How To Unlock Bootloader In Xiaomi Mi 8 Se With... May 2026

To unlock the bootloader of a XIAOMI Mi 8 SE, you must follow Xiaomi's official authorization process. This procedure requires a Xiaomi account, a Windows PC, and usually involves a waiting period. Important Prerequisites

Backup Your Data: Unlocking the bootloader wipes all user data from the device.

Xiaomi Account: You must have a registered Xiaomi account logged into the device for at least a few days.

SIM Card: The device must have a SIM card inserted and be connected to the internet via mobile data (not Wi-Fi) during the binding process. Step 1: Enable Developer Options & Bind Account On your phone, go to Settings > About phone.

Tap MIUI version 7 times until you see "You are now a developer!". How to unlock Bootloader in XIAOMI Mi 8 SE with...

Navigate to Settings > Additional settings > Developer options. Enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging.

Tap Mi Unlock status and select Add account and device. You should see a "Success" message once it is bound. Step 2: Use the Mi Unlock Tool on PC Download the official Mi Unlock Tool on your Windows PC. Power off your Mi 8 SE.

Enter Fastboot Mode by pressing and holding the Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the "Fastboot" logo appears. Connect the phone to your PC via a USB cable.

Run the Mi Unlock Tool and sign in with the same Xiaomi account used on the phone. Click Unlock. Step 3: The Waiting Period To unlock the bootloader of a XIAOMI Mi

On your first attempt, the tool will likely display a message such as "Please unlock 168 hours later". This is a mandatory security wait time (typically 7 days).

Do not sign out of your Xiaomi account or factory reset the phone during this time, or the timer may reset.

Once the hours have passed, repeat the Fastboot and PC steps to complete the unlock. After Unlocking

The phone will automatically reboot and format all data. You can verify the status by going back to Developer options > Mi Unlock status, which should now show "Unlocked". Step 1: Preparation (PC & Phone) On your Computer:

Step 1: Preparation (PC & Phone)

On your Computer:

1. Download the official Mi Unlock Tool from the official Xiaomi website (en.miui.com/unlock).
2. Install the Xiaomi USB Drivers (often included with Mi Flash Tool or can be found separately) to ensure your PC recognizes the phone.

On your Mi 8 SE:

1. Go to Settings > About Phone.
2. Tap MIUI Version 7 times until you see the message "You are now a developer."
3. Go back to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer Options.
4. Enable OEM Unlocking.
5. Enable USB Debugging.
6. Find the option Mi Unlock Status and tap "Add account and device". (This binds your Mi Account to the phone).

Phase 1: Device Preparation (The "Binding" Process)

This is the most critical step to ensure the unlock tool recognizes your device.

1. Insert SIM Card: Ensure an active SIM card is inserted into the Mi 8 SE. The device requires cellular data connectivity to communicate with Xiaomi servers.
2. Sign In: Go to Settings > Mi Account and sign in with your Xiaomi account.
3. Enable Developer Options:
   • Go to Settings > About Phone.
   • Tap MIUI Version repeatedly until you see the message "You are now a developer!"
4. Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging:
   • Go to Settings > Additional Settings > Developer Options.
   • Toggle on OEM Unlocking.
   • Toggle on USB Debugging.
5. Bind the Account to the Device:
   • Inside Developer Options, look for the setting labeled Mi Unlock Status.
   • Tap on it. It will ask to sign in to your Mi Account again.
   • Tap the "Add account and device" button.
   • Success Indicator: You will see a message stating, "Added successfully. You can unlock your device now."
   • Note: If you receive an error (e.g., "Connect to network and try again"), ensure you are using Mobile Data (not just Wi-Fi) and try again.

Important Warnings

• Do not log out of your Mi Account on the phone during the waiting period – this resets the binding.
• Do not use VPN or different accounts on phone and PC.
• Unlocking breaks:
  • OTA updates (you may still receive them but installing could fail).
  • Some banking apps and Google Play certification (can be fixed with Magisk).
  • Warranty (officially voided in most regions).

Step 4: Put Your Mi 8 SE into Fastboot Mode

1. Power off your phone completely.
2. Press and hold Volume Down + Power simultaneously.
3. Release when you see the Fastboot rabbit logo.
4. Connect your phone to the PC using the original USB cable.

Step 4: Boot Mi 8 SE into Fastboot Mode

1. Power off the phone completely.
2. Press and hold Volume Down + Power simultaneously until you see the Fastboot rabbit logo.
3. Connect the phone to your PC via USB.

Verify connection by opening Command Prompt in your ADB folder and typing:

fastboot devices

You should see a device serial number.