How to check whether the bootloader is unlocked or not on Xiaomi

Owning a Xiaomi smartphone often pushes enthusiasts to deep customize the system, install global firmware or obtain root rights. However, all of these actions are directly dependent on the state of Bootloader, a special bootloader that controls the launch of the operating system. If you bought the device out of hand or simply forgot what manipulations you have done before, the current status of this component becomes critical before starting any experiments.

Ignorance of bootloader status can lead to unpleasant consequences, such as device failure to boot or inability to install the desired software. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to determine whether the bootloader is unlocked or not, using both software methods and specialized utilities, you will learn to read system codes and understand what the phone tells you when you start.

There are several reliable ways to get this information, and none of them require special programming skills. We will look at methods from simple visual inspection to using the command line. Accurate knowledge of the status of Bootloader is a prerequisite before trying to flash, as trying to load custom recesses on a locked bootloader will lead to an error.

Visual check when loading the device

The easiest and fastest way to know bootloader status is to watch your smartphone screen closely as it turns on. When you just turn off the device or it reboots, the manufacturer's logo is displayed in the first seconds of the screen's operation. Most modern Redmi and POCO models display a distinctive warning when the bootloader is unlocked.

This image is usually an open door with the words "Mi" or "Unlock", which symbolizes open access to system partitions. If the bootloader is locked by factory settings, you will see the standard Xiaomi logo without any additional labels or lock symbols. In some cases, especially on global firmware versions, the inscription may read "Unlocked" at the bottom of the screen.

⚠️ Note: On some models with screens AMOLED Or if you turn on the Quick Start feature, the logo may appear too quickly. If you haven't noticed the image, try turning off the phone completely and turning it on again, keeping a close eye on the screen.

It is important to understand that the visual method does not always give a 100% guarantee, especially if the device has a custom theme download or modified logo, in such cases, it is better to use software diagnostic methods that will provide accurate technical information.

💡

If the logo doesn’t appear, try pressing the volume button down when you turn on — sometimes it causes the phone to linger on the bootloader screen to enter Fastboot mode.

Using Fastboot Mode for Diagnostics

Fastboot is a diagnostic protocol built directly into the bootloader of Qualcomm and MediaTek processors, which is the mode most often used for flashing, but also serves as an excellent indicator of the current state of security. To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone and press the power and volume buttons simultaneously.

When you enter Fastboot mode, you'll see an image on the screen that shows the Android logo of the repairing robot, or just the word "FASTBOOT." At the bottom of the screen or in the corner, you'll often see bootloader status. If you see "Unlocked" or "Unlock Success," you'll have access. If the device is in factory condition, it'll say "Locked."

• 🔒 Locked status means that the bootloader is closed and the device will only download the system images signed by the manufacturer.
• 🔓 The status of "Unlocked" confirms that the restrictions are removed, and it is possible to install custom Recovery (TWRP) or other OS.
• ⚙️ Fastboot mode also allows you to connect to your computer to execute commands via ADB.

Sometimes the label may not be obvious or not on the phone screen, but it can be accessed by the computer. Connecting the device in Fastboot mode to the PC, you can see detailed information in the Device Manager or in the files of the firmware, which is especially true for older models where the graphical interface of the bootloader was minimal.

Checking through the command line and ADB

For more advanced users and those who prefer to get information directly from the device, the use of the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit is ideal. This method requires installing drivers and the tool platform on the computer, but it provides the most accurate data about the status of Bootloader. First, you need to include debugging over USB in the “Developers” menu on the smartphone itself.

Once you connect your phone to your computer and open the command line, you need to type in a command that will request the unlock state, and the system will give you a response in the form of a code or a text message, which is the most reliable way, because it polls the bootloader partition directly, ignoring the visual shells.

Enter the following command in the terminal:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.flash.locked

The result of the execution of the command will be represented as a number. If you get a "0", it means that the bootloader is unlocked. If the answer is "1", then the device is locked, which is universal for most Android devices, including the Xiaomi line, Redmi and Black Shark.

⚠️ Attention: To execute commands ADB The device should be enabled in normal mode with debugging enabled, and for Fastboot commands, it should be in the appropriate mode.

Analysis of the Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool, developed by Xiaomi specifically to unlock bootloaders, also knows how to determine the current status of the device. Even if you don’t plan to unlock right now, running this program is a great way to get authoritative confirmation of the state of your gadget. MIUI.

The verification process is simple: run the program on your PC, log in to your Mi Account (the same as your phone) and connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode. The program automatically reads information from the device. If the bootloader is already unlocked, the Mi Unlocked Tool will immediately report it with the message "Unlocked successfully" or simply show the status "Unlocked" in the main window.

If the device is blocked, the program will offer to perform the procedure of unlocking, warning about the need to wait (usually 168 hours or 7 days) from the moment of the account binding.

Features of status on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The MIUI shell and the new HyperOS can respond differently to bootloader status in the user interface. Unlike pure Android, where status is often visible in the About menu, Xiaomi shells hide this information from the average user for security purposes.

For example, the presence of the "OEM Unlocking" option in the "Developers" menu does not always guarantee that the bootloader is already open. This switch only allows software unlocking, but the process itself requires confirmation through Xiaomi servers. If the switch is active, but an error is issued when you try to unlock through the Fastboot, then the device is still in the "Locked" state.

Regional features are also worth considering. Global firmware (Global) and Chinese (CN) versions may have different validation algorithms; Chinese versions may have easier to unlock, but status checks may also have visual indicators; and owners of Redmi Note series devices or Mi flagships should be especially careful when upgrading from MIUI 14 to HyperOS, as security policies may change.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible act in terms of data security and security. Always back up before any manipulation with Bootloader.