Unlocking Xiaomi Mi 5 bootloader (with pictures) - Xiaomi Mi 5 Guides, News, & Discussion

Unlock Xiaomi Mi 5 Bootloader (with Screenshots)
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Introduction
There are some myths and misbeliefs around unlocking the Xiaomi Mi 5. And as I got lucky and got my Mi 5 early and unlocked it, I will share some screenshots as well as my opinion on this matter.
What shall I do? How to increase my chances?
Right now there is no custom ROM, and if you want root access, you can get it through the Security App of MIUI. So that means you can spend the next weeks to become a Diamond member on the forum, post a bit everyday and you get it fast. As Diamond members on the MIUI forum are whitelisted, it will increase your chances.
Good to know, good to have
Your MI Account must be allowed to unlock phones
One Account can Unlock one phone within 30 days
Xiaomi Mi5 with Chinese Rom installed
MI Unlock App
How to get the unlock Permission
Click here: http://en.miui.com/unlock
How to get the unlock Tool
Click here: http://en.miui.com/unlock/download_en.html
Mi unlock tutorial and F.A.Q.
Click here: Mi Devices Bootloader Unlocking Tutorial & English Unlocking Tool Download
Screenshots​
Question and Answers:
Q: Will the bootloader be locked after I update?
A: Not out of the box, so no.
Q: Can I lock the bootloader again?
A: Yes, the Fastboot-ROM includes a flash_all_lock script
Q: Can one Mi Account unlock several phones?
A: Yes and No. One Mi Account can unlock one phone every 30 days.
Q: Does the fingerprint scanner work after unlock?
A: Yes, I noticed no difference, so far it works like a charm.
Q: Why do I need / want an unlocked bootloader?
A: It allows you to flash custom Recovery and Custom ROMs as well as use the Mi-Flash tool.
Q: Is the Mi 5 encrypted?
A: By default it is yes. (See the following screenshot)
Screenshot of Privacy setting page (Shows that phone is encrypted)
... If you have questions please ask. Someone will answer em for sure.

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Man, I didn't see you before on xiaomi.eu or mi2s section but guys like YOU are the reason why this community is alive. In less than a day you have cleared up all my doubts about mi5 wich I was wondering as my next purchase. Now I nearly have no doubts (only price).
So let me say you a huge THANK YOU. This start is what I call a "good star" for this device
Back on topic, I have a decent number of posts on en.miui.com and far less on miui.com do you think this is taken into consideration when evaluating the unlock request by xiaomi engineers? I've heard so. Did you receive the unlock code by sms or it was instant as shown in your slides?

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oile said:
Man, I didn't see you before on xiaomi.eu or mi2s section but guys like YOU are the reason why this community is alive. In less than a day you have cleared up all my doubts about mi5 wich I was wondering as my next purchase. Now I nearly have no doubts (only price).
So let me say you a huge THANK YOU. This start is what I call a "good star" for this device
Back on topic, I have a decent number of posts on en.miui.com and far less on miui.com do you think this is taken into consideration when evaluating the unlock request by xiaomi engineers? I've heard so. Did you receive the unlock code by sms or it was instant as shown in your slides?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a Mi4i (for about a month or so) and was in the MIUI Device team with ~900 Credits, but as the hardware failed I sold the Mi4i last summer. Since then I was more or less inactive on http://en.miui.com/forum.php ... When the apply for unlocking came out sometime in December / January, I asked to get the unlock allowance, but forgot about it. So I can't remember at all, and am of no help.
A friend got a Redmi Note 3 (Pro), has an MI account with only ~80 Credits and got the unlock allowance quite fast. (around a week)
He did receive a message on his phone today:
I have read that there some claim you need at least ~300 credits so that myth got proven wrong with his unlock. But I don't get the pattern. I have no idea how it works.

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What ROM do you have installed?

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tiflao said:
What ROM do you have installed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is only one ROM for the Mi5 and that's the China ROM (stable). I am on 7.2.6 right now.

