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Re-lock Mi 8 Bootloader after moving from China Stable to Global Stable

Appreciate if someone can help.
I purchased a Mi 8 Chinese version with China Stable ROM, unlocked Bootloader after waiting 372 long hours and yesterday installed recently released Global Stable ROM. Everything went well and phone worked perfectly. However, when I tried to re-lock the Bootloader, (using both XiaoMiTool and Fastboot methods) the Bootloader gets locked but the phone goes into Recovery bootloop every time with a message at the bottom that "this Miui version cannot be installed on this device....." When I unlock the bootloader again (by booting into fastboot and using Xiaomi Unlock tool) the phone boots normally.
So can I conclude that the bootloader cannot be locked unless I move back to China Stable ROM which originally came with the phone? I read somewhere that Xiaomi has disable the re-locking of bootloader just to curb selling of Chinese versions as Global, as some sellers were selling Chinese versions of Xiaomi phones as Global after installing Global ROMs.

I'm having the same issue as you just did. Not sure why the bootloader can't be relocked. I thought the model # between HK and China versions were supposed to be the same..

Recently xiaomi makes some ugly rules about local and global variant device to prevent Chinese device selling globally and global device selling into china. For that user can flash global rom to china variant device and global variant device to china rom, but we have to unlocked bootloader. Device will perform normally just find device will not worked. Also antirollback terrible disgusting too. I have some xiaomi mobile device and selling them one by one. Only keeping Mi8. If I need more secure device, I can buy iphone. I no need then xiaomi device.
People loving Xiaomi because of its hardware and software with up-gradation facilities. But their operating system optimization is really bad. Every update makes device performance different.

dowload mi unlock . and login account -->> reboot mi 8 fastboot -->> unlock -->> OK . Done successful good luck

hoangvubb.195 said:
dowload mi unlock . and login account -->> reboot mi 8 fastboot -->> unlock -->> OK . Done successful good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Relock and unlock are two very different words. You know.
Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

XiaoMiTool is crap...
Use official MiFlashTool => http://download.appmifile.com/images/2018/06/13/f267b936-45cd-4b3d-b15a-947fb4b674b1.zip
http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3014918
Use the option "Clean all and lock" when installing via fastboot

Marcb said:
XiaoMiTool is crap...
Use official MiFlashTool => http://download.appmifile.com/images/2018/06/13/f267b936-45cd-4b3d-b15a-947fb4b674b1.zip
http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3014918
Use the option "Clean all and lock" when installing via fastboot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No bootloop now after doing this?
Regards

rodfrang said:
No bootloop now after doing this?
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I was reading some things on the MIUI official forum and * apparently* if you have a chinese MI 8 and want to switch to Global rom, your bootloader must remain unlobcked.... I'm not seeing much confirmation on that, but I would be catious...

Marcb said:
Actually I was reading some things on the MIUI official forum and * apparently* if you have a chinese MI 8 and want to switch to Global rom, your bootloader must remain unlobcked.... I'm not seeing much confirmation on that, but I would be catious...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, switching to a global rom on a Chinese variant and then locking the bootloader will result in a brick. But I don't understand why anyone would relock the bootloader since most repair shops find out if you unlocked it in the past.

Relock not for warranty reasons, but to get android pay / NFC payment or other banking apps working. Many of them won't work with BL unlocked.

i read that we need an authorized edl account to relock the bootloader, but now it is impossible to get this account..
so this time i'm very dissappointed with xiaomi.

The Marionette said:
Yeah, switching to a global rom on a Chinese variant and then locking the bootloader will result in a brick. But I don't understand why anyone would relock the bootloader since most repair shops find out if you unlocked it in the past.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netflix app and Google Pay needs locked bootloader.

The Mi Mix 2S has the same problem, it seems this person solved it by using recovery version of global ROM with Mi PC Suite: http://en.miui.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2943351&page=2#pid27478883
I don't have the device to test it yet, but you should at least be able to keep an unlocked bootloader and use apps that require it to be locked by using Magisk and enabling Magisk Hide on those apps.

Marcb said:
Netflix app and Google Pay needs locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Netflix work
Envoyé de mon MI 8 en utilisant Tapatalk

romanxx said:
i read that we need an authorized edl account to relock the bootloader, but now it is impossible to get this account..
so this time i'm very dissappointed with xiaomi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know if I can post the link here, but there is a topic in the MIUI forum that gives EDL authorization for just an unbrick. And you must wait for your position in the list.

Magisk...
I think you can use Netflix and/or banks' apps through Magisk hide functions and so be it

Zanbot3 said:
I think you can use Netflix and/or banks' apps through Magisk hide functions and so be it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hye.mi8 with global rom can install magisk?

arsyadvyn said:
hye.mi8 with global rom can install magisk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah

hoangvubb.195 said:
dowload mi unlock . and login account -->> reboot mi 8 fastboot -->> unlock -->> OK . Done successful good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good:congratulations my friend. I was already sad that I did not understand.
Its solution is simple but of enormous importance for mi8users.
I also did everything ok, but at mi8 it was different. I also received "this Miui version can not be installed on this device ....."
I downloaded miflash unlock .... romGlobal was already installed on mi8 but with blockloaded bootloader it did not work ok.
Now I'm happy and with GlobalRom stable very fast.:good:

Hi,
I try to relock the bootloader with Global ROM install but the phone haven't sign-in with Xiaomi account and it get the same message as your guy "this miui version cannot..." . Now I can't unlock my bootloader to revert it and my phone stay at recovery or fastboot, can anyone know how to flash it back?

Relock bootloader for account bound

Hi guys. I would like to know a thing:
I have bought a Mi 8 already unlocked from a shop. If I want to relock the bootloader again and bound my account to it, for future unlocks in case of wrong flash with Mi Flash (default flash mode is: "clean all and relock", that I can also omit to see for error), can I flash China without incurring in a brick? Because the phone will be delivered to me with Global Rom (that I know generate a brick with relocked bootloader).
Thanks to who will answer me.

I have the same question... It's possible change the account used for the bootloader unlock?

BigBrunoRamos said:
I have the same question... It's possible change the account used for the bootloader unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without any other method to do this, we can only relock bootloader and follow the common way to unlock it with own account.

Orlaf said:
Without any other method to do this, we can only relock bootloader and follow the common way to unlock it with own account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I purchased a Xiaomi mi 8 with unlocked bootloader without notice from the reseller. The outcome when I updated with miflash was a bricked phone. When I tried to use miunlock I saw a message that my phone is not bound to this account.

ekc_1971 said:
I purchased a Xiaomi mi 8 with unlocked bootloader without notice from the reseller. The outcome when I updated with miflash was a bricked phone. When I tried to use miunlock I saw a message that my phone is not bound to this account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mhh... Seems you have used the third option of Mi Flash (clean all and relock).
Have you tried to relock bootloader with China ROM or Global ROM?

Orlaf said:
Mhh... Seems you have used the third option of Mi Flash (clean all and relock).
Have you tried to relock bootloader with China ROM or Global ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing seems to work. I can change Roms using adb sideload but the problem is that always is a bootloop.

ekc_1971 said:
Nothing seems to work. I can change Roms using adb sideload but the problem is that always is a bootloop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't understand well.
In pratice you have bricked device, but you can reflash something using adb sideload? ?
Give me details. ?

Orlaf said:
I haven't understand well.
In pratice you have bricked device, but you can reflash something using adb sideload? ?
Give me details.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using xiaomiadb.exe . You boot in recovery mode and then you drag and drop the rom over xiaomiadb. Pc suit sees the version. I have managed this way to change many roms, but the main problem is the boot loop.

ekc_1971 said:
I am using xiaomiadb.exe . You boot in recovery mode and then you drag and drop the rom over xiaomiadb. Pc suit sees the version. I have managed this way to change many roms, but the main problem is the boot loop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to flash a China ROM?

Orlaf said:
Have you tried to flash a China ROM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I have tried everything I could think of. I am afraid that the only solution is to use Mi unlock, but I can't to that because the reseller send me the phone with unlocked bootloader. The program checks at the begging if I have permissions, then checks if the phone is a Mi 8, it passes that test too, but the message I get then is that this phone is not bound to this account.
---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------
BigBrunoRamos said:
I have the same question... It's possible change the account used for the bootloader unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have asked Xiaomi Global service about that. They don't offer support. They don't recognize the Chinese e-shops as authorized resellers. And I suppose that a phone can't be bound to two accounts. The only thing I can say for sure is that the global version has a red label on the box and the manual is in English. Watch the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nx-jjTVh_8&t=107s

ekc_1971 said:
Yes, I have tried everything I could think of. I am afraid that the only solution is to use Mi unlock, but I can't to that because the reseller send me the phone with unlocked bootloader. The program checks at the begging if I have permissions, then checks if the phone is a Mi 8, it passes that test too, but the message I get then is that this phone is not bound to this account.
---------- Post added at 06:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:53 PM ----------
I have asked Xiaomi Global service about that. They don't offer support. They don't recognize the Chinese e-shops as authorized resellers. And I suppose that a phone can't be bound to two accounts. The only thing I can say for sure is that the global version has a red label on the box and the manual is in English. Watch the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Nx-jjTVh_8&t=107s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it can't be possible to flash anything (also China, that was the born ROM of this phone) with option "Clean all and relock" of Mi Flash, without incurring in a bootloop?

