How to find out if the bootloader is open on Xiaomi: all ways to check

An unlocked bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is the key to installing custom firmware, gaining root rights, or restoring a device after a software failure. But how do you know if it's unlocked on your device? This article will help determine the status of the bootloader without risking damage to the system — using standard menus, ADB commands, and even visual features.

The manufacturer deliberately complicates the unlocking process: the official procedure requires you to link your Mi Account, wait 7-30 days and use the Mi Unlock Tool, but you can check the current status in minutes - and we will show how to do this on devices running MIUI (including MIUI 14/15) and the new HyperOS.

Why it is important to know the status of the bootloader

The bootloader is a low-level software that runs to the operating system, and it is blocked by default on Xiaomi smartphones, and this is not accidental:

• 🔒 Security: A blocked bootloader protects against malware installation and unauthorized access to system partitions.
• 📱 Warranty: Unlocking will automatically void the official warranty (although in some regions it is appealable).
• 🔄 Updates: Devices with unlocked bootloader may not receive OTA-updates or receive them with delay.
• 🛠️ Recovery: When the “brick” (software failure) unlocked bootloader allows you to bring the phone back to life through Fastboot.

On the other hand, unlocking opens up opportunities for:

• ⚡ Installation of custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience, ArrowOS).
• 🔧 Getting root rights through Magisk or SuperSU.
• 🔄 Removing embedded software (bloatware) and optimizing performance.
• 🛠️ Recovery through TWRP OrangeFox after a failed experiment.

If you bought the phone with your hands or forgot whether you unlocked the bootloader earlier, checking status will help you avoid errors when you are firmware or repairing.

Method 1: Checking through Fastboot mode (most reliable)

The method works on all Xiaomi models, including Redmi, POCO Black Shark, regardless of the version MIUI You'll need a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot original USB-cable.

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Loud down + Power for 5-10 seconds until the logo Fastboot (the robot Mi Bunny with the inscription FASTBOOT).
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the Command Prompt (CMD) or Terminal (on macOS/Linux) and type:

fastboot devices

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

fastboot oem device-info

Result:

• 🔓 Device unlocked: true - bootloader unlocked.
• 🔒 Device unlocked: false - bootloader is blocked.

On some models (for example, Xiaomi 12T or POCO F5) instead of device-info, the command can work:

fastboot getvar unlocked

⚠️ Note: If the fastboot oem device-info command returns an error FAILED (remote: unknown command, this does not mean that the bootloader is locked. On some devices (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro), the manufacturer has restricted access to this information.

Method 2: Visual signs in MIUI/HyperOS

Do you want to connect your phone to a PC? Some firmware shows the bootloader status right in the system interface, which is suitable for devices with MIUI 12-15 or HyperOS, but may not work on old or custom firmware.

Instructions:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) until the notification “You are a developer!” appears.
3. Return to the main settings menu and open Additional settings → For developers.
4. Scroll down and find Bootloader status or OEM Unlocking Status.

Possible values:

• 🔓 "Unlocked – the bootloader is open.
• 🔒 "Locked – the bootloader is closed.
• ❓ No item – the method is not applicable to your model / firmware.

On HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), the path may be different:

Settings → About phone → All parameters → Device status → Status of the bootloader

If there is no item, try searching through the search bar in the settings for the queries: “loader”, “OEM” or “unlock”.

Method 3: Checking with ADB (without Fastboot)

If the phone turns on but you don't want to reboot to Fastboot, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which works on most devices with USB debugging enabled.

Preparation:

1. Activate Developer Mode (as in Method 2).
2. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm trust in the device (a pop-up window will appear on the smartphone screen).

Teams to check:

adb shell getprop ro.boot.verifiedbootstate

Results:

• 🔓 Orange - bootloader unlocked.
• 🔒 green – the loader is blocked.
• ❓ Other values (e.g. yellow) – additional verification is required.

Alternative command (for new models):

adb shell getprop ro.boot.vbmeta.device_state

Results:

• 🔓 unlocked - unlocked.
• 🔒 locked-in.

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO X5 Pro or Redmi Note 12) getprop commands can return empty values. This is due to Xiaomi's security policy - in which case use Fastboot (Method 1).

Method 4: Verification through applications (without PC)

If you don't have access to a computer, you can use mobile apps, which analyze system parameters and show the status of the bootloader, and it's important that these applications require root rights, or at least USB debugging enabled.

Top.-3 check-in:

How to use:

1. Install one of the applications (e.g. Bootloader Status).
2. Open it and give access to Debugging via USB (if required).
3. In the main menu, find the Bootloader or Device Info section.
4. The status will be displayed as Unlocked or Locked.

💡

If the app doesn't show the bootloader status, try clearing its cache in your Android settings. Sometimes this helps update the data.

Method 5: Indirect Signs of an Unlocked Booter

If none of the above methods worked, pay attention to the indirect signs. They do not give a 100% guarantee, but they can tell you whether the bootloader is unlocked:

• 🔄 Absence OTA-Updates: Devices with unlocked bootloader often don't get updates over the air. → Updating the system.
• 📱 Inscription at loading: on some models (POCO F1, Redmi K20 Pro) when activated, a warning appears "This device is unlocked" with an open lock.
• 🔧 The presence of custom Recovery: if when loading into recovery mode (Loudness up) + Foods, you see. TWRP OrangeFox, not the standard Mi Recovery – the bootloader is precisely unlocked.
• 🛠️ Root access: If you have Magisk Manager installed on your phone and root rights applications work (e.g. Titanium Backup), this indirectly confirms unlocking.

Note that some of these features may appear on locked devices (for example, after installing firmware through the Mi Flash Tool in clean all and lock mode).

💡

If you turn on your phone and you see "This device is unlocked" with an open lock, the bootloader is guaranteed to be unlocked, which is a sign that you can't fake without physically unlocking.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When checking the status of the bootloader, users often face some problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

Additional advice:

• 🔌 Always use the original USB-Xiaomi cable – cheap analogues may not transfer data to Fastboot.
• 🔋 Before checking, charge your phone to at least 30% – discharging during the process can cause a failure.
• 🛡️ Disable the antivirus on your PC – it can block commands ADB/Fastboot.
• 🔄 If the phone is not identified in Fastboot, try another one. USB-port (preferably) USB 2.0, not 3.0).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions