[HELP!] Redmi Note 9 BOOTLOOPING - Redmi Note 9 Questions & Answers

A friend of mine has a Redmi note 9 (merlin), his device recently got into a bootloop, and he can't really use it anymore. He's not a technical person, so he hasn't unlocked the bootloader or messed with it in any sort of way..
My first question is, how did the device get into the bootloop? Is it due to a hardware defect, or did the software just randomly get corrupted?
My second question is, how will i reflash the stock ROM? I know that in order to fix this, I'll need to flash the stock ROM to the device, but the bootloader is locked, so how can I do this? Does Xiaomi have a tool to reflash stock even with a locked bootloader? Or do I need to flash it as an update via an sdcard or something? Does fastboot work on xiaomi devices with a locked bootloader? If so, should I flash the image using fastboot? How would I go about doing that?
I'm quite experienced with Custom ROMs and Recoveries, but I've never had to reflash a stock rom before, so I'm a total newbie to this. If anyone here could help me out, then my friend and I would both greatly appreciate it!

PhotonIce said:
A friend of mine has a Redmi note 9 (merlin), his device recently got into a bootloop, and he can't really use it anymore. He's not a technical person, so he hasn't unlocked the bootloader or messed with it in any sort of way..
My first question is, how did the device get into the bootloop? Is it due to a hardware defect, or did the software just randomly get corrupted?
My second question is, how will i reflash the stock ROM? I know that in order to fix this, I'll need to flash the stock ROM to the device, but the bootloader is locked, so how can I do this? Does Xiaomi have a tool to reflash stock even with a locked bootloader? Or do I need to flash it as an update via an sdcard or something? Does fastboot work on xiaomi devices with a locked bootloader? If so, should I flash the image using fastboot? How would I go about doing that?
I'm quite experienced with Custom ROMs and Recoveries, but I've never had to reflash a stock rom before, so I'm a total newbie to this. If anyone here could help me out, then my friend and I would both greatly appreciate it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can flash safely using fastboot, even with locked bootloader.
Official MIUI has signed images, so them will be flashed without issues.
If you can't enter in fastboot, the spflashtool is the only solution.
Good luck.

Ah, its VD171. You know a lot about this device, do you know why it began to bootloop in the first place?

Only who caused that knows.

Alright, apparently I misread his message. He says that the phone is stuck on the Redmi screen, not the MIUI screen. Doesn't this mean that it's stuck on the bootloader, as its not reaching the MIUI screen, so it must not be bootlooping. He says he took it to a repair shop, and they claim that it is a ram/motherboard fault. I doubt that this is likely, could anyone help me with this matter?
I can think of three posibilities:
1. It is stuck on the MIUI screen, but he is calling that the Redmi screen.
2. He HAS messed up his device himself, probably wiped the OS, and now is stuck on a loop at the Redmi screen.
3. It is actually a fault in the phone.

