[All-In-One] Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 (chiron): Unlock Bootloader, Flash TWRP, Root, Flash ROM

[senerex]

Dear Mi Mix 2 user,

I'm not responsible if anything happens to your device. If you execute this procedure properly then you shouldn't face any problems. I tried this procedure on several Mi Mix 2 and every time it worked flawlessly. I used a computer with Windows 10.

Before you proceed please back up all your important data and make sure that your phone battery is charged >80%!!!

A. Prerequisites:

1. Disable driver signature enforcement in Windows

How to do this pls read here: http://en.miui.com/thread-237673-1-1.html

2. Install ADB and Fastboot tools with drivers on Windows

How to do this pls read here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2588979

3. Enable "OEM unlocking" and "USB debugging" in your device

a. Enable Developer Options in: Settings/About Phone/MIUI version. Click on MIUI version seven times
b. Now go to: Settings/Additional Settings/Developer Options and check "OEM unlocking" and "USB debugging"

4. Check if your bootloader is unlocked

a. After successful installation of "ADB and Fastboot" enter the fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power" and connect your device to your computer via USB cable (best would be the original cable).
b. Go to the folder where you have put the "ADB and Fastboot" and open a command window inside that folder. To do that hold together "Shift + Right Click" on any empty white space inside the folder and then select "Open PowerShell Window Here" or "Open Command Window Here"
c. Enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot devices<<

If you don't see your device it means that the drivers weren't installed properly or the device wasn't connected properly. If this happens please reinstall your drivers from Point A. 2. or try these drivers here:

http://xiaomiadvices.com/download-xiaomi-usb-drivers/

d. If you see your device then enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot oem device-info<<

If your bootloader is locked, you'll get the following status (or something similar):

…………………………………………………………………….
(bootloader) Device tampered: false
(bootloader) Device unlocked: false
(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: false
(bootloader) Charger screen enabled: false
(bootloader) Display panel:
OKAY [ 0.058s]
finished. total time: 0.063s
………………………………………………………………………

If your bootloader is unlocked, you'll get following status (or something similar):

…………………………………………………………………….
(bootloader) Device tampered: false
(bootloader) Device unlocked: true
(bootloader) Device critical unlocked: true
(bootloader) Charger screen enabled: false
(bootloader) Display panel:
OKAY [ 0.053s]
finished. total time: 0.055s
………………………………………………………………………

5. Request Permission from Xiaomi to Unlock the Bootloader

a. Create a Mi Account: https://account.xiaomi.com/pass/register
b. Sign to Xiaomi and apply for unlocking http://en.miui.com/unlock

You have to give a reason for requesting to unlock the bootloader. I gave following reason on my request:

"I purchased my Mi Mix 2 from the vendor xxx and they have installed a fake (custom) rom. I want to install an original rom from Xiaomi. So please approve my request to unlock the bootloader."

c. Wait for permission. I have 5 different accounts approved by Xiaomi and the longest I had to wait was 1 day for the approval of each account. Most of the users are reporting the same, however very few users are reporting a waiting time of up to 10 days . If your request is approved then you should receive a message with following content:

"You've been granted the permission to unlock your device (Mi Account xxxx). Donload Mi Unlock Tool At http://en.miui.com/unlock"

6. Connect your Mi Account to your Device

Go to: Settings/Additional Settings/Developer Options/Mi Unlock status and check "Add account and device".

In case you cannot connect your Mi Account to your device pls try one of these solutions:

a. Install the App FlyVPN and connect it to one of the Chinese servers and then try to connect your Mi Account to your device.

If this doesn't work then

b. Download the firmware Developer Version for Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 here:

http://en.miui.com/download-334.html

+ Put the firmware into internal memory of the device
+ Go to: Settings/About phone/System update. On the upper right corner there are three points, click them, select "Choose update package", select "File Manager" and choose the Developer Version package you just downloaded on your internal memory and then press OK. After the firmware installation try to connect your Mi Account to your device.

B: Unlock the Bootloader

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool here: http://en.miui.com/unlock
2. Enter the fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power" and connect your device to your computer via USB cable (best would be the original cable)
3. Start the Mi Unlock Tool
4. Enter your eMail and your password of your Mi Account
5 Connect you device to your computer and start the unlock procedure
6. Follow the unlock tool instructions until the unlock procedure is finished
7. Reboot your device

P.S.: In case you get the message, that the unlocking can be done after 72h then you have to wait for that time to pass.