The fact is that you can bound the phone to every account, if you can boot it with locked bootloader.
But if this can't be done, developer options menu will show you that bootloader is already unlocked, without possibility of bound your own account.

Oh wait, you can't use mi flash because your account it's not authorized for EDL.
Now I have understand because you can't relock bootloader. ?

Orlaf said:
Oh wait, you can't use mi flash because your account it's not authorized for EDL.
Now I have understand because you can't relock bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When miunlock starts it checks if I have permission for EDL. It passes the test. But then it says that my phone is not bound to my account. The bootloader was unlocked so I suppose someone has bound my phone with his account.

ekc_1971 said:
When miunlock starts it checks if I have permission for EDL. It passes the test. But then it says that my phone is not bound to my account. The bootloader was unlocked so I suppose someone has bound my phone with his account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, so you can't use Mi Flash.
Now it's all clear.
Thanks for your explanation. ?

I'm having an idea ... My device is about to arrive. It will be a Chinese variant with bootloader unlocked by the store for installation of a global ROM. So if I flashed a Chinese ROM again, I could re-block the bootloader, correct? So I will boot the phone with the blocked bootloader in the Chinese ROM and I can associate my account and unlock the bootloader again, only this time with my own account. Would it work?
Sorry for my english, I'm using the Google Tradutor.

BigBrunoRamos said:
I'm having an idea ... My device is about to arrive. It will be a Chinese variant with bootloader unlocked by the store for installation of a global ROM. So if I flashed a Chinese ROM again, I could re-block the bootloader, correct? So I will boot the phone with the blocked bootloader in the Chinese ROM and I can associate my account and unlock the bootloader again, only this time with my own account. Would it work?
Sorry for my english, I'm using the Google Tradutor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is that you need to bound your account to your Mi 8, otherwise you can't use Mi Flash to relock your phone.
And you also can't lock it by fastboot, because this operation delete recovery and system partitions, generating a total brick.
Unfortunately my current Mi Max 2 was one of these unlucky phones, and I have learn lesson myself.

The best thing that you can do is:
Use last version of Mi PC Suite 3 to flash global and twrp to flash custom, and if you need to return on global from twrp, just flash original Xiaomi recovery and reuse Mi PC Suite 3.

Orlaf said:
Ok, so you can't use Mi Flash.
Now it's all clear.
Thanks for your explanation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Υοu're welcome. It's my first ever Xiaomi but I think that for a while because it's a new phone of the market we must leave it untouched for a while. I mean rooting, custom roms, e.t.c.

ekc_1971 said:
Υοu're welcome. It's my first ever Xiaomi but I think that for a while because it's a new phone of the market we must leave it untouched for a while. I mean rooting, custom roms, e.t.c.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xiaomi has arrived to Europe, but Chinese version still continue to be less expensive (and interesting), but unfortunately not excluded from this type of inconveniences.

Global to Chinese ROM to lock Bootloader

Hello XDA users!
I've bough this wonderful MI8 from AliExpress.
It's a Chinese Market device, It arrived with global ROM and unlocked bootloader.
Since i want to use Google pay and other prohibited apps with the bootloader unlocked i am trying to clearly understand if flashing the Chinese official ROM and locking the bootloader again is a feasible thing or there are some risks? Will the phone be bricked? Will it not? Wich one is the best tool to do it? Where can i find the official Chinese rom?
Thank you!

you need to think twice. if you succeeded locking bootloader. xiaomi maybe not allowing you to unlock it again and ask for binded account
can't you try a safer way by xposed or magisk to hide root, unlocking and trick your apps?
I don't own this device so I can't help you alot

I'm now waiting to my Mi 8 arrives from China and I have the same question. Looking for the answer I found this:
h***s://w**igeekphone.com/xiaomi-mi-8-what-to-do-if-you-receive-it-with-unlocked-bootloader-and-global-miui/
If someone try, please say if works, thanks in advance

Guys try not to re-lock your bootloader . Bad things can happen.

arifqur said:
Guys try not to re-lock your bootloader . Bad things can happen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you read the link: h***s://w**igeekphone.com/xiaomi-mi-8-what-to-do-if-you-receive-it-with-unlocked-bootloader-and-global-miui/
say: "ATTENSION !!! You must NOT lock your bootloader with stable version or it will brick your mobile! ONLY Chinese Developers Fastboot ROM."
and the seller tell me this:
"If you lock the bootloader, then must lock it with china rom.
If you lock it when there is global rom , it will brick .
If you need android pay , then better install rom from xiaomi.eu"
maybe with china dev fastboot rom don't brick the phone???

