *#*#7378423#*#*. This will open a service menu where you can tap on Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. You will see a message saying "Bootloader unlock allowed: Yes" or "Bootloader unlocked: Yes". This means that your bootloader is unlocked.

• Use fastboot command: On your PC, open a command prompt and type "fastboot oem device-info". This will show some information about your device, including its bootloader status. You will see a message saying "(bootloader) Device unlocked: true" or "(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: true". This means that your bootloader is unlocked.

If you see a message saying "No" or "False" instead of "Yes" or "True", this means that your bootloader is still locked.

How to relock bootloader on Xiaomi devices

If you want to relock the bootloader of your device, you can use one of these methods:

• Use fastboot command: On your PC, open a command prompt and type "fastboot oem lock". This will relock the bootloader of your device. You may need to confirm this action on your device by pressing the volume up button. Your device will reboot and you will see a locked padlock icon on the boot screen.

Use mi flash unlock tool: On your PC, launch the mi flash unlock tool and sign in with your Mi account. Connect your device to PC in Fastboot mode and click on Relock button at the bottom right corner of the screen. This will relock the bootloader of your device. You will see a success message like this:

• Your device will reboot and you will see a locked padlock icon on the boot screen.

Note: Relocking the bootloader will erase all your data on your device, so make sure you backup your data before relocking the bootloader. Relocking the bootloader may also restore the stock firmware on your device, so make sure you have the original firmware for your device model and region.

How to troubleshoot common errors with mi flash unlock tool

Sometimes, you may encounter some errors or issues while using the mi flash unlock tool to unlock or relock the bootloader of your device. Here are some of the common errors and how to fix them:

Error: Couldn't verify device. Current account is different from the account info on the device.

This error means that you are using a different Mi account on the tool than on your device. To fix this error, you need to use the same Mi account on both the tool and the device. Make sure you sign in with the same username and password on both platforms. If you have changed your Mi account password recently, make sure you update it on both platforms as well.

Error: Couldn't unlock. After 72 hours of trying to unlock the device.

This error means that you need to wait for 72 hours after binding your Mi account to your device before you can unlock the bootloader. This is a waiting period that Xiaomi imposes on some devices for security reasons. To fix this error, you need to wait for 72 hours from the time you added Mi Unlock Status in developer options. You can check the remaining time from Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock Status.

Error: Couldn't unlock. Please add your account in MIUI's Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock Status.

This error means that you have not added Mi Unlock Status in developer options on your device. To fix this error, you need to go to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock Status and tap on Add account and device. You may need to enter your Mi account password and verify a captcha code. You will see a message saying "Added successfully. Mi Account is associated with this device now".

Error: Couldn't unlock. Please unlock XXXXXX hours later.

This error means that you have tried to unlock the bootloader too many times in a short period of time and have triggered a cooldown period. This is a security measure that Xiaomi imposes on some devices to prevent unauthorized unlocking attempts. To fix this error, you need to wait for the specified time period before trying again. You can check the remaining time from Settings > Additional settings > Developer options > Mi Unlock Status.

Conclusion

In this article, I have shown you how to use the mi flash unlock tool to unlock or relock the bootloader of your Xiaomi, Redmi, or POCO device. I have also explained how to backup your data, check if your bootloader is unlocked or not, and troubleshoot some common errors with the tool. I hope you have found this article helpful and informative.

Unlocking the bootloader can open up many possibilities for customizing and enhancing your device, but it also comes with some risks and drawbacks. Therefore, you should be careful and follow the proper steps before and after unlocking the bootloader. You should also backup your data regularly and keep your device secure from malware and hackers. If you have any questions or doubts about unlocking the bootloader, you can contact Xiaomi's customer support or visit their official forums for more guidance.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about mi flash unlock tool and bootloader unlocking:

Q: What is the difference between bootloader unlocking and rooting?

A: Bootloader unlocking is the process of allowing the user to install custom software on the device, such as custom ROMs, kernels, or recovery. Rooting is the process of gaining administrative privileges on the device, which allows the user to modify system files, remove bloatware, or install root-only apps. Bootloader unlocking and rooting are not the same thing, but they are often done together. To root your device, you usually need to unlock the bootloader first.

Q: Will unlocking the bootloader void my warranty?

A: Yes, unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty, according to Xiaomi's policy. This means that if you encounter any hardware or software issues with your device after unlocking the bootloader, Xiaomi will not provide you with any service or support. However, some users have reported that they were able to relock the bootloader and restore the stock firmware and get their warranty back. This may depend on your device model, region, and service center.

Q: Will unlocking the bootloader affect OTA updates?

A: Yes, unlocking the bootloader will affect OTA updates, depending on what software you have installed on your device. If you have installed a custom ROM or recovery, you will not receive OTA updates from Xiaomi. You will have to manually flash the updates from the custom ROM or recovery developer. If you have installed a custom kernel or root access, you may receive OTA updates from Xiaomi, but they may fail to install or cause bootloops. You will have to unroot or flash the stock kernel before installing OTA updates.

Q: Can I use mi flash unlock tool on other devices?

A: No, mi flash unlock tool is only compatible with Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices that support bootloader unlocking. You cannot use this tool on other devices from other brands or models. If you try to do so, you may brick your device or damage it permanently. You should always use the official tool or method for your device model and region.

Q: Can I use mi flash unlock tool on Mac or Linux?

A: No, mi flash unlock tool is only compatible with Windows PC. You cannot use this tool on Mac or Linux operating systems. If you want to use this tool on Mac or Linux, you will need to use a virtual machine or a dual boot system that runs Windows. 44f88ac181