C: Install the TWRP Recovery

1. Your bootloader must be unlocked
2. Enter fastboot mode by holding together "Volume Down + Power"
3. Download "twrp-3.2.1-0-chiron.img" from here: https://twrp.me/xiaomi/xiaomimimix2.html and put it into a dedicated folder in your computer.
4. Go to the folder where you have put the twrp-file. Now open a command window inside that folder. To do that hold together "Shift + Right click" on any empty white space inside the folder and then select "Open PowerShell Window Here" or "Open Command Window Here"
5. Enter the terminal command in command line: >>fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.1-0-chiron.img <<. Attention: Do not restart your device otherwise Xiaomi's original recovery might overwrite the custom recovery TWRP!
6. Boot your device into recovery (3 possible methods)
+ by entering terminal command in command line: >>fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-chiron.img <<, or
+ by holding together "Volume Up + Power" until you see the MI logo, release "Power" button but keep pressing "Volume Up" until you see the recovery, or
+ by holding together "Volume Up + Volume Down + Power" until you see recovery

If you only want to root your smartphone then please continue to point E.
If you want to install a custom firmware then please continue to point F.

E. Root Your Smartphone

1. Donwload latest Magisk from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445
2. Put Magisk into internal memory of your smartphone or into on-the-go memory stick
3. Flash Magisk
4. Restart your smartphone

F. Install the Custom Firmware

1. Download the desired ROM

a. Lineage OS

https://download.lineageos.org/chiron

b. AICP

http://dwnld.aicp-rom.com/?device=chiron

c. OMNI

https://dl.omnirom.org/chiron/

2. (in case you want to have root on your device) Download "addonsu-15.1-arm64-signed.zip" (for Lineage: https://download.lineageos.org/extras) or for other ROMs the latest Magisk (from here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/magisk/official-magisk-v7-universal-systemless-t3473445) and put it into device's internal memory
3. Download Google Apps 8.1, ARM64, Pico, Nano etc. at www.opengapps.org and put them into device's internal memory or computer or on-the-go memory stick or micro sd-card.
4. Enter recovery mode:
+ by holding together "Volume Up + Power" until you see the MI logo, release "Power" button but keep pressing "Volume Up" until you see the recovery, or
+ by holding together "Volume Up + Volume Down + Power" until you see recovery
5. Wipe: Dalvik / Art Cache; System; Data; Cache; (be careful, don't wipe internal storage!)
6. Go back to main TWRP screen and install the firmware, install Google Apps, install " addonsu-15.1-arm64-signed.zip " (in case of Lineage) or the latest Magisk (in case of other firmware).
7. Reboot

That's it, you are done!

If my guide helped you please click "thanks" and enjoy your phone. :fingers-crossed:

 

[kremmit]

This is very helpfull, thank you.
All in one palce.

 

[Greek13]

In my case, I had to use a VPN service (Chinese server) to enable OEM unlocking!

 

[vvaz]

I followed all those steps to unlock the phone, but when i open the unlock tool and put the phone on fast boot, the program dont recognise the fone and the unlock button remains grey..
Any idea how to fix this?

 

[MrColdbird]

I followed all those steps to unlock the phone, but when i open the unlock tool and put the phone on fast boot, the program dont recognise the fone and the unlock button remains grey..
Any idea how to fix this?

Try a different computer or running the phone through an external USB hub.

I've found that the app had issues detecting my phone in fastboot mode unless I ran it through an external hub.

 

[vvaz]

Try a different computer or running the phone through an external USB hub.

I've found that the app had issues detecting my phone in fastboot mode unless I ran it through an external hub.

I tried with an older version of the unlock tool, and now i got stuck at 50% could not verify...

 

[senerex]

I tried with an older version of the unlock tool, and now i got stuck at 50% could not verify...

If you have received a positive approval for your Mi account and your account has been connected to your smartphone for more than 72h and your computer recognises your smartphone then pls try this unlock tool (miflash_unlock-en-2.2.624.14).

https://drive.google.com/open?id=123TJ4SkBSA0JWNYjQEatd8NIaZAQYgar

With this tool I have unlocked at least 40 Xiaomi smartphones of various models (Redmi 4x, Redmi Note 4, Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus, Redmi Note 5, Mi6, Mi Mix2 etc.). The last Mi Mix 2 that I unlocked with this tool was 3 days ago.

