Unlocking bootloader from Linux. Possible?

[James T]

I've been trying to unlock the bootloader on this phone in order to install UBPORTS.

The only unlocker that the installer offers to download is for Windows. And while I can run the miflash-unlock.exe file using wine with the phone booted in fastboot mode and connected to a USB port, the program complains that the phone is not connected.

I have tried the suggestion on Winehq of adding the line:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="18d1", ATTR{idProduct}=="d00d", MODE="0666"

to a high-numbered file in /etc/udev/rules, and restarting udev using

sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
sudo udevadm trigger

but to no avail.

Does anybody have any workarounds/solutions? I do NOT have a Windows machine available.
I am running Manjaro on the PC.

[MrT10001]

@James-T You cannot unlock an Xiaomi phone on Linux. It has to be done through the MiFlash tool = M$ Windows only.

You can do it through a Virtual machine (VM) - see here.

[James T]

@MrT10001 Thanks, but I think it's time to return it and try a oneplus 6t instead.

[Eric H]

Hi @James-T

According to its device page, Oneplus 6T doesn't support fingerprint reader.
And a quick look at its kernel commits doesn't show WireGuard support, so you will not able to use hide.me VPN app.
And it seems there are issues with Offline charging, Shutdown / Reboot and Notification LED.

With POCO X3, fingerprint reader and Notification LRD works and no issue with Offline charging, Shutdown / Reboot.
WireGuard is supported too. Hide.me (with UT app) and ProtonVPN (command line) have been successfully tested.

[James T]

@Eric-H
I'm not exactly a heavy or sophisticated phone user, so I don't need many of those features, just something that can call, text and play music and NOT deliver an endless stream of ads.

[Eric H]

@James-T
I noticed, however, that I received less advertising when I was using a VPN.
That said, I don't recommend any particular phone.
I sent you these posts, only so you have all the cards in hand to make your choice.

[MrT10001]

@James-T Phones that have given me no bother recently:
OnePlus 5 and 5T
OnePlus 6 and 6T
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7
Google pixel 3a and 3aXL
OnePlus Nord n100 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G.

All have quirks, but have basic functions for a phone - voice (telephony) text, internet (WiFi) and Camera.

[James T]

@MrT10001 Thanks,
I've been using the OnePlus 5T, only issue is that the USB socket has had to be replaced, so it seemed sensible to have a backup in case of hardware problems (I'm not young). I have ordered a 6T and returned the Xiaomi; even with secondhand things I don't like supporting systems that make you jump through hoops to do what you need.

To be absolutely honest, if it was supported on the current version, I'd be quite happy with the Nexus 5 (or even 4).

[MrT10001]

@James-T The Nexus 4 was a great phone on Android and even better on UT. So easy to repair.

The 6T is a great device. To get the correct ROM version (Android 9) you have to use the MSMDownload tool and EDL mode, I would read up on that and get a good idea of what to do (I was a bit daunted to start off with).

Installation is a breeze using the installer.

It has a quirk, if the battery gets low and it restarts it goes into Qualcomm Crashdump mode. Leave it on charge and after about half and hour start it up and it will reboot into UT (then enjoy UT).

[Eric H]

@MrT10001 said in Unlocking bootloader from Linux. Possible?:

The 6T is a great device. To get the correct ROM version (Android 9) you have to use the MSMDownload tool and EDL mode,

Can MSMDonwload tool be launched on non Windows system ?

[MrT10001]

@Eric-H I believe there is a version that can, but I haven't tried it (yet).

[kanye]

I found this on github, but i dont know if it works.
https://github.com/offici5l/MiUnlockTool