Related

Relock bootloader after flash Global Rom

I bought a Xiaomi mi 8 in a Xiaomi Shop in Shanghai. If I try to relock the bootloader I always get stuck booting on the recovery mode. Besides, I can not flash anything (supersu, xposed...) because I always end in bootloop; in both cases it is a softbrick
Can anybody help me?
If you have a mi8 Chinese box you aren't allowed to flash global ROM and lock bootloader.
And is there any way to fix it? Writing to Xiaomi, waiting X time...?
Thanks for your reply!
There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you
achickennugget said:
There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?
Bortex19 said:
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are welcome for my help. There are posts all over. I suggest you learn the courtesy of posting in the right sections instead or even better (to read first), this belongs in Q&A: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/help/to-relock-bootloader-chinese-device-t3834937 where if you read you would have realized it is all over the place, including one i created: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/how-to/please-read-tweaking-mi-8-t3833454. Anyways, have a good day, leaving this here for anyone else before they create another thread to "unblock" their bootloader
Bortex19 said:
And is there any way to fix it? Writing to Xiaomi, waiting X time...?
Thanks for your reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can check out official xiaomi forum to see a way. However the official way posted there including open up the device & tinkering with the EDL mode, which is really too much of a hassle :/
---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------
Bortex19 said:
Hey! Nice to meet you and thanks for your kind answer. This placer is better thanks to people like you.
By the way,my mobile works perfectly. I relocked the bootloader more than once and I just needed to unblocked to solve it. About reading the posts, If you had read you would have realized that what interests me is simply to know if I can re-block the bootloader.
Who taught you to help people in forums that have problems and is probably having a bad time? Hitler?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you having a modern Xiaomi device? How can you relock bootloader without sending it to bootloop?
achickennugget said:
You are welcome for my help. There are posts all over. I suggest you learn the courtesy of posting in the right sections instead or even better (to read first), this belongs in Q&A: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/help/to-relock-bootloader-chinese-device-t3834937 where if you read you would have realized it is all over the place, including one i created: https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-8/how-to/please-read-tweaking-mi-8-t3833454. Anyways, have a good day, leaving this here for anyone else before they create another thread to "unblock" their bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better now, at least you're helping to find the information. And you are right, I should read more before doing anything; in fact, I read a lot but you know, internet is so big and it's no difficult to get lost in that information sea (even more if you're a noob in the area). I'll do it better next time.
Have a good day.
TeeHoang said:
You can check out official xiaomi forum to see a way. However the official way posted there including open up the device & tinkering with the EDL mode, which is really too much of a hassle :/
---------- Post added at 10:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------
Are you having a modern Xiaomi device? How can you relock bootloader without sending it to bootloop?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Bortex19 said:
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well if it bootloops the first time after you relocked it, it'll bootloop again & again. Was there any time after relocking did your phone boot properly? If not, you didn't avoid anything. As far as I understand, boot loop = soft brick.
And this is what I found on MIUI official forum:
TUTORIAL FLASH MI 8 BOOTLOP (SOFTBRICK & BRICK) WITH TESTPOIN:http://en.miui.com/thread-3459005-1-1.html
Bortex19 said:
I bought it a couple of weeks ago. And no, I cannot relock it without sending it to bootloop.
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I read it right, your device goes into bootloop when installing a Global ROM version and trying to block the bootloader. Probably your device is a Chinese version, which should only have the bootloader locked running a China ROM.
Otherwise, it will be bootloop.
gugugrp said:
If I read it right, your device goes into bootloop when installing a Global ROM version and trying to block the bootloader. Probably your device is a Chinese version, which should only have the bootloader locked running a China ROM.
Otherwise, it will be bootloop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that. Any Chinese devices running global will get (soft)bricked
Yeah, I was asking is you know the way to lock a chinese phone in global rom. Maybe in the future or with MIUI 10