I install the china dev rom (IMPORTANT NOT the china stable rom) and lock the bootloader. The seller give me the password of the account vinculated to the phone and put it when I start the phone then I desvinculated the phone from the seller's account and put my account. Now I'm waiting 720h to unlock and install the last global rom (only "clean" not "clean and lock".
IT'S AT YOUR OWN RISK I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU CAN BRICK YOUR PHONE!!!! IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING DON'T DO IT!!!

Alematbrun said:
Hello XDA users!
I've bough this wonderful MI8 from AliExpress.
It's a Chinese Market device, It arrived with global ROM and unlocked bootloader.
Since i want to use Google pay and other prohibited apps with the bootloader unlocked i am trying to clearly understand if flashing the Chinese official ROM and locking the bootloader again is a feasible thing or there are some risks? Will the phone be bricked? Will it not? Wich one is the best tool to do it? Where can i find the official Chinese rom?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Alematbrun.
Did you manage to flash back to Chinese rom and relock the bootloader then unlock again with your account.

Dalhambert said:
I install the china dev rom (IMPORTANT NOT the china stable rom) and lock the bootloader. The seller give me the password of the account vinculated to the phone and put it when I start the phone then I desvinculated the phone from the seller's account and put my account. Now I'm waiting 720h to unlock and install the last global rom (only "clean" not "clean and lock".
IT'S AT YOUR OWN RISK I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE YOU CAN BRICK YOUR PHONE!!!! IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING DON'T DO IT!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I have a Mi 9 Se from China with global rom and unlocked bootloader. I’m pretending to flash Oeiginal Chinese Rom and lock bootloader. My phone came wit no mi account bind on it. Do I still need seller’s login and password? Or I can flash chines Rom with no worries?

ReUnlocking converted A2 (6X)

I have a converted A2 (+ARB 4), with UNLOCKED bootloader.
I read somewhere if you relock the BL , you will not able to UNLOCK it again ever after! (is it true?)
and other thing: If it try the MIUI BL Unlocker Official Application to unlock my device (even when it is still unlocked) what could be happen? (I've just followed the steps till the warning msg: "Unlocking Bootloader will erase user Data" ). (I read somewhere else that for unlocking miui devices you need to submit the request and you need to wait for a long time to get the code, and I was going to get the code for a case of necessity in future.)
I need to know how far I can play with these stuffs on my devices and left a practical way to recover a Bricked phone. ( I consider even TEST POINT as a practical option [tried once and it is damn easy and fun ] )

Im sorry bro but the actual model and serial code of your phone is a A2.And that means you probably wont unlock it it will give a hardware error.But pls try it and report.Dont worry there will be a fix!!

Tech_jetoncesaj said:
Im sorry bro but the actual model and serial code of your phone is a A2.And that means you probably wont unlock it it will give a hardware error.But pls try it and report.Dont worry there will be a fix!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it locked again my BL, what would be the solution? I didn't find any.

the mi unlock app requires a mi account with unlock permissions (account! not phone)
if you try to unlock an unlocked a2 you should either get unsuported - it's meant for miui devices - or already unlocked.

The app first checks the account and passes to further steps, then recognizes my phone, and warns me about wiping Data. ( At this step I declined and closed the app)
Your hypothesis seems correct, but if in any circumstances I would be left with relocked converted A2 , ist there any chance to reunlock it again?

that's why the test point method exists, for locked that you try to fastboot flash

I tried, and it just says: Device Unlocked, no need to reunlock again!
So now is it safe to lock my bootloader and try the app again?

if you lock the bootloader via fastboot commands it wont boot any more.
only way to safely lock is with miflash and you cannot miflash a wayne miui on a converted a2. it will see that it's the jasmine.
if you miflash the a2 fastboot rom it will relock ok - if the flashing works...might not cuz of the arb - but you wont be on miui any more.
what are you trying to do anyway?
i think what you dont understand is the unlock on miui and android one are the same end result but different steps. for miui you godda use the mi unlock, for and1 its just the dev options switch

laviniu_c said:
if you lock the bootloader via fastboot commands it wont boot any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So if I run the command and re-lock it by Fastboot, how can I re-unlock it again?
laviniu_c said:
only way to safely lock is with miflash and you cannot miflash a wayne miui on a converted a2. it will see that it's the jasmine.
if you miflash the a2 fastboot rom it will relock ok - if the flashing works...might not cuz of the arb - but you wont be on miui any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do you mean there is no safety way to re-lock a converted A2 which runs MIUI ?
(and If I had a Banking app which needs a Locked BL to work, there will be no chance to run it at all?)
laviniu_c said:
what are you trying to do anyway?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said I want to know all the aspects of practical ways to deal with my phone, right now I am totally happy with it, but actually the opportunity of dealing with all these technical stuffs convinced me to buy this phone.
laviniu_c said:
i think what you dont understand is the unlock on miui and android one are the same end result but different steps. for miui you godda use the mi unlock, for and1 its just the dev options switch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've heard that some ROMs may re-lock the phone, since then I would like to know if in any circumstances I would be stuck on that situation how can I re-unlock my phone.

