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Comment by chronogram | Hacker News Reader

Back when I last looked you had to register an account, use a Windows application and wait a few weeks before being allowed to unlock the phone. Has that been changed then?

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The waiting is kinda random really. I didn't have to wait at all, as the unlock code was available instantly. Regarding the account, I just used a spare throwaway SIM and a Windows VM for that. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Though most of the brands (except Nokia and Samsung) seem to have pretty reasonable terms for unlocking the bootloader and aren't as ass-backwards as Xiaomi's.

I'm using a Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 ('whyred') from 2019. The first thing I did was get that unlock code (it took ~3 days) and unlock it. For the latter I used MiUnlockTool [1], a Java program which ran OK on Linux - no Windows needed. The tools seems to work on more recent models from what I gather at the related XDA thread [2].

[1] https://xiaomitool.com/MiUnlockTool

[2] https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/tool-win-lin-mac-miunlock...

That's not required on A series phones, which ship with a mostly stock Android as opposed to the custom MIUI.

The last one they released is the Mi A3 in July 2019. They discontinued the line and never released the A4

A tragedy.

Xiaomi once conducted a poll on Twitter which OS users prefer - MIUI or Stock. 80 % or so voted for Stock Android hence Xiaomi deleted the poll.

Windows application is still required, but loader unlock was granted instantly after creation of a new Xiaomi account last time I tried it (last Friday for Xiaomi Pocophone F1).

Wow, unlocking a Xperia is super easy.

Wow, we've had very different experiences with LineageOS.

I don't think that's lineageOS, it's for unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi phones

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