Is it possible to enter EDL mode via opening your device and connecting the dots to enter 9008 Mode and than use QFIL (Qualcomm_Flash_Image_Loader) to restore the software, instead of going with the MiFlashTool and a needed EDL authorized account?
Bortex19 said:
Yeah, I was asking is you know the way to lock a chinese phone in global rom. Maybe in the future or with MIUI 10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is still too early to know, because development is still slow.
Wrong forum section.
Sigray said:
Wrong forum section.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could not find the way to change it. Do you know how to do it?
achickennugget said:
There are literally, more than a few hundred threads about not relocking. You modified your phone without reading up, no sympathy here. Your phone is dead if it is not global version. Gone. Paperweight. All the best to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if he posted in the wrong section he didn't deserve an answer like yours. Keep in mind the Android cooperate spirit and try not to be that rude. And if you had read better his post you had understood how great is the information he gave, go on reading below.
Bortex19 said:
The thing went like that: I unlocked the bootloader, I flashed the global ROM, I relocked the bootloader and I fell into recovery bootloop. So I entered on fastboot mode, I unblocked the bootloader again (with the Xiaomi tool), I went to fastboot again and I reflashed the global ROM.
The bootloader have to be open to allow the global ROM work. I don't know why I have avoided the brick, but this is what I've done at least twice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually these are excellent news, I had never read about a case like this. We knew that if the bootloader was unlocked by the seller and you locked it flashing a global rom (being a Chinese phone) you would get a brick only repairable through testpoint and using an authorized account. But I had never read about doing the same whith the bootloader unlocked by the user and I didn't know if it would be possible to unlock it again. So now we know this :
- Chinese unlocked by the seller -> brick locking while flashing global -> impossible to unlock and edl needed
- Chinese unlocked by the owner -> brick locking while flashing global -> ability to re-unlock and flash normally
I had some questions now :
1.- Did you have to wait to unlock the bootloader the first time? (360hrs, 720hrs.. You know)
2.- Did you have to wait when unlocking after the brick or was it instantly unlocked?
Thanks in advance!
descarao81 said:
Even if he posted in the wrong section he didn't deserve an answer like yours. Keep in mind the Android cooperate spirit and try not to be that rude. And if you had read better his post you had understood how great is the information he gave, go on reading below.
Actually these are excellent news, I had never read about a case like this. We knew that if the bootloader was unlocked by the seller and you locked it flashing a global rom (being a Chinese phone) you would get a brick only repairable through testpoint and using an authorized account. But I had never read about doing the same whith the bootloader unlocked by the user and I didn't know if it would be possible to unlock it again. So now we know this :
- Chinese unlocked by the seller -> brick locking while flashing global -> impossible to unlock and edl needed
- Chinese unlocked by the owner -> brick locking while flashing global -> ability to re-unlock and flash normally
I had some questions now :
1.- Did you have to wait to unlock the bootloader the first time? (360hrs, 720hrs.. You know)
2.- Did you have to wait when unlocking after the brick or was it instantly unlocked?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems to me that this is not so, as some members still manage. However, since they did not add their personal Account to the developer options, they were not able to unlock the device again because they did not have the account associated with the device. It seems to be something related to different cases.
What can be recommended is that the devices unlocked by the seller, return to Chinese ROM more stable, and have your bootloader blocked. By then, the user requests to unblock the bootloader regardless of the time they have to wait. Thus making everything safer, in the case of possible bricks in the future.
gugugrp said:
What can be recommended is that the devices unlocked by the seller, return to Chinese ROM more stable, and have your bootloader blocked. By then, the user requests to unblock the bootloader regardless of the time they have to wait. Thus making everything safer, in the case of possible bricks in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you ever heard of read about somebody doing that? Because I think there's still the doubt about the unlocking method used by the sellers, whether they do a regular unlock with an account or they patch the boot in any way which could cause problems locking the bootloader.

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

Some questions about flashing ROM so I would not end up in EDL again.

Hello, I have a few questions about flashing rom just to make sure I wouldn't end up in EDL mode again. First, let me tell something. I have bought my K20 pro on Aliexpress which come with a firmware that mark as MI 9T pro with bootloader unlocked but without TWRP install. I have tried to flash Android Q beta though fastboot without using the option Flash & Lock but i was end up in locked bootloader and then i got it fixed through EDL mode by paying someone from Russia who i don't know the name. Later on, I got another bad luck again by upgrading my official Chinese firmware through OTA and then the phone suddenly shutdown in the middle of the process which break both my recovery and fastboot so i have to go through EDL again. So, my questions are:
1. If i flash anything such as magisk, viper, or upgrade my xiaomi.eu firmware through TWRP, will something like my second story occur again? Or, does flashing through TWRP will brick both recovery and fastboot in the same or similar case?
2. After EDL mode, bootloader was unlocked by default so, what can I do to bind my MI account with the device? Because in case it locked again, then I can use xiaomi bootloader unlock tools to unlock it. In the first story, the device come with bootloader unlocked, and after flashed Android Q beta, the bootloader was triggered and locked so then I tried to unlocked it but Xiaomi bootloader unlock tools told me that my account is not bind to this device.
3. If i flash magisk, then do i need to always re-flash it on every system upgrade(xiaomi eu firmware)?
supaea said:
Hello, I have a few questions about flashing rom just to make sure I wouldn't end up in EDL mode again. First, let me tell something. I have bought my K20 pro on Aliexpress which come with a firmware that mark as MI 9T pro with bootloader unlocked but without TWRP install. I have tried to flash Android Q beta though fastboot without using the option Flash & Lock but i was end up in locked bootloader and then i got it fixed through EDL mode by paying someone from Russia who i don't know the name. Later on, I got another bad luck again by upgrading my official Chinese firmware through OTA and then the phone suddenly shutdown in the middle of the process which break both my recovery and fastboot so i have to go through EDL again. So, my questions are:
1. If i flash anything such as magisk, viper, or upgrade my xiaomi.eu firmware through TWRP, will something like my second story occur again? Or, does flashing through TWRP will brick both recovery and fastboot in the same or similar case?
2. After EDL mode, bootloader was unlocked by default so, what can I do to bind my MI account with the device? Because in case it locked again, then I can use xiaomi bootloader unlock tools to unlock it. In the first story, the device come with bootloader unlocked, and after flashed Android Q beta, the bootloader was triggered and locked so then I tried to unlocked it but Xiaomi bootloader unlock tools told me that my account is not bind to this device.
3. If i flash magisk, then do i need to always re-flash it on every system upgrade(xiaomi eu firmware)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. In theory flashing with TWRP shouldn't touch the fastboot or recovery partitions, unless you choose to. If you know what you're doing, then flashing with TWRP is reasonably safe.
2. You could try flashing an official Chinese fastboot ROM and locking the bootloader, then link it to your account. Don't try and install anything else, live with the official Chinese ROM and go through the normal unlock process. Once you've waited and got unlock permission for the phone against your Mi account, then unlock and install the ROM of your choice along with anything else.
But this does come with a small risk that the phone is still linked to the sellers account.
3. I went straight from stock to a GSI, so not sure about eu ROMs. If they have an OTA process that downloads then installs via TWRP (similar to official LOS), then it's possible Magisk will re-install at the same time. Someone who uses eu ROMs will need to confirm what happens.
For anything else, you'll needed to re-install Magisk.
Robbo.5000 said:
2. You could try flashing an official Chinese fastboot ROM and locking the bootloader, then link it to your account. Don't try and install anything else, live with the official Chinese ROM and go through the normal unlock process. Once you've waited and got unlock permission for the phone against your Mi account, then unlock and install the ROM of your choice along with anything else.
But this does come with a small risk that the phone is still linked to the sellers account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe it is a risky method because if the bootloader is locked the phone might brick again and I have to do EDL again too. I wish if there is a safer method, because I experienced EDL mode twice already and it is terrible and need to pay lot of money just to fix it. :crying:
supaea said:
I believe it is a risky method because if the bootloader is locked the phone might brick again and I have to do EDL again too. I wish if there is a safer method, because I experienced EDL mode twice already and it is terrible and need to pay lot of money just to fix it. :crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Flashing an official fastboot ROM in the Mi Flash Tool and selecting 'clean all and lock' "shouldn't" brick the phone. If you're on an official Chinese ROM, then going through the standard unlock process "shouldn't" brick the phone.
The biggest risk in doing this would be finding that the phone is still linked to the sellers account.
If you want to be able to unlock the bootloader with your own Mi account, should it get locked again, then this is your only option.
However, you could leave it as it is and just make sure you never lock it again.
Robbo.5000 said:
Flashing an official fastboot ROM in the Mi Flash Tool and selecting 'clean all and lock' "shouldn't" brick the phone. If you're on an official Chinese ROM, then going through the standard unlock process "shouldn't" brick the phone.
The biggest risk in doing this would be finding that the phone is still linked to the sellers account.
If you want to be able to unlock the bootloader with your own Mi account, should it get locked again, then this is your only option.
However, you could leave it as it is and just make sure you never lock it again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. It's too bad to get an unlocked phone. I will need to be more careful next time buying a new phone.

Need help with Global-European ROM

Hello. Recently I have flashed Global ROM over European ROM (I have bootloader locked) and it destroyed my whole system and recovery! I had just access to Fastboot. Recently I've found that when I type "fastboot continue" It would continue to system, and it booted! Recovery is working too! But the rom is now Global ROM, and not EU one. I have question. After period of waiting time in Mi Unlocker Tool If I would like to go back to European ROM and LOCK THE BOOTLOADER, will it brick my phone?
Why, do you want to lock the bootloader again??
No, it will no brick your device if you are on stock.
You may brick it, if you lock when on AOSP roms.
Sandeeep Kiran said:
Why, do you want to lock the bootloader again??
No, it will no brick your device if you are on stock.
You may brick it, if you lock when on AOSP roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because I want to be safe! I bricked all of my Xiaomi phones and I don't want to do that again, so better be safe.
Thank you for your reply.

Redmi 9C bootloop issue

hello, i have a problem with my redmi 9c
my phone just started bootloping alone, i went to sleep and i woke up with my phone dead
the phone is stock, no root, no custom recovery and still with bootloader locked because i don't need features who need it, i can access fastboot but recovery is not posible to reach because Vol+/Power is useless, the phone do nothing pressing those buttons, only with Vol-/Power, so i can't make a factory reset or wipe data, the only thing what i did a couple of hours before the phone broke was change my security pattern (i don't think it's related anyway...), and it was 8 or 10 hours before the issue. sadly the phone warranty expired in january and i have nothing to do at this moment
the phone stops the bootloop after draining the battery, with the bootloader locked of course i'm unable to flash a stock rom, even with MiFlash
what could be the problem?
thanks! (and sorry for my bad english, spanish native here)
aniangaZR said:
hello, i have a problem with my redmi 9c
my phone just started bootloping alone, i went to sleep and i woke up with my phone dead
the phone is stock, no root, no custom recovery and still with bootloader locked because i don't need features who need it, i can access fastboot but recovery is not posible to reach because Vol+/Power is useless, the phone do nothing pressing those buttons, only with Vol-/Power, so i can't make a factory reset or wipe data, the only thing what i did a couple of hours before the phone broke was change my security pattern (i don't think it's related anyway...), and it was 8 or 10 hours before the issue. sadly the phone warranty expired in january and i have nothing to do at this moment
the phone stops the bootloop after draining the battery, with the bootloader locked of course i'm unable to flash a stock rom, even with MiFlash
what could be the problem?
thanks! (and sorry for my bad english, spanish native here)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, my first guess would be faulty hardware, for example a dead motherboard.
Is there any error when attempting to flash the Stock ROM with MiFlash? Afaik you should be able to flash Stock ROMs even with locked bootloader.
Fatal_Scythe said:
Hi, my first guess would be faulty hardware, for example a dead motherboard.
Is there any error when attempting to flash the Stock ROM with MiFlash? Afaik you should be able to flash Stock ROMs even with locked bootloader.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply
MiFlash said "not allowed in locked state" and I guess it's because of locked bootloader, I should try with a specific stock rom?
aniangaZR said:
Thanks for the quick reply
MiFlash said "not allowed in locked state" and I guess it's because of locked bootloader, I should try with a specific stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm okay, yeah that sounds like it's preventing you from flashing simply because your bootloader is locked.
Which Stock ROM did you try? Same as the currently installed version or an older one?
Fatal_Scythe said:
Hmm okay, yeah that sounds like it's preventing you from flashing simply because your bootloader is locked.
Which Stock ROM did you try? Same as the currently installed version or an older one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried with the last available rom and the previous one, automatic updates were disabled, but I know I updated the phone after buying it
I don't remember if the phone was running last version...
MiFlash should let me flash the phone with the same installed ROM even with bootloader locked?
aniangaZR said:
I tried with the last available rom and the previous one, automatic updates were disabled, but I know I updated the phone after buying it
I don't remember if the phone was running last version...
MiFlash should let me flash the phone with the same installed ROM even with bootloader locked?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you tried an older firmware, it's possible that it didn't flash because of Xiaomi's "Anti-Rollback" Feature which exists to prevent users from Downgrading.
But yes, it should let you flash the same version afaik.
What Region is your Device? On Locked Bootloader you can only flash Firmwares that are from the same Region. (For example Global or EEA)
Fatal_Scythe said:
If you tried an older firmware, it's possible that it didn't flash because of Xiaomi's "Anti-Rollback" Feature which exists to prevent users from Downgrading.
But yes, it should let you flash the same version afaik.
What Region is your Device? On Locked Bootloader you can only flash Firmwares that are from the same Region. (For example Global or EEA)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Device is global region, I will try with all versions available, I'll keep updated
Thanks!
aniangaZR said:
Device is global region, I will try with all versions available, I'll keep updated
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright, have you btw tried flashing directly via fastboot?
Meaning opening terminal and from there flashing all partitions one by one for example "fastboot flash boot boot.img" ?
Fatal_Scythe said:
Alright, have you btw tried flashing directly via fastboot?
Meaning opening terminal and from there flashing all partitions one by one for example "fastboot flash boot boot.img" ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fastboot doesn't work either, said similar message related to locked bootloader
I'm downloading a couple of roms now
aniangaZR said:
Fastboot doesn't work either, said similar message related to locked bootloader
I'm downloading a couple of roms now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh okay then.
If in the worse case nothing works, your last (paid) solution would probably be to contact one of these "Mi Auth" Guys on Telegram. They have acess to Authorized Accounts that are able to flash your Phone in EDL Mode (might need to open your phone to short test-points though)
I had to pay them about 20€ to get my old Mi 11 (which I sold a while ago) running again after it got stuck in EDL Mode. :/
Fatal_Scythe said:
Oh okay then.
If in the worse case nothing works, your last (paid) solution would probably be to contact one of these "Mi Auth" Guys on Telegram. They have acess to Authorized Accounts that are able to flash your Phone in EDL Mode (might need to open your phone to short test-points though)
I had to pay them about 20€ to get my old Mi 11 (which I sold a while ago) running again after it got stuck in EDL Mode. :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same problem with all ROMs, same message related to bootloader
thanks anyway!

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