For those who are waiting to unlock bootloader but don´t want to lose data this quick guide is intended to do so.

Usually in most of threads out there about unlocking anyone find the typical phrase "unlock bootloader erase all your data" like is advertised in the same MiFlash Unlock tool and for other devices which method to unlock it is through the same fastboot mode by command.

Really unlock bootloader doesn´t erase nothing itself, the problem is at time to reboot to system and here is the issue, if we reboot inmediately then data will gone. (some users of older devices reported that not always this happened BTW)

Steps that I did are the next (maybe some step was unnecesary and I´ll indicate which)

1 - Unlock bootloader as normally through the tool when time it´s came.
2- When it finishes exit the tool, don´t tap on "Reboot device" in the tool, just close the tool.

3- Device stays in fastboot, check bootloader status in fastboot mode by typingView attachment 4637936
4- Extract recovery image fromOrangeFox-R8.3-vince zip inside adb folder and type (I renamed it fox).
5- Reboot to recovery by typing.
View attachment 4637937
6- Once in recovery don´t swipe to allow modifications, tap on Read Only.
7- Some drivers will be updated between device and pc, then copy OrangeFox-R8.3-vince zip to internal memory (or if you prefer to an ext. sdcard) if you already don´t have it in your device.
Now flash the zip, I guess that this is necessary to OrangeFox can unpack all the tools in Fox folder onto device.
8- I enabled these options in recovery and flashed magisk, you can enable some additional features.

9 - Then Flashed No+Verity_R5Plus.zip uploaded file (I´m not sure if this step is needed so I enabled before this option and OrangeFox has in-builded this feature but just to made sure, you know..)
10- Reboot normally and you´re done.

 

sanijsnj said:

I think clicking on 'Reboot' on the unlock tool sends the script to erase all data.... Here's what I did:
1. unlock bootloader normally
2. unplug phone without clicking on 'Reboot' button at the end
3. Force power off by holding power button for about 10s
and when it rebooted.. it went right into system..phone booted normally with the 'unlocked' logo at boot with all my data untouched.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Demoxing said:

Thanks for the trick! but we can use another recovery for this method?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Yes, all the trick resides on that, avoid to boot up from fastboot but from a complete shut off state then the order to format data would be deactivated. Newer bootloaders would prevent this but it worth the try.

 

sanijsnj said:

I think clicking on 'Reboot' on the unlock tool sends the script to erase all data.... Here's what I did:
1. unlock bootloader normally
2. unplug phone without clicking on 'Reboot' button at the end
3. Force power off by holding power button for about 10s
and when it rebooted.. it went right into system..phone booted normally with the 'unlocked' logo at boot with all my data untouched.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Do you know if that works with pocophone or newer miui phone?

 

popoFR said:

Hello there,
Can someone help me with my questions ? It's not possible for me to unlock bootloader with the tool because my USB debugging function was not activated before I got a problem during the installation of the new MIUI version and let my phone in the recovery mode...
Thanks!

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

You have first of all to recover your device and then to fix it try again to unlock bootloader.

In recovery do a format data it could be solve it. then set up again all

 

SubwayChamp said:

You have first of all to recover your device and then to fix it try again to unlock bootloader.

In recovery do a format data it could be solve it. then set up again all

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Thanks for your answer.
To do what you wrote, I have to wipe datas, right ? The thing is I want to recover all the data from my phone...is there a possibility to do everything without wiping datas ?

 

popoFR said:

Thanks for your answer.
To do what you wrote, I have to wipe datas, right ? The thing is I want to recover all the data from my phone...is there a possibility to do everything without wiping datas ?

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

The problem is that is a cyclical issue. In order to can boot (presumably) due to a dirty/wrong update you need to format data, if you had have enable USB debugging before then you could flash the same firmware that was previously working well but with USB debugging disabled you can´t.

