How to check if the bootloader is unlocked on Xiaomi: a detailed guide

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often implies the owner’s desire to gain full control of the device. Many users are eager to install custom firmware or obtain Superuser rights, but the first and mandatory step on this path is to work with the bootloader. Bootloader is the gateway that checks the digital signature of the operating system before it starts. If you bought a used device or simply forgot your actions, you need to know exactly the current status of this component.

Determining the status of the boot record is critical, because it depends on the possibility of modifying the system partition. On Xiaomi devices, an unlocked bootloader always displays a security warning on each boot, which is the most obvious, but not the only sign. In this article, we will discuss in detail the software and hardware diagnostic methods that will allow you to get a one hundred percent accurate response without risking damage to the device.

There are several levels of verification, from simply visually inspecting the on-screen to using specialized debugging tools. Some methods require a computer connection, others are available directly from the smartphone menu. Understanding the difference between Fastboot mode and normal Android mode will help you interpret the data correctly. Let's look at each method in order of increasing complexity and reliability.

Visual diagnostics when turning on the device

The fastest and most affordable way to know bootloader status is to watch the screen of your smartphone as it turns on. When you press the power button, the device undergoes a POST (self-testing) procedure, and that is when Bootloader checks the integrity of the system. On devices with the Xiaomi bootloader unlocked and POCO, a specific warning is necessarily displayed.

This message usually looks like an "Unlocked" sign with an open lock or a text warning that the device may be vulnerable. If you see the Mi or Redmi logo, and then immediately an animation of Android booting appears without any security warnings, then most likely the bootloader is blocked. However, you should not rely only on visual inspection, since there are methods to hide this message.

⚠️ Warning: Some custom themes or modified downloaders may hide the standard warning.Not saying "Unlocked" does not give 100% guarantee that protection is active, especially if the phone was bought by hand.

The length of time a logo appears can also be an indirect sign: An unlocked Bootloader often (but not always) increases the load time of the device by a few seconds, as the hardware initialization chains change. If your smartphone “thinks” longer than usual before the desktop appears, this is an excuse for a deeper software check.

Status check through Fastboot mode

Fastboot mode is a low-level diagnostic protocol built directly into the device's chipset, which is the most common way to officially unlock through Mi Unlock, which allows you to access technical information about the state of memory partitions, including the bootloader lock status, which is displayed by text on the smartphone screen.

To go into diagnostic mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time. Hold them until the image with the Fastboot logo and the FASTBOOT labeled orange or blue appears on the screen, at which point release the buttons and carefully examine the bottom of the screen.

At the bottom of the display, usually under the logo of a hare repairing an android, or just under the Fastboot label, you'll see a status. If the bootloader is unlocked, you'll see Unlocked in green or orange. If the device is protected, it'll say Locked. This is the most reliable visual method, because it's almost impossible to hide this status in Fastboot mode without deep flashing.

It's important to understand the difference between the color of the indicator in this mode. Orange text often indicates that debugging is on or the device is in the process of testing, but it is the word Unlocked that is a key marker. If you are planning to resell the device, having this label can reduce the price, because for many buyers it is a signal of a potential vulnerability of banking applications.

Diagnostics with computer and ADB

For users who prefer to work with accurate data, the ideal option is to use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and Fastboot tools on a computer, which eliminates any visual illusions and provides direct information from the device controller.

First, you need to connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (as described in the previous section) to your computer through a high-quality phone. USB-Open the command line or terminal on your PC in the tool folder ADB. Enter a command to check communication with the device:

fastboot devices

If the device is identified, you will see the serial number. Next, enter the command to request the unlock status:

fastboot getvar unlocked

The system will then give you either unlocked: yes or unlocked: no. This is the absolute truth about the state of your device, and you can use the more general fastboot getvar all command, which will display a complete list of variables, including the bootloader version and the current slot (relevant for A/B partition devices).

The command line is especially useful if the smartphone screen is broken or the sensor is not working, but the image is there. You can remotely, through the connection to the PC, verify the status of protection. In addition, this method allows you to record the results in the log, which is convenient for maintaining documentation or reports during repairs.

Analysis through engineering menu and settings

Some versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells contain information about the status of the bootloader inside Android itself, although Xiaomi often hides this information from ordinary users. One way is to use the code to log into the engineering menu, but it does not work on all models and versions of the software.

Try dialing the following code in the "Phone" application:

##64663##

If the menu is open, look for the section associated with the version or status of the device. However, a more reliable software method is to use root terminal applications or specialized ulites, such as Device Info HW. They can read system properties. Pay attention to the parameter ro.boot.flash.locked. If its value is 1, the bootloader is locked, if 0 is unlocked.

It is worth noting that after upgrading to HyperOS, Xiaomi has tightened its security policy, now the bootloader status is more closely integrated with the Xiaomi Account, and simple methods of checking through applications can stop working or show incorrect data without having an Internet connection and authorization.

Use of Mi Unlock Tool

The official Mi Unlock Tool, designed to unlock bootloaders, can also be a great diagnostic tool. Even if you don't plan to change anything, connecting your phone to this program will give a clear answer about the current state of protection.

Run the program on your computer and connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Press the status update button (usually a two-arrow icon or a Unlock button). The program will contact the Xiaomi server and the device. If the bootloader is already unlocked, the program will give a message: "This device is already unlocked." If protected, "Connected" with a suggestion to unlock.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to the Mi Unlock Tool, do not accidentally press the Unlock button if you want to save data. The process of unlocking or blocking (Relock) always leads to the complete removal of all user data from the device.

The advantage of this method is that it not only checks the local status, but also the device’s compliance with your account in the Xiaomi cloud, which is especially true for new models that require device-to-account binding 7 or 168 hours before the procedure. The utility will also show whether the device is in the list of lost or stolen (through verification). IMEI), What is important when buying a used technology.

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Mi Unlock Tool is the only way to know if a device is tied to someone else’s account and if there are waiting times before unlocking.

Implications of Unblocking for Security and Banking Applications

Unlocking Bootloader is not just a technical procedure, it is a change in the security level of the entire device. Android relies on a Chain of Trust that starts with a secure bootloader. When you unlock it, this chain is interrupted, and the system can no longer guarantee that the software being downloaded has not been modified by malicious actors.

Banking applications such as Sberbank Online, Tinkoff or Google Pay (now Google Wallet) use SafetyNet or its new version of the Play Integrity API. If they detect an unlocked bootloader, they may refuse to work or hide the possibility of paying for NFC.

In addition, unlocking makes the device vulnerable in case of loss. If the phone is stolen, an attacker can theoretically sew a custom recap and bypass the locking of the screen by gaining access to data (although on modern devices with encryption it is extremely difficult to do this without a password).

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If you need banking apps on an unlocked bootloader, learn root-rights hiding techniques through Magisk Hide or Zygisk, but remember that this is a constant struggle with bank security updates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)