any official miui rom that has the firmware folder in it might do it for example, so will bad ports....
try to use the magisk hide options to fix the banking app, add it to the list of apps for which it specifically hides root. add also the google services and make sure you pass the safetynet tests and your device shows as certified in the playstore settings. i think there were some modules to fix the bl check

laviniu_c said:
any official miui rom that has the firmware folder in it might do it for example, so will bad ports....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So lets assume it has been happened, what would be the procedure to rescue my phone? since as you said if the BL locked again it will not boot to OS.
laviniu_c said:
try to use the magisk hide options to fix the banking app, add it to the list of apps for which it specifically hides root. add also the google services and make sure you pass the safetynet tests and your device shows as certified in the playstore settings. i think there were some modules to fix the bl check
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would'nt like to root the phone, isn't there any other option?

if you lock the bootloader with any kind of non official rom for your phone (i.e. jasmine_sprout) which in your case is android one it wont boot. the end. only way out of that is the edl mode and miflash. that's the basic difference between locked and unlocked, it checks what os it loads and it makes sure the loaded os is the official rom for the phone. converting the a2 means it needs to be unlocked and you load a rom that's a ported miui10 from wayne to jasmine_sprout. if you flash the full rom, that has the locked bootloader from wayne which will fail to start since:
1 - the phone still isnt wayne
2- the rom isnt quite the official one (since it's renamed to work on jasmine)
3 - even if the phone was fully wayne, you dont really want the official mi 6x rom since that's china only. i.e. no google services
the only unknown in all this is the ARB, but edl should ignore that.
somehow i was under the impression you already have magisk (root/hide) up and running on the converted miui 10. yes, there are good miui 10 ports (for example xiaomi.eu) that give you the miui experience on a2 except they will never have the full ota support that the official rom has.
my advice? stick to the stock a2 rom. locked and full stock. the moment you need to start experimenting is when the android one support stops OR if you really want root.
if you wanted miui and you're outside china, mi 6x is still NOT the way to go. cuz it doesnt have an official global rom anyway. i dont get why everyone is jumping through hoops to get unofficial roms installed with stock support available.

laviniu_c said:
if you lock the bootloader with any kind of non official rom for your phone (i.e. jasmine_sprout) which in your case is android one it wont boot. the end. only way out of that is the edl mode and miflash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So please consider these situations:
The phone is A2 converted to 6X &
The BL has been re-locked &
ARB 4 has been triggered
how can I use EDL mode to unlock it?
(I think miflash would not help because the LOCKED BL and the phone is actually A2)
(I think also Fastboot wont be able to unlock it since it is A2 Converted to 6X)
laviniu_c said:
yes, there are good miui 10 ports (for example xiaomi.eu) that give you the miui experience on a2 except they will never have the full ota support that the official rom has.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm afraid but I didt't get the point, now every week I receive Pie beta updates (besides there are stable versions too) which actually stable enough, almost Bug & Lag Free (it differs Rom to Rom, but believe me it is COOL ) , and by PitchBlack you can use direct update. (I prefer to install it by myself since I LOVE TWRP & its child PB). so what exactly we miss of original OTA service of XIAOMI?
laviniu_c said:
my advice? stick to the stock a2 rom. locked and full stock. the moment you need to start experimenting is when the android one support stops OR if you really want root..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I think it wouldn't be an option for who has triggered ARB4! isn't it? (I read when you got ARB4 you must forget AndroidOne! even TestPoint won't help)
laviniu_c said:
if you wanted miui and you're outside china, mi 6x is still NOT the way to go. cuz it doesnt have an official global rom anyway. i dont get why everyone is jumping through hoops to get unofficial roms installed with stock support available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again I didn't get what do you mean, could you please explain it a bit more? (since my current MIUI 10.4 has almost everything)