 

[vvaz]

If you have received a positive approval for your Mi account and your account has been connected to your smartphone for more than 72h and your computer recognises your smartphone then pls try this unlock tool (miflash_unlock-en-2.2.624.14).

https://drive.google.com/open?id=123TJ4SkBSA0JWNYjQEatd8NIaZAQYgar

With this tool I have unlocked at least 40 Xiaomi smartphones of various models (Redmi 4x, Redmi Note 4, Redmi 5, Redmi 5 Plus, Redmi Note 5, Mi6, Mi Mix2 etc.). The last Mi Mix 2 that I unlocked with this tool was 3 days ago.

With that version it wont recognize the phone.

 

[senerex]

With that version it wont recognize the phone.

Have you checked point A.4.c.? Can you see your smartphone in your computer?

 

[vvaz]

Have you checked point A.4.c.? Can you see your smartphone in your computer?

I see this:

 

[senerex]

I see this:

Yes, you can see your device. If your smartphone has been connencted to your Mi Account for more than 72h then pls try some other (maybe chinese) unlock tool or other computer.

 

[vvaz]

Yes, you can see your device. If your smartphone has been connencted to your Mi Account for more than 72h then pls try some other (maybe chinese) unlock tool or other computer.

Ok i had to format the PC and when i did it i tried again to unlock the phone and it worked fine with the unlock tool you linked. :good:

 

[zerodi]

After 72 Hours still couldn't Verify

Hi Guys so I received my mi mix 2 72 hours ago, bound my account to the phone in dev options, logged in online to miui, cloud etc and on the phone , enabled usb debuging

Used MiFlash latest version 2.8.3 - Then i saw theres a new 3.3.4 Version - Signed in Clicked unlock went all the way to 100% then said wait 72 Hours...... Ok now ive waited

Been trying and 20 times im getting " Couldn't Verify Device' Unknown Error (-1) "

Im used to flashing and unlocked and this is first time a xiaomi device has done this, Ive checked and adb devices are working.... BUT when i boot to fastboot and fastboot devices its blank , ive installed the ADB drivers and the xiaomi usb drivers over and over again... Windows is in test mode, Windows 10 64bit test mode.

Fast boot devices is always blank...... Any Ideas.........Oh and i was on global stable, now ive updated to the latest global Dev 8.0 rom from miui website - Still no luck

 

[zerodi]

Ok so ive narrowed it down to the USB-C cable, is not keeping fastboot active

Ive just tried it with a redmi 5 device with old micro usb and fastboot devces gets picked up every attempt....

My mi mix 2 detects fastboot for a few seconds then seems to go off..... Very strange and also annoying

 

[senerex]

Fast boot devices is always blank...... Any Ideas.........Oh and i was on global stable, now ive updated to the latest global Dev 8.0 rom from miui website - Still no luck

Original cable (if it is not damaged) should actually keep fastboot active. Strange indeed. Pls try with a different USB-C cable.

 

[zerodi]

Original cable (if it is not damaged) should actually keep fastboot active. Strange indeed. Pls try with a different USB-C cable.

I've tried with a USB c cable from my Lumia 950 and another pc but no luck

I've ordered a USB to micro USB adapter , maybe then u can try other cables

Thing is , when I first received the mi mix 2 I got to 100% on mi unlock then it said wait 72 hours , if it's under 72 hours will it give this error ??

 

[zerodi]

Ok so I installed windows again fresh and I unlocked the device BUT when I check in unlock status is still says DEVICE IS LOCKED ! ? How can that be.... Ive tried 2x

nightmare... and now fast devices is f***king blank again !

I have tried several cables even just brought a micro usb - usb c adaptor

There is a problem when I start the software MiFlash Unlock - It Cuts my fastboot connection, I have no idea why.

 

[jhs39]

Ok so I installed windows again fresh and I unlocked the device BUT when I check in unlock status is still says DEVICE IS LOCKED ! ? How can that be.... Ive tried 2x

nightmare... and now fast devices is f***king blank again !

I have tried several cables even just brought a micro usb - usb c adaptor

There is a problem when I start the software MiFlash Unlock - It Cuts my fastboot connection, I have no idea why.

Are you running MIFlash Unlock in administrator mode?

 

[zerodi]

Are you running MIFlash Unlock in administrator mode?

I've done both , with admin rights and without , no success ... Fastboot devices just stops working

 

[senerex]

I've done both , with admin rights and without , no success ... Fastboot devices just stops working

I'm sorry to hear that you are still not succesfull in unlocking the bootloader. It seems to me that something is broken in your firmware. Then maybe the right solution would be to start from zero: flash the original Xiaomi firmware in fastboot mode (rom here: http://en.miui.com/a-234.html) via MIUI ROM Flashing Tool and then unlock bootloader. Before you do this pls save your data and charge your battery +80%.