Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to obtain extended access rights to the system. Before starting any manipulation with the firmware or installing a custom Recovery, it is critical to understand the current state of the device. Many users wonder how to accurately determine whether the bootloader is locked or the unlock process has already been successfully completed. A status error can lead to malfunction of the gadget or even its complete inoperability.
Bootloader is a low-level program that starts when you turn on your smartphone and loads the operating system. In the Chinese manufacturer's devices, it is in the Locked state by default, which ensures data security and software integrity. Unlocking opens access to deep system changes, but also changes the behavior of the device at start. Understanding the current status is the first step to securely modifying the firmware.
There are several proven ways to get reliable information about the status of the bootloader. We will look at both software methods through the built-in menu and hardware methods through the Fastboot mode. Each method has its own characteristics and is suitable for different situations, depending on whether the phone is switching on normally or in recovery mode.
Visual diagnostics when turning on the device
The easiest and fastest way to know the status is to pay attention to the screen while booting. When you just unlocked the bootloader officially through Mi Unlock, every time you turn on the phone for a few seconds, a warning logo appears. The screen displays an open-lock image and says Unlocked or a warning that the device may be vulnerable. This is a routine behavior that can't be removed software without re-locking.
However, the absence of such a logo does not always mean that the bootloader is locked. Some users manage to hide this screen through modifications or specific versions of firmware. Also, if the device has been in the service or was reflashed incorrectly, visual indicators can be broken. So relying solely on the picture at start is not recommended if you need absolute confidence.
⚠️ Note: If you see the Unlocked logo when you turn on, but the firmware tools write Locked, this may indicate a substitution of system partitions or an attempt to bypass protection, which is dangerous for the security of your data.
It's also worth noting that some global versions of MIUI or HyperOS may have different download animations, and in rare cases, when the phone has been left out for a long time or the battery has been replaced, the screen may blink too quickly and the user will not notice it, and in such situations it's better to use more reliable software diagnostic methods.
Status check through Fastboot mode
The most reliable method that all service center specialists use is Fastboot mode, which allows the processor to interact with the device at a low level, bypassing the operating system. This is where the bootloader's real state is displayed, which the computer sees when the cable is connected. This mode usually requires a switched off smartphone and simultaneous clamping of the volume and power buttons.
Once you enter mode, you will see a picture of a hare in a hat-eared hat (or the Android open-belly logo in new versions), as well as text at the bottom of the screen. We are interested in the DEVICE STATE line. If it says locked, the bootloader is closed and access to modifications to system partitions is limited. If you see the inscription unlocked (often highlighted in orange), then access is open.
☑️ Checking through Fastboot
It's important to understand that Fastboot displays not only the unlock status, but also other technical parameters, and you can see the serial number, device model and bootloader version, which you may need when you search for the right firmware. Be careful not to click blindly on the screen in this mode, as some commands may start the firmware or reset process.
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the text on the screen is too small or unreadable, in which case you can connect the phone to the computer and use console commands, the computer immediately reads the status of the device and transmits it in text form, which eliminates visual errors, this is especially true for people with impaired vision or when working with devices whose screen is damaged.
Diagnostics through computer and ADB
For more in-depth diagnostics, Google’s Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and Fastboot tools require you to pre-installe drivers on your PC and set up USB debugging on your smartphone. If you have access to Android, turn on developer mode and activate USB Debugging. After connecting the cable, start the command line on your computer.
If you type in the fastboot device command, you'll see a list of connected devices in bootloader mode. If the device is determined, you can ask for its status. Although the standard fastboot getvar all command gives a huge list of parameters, we're interested in a specific variable. The terminal window will display the bootloader status, which is the same as what you see on the phone screen, but now you have it in text format.
fastboot getvar unlockedThis command will return the Boolean value: true or false. You can also use the command fastboot oem device-info, which will return the line (bootloader) Device unlocked: true. This approach is indispensable if the screen of the phone is broken, but the touchscreen or buttons are working, and you can not see what is happening. The computer will become your "eyes" in this situation.