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Mate on the second image i see "checking if your Mi Account has permission" have you made something to get permissions? Because i read somewhere that for unlocking bootloader you need a particular status on Miui forum...thanks in advance!

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http://www.miui.com/unlock/
Is there an English version of this website?
nvm, found it:
http://en.miui.com/unlock/
Doesn't seem to work though

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I've asked for permission with just 40 credits. Let's see what they reply in about 10 days.

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SedyBenoitPeace said:
Mate on the second image i see "checking if your Mi Account has permission" have you made something to get permissions? Because i read somewhere that for unlocking bootloader you need a particular status on Miui forum...thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey,
very well observed. You have to apply for an unlock. I will edit the first post and try to make it more clear.

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gfsLuc said:
I've asked for permission with just 40 credits. Let's see what they reply in about 10 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ha ha ha we have the same chances,i have 70 points :laugh:

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Just a quick question... i'm planning to buy an MI5 when the pro version will be released: i've around 170 credits on their forum, and i'm slowly grinding up to 500 in order to achieve diamond membership because i heard that if you're a diamond member your request will be more likely accepted...
Now, for example, if you get declined for the bootloader unlock can you just apply again? you have to wait some time? or you can't apply anymore?

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gemj95 said:
Just a quick question... i'm planning to buy an MI5 when the pro version will be released: i've around 170 credits on their forum, and i'm slowly grinding up to 500 in order to achieve diamond membership because i heard that if you're a diamond member your request will be more likely accepted...
Now, for example, if you get declined for the bootloader unlock can you just apply again? you have to wait some time? or you can't apply anymore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in the same situation as you but unfortunately i haven't any credit on the forum...but i'm planning to buy the 64 Gb version (and gold if possible )...i follow the thread.
PS Mate also i'm italian, and also i have a Nexus 5 with CAF rom

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Updated the topic a bit and added the information (you may know this already); that Diamond members are whitelisted, means they should get it faster and are more likely to get it. (It's still no guarantee)

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I have never replied to any thread on their s***ty forum, got the permission after two/three weeks or sth. I don't even have any device to unlock, but maybe in the future.

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Thank you..
I need to root this phone and remove Chinese apps.

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Supertitan said:
Thank you..
I need to root this phone and remove Chinese apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On the latest developer ROM you can root in the Security Center, there is no need to install TWRP, just for rooting the phone.
(But if you **** up system apps and brick it, you may want to have TWRP)

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TheUltrametricSpace said:
On the latest developer ROM you can root in the Security Center, there is no need to install TWRP, just for rooting the phone.
(But if you **** up system apps and brick it, you may want to have TWRP)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure it is possible without an unlocked bootloader? When I installed the dev ROM in the Security Center I only got a page in chinese which basically said I needed an unlocked bootloader...

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martepato said:
Are you sure it is possible without an unlocked bootloader? When I installed the dev ROM in the Security Center I only got a page in chinese which basically said I needed an unlocked bootloader...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I am not sure, but assumed so.
Like what's the point of doing it only for unlocked phones? On those phones, it's easy to boot into TWRP and sideload SuperSU.
So you are on the latest Chinese Developer firmware 6.3.17 and don't see the following screen:

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TheUltrametricSpace said:
Updated the topic a bit and added the information (you may know this already); that Diamond members are whitelisted, means they should get it faster and are more likely to get it. (It's still no guarantee)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! that confirmed what i though
Anyway if i'm getting rejected the first time, may i try to apply again right after with the same account? or i'm locked out forever?

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TheUltrametricSpace said:
Nope, I am not sure, but assumed so.
Like what's the point of doing it only for unlocked phones? On those phones, it's easy to boot into TWRP and sideload SuperSU.
So you are on the latest Chinese Developer firmware 6.3.17 and don't see the following screen:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check the attachment to see what the root section looked like on my device