 

SubwayChamp said:

The problem is that is a cyclical issue. In order to can boot (presumably) due to a dirty/wrong update you need to format data, if you had have enable USB debugging before then you could flash the same firmware that was previously working well but with USB debugging disabled you can´t.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

That was my fear...my phone didn't start again after an official update that went wrong...
There is no other possibility in enabling USB debugging with adb for example ?
I'm stuck and have to erase all my datas...?:crying:

 

popoFR said:

That was my fear...my phone didn't start again after an official update that went wrong...
There is no other possibility in enabling USB debugging with adb for example ?
I'm stuck and have to erase all my datas...?:crying:

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

The first I do with a new device is enable USB debugging and check on OEM unlock bootloader cause mainly the first also sometimes can cause a bootloop on a wrong/failed update and to have more options in a worst scenario, take it like a lesson for the next time.

There are ways to enable USB debugging under adb commands but you will need su permissions for this, there are a way to flash a firmware through recovery using adb sideload but again you will need USB debugging and lastly in R5+ you can flash a rom through MiFlash Tool but in download mode so fastboot never worked for me on a Xiaomi with locked bootloader.

Try this last to see if it works, I don´t think but some time ago that I don´t use this tool, try flashing the same firmware that previously was onto your device using this tool on fastboot moed and checking in the centered option to flash and keep data at the right down of the tool.

 

is this still working?

sanijsnj said:

I think clicking on 'Reboot' on the unlock tool sends the script to erase all data.... Here's what I did:
1. unlock bootloader normally
2. unplug phone without clicking on 'Reboot' button at the end
3. Force power off by holding power button for about 10s
and when it rebooted.. it went right into system..phone booted normally with the 'unlocked' logo at boot with all my data untouched.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

hey,
is this trick is still working??
did u try this?
if yes then tell me the exact version in which it works...

 

sanijsnj said:

I think clicking on 'Reboot' on the unlock tool sends the script to erase all data.... Here's what I did:
1. unlock bootloader normally
2. unplug phone without clicking on 'Reboot' button at the end
3. Force power off by holding power button for about 10s
and when it rebooted.. it went right into system..phone booted normally with the 'unlocked' logo at boot with all my data untouched.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Anyone else tried this trick from Sanjisin?

I am on Mi 9t pro (MIUI 11.0.3 global), waiting for 168h timeout for unlock

 

popoFR said:

That was my fear...my phone didn't start again after an official update that went wrong...
There is no other possibility in enabling USB debugging with adb for example ?
I'm stuck and have to erase all my datas...?:crying:

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

maybe you can try using fastboot recovery, do a backup from there (to sd card) , then reflash to stock, unlock again (this time enable usb debugging), and after that use your backup to get back your data.

 

zlikovac said:

Anyone else tried this trick from Sanjisin?

I am on Mi 9t pro (MIUI 11.0.3 global), waiting for 168h timeout for unlock

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

did you try it out yourself? haven't unlocked mine yet, no need yet, but just in case for the future

 

Dxue said:

did you try it out yourself? haven't unlocked mine yet, no need yet, but just in case for the future

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

I missed to pull the cable on time, already phone was rebooting :/ ah well backup restore well semi ok. Not sure will i stay rooted. I only needed root so i could automate cell data, vpn. Used MacroDroid for automation. Eg. when off the home wifi, turn on cellular data, when on again, turn off. When on non home/work wifi, turn on vpn, etc. Now i need some like smart unlock (don't lock phone when on home wifi or when bt watch connected) macro and i am done.

Will stick to MIUI for now, but wish Xiaomi would tweak those few things, so we do not have to root phone.

 

sanijsnj said:

I think clicking on 'Reboot' on the unlock tool sends the script to erase all data.... Here's what I did:
1. unlock bootloader normally
2. unplug phone without clicking on 'Reboot' button at the end
3. Force power off by holding power button for about 10s
and when it rebooted.. it went right into system..phone booted normally with the 'unlocked' logo at boot with all my data untouched.

Click to expand...

Click to collapse

Has anyone tried this pls? I have an Redmi Note 7 and dont want to lose my data pls