How to check the status of the bootloader on Xiaomi: unlocked or blocked?

The bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a critical component in charge of running the operating system. Its condition directly affects the ability to install custom firmware, obtain root rights, or even a regular software update. If you bought a used device, plan to flash it through Fastboot or just want to make sure that the phone is safe, checking the bootloader becomes a mandatory procedure.

In this article, we will discuss 5 reliable ways to diagnose the loader on any Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO — From official methods to hidden engineering teams, you'll learn how to determine status. locked/unlocked without the risk of "bricking" the device, what tools will be needed for this, and what to do if the data about the bootloader is not displayed. MIUI 14/15 and the new Snapdragon chipsets 8 Gen 3/Dimensity 9300.

1. Checking through Fastboot Mode (universal method)

The most reliable way to know the status of the bootloader is to use the Fastboot mode, which works on all Xiaomi models, including the old Mi. 5 and the new Xiaomi 14 Ultra. You'll need a computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot and USB-cable (preferably original).

Instructions:

• 🔌 Turn off your smartphone. Press the power button. + Loudness down for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears).
• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC. Open the command line. + R → cmd and enter:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number appears), enter:

fastboot oem device-info

In the answer, find the lines:

• Device unlocked: true - the bootloader is unlocked.
• Device unlocked: false - bootloader is locked.

Install ADB/Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool)

Use the original USB-cable

Disable the antivirus (can block commands)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) Quickboot Oem Device-info can return the error FAILED (In this case, use the alternative method from section 3.

Verification through the "Developers" menu

If you have access to the MIUI work system, you can find out the status of the bootloader without connecting to a PC, which is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader (on locked options can be hidden).

Steps:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times on this line.
2. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
3. Find Mi Unlock Status (or bootloader Status on new versions of MIUI 15).

Possible values:

• 🔓 "Device unlocked - bootloader open.
• 🔒 "Device locked - bootloader closed.
• ❓ "Associated with Mi" account - bootloader is locked and linked to the account (requires unlocking through Mi Unlock Tool).

💡

If the Mi Unlock Status item is not in the developer menu, upgrade MIUI to the latest version or use the method with ADB (section 4).

3.Fastboot Alternative Team for New Models

On Xiaomi smartphones from 2023 to 2026 (e.g., Xiaomi 13T, Redmi K60 Ultra), the standard device-info command may not work.

fastboot getvar all

In the conclusion, find the lines:

• Unlocked: Yes - Unlocked.
• unlocked: no - locked.
• verified: yes – the bootloader is linked to the Mi Account (authentication is required when unlocking).

On devices with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 chipsets, the command can return an empty value for the unlocked variable. In this case, check the output for the anti: 3 string - this indirectly indicates a blocked bootloader.

4. Verification through ADB (fastbootless)

If the phone turns on but you don’t want to reboot to Fastboot, use ADB. This method requires USB debugging mode to be enabled.

Instructions:

1. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. In the command line, type:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.verifiedbootstate

Possible answers:

• Orange - the bootloader is unlocked.
• Green – the loader is locked and verified.
• Yellow – the bootloader is locked, but there are inconsistencies in the check (for example, after a reset).

Through Fastboot.

Through the developer menu

Through ADB

Never checked.-->

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI EU Or custom builds, getprop can return an empty result. In this case, use the method with Fastboot.

Indirect signs of an unlocked loader

If none of the above methods worked, pay attention to indirect signs that may indicate the status of the bootloader:

• 🔄 Boot Warning: If the phone is turned on and says “This device is unlocked” or “Orange State” – the bootloader is unlocked.
• 📱 Absence OTA-Updates: Unlocked devices often don’t receive updates over the air (MIUI lock them down for safety).
• 🔧 Root rights: If you have Magisk or SuperSU installed on your phone, the bootloader is guaranteed to be unlocked.
• 🚫 Reset error: Attempting to reset to factory settings via Settings → Reset may result in an error called “Cannot verify device” on unlocked devices.

Also check if the unlocked file is in the /dev/block/by-name/ folder through a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) that confirms the unlock.

6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When checking the status of the bootloader, users often encounter problems. Let's consider typical errors and how to fix them:

If you can't determine the status of the bootloader after all the manipulations, you might have a modified firmware installed on the device that hides the real state, in which case only flashing through Fastboot using the official MIUI image will help.

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On devices with a locked bootloader and anti-Rollback protection turned on (such as the Redmi K50), trying to flash the old version of MIUI can lead to a "brick." Always check the Anti-Rollback version before you flash it!

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi bootloader