How to check if the bootloader is unlocked on Xiaomi: full instruction

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to modify software, whether it is installing global firmware, obtaining superuser rights or implementing a custom recavator. However, before starting any manipulation, it is critical to know exactly the current state of the Bootloader, which is responsible for checking the integrity of the operating system when the device starts and blocks the launch of unverified code if there is protection.

Inexperienced users often confuse unlock status with Root rights or an engineering menu, which can lead to errors and even software failures. In this article, we will examine in detail all the available methods that allow you to determine with absolute accuracy whether access to system parts of your gadget is open, and explain why standard verification methods can give different results depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.

Understanding the current status of the bootloader is the foundation of safe operation of the Android device. If you plan to reflash, ignoring this stage can turn the smartphone into a “brick”, the recovery of which will require complex hardware intervention.

Visual check when loading the device

The fastest and most reliable way to do this, without having to connect to your computer or install additional software, is to watch the process of turning on your smartphone. When you launch Xiaomi with the bootloader unlocked, the security system must warn the user about this. Immediately after the Mi or POCO logo, the characteristic orange warning appears on the screen with the text that the device is not protected.

This screen usually has the words "The bootloader is open" or "Unlocked" and a countdown timer before booting the operating system, which clearly indicates that the Fastboot is unlocked, and if the phone is turned on as standard, showing only the manufacturer's logo and animation of the MIUI boot, then the protection is active and access to the low levels of the system is closed.

It is worth noting that on some global firmware versions or after certain security updates, the visual warning may be hidden or replaced by a less visible indicator in the corner of the screen, although this is rare. Owners of HyperOS devices should be especially careful, as new security policies can change the behavior of the bootloader.

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The orange warning at start is the most obvious and unmistakable sign of an unlocked bootloader that cannot be faked software without a real status change.

Use the official Mi Unlock Tool utility

Xiaomi’s official tool, known as the Mi Unlock Tool, is the most authoritative source of information about the status of a lock. This program is designed specifically to control access to the bootloader, so it displays the real state of the device, synchronized with the manufacturer's servers. USB-cable.

The verification process is as simple as possible: launch the utility, accept the terms of the agreement and log into your Mi Account, which is attached to the smartphone. Then put the gadget in Fastboot mode, holding the volume buttons "Down" and power, and connect it to the PC. The program automatically reads the data and in the main window clearly writes the status: "Your device is locked" (Blocked) or "Your device is locked" (Unlocked).

It is important to understand that the utility requires an active Internet connection, since the status is not only checked locally, but also checked with the Xiaomi database. If servers are not available or you use an account other than the one used to unlock, the program may not show correct status or require re-authorization.

⚠️ Warning: Never try to press the Unlock button in this program if you just want to check the status.Clicking this button initiates the process of erasing data, even if the device is already unlocked.

Analysis via Fastboot console on PC

For advanced users who prefer not to rely on the GUI, there is a method of checking through the command line and the Fastboot protocol.This method gives raw data directly from the device's chip, which eliminates any software interface errors. You will need an installed package. ADB and Fastboot drivers on the computer.

After connecting the smartphone in fast boot mode (volume buttons down + power), open the command line in the tool folder and enter the command fastboot devices. If the device is determined, you will see its serial number. Next, type in the command fastboot getvar all or more specific fastboot getvar unlocked.

fastboot getvar unlocked

If you get the answer unlocked: yes or true, it's open. If you get the answer locked or false, it's secure. This is especially useful when Mi Unlock drivers are buggy or the program can't see the phone, but the basic ADB drivers are working correctly.

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Use the fastboot getvar all command to output a complete list of device variables, including the bootloader version, region code, and reset protection status (FRP).

Status check through the Engineering Menu and ADB

If you can’t use a computer, you can try to get information through the device itself, although modern versions of MIUI have severely restricted access to this data. Previously popular method of entering code ##6484## to log into the engineering menu (CIT) now often hides information about the bootloader or requires a password that is generated only for service centers.

A more effective way to do this without a PC is to use USB debugging and terminal debugging. Turn on the developer mode by activating taps by build number, and allow USB debugging. Set up a terminal application (like Termux) and connect the phone to your computer in debugging mode to execute the command adb shell getprop ro.boot.flash.locked.

The result of the command will be digital: 0 means the bootloader is unlocked and 1 means it is locked. This method requires minimal technical knowledge, but gives an accurate result, since it addresses directly to the system properties of Android.

Differences between regional versions of firmware

The status of the bootloader can behave differently depending on the regional version of the firmware installed on the device.The Chinese versions (CN) initially often come with the bootloader already unlocked or allow it to be unlocked without waiting 168 hours, while the global (Global) and European (EEA) versions have strict restrictions.

When you flash from the Chinese version to the global version with an open loader, you may encounter problems with banking applications and Google Pay (now Google Wallet).SafetyNet security or the new Play Integrity API label a device as unsafe if you see an open Bootloader, even if you have superuser rights.

Users who bought the device with their hands should be especially careful, because the seller could unlock the bootloader to install the modified firmware, and then sell the phone, in which case you get a device with reduced security, where potentially malicious changes to system files can be introduced, invisible in normal use.

Data security and open system risks

An open bootloader is not just a technical feature, it's a change in the security level of the entire device. When protection is removed, any applications with the appropriate rights can access system partitions, which theoretically allows attackers to introduce undeletable viruses or keyloggers at the kernel level.

In addition, when the bootloader is unlocked, some hardware-dependent data protection functions stop working, for example, in some banks, the application may refuse to start, and the file encryption functions may work less efficiently. TEE (Trusted Execution Environment (TED) marked as compromised.

⚠️ Warning: Once the bootloader is unlocked, the encryption mechanism is often reset, which means that when you first boot it after unlocking, all the data on the phone will be permanently deleted.

If you use a smartphone to store critical corporate information or cryptocurrency keys, having an unlocked bootloader is a serious risk factor. In the corporate environment, such devices are often labeled as not compliant with the security policy (Compliance violation) and blocked. MDM-system.

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Unlocking the bootloader gives you complete freedom of action over the system, but permanently reduces the level of security of the device and makes it vulnerable to attacks such as Evil Maid.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)