Where to see the unlock meter of the Xiaomi bootloader: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones who are interested in deep customization of the system sooner or later face the need to unlock the bootloader, which is a key step in installing Custom Recovery, obtaining superuser rights or flashing the device on the global version. However, the process does not always go smoothly, and often users are lost in trying to understand the current status of their device.

One of the most important things that the official Mi Unlock Tool controls is the unlock counter, which dictates the conditions under which you can access system partitions. Many people confuse this counter with a 168-hour waiting timer, but these are different entities that need special attention. In this article, we will look at where to look for this data, how to interpret it and what to do if the numbers do not please you.

Understanding how MIUI and HyperOS work will help you avoid unnecessary mistakes, learn whether you can bypass the restrictions software or have to wait, and why account binding is crucial here. Don't ignore these nuances, as wrong actions can lead to locking the device on the server.

What is an unlock counter and why check it

The unlock counter is a special security setting that Xiaomi has implemented to monitor software modifications, which records the number of successful bootloader unlock attempts made for a particular Mi Account account. Unlike a wait timer, which counts down 7 days (168 hours) after a tether. SIM-Cards and accounts, the meter shows how many times you have "opened" the phone.

Why would a regular user know this? First of all, to understand the limits. The company's official policy is to allow a limited number of unlocks per year for one account. If you exceed this limit, Mi Unlock Tool will give you an error and refuse to perform the procedure even if the waiting timer has already expired.

Also, knowing the current status of the meter is important when buying a used device, and if the previous owner has experimented with firmware often, the limit can be exhausted, in which case you will have to wait for the new calendar year or register a new Mi Account account, which also has its own time limits.

⚠️ Note: The unlock counter is tied to the Mi Account, not to the Mi Account. IMEI-Changing your device doesn't reset the accumulated limit if you use the same login.

It is important to distinguish between “unlock status” and “number of attempts.” Status indicates whether the bootloader is open right now, and the counter indicates your history. To check both parameters, different methods are used, which will be discussed below. You should not rely only on the visual display of the logo when you turn it on, since it can be hidden or reset by flashing, while server information will remain unchanged.

Checking status through the official utility Mi Unlock Tool

The most reliable and reliable way to learn about unlocking information is to use the official software tool from the manufacturer. Mi Unlock Tool communicates directly with Xiaomi servers and gives you up-to-date data about your device and akka!unt. To get started, you will need a Windows computer and installed ADB drivers.

The verification process is simple, but requires care. First, put your smartphone in Fastboot mode by holding the button combination Volume Down + Power. Connect the device to the PC through quality USB-Run the program on behalf of the administrator and log into your Mi Account. Once the utility detects the phone, it will automatically check the binding status and current limits.

If your account is okay, you will see a message about the possibility of unlocking or information about the remaining latency. If the limits are exhausted, the program will clearly indicate this. Note that for the utility to work properly, you need a stable Internet connection, since all data is uploaded in real time from the Xiaomi cloud.

Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the program says "Current account is different from the account info on the device." This means that you try to unlock the phone using an account that was not tied in the developer's settings on the smartphone itself, in which case the counter will not be checked until you log into the correct profile.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to use modified versions of the Mi Unlock Tool to bypass checks.This may result in locking the device at the server level (Blacklist).

Visual check when booting the device (Fastboot Mode)

Is there a way to look at the meter right on your phone? Unfortunately, you won't see the exact number "2 unlocks left in a year." However, a visual indication of the bootloader's status can tell a lot to an experienced user. When you put a Xiaomi smartphone into Fastboot mode, pay attention to the image that appears on the display.

If the bootloader is locked, you'll see the Mi Rabbit logo with the words "FASTBOOT" and possibly a picture of the cable. If the bootloader is already unlocked, the screen will often (but not always) display a warning label that says "Unlocked" in orange or red, not the meter itself, but an indicator that the first unlock has already been successfully released.

In some firmware versions, especially in China ROM, when the bootloader is unlocked, a security risk screen may appear every time you boot the system, which you need to skip by pressing the power button.

It's worth noting that you shouldn't rely on visual inspection alone. With new versions of HyperOS and newer MIUI security patches, manufacturers are increasingly hiding these indicators to avoid scaring ordinary users, so always use software methods or special codes to accurately diagnose them.

Use of engineering menus and codes for diagnostics

For a deeper technical diagnosis, you can try to use the engineering menu or special ones. USSD-codes, although their functionality in the latest versions of the shells is greatly curtailed## (CIT) It allowed to check a lot of iron parameters, but there was no direct access to the unlock counter.

However, you can get indirect information through the developer menu. Go to Settings → Advanced Settings → Developer. Find OEM unlocking. If the switch is active and gray and next to it says, "Device already unlocked," it confirms that the process has already been underway. If there's a timer there, it will show you how many hours left before the first allowed attempt.

There are also ADB-commands that can deduce bootloader status by connecting the phone with debugging enabled. USB, execute:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.flash.locked

If the command returns 0, the bootloader is unlocked. If 1 is locked. It's binary status, not the counter, but it helps you understand the current state. To get more detailed information about ADB unlock attempts, you need root rights that you can't get without the unlocked bootloader, creating a vicious circle.

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Use the 'adb shell' command only if you are confident in your actions. Incorrect change of system properties can lead to bootloop.

Unlocking limits and Xiaomi rules

Xiaomi’s policy on unlocking the bootloader is strict and changes periodically, and there are clear restrictions that every model should know, and the basic rule is that one Mi Account can unlock a limited number of devices within one year.

The limit is usually 1 to 5 devices per year, but during periods of increased security (for example, after a new version of Android or when vulnerabilities are discovered), the company can temporarily reduce this limit to 1 device or even suspend the issuance of permissions completely.

There is also an age limit, and new Mi Accounts are often not allowed to be unlocked, and they need to get warm: shopping on the Mi Store, using cloud services, using the phone for weeks, and protecting against bots and massive unblocking by scammers.

Even if you buy a phone in another region, your account binding will be verified through global servers, and attempts to trick the system into changing the region in your phone settings don't work, as the link is through IMEI and server time.

Frequent problems and ways to solve them

When you try to check or change the unlock status, users often encounter errors, one of the most common is the "Couldn't verify device," which occurs when the server can't match phone and account data. Solution: reconnect the cable, use another. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0) or try running the utility on behalf of the administrator.

Another problem is the endless status check (50%, 99%), which often indicates problems with the Internet connection or the blocking of Xiaomi servers by the provider, in which case the use of mobile Internet (distribution from the phone) or changing the phone can help. DNS-servers on a computer (e.g., 8.8.8.8).

If you see a message saying, "Too many devices unlocked," you've reached the annual limit. The only legal solution is to wait for the next calendar year. SIM-7 days of cards and expectations, which is not always convenient.

⚠️ Warning: Buying quick-unblock services from third-party services carries risks, often using stolen accounts or exploits that can be shut down at any time, leaving you with your phone locked.

When the handset is bought and locked in someone else’s account or the previous owner’s unlock limit is exhausted, the situation becomes complicated. Xiaomi’s official support rarely helps in such cases, requiring checks and a box, so checking the history of the device before buying is a critical step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The unlock counter is a server restriction Xiaomi can’t get around by legal means. Plan your experiments with an annual limit of 1-5 devices.