What if your computer doesn’t see your phone in Fastboot?
Analysis through the menu "For developers"
Modern versions of the MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in feature that allows status right in the settings. This is convenient because it doesn’t require rebooting or connecting cables. To find this information, go to the settings menu, select About Phone, and click multiple times on the kernel or MIUI version to activate the developer menu (if it’s not already activated).
Then go to the section "Extended settings" →"For developers. Scroll down to Mi Unlock status. It will clearly say, "The bootloader is unlocked" or "The bootloader is locked." This method is good because it shows not only the fact of unlocking, but also the binding to the Mi Account, which was used to unlock.
| Parameter | Value at lockdown | Value at unlocking |
|---|---|---|
| Mi Unlock status | Locked | Unlocked |
| Account binding | Not required | The same account is required. |
| Access to Recovery | Only official. | Castomic (TWRP) |
| Work of banking applications | Complete. | Limited (requires patches) |
It's worth noting that if you reset your phone to factory settings, that information won't disappear, because the bootloader status is stored in a separate partition of memory. However, if you re-lock the bootloader through your computer, the status will change accordingly in this menu, which is a great way to quickly check before buying a used device.
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When buying used Xiaomi, be sure to check the status of the bootloader in the Mi Unlock menu. If the seller says that the phone is “clean”, but the status is unlocked – this is an excuse to reduce the price or refuse to buy, since there is no guarantee of data security.
Table of comparison of verification methods
To make it easier for you to navigate, we've put all the ways into a single table, and each method has its own advantages depending on the state of the device and the tools available, for example, if the phone doesn't turn on, the settings menu won't help you, and you'll have to use Fastboot.
The method also depends on your goal, and if you want to check the settings quickly before installing an application, if you want to seriously tamper with the system, flash it, or get root permissions, double-checking through Fastboot and ADB will be useful, and it will save you from errors that can cost you data.
Remember that software methods can fail when there are deep modifications to the system. In such cases, only low-level Fastboot mode will show the true state of affairs. Hardware buttons and boot modes work independently of the operating system, making them the most reliable source of truth.
Why the status may be incorrectly displayed
Sometimes users are faced with a paradox: tools write one thing, and the phone behaves differently, which can be due to the presence of custom downloaders such as LittlevGL or modified boot.img. In an attempt to hide the fact of unlocking from banking applications, users put patches that can mask the status in the operating system, but not in Fastboot mode.
There are also so-called "grey" unlocking methods that do not use the official Xiaomi server. These methods can leave traces in logs or change device IDs. In this case, checking through fastboot oem device-info can show conflicting results. MIUI protection system is constantly evolving, and methods of bypassing are becoming more sophisticated.
⚠️ Note: If you bought the phone from your hands and found that the status of the bootloader does not coincide with the stated seller, or the device behaves strangely (itself reboots, warms), it may have been made incorrect modification of the software.
Another cause of discrepancies may be damage to the persist or misc partition, where status flags are stored, which often happens after unsuccessful experiments with firmware from different regions, in which case the phone may not work stable, and status determination will become impossible by standard methods. The only way out is complete flashing of the original stock software through EDL (Emergency Download) mode, which requires an authorized account.
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The most reliable way to check is a combination of a visual inspection at boot and a command fastboot oem device-info. If both methods confirm the status, you can be 100% sure.
Impact of Status on Bank Applications
The unlocked bootloader directly affects the security features of Google Play Protect and SafetyNet (now Play Integrity API). Banking applications and services like Google Pay (Wallet) check the integrity of the system at each start-up. If the bootloader is open, the system is marked as modified, and applications can fail, blocking transfers and payments.
However, having an unlocked bootloader does not mean that you cannot use these services completely. There are bypass methods, such as Magisk Hide or Zygisk, which hide root rights and download status.