Xiaomi bootloader: how to check the status and unlock

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones sooner or later face the need to know the current state of the system bootloader. This hidden memory area is responsible for initializing the operating system at the start of the device and contains important security flags. Checking the bootloader becomes critical when buying a used gadget, planning a custom firmware installation or recovering from a failed update.

Many users mistakenly believe that the standard settings menu displays all the necessary information about the system.In fact, the locking status of the bootloader (Locked/Unlocked) is hidden from the average user and is only available through special diagnostic modes or computer utilities. Ignoring this setting can lead to the purchase of a brick or the inability to roll back to the global version of the software.

In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all available diagnostic methods, from simple button combinations to the use of professional software, and learn to distinguish between the true unlock status and fake data that may be displayed in modified systems.

Why you need to check the status of the loader

The main reason Xiaomi needs to check the bootloader is data security and a device health guarantee: If the previous owner unlocked the bootloader but didn’t completely reset or incorrectly refashioned the phone, there could be traces of third-party interference in the system, which creates vulnerabilities for malware and bank theft.

In addition, the lock status directly affects the ability to upgrade the system “over the air” (OTA). On devices with an unlocked bootloader, automatic updates often stop coming or cause errors during installation. MIUI and HyperOS have built-in security mechanisms that can block the operation of certain applications (for example, banking) when changes are detected in the system partition.

Checking is also necessary in diagnosing malfunctions, and if the phone suddenly stops turning on or goes into a cyclic reboot, knowing the bootloader status helps the master at the service center choose the correct recovery algorithm, and Fastboot mode becomes the main window into the hardware of the device.

Method 1: Checking through Fastboot mode

The fastest and most reliable way to know the status is to use Fastboot mode. This mode starts before the operating system boots, so it works even on fully locked or partially non-working phones. To log in, you need to turn off your smartphone and pinch the combination of power buttons and volume reduction.

The screen will show a picture of a hare repairing an android, or the Fastboot logo. At the bottom of the screen, usually in the last line of the text box, you will see the status: locked or unlocked. If you see the inscription unlocked in red or orange, then the protection is removed.

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If the screen goes out after a few seconds, just press the power button once (shortly) to illuminate the display and read the information.

It's important to distinguish Fastboot from Recovery. In Recovery, you'll see a menu with a choice of language and a "Wipe Data" or "Reboot" button. To check the bootloader, you need a screen with the Fastboot logo. AMOLED-The text can be poorly visible in bright light, so it is better to slightly cover the screen with your palm.

Method 2: Use of ADB and Command Line

For a deeper diagnosis, especially if the phone screen is broken or the sensor is not working, the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) debugging interface is used, which requires a connection to the computer and the presence of drivers installed, and allows you to get accurate technical information directly from the terminal.

First, activate the developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About Phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI Version field. Then, in the Advanced Settings menu, turn on “Debugging over USB.” Connect the phone to your PC and enter a command to check the connection:

adb devices

If the device is determined, enter a command to check the lock status:

adb reboot bootloader

This command will automatically restart the phone to Fastboot mode. Then, already in Fastboot mode, you can send a command to get detailed information:

fastboot getvar all

In the console answer, find the line (bootloader) unlocked: yes or (bootloader) unlocked: no. This is the most reliable technical way of checking, which cannot be tampered with software methods at the Android level.

Method 3: Checking through the engineering menu and USSD-code

There is a lesser-known way to check some system parameters through a hidden engineering menu, which is designed to test hardware components, but sometimes contains information about the status of the system.

##6484##

Once you enter the code, the CIT (Customer Integration Test) menu will open. There is no direct line "Bootloader Status", but you can indirectly assess the state of the system, for example, if the test points of the camera, sensor or sound are not working correctly or are missing, this may indicate interference with system files.

Some users try to use codes like ##7777## to log into the test menu, but on modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14+, these methods are often blocked, so this method should be considered as an auxiliary method, not a basic one.

Status analysis through Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool on your computer is the gold standard for verification. Even if you don’t plan to unlock right now, connecting to this program gives you a 100% guarantee of data truth, since information is requested directly from Xiaomi servers.

Run the program on your PC, log in to your Mi Account and connect your phone in Fastboot mode. Press Unlock. The program will immediately give one of two messages:

• 🔒 «The bootloader is locked – the bootloader is locked, everything is normal.
• 🔓 «The bootloader is unlocked – the phone has been modified.
• ⚠️ «Account is not bound" - account binding is required (an indirect sign that the phone is clean, but requires preparation).

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Mi Unlock Tool is the only way to check if the device is listed in Xiaomi’s global blacklist due to previous unblocking violations.

The advantage of this method is that it also shows whether your current Mi Account is tied to your device, and when you buy a used phone, it's critical: if the seller's account is still hanging on the device, you can't unlock or reflash it without the user's password.

Table: Comparison of verification methods

To make the diagnosis easier, we have compiled a comparative table of the main methods, each with its own advantages depending on the situation.

As you can see from the table, for a quick check in the store, the best visual inspection of the Fastboot screen is necessary.

Signs of fake unlocking and status substitution

In a modified firmware environment, there are methods to hide the status of the bootloader, and fraudsters can install a fake menu that shows “locked” when you log in to Fastboot, even though it’s actually unlocked, to bypass the blocking of banking apps and Google Pay.

How do you spot a swap? Pay attention to the font and the layout of the text on the Fastboot screen. On the original devices, the font is standard, monochrome. If you see colored logos, altered "hare" graphics or non-standard text resolution, this is a reason to be wary.

⚠️ Warning: If you turn on your phone and you see a warning that says "The system has been destroyed" or "Your device is corrupted" but you have a Locked status on the menu, this is a clear sign of software cloaking.

Also, the presence of superuser apps (Root) without your knowledge can be a sign of interference. Check the installed list. The presence of Magisk, SuperSU or unknown system modules indicates that the bootloader has been unlocked, even if it is now closed again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)