Owners of popular models of electric vehicles from Xiaomi often face an artificial limit of maximum speed at the level of 20-25 km / h. This is a software restriction introduced by the manufacturer to comply with the legislative norms of many countries, but for experienced riders it becomes a barrier that prevents you from unlocking the full potential of the device. Unlocking the electric scooter allows you not only to increase the dynamics of acceleration, but also feel more confident in the urban flow, where the speed of transport is much higher.
The process of removing the speed limit, known as anlok, can be done in a number of ways, from simple manipulations in a mobile application to complex controller flashing (BMS).It is important to understand that interfering with the device's software automatically voids the official warranty, so before starting any action, you need to weigh all the risks and benefits. This article details the technical aspects of the modification, methods of circumventing protection and the consequences that you may face.
It is worth noting that different models, such as Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2, M365 or Essential, have different protection architectures and require a personalized approach. Some methods work instantly, others require a connection to a laptop and use specialized software.
Why Xiaomi is limiting the speed of its scooters
The main reason Xiaomi software strangles its devices is due to the legal requirements of importing countries: The European Union and many other regions have strict regulations that classify electric vehicles with a maximum speed of over 25 km/h as mopeds requiring registration, insurance and category A rights. To sell millions of devices around the world as ordinary toys or sports equipment, the manufacturer is forced to implement regional restrictions in the controller’s firmware.
In addition, speed limits extend the life of the battery and the electric motor. When driving at extreme speeds, energy consumption increases exponentially due to aerodynamic drag. Engineers lay down a safe margin of safety that is not recommended to exceed without refining the cooling system and charging control. However, many users are willing to sacrifice battery life for a brighter ride.
There is also a safety aspect to pedestrians in restricted areas, and factory settings are designed to minimize the risk of serious injury in a collision, yet tech enthusiasts often look for ways to get around these barriers using third-party software or physical interference with the control circuit.
Software methods of unlocking via Bluetooth
The easiest and least risky way to increase speed is to use special features in a mobile app or third-party utilities. The official Mi Home or Xiaomi Home app, depending on the region, can hide speed settings, but sometimes switching the region to China (CN) allows you to access the extended menu.
A more advanced method is to use third-party applications such as Xiaoxin, DownG or M365 Tools, which connect to the scooter's BMS (Battery Management System) via Bluetooth and allow you to change the hidden parameters of firmware. You can set a speed limit of 30, 35 or even 40 km/h, and adjust the recovery and sensitivity of the gas pedal.
However, be careful: some models, especially newer versions of the Pro 2 with updated controllers, may block the recording of parameters via Bluetooth after several failed attempts, in which case the application simply will not be able to save the changes, and deeper intervention will be required.
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Before changing any settings via Bluetooth, be sure to record or photograph the original values of the parameters, which will allow you to quickly return everything as it was if the scooter begins to behave incorrectly.
Physical Unlocking: The Barred Method
For early models, such as the classic M365 and the early Pro versions, there was a popular hardware unlocking method, which involved closing two contacts on a controller board or charging connector, and the idea is simple: when a certain pair of contacts were closed during the scooter switching on, the controller switched to testing mode or changed the region to China, where speed limits are higher.
This method required disassembling the platform, finding the appropriate connector (often the contacts near the charging port), and closing them with a wire or tweezers when the power was turned on, and once the characteristic signal appeared or the indication changed, the bar was removed, which allowed the speed to be increased to 30-32 km / h without flashing.
On current models such as the Mi Electric Scooter 1S and Pro 2, this method usually doesn’t work. Xiaomi engineers have removed this loophole in new board revisions, emphasizing software protection. Attempting to close contacts on new devices can only short circuit and leave the electronics out of order.
⚠️ Warning: Physical interference with the scooter's electrical circuit carries the risk of short circuit.Incorrect closure of the contacts can burn the controller or battery control unit, leading to costly repairs.
Controller flashing (BMS) as a radical method
The most effective, but also the most difficult way to remove the restrictions is to completely reflash the controller (BMS) to a custom version, such as the Custom Firmware from the development community. This process requires a special USB-TTL adapter (converter), soldering iron and electronics skills, you will need to disassemble the scooter, get to the BMS board and connect the adapter to service contacts (TX, RX, GND, VCC).
The firmware process is as follows:
1. Connecting the adapter to the board and computer.
2. Run a terminal program (for example, PuTTY or specialized flash software).
3. Reading the current firmware (backup) and downloading the modified version.
4. Change regional flags and speed limits in the.hex firmware file.
After successful flashing, the scooter is no longer a regional device and becomes a global, open-source version, with speeds of 35 to 40 km/h depending on battery voltage and engine power, but it turns your gadget into a complex technical project that requires constant attention.
☑️ Checklist before flashing BMS
⚠️ Attention: Flashing BMS — A mistake in writing data or using a broken firmware file can turn your scooter into a brick that cannot be turned on without replacing the controller.
Comparison of speed unlocking methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparative table of basic methods, each of which has its pros and cons, which depend on your technical background and device model.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of breakdown | Speed increase | Preservation of the guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relocation of region in the annex | Low. | Absent. | 0-5 km/h | Yes. |
| Third-party applications (Bluetooth) | Medium | Low. | 5-10 km/h | No (formally) |
| The bar method | Medium | Medium. | 5-8 km/h | No. |
| BMS flashing | Tall. | High-pitched | 10-15 km/h | No. |
As you can see from the table, software methods via Bluetooth are the middle ground for most users, and they give a tangible boost to dynamics without having to disassemble the device and risk the integrity of the electronics, and reflashing the lot of professionals who are ready for experimentation.
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The best solution for 90% of users is to use trusted third-party apps to change settings via Bluetooth, as this is a balance between result and security.
Technical risks and impact on the scooter resource
Increasing the maximum speed inevitably leads to an increase in the load on all components of the electric scooter. The engine starts to work at higher speeds, which causes it to be more heated. In normal mode, the cooling system (which is often passive) copes with heat generation, but with prolonged driving at maximum speed, windings and magnets can overheat, which can lead to loss of power or melting of insulation.
The battery pack is also stressed, the discharge current increases at high speed, which leads to a faster voltage drop under load, which can trigger the BMS protection to go off and suddenly turn off the scooter even if the indicator showed sufficient charge, and charge-discharge cycles become more intense, reducing the overall life of the Li-Ion cells.
Brake system is another critical element. The standard brakes are designed to quench inertia at speeds up to 25 km / h. When accelerating to 35-40 km / h, the braking distance increases significantly, and the pads can wear out many times faster, ignoring this fact can lead to an emergency on the road.
Effect on range
Legal aspects and road safety
In many countries, driving an electric scooter above 25 km/h on sidewalks and bike lanes is prohibited and punishable by fines. In the case of an accident involving a modified scooter, the owner can be found guilty automatically, and insurance companies will refuse payments, citing illegal modification of the vehicle.
Safety is not just about complying with the laws, it's about being able to physically control the device. Xiaomi's small scooters (8.5 or 10 inches) don't do well with bumps at high speed. Trying to cross a hole or junction at 35 km/h can cause a fork to break, damage to the camera or crash the rider. High speed stability in budget models leaves much to be desired.
So if you do decide to unlock the scooter, do it consciously. Use a helmet, knee pads and gloves. You don't have to think of the scooter as a racing car, it has limits of strength that engineers have put in place.
⚠️ Note: A modified scooter can be seized by the police when checking documents if its specifications do not meet the requirements stated in the certificate of conformity.