http://bigota.d.miui.com/V10.0.2.0....0.PDIMIFJ_20181206.0000.00_9.0_02b8deeb6d.tgz this should work with the testpoint/edl method and miflash. (unless arb does something to stop it)
there's a few problems with your approach.
1) not official. any time the guys maintaining the custom rom can decide to stop producing it.
2) all work into these custom roms is voluntary. are they sometime better? sure, never said they werent but again, xiaomi/google/android have far far more resources at their disposal and while the phone is under the official period it will be maintained.
3) did you bother to read the first lines in any custom rom? they take 0 responsibility for whatever happens to your phone. they do not intend to break it, but they dont have to support you if you're in trouble either. if you dont have a valid warranty, that's understandable, you don't lose anything. but guess what? there are official vendors for xiaomi all over the world, offering official warranty. that holds as long as you're on STOCK.
4) though most custom roms are well intended, there is nothing assuring you there's nothing inside there that you dont want installed. you move your trust from xiaomi/google/android (which you can hold accountable) to whoever made that rom (who just carpet say, it's your phone you're doing the flashing, anything happens you're on your own). in most cases those devs don't mean harm, but they could and there's nothing to stop them (and they would never put in the hours of work if there was accountability for their action - i perfectly understand them. it's sortof like, i can try to do this, but because my work is not paid for by the end user they do not have any hold over me. it's correct and yet at the same time it's very very dangerous.). ever seen a custom miui built by a shop? i have, it's packed full of junk, bugs and malware. another thing here is testing. the official rom goes through a bunch of tests/beta versions. not saying it's perfect but it's better then the "known bugs: you tell me". custom rom devs cannot do it any other way, they dont have the time to test or the team to test.
5) the official devs don't have this option, they have a job and do it. it's a completely different approach.
this is not a rant against custom rom devs, i understand them 100%, they're trying to help. what i'm saying is there's always 2 sides to each story. there's no right or wrong, there's just what's best for each user. some of us will want the safe and easy way of the stock roms. some will want custom roms. in the end everyone is doing what they choose with their phone.

laviniu_c said:
http://bigota.d.miui.com/V10.0.2.0....0.PDIMIFJ_20181206.0000.00_9.0_02b8deeb6d.tgz this should work with the testpoint/edl method and miflash. (unless arb does something to stop it)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it will not work, the Actual duty of ARB4 is to preventing you to use these things! as much as I know after ARB4 you have two options: MIUI 10 or custom ROMs such as Havoc or so, for AndroidONE we need to wait a version of AndroidONE which be compatible with ARB4! otherwise flashing STOCK AndroidONE will simply brick your phone! THE whole IDEA of this THREAT is this!
And BTW as much as I know XIAOMI.EU is cooperating now with the XIAOMI ! besides we do not keep a phone for a whole life time, 2-3 years of supports would be far enough. and they do offer it right now!
and I would like to lock the BL for further security reasons but it seems to be impossible so far otherwise someone suggests a practical way for it.

I guess you need to contact me.
sz.hatef said:
If it locked again my BL, what would be the solution? I didn't find any.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey its not very good to talk here in xda.We can try some methods!
Chat with me in telegram.
 @blackgryphon1
Dont worry about brick,bcz im the only one who can unbrick,downgrade a xiaomi phone even if its arb4.
Feel free to contact me.
Also join my group i will be there too.
Since i cant post links,search this on telegram <<its my group>><<iT HAS A BLACK PHONE WALLPAPER AND IT HAS 86 MEMBERS!
Mi A2 & Mi 6X

Tech_jetoncesaj said:
Hey its not very good to talk here in xda.We can try some methods!
Chat with me in telegram.
@blackgryphon1
Dont worry about brick,bcz im the only one who can unbrick,downgrade a xiaomi phone even if its arb4.
Feel free to contact me.
Also join my group i will be there too.
Since i cant post links,search this on telegram <<its my group>><<iT HAS A BLACK PHONE WALLPAPER AND IT HAS 86 MEMBERS!
Mi A2 & Mi 6X
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just as I said, I would like to know the possible ways, currently I haven't any problem, could you explain it a bit , how could it possible to reunlock my BL if it get locked on MIUI?

ahem.
There is NO way to unlock an A2 device that has been converted to an 6X with ARB anti 4.
Your bootloaders are important in this case (xbl.elf and abl.elf). ARB and bootloader status is also managed here.
If you are using A2, with 6X system without ARB anti 4, that phone uses A2 bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will still accept any flashes without authentication. You may or may not be able to unlock it again through fastboot.
If you are using A2, with 6X system and firmware with ARB anti 4, that phone uses 6X bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will not accept any flashes without authentication*. You cannot unlock the phone through fastboot**.
*There is a workaround to this but you need to open your phone's back.
**Because MIUI devices need Mi Unlock to be unlocked, and Mi Unlock wants you to log in, and the system is not accessible, your phone will stay bricked.
You can still unbrick the phone with the above workaround, but you will be stuck with China MIUI and won't be able to unlock your phone's bootloader even if you logged in because your phone is not registered on Mi Unlock database (since Android One devices do not need/use Mi Unlock because of Google's enforcements).
Too long, didn't read?
Do not attempt to lock your phone. Even if you are on fully stock with your phone's own firmware. Locking is extremely risky due to the fact that even unlocking the bootloader corrupts the system integrity in some way.

