Looking for latest details steps on how unlock bootloader on Redmi Note 5.
Never unlocked bootloader before so just trying to make sure don't miss any step and screw up my phone.
How much time it takes in whole process?
Also, for RN5 users…what are th benefits of unlocking the bootloader? Better camera? (camera2api,google pixel cam etc?)
Awesome, thanks scrimshaw, please help me to understand below:
- how much time it takes to complete - click "Unlock" action?
- on some forums I came across some wait time of 360, 720 hours etc, exactly what that time is?
- that medium.com page suggested to use : MGCamera_5.1.0.18_R4X_v.5.1.1.apk (arthur, 2018-05-04, changelog)
I guess its old now, do you recommend any latest/better option or should just go with that?
360 hrs in the norm. If you trigger something on their servers (kind of like anti fraud) it could be longer.
Unlock as soon as you get the phone so you can behin the wait.
does the phone remain in unusable state for those 360hrs ( ~15days)? I hope not
nothing happens - just runs stock miui. Nothing happens after 360hrs either, unless you want it to.
Also, for RN5 users…what are th benefits of unlocking the bootloader? Better camera? (camera2api,google pixel cam etc?)
Most people install a custom rom with more of a stock android experience. In my case i use xiaomi.eu which is a more pure android version of MIUI. By default, MIUI "can" be a little broken, as china has blocked aspects of google, so the locals prefer their alternatives like baidu. I'm sure things have improved, but by default i now just unlock/rom/root straight away, so i wouldnt know.
The apk you mention is an app for the phone. Some apps may have been designed to unlock the potential of the devices hardware. I've never used that app.
In addition to changing roms, many will root their phone, which gives them "admin access". This means you can remove default apps completly, and do things like adding a firewall/adblocker etc.
Rooting the redminote5 is somewhat complicated, so i don't recommend basic users do it. However to start, follow the steps, unlock the phone by beginning the 360 hr wait. That will give you enough time to read up on everything.
Btw, you "should" be able to install that apk without requiring a new rom or root.
ahh, I thought I have to root the phone to get the google pixel cam experience?
can you share the details how to do that without root? weblink?
no idea, i dont use that apk, i just use the default camera software.
If it were me, i'd do the standard thing
I still think you're getting confused.
Default: Miui (based on android)
Positives: Easy updates, no mucking around, simple interface
Negatives: Chinese software mix (sometimes), "concerns" about chinese spyware, you might not like the look and feel of MIUI
Post unlocking: A custom rom (generally Xiaomi.EU, but sometimes things like cyanogen or similar)
Positives: visually a better interface, more of a stock android experience [ALL subjective]
Negatives: Unlock wait time, possibly brick device, time consuming, no easy way to roll back to MIUI if you don't like it
Root: (generally done after unlocking and flashing rom)
Positives: Take full control of device. Install adblock, firewalls. Remove default programs completly
Negatives: Time consuming to set up, possibly brick device, difficult to roll back.
You right now: MIUI (default)
Me right now: Xiaomi.eu + root. (if youve taken the risk to unlock, most double down and do root). It's kind of like installing a turbo in your car. If you've taken the risk to turbo it, you're probably not too worried about flashing the ECU
Thanks for the info. Much aprpeciate. Yeah, sorry I am newbie here.
All I want is just a Google Camera on my RN5 for better picture experience.
So I'm trying to understand steps on https://medium.com/@jhangyu/redmi-note-5-with-google-camera-… the link scrimshaw has posted above.
Ok so it seems that the software basically requires root. If you're happy with the operating system, then yeah, just root.
You still need to wait out the 360 hrs.
Like I said before, start the 360hr wait, and then begin reading on how to root your phone. It's a time consuming process.
Looks like as per link from dasher86
https://www.technobuzz.net/google-camera-redmi-note-5-pro/
this can be done without root…hopefully no problem for RN5 global version?
@electricbluee: it has TWRP installed aka unlocking and running a custom bootloader, I don't understand how this is not root.
You need to request a bootloader unlock on the Xiaomi micro site, You'll first need to setup a Mi Account (or use existing one), register your phone and then follow the instructions which are relatively simple:
Once the bootloader unlocked, that's where you have complete freedom of your phone, e.g root and install your own recovery image such as TWRP and then do things such as backup your phone's ROM, and install a different OS. And of course, install a different camera API if you wish.
Instruction https://medium.com/@jhangyu/redmi-note-5-with-google-camera-…