Owning a flagship device of the past, such as the Xiaomi Mi5, often implies the desire of the owner to take full control of the system. One of the key stages of customization is working with a bootloader. However, before you start installing custom recoveries or modified firmware, you need to know exactly the current status of this component. A status error can lead to unsuccessful attempts to reflash or even loss of data.
There are several proven ways to reliably determine whether a bootloader is locked on your device. Some methods require a connection to a computer, others are available directly in the interface of a smartphone. In this article, we will discuss each of them in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of working with the Mi5, which is based on the Snapdragon 820 processor.
Understanding the current status of the boot system is critical to data security: If you plan to transfer a device to another owner or to hand it over for repair, knowing the status of the bootloader will help avoid unnecessary questions.
Visual verification when the device is turned on
The easiest and fastest way to know the status of the bootloader is to pay attention to the screen while you boot the device. When you just turned on the Xiaomi Mi5 or rebooted it, carefully monitor the Mi logo. If the bootloader is unlocked, the logo usually shows the Unlocked inscription or an image of an open lock. This is the normal behavior of the system after official unlock.
However, the absence of a label does not always guarantee that the bootloader is locked. In some cases, especially after installing custom themes or modified boot logos, this information may be hidden. Also on older versions of MIUI, the indication may be different, so relying only on visual inspection is only a primary method of diagnosis.
⚠️ Warning: If you see the word "Locked" when you turn on, but suspect that the bootloader has been unlocked before, do not immediately try to lock it back.This can lead to a bootloop (cyclic reboot) if the system has modifications that require an unlocked state.
Note that on Xiaomi Mi5 with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the boot logo is often replaced by the firmware logo itself, and the inscription about the status of the bootloader may appear for a split second or not at all.
Status check through Fastboot mode
The most reliable method, which works regardless of the operating system’s state, is to check through Fastboot mode.This low-level protocol allows you to interact with the device directly, bypassing Android. For the Xiaomi Mi5, this is especially true, since the device has a long history of community support and many modifications.
To get into this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Down and the power button. Hold them until the screen shows an image of a hare in a hat-husband, fixing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT. At the bottom of the screen, usually in the form of orange or blue text, will indicate the status: locked or unlocked.
☑️ Actions to log into Fastboot
If you connect the device in this mode to a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed, you can get more information. Open the command line or terminal on your PC and type in the command:
fastboot getvar allIn the lead, find the line (bootloader) unlocked: yes or (bootloader) unlocked: no. This is the most technically accurate way that the official Mi Unlock tool uses to decide whether to firmware. For the Mi5, this method is the de facto standard for any software manipulation.
Use of the "Developers" menu
In modern versions of the MIUI shell, even on devices like the Mi5, the unlock status is often displayed in a special settings menu. First, you need to activate the developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click 7 times on the MIUI version until the activation notification appears.
Then go back to the main settings menu, select Additional → For developers. Find Mi Unlock Status (or Mi Unlock Status) and it will clearly state, "bootloader unlocked" or "bootloader locked." This method is convenient because it does not require rebooting the device or connecting cables.
⚠️ Note: If the Mi Unlock status item is not on the developer menu, it doesn't mean unlocking is impossible. MIUI, standing Mi5 By default, this item could only be added in later updates.
You can find account linking information in the same menu, and make sure that the developer menu has activated the item. OEM-While Xiaomi devices have the primary control over the server-side binding of the account, the presence of this switch is a prerequisite for the standard unlock procedure.
Diagnostics through ADB and Command Prompt
For advanced users who have already set up an Android environment, an excellent way to check is to use ADB debugging. This method is good because it allows you to check the status from the comfort of a working operating system, which saves time.
Enable USB debugging in the Developer Menu and connect the Xiaomi Mi5 to your PC. Enter:
adb shell getprop ro.boot.flash.lockedThe result is very concise. 0 means the bootloader is unlocked and 1 means it is locked. This is a property of the Android system that reads directly from the boot partition. This method works on most devices, but on the Mi5 with custom cores, output variations are possible.
What if the ADB can’t see the device?
Alternatively, you can use the adb shell reboot bootloader command to immediately reboot to Fastboot mode without using the buttons on the body.This is especially useful if the volume button on the old Mi5 already has a backlash or is not running smoothly. After the reboot, use the fastboot getvar unlocked command to get a response.
Analysis through Mi Unlock
The official Mi Unlock utility for PC is not only for unlocking, but also for accurate diagnosis of the status of the device: run the program on your computer, log into your Mi Account (the same as your phone), and connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode.
If the bootloader is already unlocked, Mi Unlock will issue a message that the device is already unlocked and prompt it to lock back, and if the bootloader is closed, the program will show the status of "Locked" and prompt you to start unlocking, which is the only way that checks not only local status, but also server binding.
It is important to note that Mi Unlock requires an active Internet connection to work, the program checks the device ID (Device ID) with the database of Xiaomi servers. If the server does not confirm that the account is eligible for unlocking (it has been 168 hours since the link), the utility will not even allow you to check the status correctly, giving an error.
Comparative table of verification methods
For ease of perception, we have organized all the described methods into a single table, which will help you quickly choose the most suitable option depending on the current situation and the tools available.
| Method | I need a PC. | precision | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual (logo) | No. | Medium | Low. |
| Fastboot mode | No (optional) | Tall. | Low. |
| Developer menu | No. | Tall. | Low. |
| ADB/Fastboot teams | Yes. | Maximum | Medium |
| Mi Unlock application | Yes. | Maximum | Medium |
As you can see from the table, for a quick check, the owner of the Xiaomi Mi5 just look at the settings or look at the screen when turned on. However, for making important decisions, such as flashing, it is recommended to use tools that require a PC, as they give the most complete technical report on the state of the device.
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A combination of methods (e.g. visual check + Fastboot) gives 100% guarantee of correct determination of the loader status and eliminates errors of interpretation.
Frequent questions and possible problems
Users often face ambiguous situations during the verification process, especially on an age-old device like the Mi5. Below are answers to the most popular questions that will help resolve controversial issues.
Can the status of the bootloader change on its own?
Does unlocking the bootloader affect the camera?
What if Fastboot says "unknown command"?
Is it safe to lock the bootloader back?
⚠️ Warning: Before any operation involving a change in bootloader status (blocking or unlocking), be sure to create a full backup of the data.
To sum up, the Xiaomi Mi5 remains an open platform for enthusiasts. Regardless of which verification method you choose, understanding the status of the bootloader is the first step to managing your device properly. Be careful when typing commands and always check the source of the firmware you plan to install.
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Save a screenshot of the bootloader status and IMEI of the device before any manipulations. In case of problems with the warranty (if it is still relevant) or when selling, this data will help to prove the initial condition of the device.