How to Unlock the Bootloader of Redmi Note 3 [Snapdragon variant]

Redmi Note 3, the currently whirring device of all those fanboys out there has all those eyes on it due to its design, specification, hardware configurations and the cool MIUI 7 with comes with the OEM. So, many people out there who own this device are very much interested in rooting and the flashing stuff with many Custom ROMs out there (thanks to the MIUI forum). So, the very first step you need to do is to unlock the bootloader in order to have a proper root access and a custom recovery due to the snapdragon chipset.

Follow the below steps to successfully unlock the bootloader. There are two methods in which you can do this; The official method and the unofficial method. However, the official method takes time as Xiaomi has to approve your request to unlock the bootloader. Unlocking the bootloader unofficial voids your warranty and may be a risky process. So, have a back-up before attempting it. However, you can flash the stock ROM easily in a few steps if your device has been bricked. Worth taking the risk, right?

BELOW ARE THE TOOLS AND FILES YOU NEED IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER

Unlock Bootloader With Permission [Official Method]

• Apply here to request Xiaomi to process your unlocking of the bootloader.
• Mi Flash Unlock tool is what you need to after getting your request approved. It’s just a matter of time to get the permission.

Unlock Bootloader Without Permission [Unofficial Method]

• ADB and Fastboot drivers for windows. – Download from XDA Forums
• A fastboot ROM is what you need. Global Stable v 7.1.8 works perfectly for this method. – Download
• The Latest Mi Flash tool – Download
• Unlocked Bootloader which has an .img file to replace within the extracted version of the downloaded fast boot ROM. – Download
• AnF.zip – Download 

Download all of the above tools and files to follow the below procedure.

Warning: Unlocking Bootloader may void warranty. The second method is risky and you should be cautious about it.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Verify your device for compatibility. The listed firmware is compatible with Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Snapdragon variant only. Also, take a complete backup of your device because the process will erase all the data.
2. Enable USB Debugging on your device. To do so, go to Settings>About Phone> Tap on the MIUI version several times until you get a new Developer Options in the additional settings. Open Developer Options and enable USB Debugging from there. Trust the connection by allowing it when you connect it to your PC for the first time and check the always box there.
3. Now go to Additional Settings>Developer Options and enable OEM Unlock
4. Make sure you have latest device drivers setup on your PC for a better connection. Get it from the official page of your device manufacturer.
5. Disable Driver signature enforcement. On windowsXpits not required. But on Windows 7 and above while the PC starts Booting PRESS F8 this will Show a Menu while booting windows, Select Disable Driver signature enforcement and press ENTER.

UNLOCKING PROCESS:

1.  Download the files from the second method and place the files on your PC where you can easily locate it like place them directly in any of the Local Disks. Now, plug in the device with a USB cable.
2. Make sure that you setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC (Files in the Requirements). Trust the connection by checking “Always allow from this computer” when you plug in the Android device to your PC for the first time.
3. Go to the location where you have placed the files and extract and open the AnF.zip download earlier. Now keep the device plugged in and open the ‘cmd’ file from the extracted file of AnF.zip
4. Now to check if the device is properly ADB connected give the below command in the cmd you have opened earlier and press ENTER. If your device is properly connected ou will see some serial code like in the last line. COMMAND : adb devices
5. If the device is successfully connected enter the below command and press enter. The device will reboot to a black screen after the command. Then you will see in your PC that “qshusb qloader 9008” drivers are being installed. COMMAND : adb reboot edl
6. Now install and open the downloaded Mi Flash Tool.
7. Now, click ‘browse’ and locate the extracted folder of the Fastboot ROM you have downloaded (size 1.3GB) . And now click ‘advanced’.
8. Browse to flashall.bat which is in Fastboot ROM extracted folder in the first section, the third section to prog_emmc_firehose_8976_ddr.mbn and the final two to rawprogram0.xml and patch0.xml
9. Now that Mi flash is configured, extract the Downloaded Unlocked bootloader.zip file and then paste and replace the file into the Images folder of your Fastboot ROM.
10. Now click refresh and it will show like your phone has been connected through a COM PORT. And then, click flash!
11. After the flashing process has been completed, your phone may or may not reboot. In either way, you need to hard boot it fastboot mode by pressing Volume Down + Power button simultaneously for at least 30 secs. Then the phone would boot into fastboot mode.
12. Now, again open the cmd.exe file that you have opened before and enter the command below to know the status of your bootloader. COMMAND : fastboot oem device-info
13. Now, as the bootloader unlocked status is false, you will have to enter the below command to unlock your bootloader. COMMAND : fastboot oem unlock-go
14. Now again check the status of the bootloader by entering the command from step 12. You will see that the bootloader unlocked status is true now.

Now, if you ever want to get back to the default bootloader locked, all you need to do is copy and paste the emmc_appsboot.mbn file from Fastboot ROM folder to the AnF.zip folder and issue the command in cmd through the same procedure. What you are doing is, you are replacing the current bootloader files to original. Enter these commands after replacing. Command 1:

Command 1: fastboot flash aboot emmc_appsboot.mbnfastboot flash

Command 2: fastboot flash abootbak emmc_appsboot.mbn

Command 3: fastboot reboot

Now, you are all done replacing the default bootloader in your Redmi Note 3. Do comment if you have any doubts or in case I may be helpful to you.