Letzen said:
ahem.
There is NO way to unlock an A2 device that has been converted to an 6X with ARB anti 4.
Your bootloaders are important in this case (xbl.elf and abl.elf). ARB and bootloader status is also managed here.
If you are using A2, with 6X system without ARB anti 4, that phone uses A2 bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will still accept any flashes without authentication. You may or may not be able to unlock it again through fastboot.
If you are using A2, with 6X system and firmware with ARB anti 4, that phone uses 6X bootloader. So if you lock your bootloader, it will brick to fastboot (The system has been destroyed / Press any key to shutdown). EDL will not accept any flashes without authentication*. You cannot unlock the phone through fastboot**.
*There is a workaround to this but you need to open your phone's back.
**Because MIUI devices need Mi Unlock to be unlocked, and Mi Unlock wants you to log in, and the system is not accessible, your phone will stay bricked.
You can still unbrick the phone with the above workaround, but you will be stuck with China MIUI and won't be able to unlock your phone's bootloader even if you logged in because your phone is not registered on Mi Unlock database (since Android One devices do not need/use Mi Unlock because of Google's enforcements).
Too long, didn't read?
Do not attempt to lock your phone. Even if you are on fully stock with your phone's own firmware. Locking is extremely risky due to the fact that even unlocking the bootloader corrupts the system integrity in some way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot, it explains everything and totally sounds right to me,
Just couple questions:
so in any circumstances it could be again usable just with a Chinese ROM, and so there will be no way to install Google Play on it, since there will be no custom recovery , no root accessibility , ... , It will be for ever with a Pure Chinese ROM (which practically would be unusable for us). Am I right?
Considering above situation, sending the device to a Xiaomi Center could help us to get back to any kind of global ROM (AndroidONE / MIUI) or not?
Right now I am totally happy with Xiaomi.eu MIUI BETA roms, no need to switch to other projects, I need to know is there any chance to stuck with a locked BL while attempting the new Beta ROMs? I use PitchBlack to flash new ROMs every week. Or if I want to ask it in short: How to prevent to get a Locked BL?
Thanks a lot again.

sz.hatef said:
Thanks a lot, it explains everything and totally sounds right to me,
Just couple questions:
so in any circumstances it could be again usable just with a Chinese ROM, and so there will be no way to install Google Play on it, since there will be no custom recovery , no root accessibility , ... , It will be for ever with a Pure Chinese ROM (which practically would be unusable for us). Am I right?
Considering above situation, sending the device to a Xiaomi Center could help us to get back to any kind of global ROM (AndroidONE / MIUI) or not?
Right now I am totally happy with Xiaomi.eu MIUI BETA roms, no need to switch to other projects, I need to know is there any chance to stuck with a locked BL while attempting the new Beta ROMs? I use PitchBlack to flash new ROMs every week. Or if I want to ask it in short: How to prevent to get a Locked BL?
Thanks a lot again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
does flashing a MIUI.eu beta ROM without deleting the firmware folder lock the bootloader ?
what's the benefit from not deleting the firmware folder?
i'm using a converted MI A2
thanks

Fake global

Hi.
Unfortunately, I bought a k20 pro in the global version (aliexpress).
What do I have to do to not have brick? log in to mi account on the phone and Install the original china rom in mi flash and tick Clean all "option (not lock). Then wait again for the unlock bootloader?
having a global rom from aliexpress I can flash twrp right away and change rom ? Non Brick?

Radzią said:
Hi.
Unfortunately, I bought a k20 pro in the global version (aliexpress).
What do I have to do to not have brick? log in to mi account on the phone and Install the original china rom in mi flash and tick Clean all "option (not lock). Then wait again for the unlock bootloader?
having a global rom from aliexpress I can flash twrp right away and change rom ? Non Brick?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically the trick is to make sure you never accidentally relock the bootloader.
This normally happens if you've stuffed something up and need to flash a fastboot ROM. When this happens ALWAYS remember to change to 'clean All' when flashing with the Mi Flash Tool.
I assume the bootloader is already unlocked. If so, then you're 7 days ahead of the game and can go ahead and install TWRP and any other ROM of your choice. As long as you do everything correctly then you should have no problems.

Robbo.5000 said:
Basically the trick is to make sure you never accidentally relock the bootloader.
This normally happens if you've stuffed something up and need to flash a fastboot ROM. When this happens ALWAYS remember to change to 'clean All' when flashing with the Mi Flash Tool.
I assume the bootloader is already unlocked. If so, then you're 7 days ahead of the game and can go ahead and install TWRP and any other ROM of your choice. As long as you do everything correctly then you should have no problems.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a fake global and unlocked bootloader. So I can easily install twrp and change rom?
The only one I have to remember is that if I wanted to block bootloader again, I have to do it on china rom?

Radzią said:
I have a fake global and unlocked bootloader. So I can easily install twrp and change rom?
The only one I have to remember is that if I wanted to block bootloader again, I have to do it on china rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can install TWRP and change the ROM.
The normal reason to flash a Chinese fastboot ROM is when you have done something wrong and soft bricked the phone. But yes you would also do this if you wanted to lock the bootloader again.

Robbo.5000 said:
Yes you can install TWRP and change the ROM.
The normal reason to flash a Chinese fastboot ROM is when you have done something wrong and soft bricked the phone. But yes you would also do this if you wanted to lock the bootloader again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay thanks, I wanted to make sure. Nobody would want to Brick a new phone

I was in the same boat. Just flashed the official China ROM via mi flash including bootloader relock. After I applied for an unlock the official way, waited a week to unlock the phone again and finally flashed twrp, magisk and mi-globe Rom.

Guido83 said:
I was in the same boat. Just flashed the official China ROM via mi flash including bootloader relock. After I applied for an unlock the official way, waited a week to unlock the phone again and finally flashed twrp, magisk and mi-globe Rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I will also choose this way and block bootloader again. It will be safer

Guido83 said:
I was in the same boat. Just flashed the official China ROM via mi flash including bootloader relock. After I applied for an unlock the official way, waited a week to unlock the phone again and finally flashed twrp, magisk and mi-globe Rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, so you had the 'Global rom' model? Did they leave the phone associated with the Mi account originally? And where did you buy from?
Just curious because my 'Global rom' model K20 Pro arrives tomorrow. Unfortunately ordered the day before all this stuff came out :/

Sorry if this is a bit newby, but I ordered the same (K20 pro) from ali express, there is no way the global rom is official?
If it's not and the bootloader is unlocked, why is this a problem? Because the find my device won't be working? or is the security compromised if it is?
Is the global rom worse than the Chinese? And if the phone isn't disconnected form the Mi account they used to unlock the bootloader with, arn't I screwed?
Sorry for the salvo of questions..

SozzR said:
Sorry if this is a bit newby, but I ordered the same (K20 pro) from ali express, there is no way the global rom is official?
If it's not and the bootloader is unlocked, why is this a problem? Because the find my device won't be working? or is the security compromised if it is?
Is the global rom worse than the Chinese? And if the phone isn't disconnected form the Mi account they used to unlock the bootloader with, arn't I screwed?
Sorry for the salvo of questions..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment there is no global version of the phone. So there is no official global ROM. The global ROM versions currently for sale are using a hacked/modified versions of MIUI. These versions are made by people unknown and could possibly contain malware, etc. which could compromise your security. Probably, the ROM will be OK, but you just never know.
Having the bootloader active unlocked isn't a problem normally and gives you the benefit of not having to wait 7 days. You can flash TWRP and install other ROMs with no problem.
But there are a couple of cases on these forums where people have had things go wrong whilst flashing a fastboot ROM using the Mi Flash Tool. They have ended up accidentally relocking the bootloader whilst also corrupting the system partition. Because they haven't unlocked the bootloader themselves originally, they are unable to unlock the phone again and can't install TWRP to install another ROM.
Some people are now choosing to flash an official ROM and relock the bootloader, to allow them to unlock the phone themselves with their own Mi account. So if they end up in the same position as above, they should be able to unlock the bootloader and easily restore the phone.
However some people, when restoring the phone to stock after messing up, have accidentally relocked the phone. When they've tried to go through the unlock process they have found that the phone is still linked to the sellers Mi account and they are unable to link it to their own account and so are unable to unlock it again.
If you never relock the bootloader, either accidentally or deliberately, then you will not have any problems. But if you end up needing to flash a fastboot ROM, then the Mi Flash Tool default option is to flash and relock, so it only takes a brief lapse in concentration to find that you've got a locked bootloader again. If this happens, I would guess that it's far more likely that you won't have any problems and you are able to unlock it again.
---------- Post added at 01:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 AM ----------
Radzią said:
I think I will also choose this way and block bootloader again. It will be safer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just be aware that this option also comes with risks. Occasionally some people have found that the phone is still linked to the sellers Mi account, they are then unable to ink it to their own account and so cannot unlock the bootloader again.