Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the challenge of knowing the current security status of a device. The bootloader is the first code that is run when a phone is turned on, and it controls the operating system’s launch. Understanding whether it is locked or unlocked is critical before any firmware manipulation or superuser rights are initiated.
Bootloader status has a direct impact on the ability to install customized recavators like TWRP and modified versions of Android. If you’re planning to deep-tuning your gadget, you need to have a clear picture of the state of your device’s MBM (Multi-Boot Manager) right now, and in this article, we’ll take a closer look at all the ways you can get that information.
Why you should know the status of Bootloader
Before we get to the technical methods of verification, it is worth understanding why this information is so important to the user: a blocked bootloader guarantees the integrity of the software, preventing the launch of uncertified system partitions, this ensures stable operation of MiUI or HyperOS and protects data from low-level malware.
On the other hand, unlocking opens the door for enthusiasts, allowing them to install global firmware on Chinese versions of smartphones or return to older versions of Android. However, changing the status of the bootloader often results in a reset of security settings and can affect the operation of banking applications and the use of the system. NFC-payment.
Knowing your current status helps you avoid fatal mistakes, such as trying to flash a device in Fastboot mode with the wrong signature keys. If you are not sure about the state of your device, it is better to double-check the information in several ways so as not to turn the phone into a brick.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to write data to system partitions while the bootloader is locked without officially unlocking through Xiaomi servers can lead to irreversible damage to the software.
Visual check when loading the device
The easiest and fastest way to do this, without having to connect to a computer or use sophisticated utilities, is to watch the screen while you turn on, and when you start your smartphone normally, the MI or Redmi logo appears for a few seconds, but if the bootloader is unlocked, the system must alert the user.
Immediately after the brand logo appears, but before the operating system loads, a warning message may appear on the screen in English, usually saying "The bootloader is unlocked" or containing an image of an open lock. MBM open-ended.
If the phone turns on right after the logo and goes to the password screen or desktop without any additional warning, then most likely the bootloader is locked, it is worth noting that on some global versions of firmware, this message can be hidden by the developer settings or features of the Android version.
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If you see an unlock message every time you turn on, but want to hide it for aesthetics, this is only possible by re-locking the bootloader, which will return the device to a drain state.
Status check through Fastboot mode
The most reliable method that all repair and firmware professionals use is to enter Fastboot mode, which allows you to interact with the device at a low level and displays key technical information directly on the smartphone display.
When you turn it off, press the Volume Down and the power button at the same time, hold them until you see an image of a hare repairing an android, or an orange FASTBOOT label, and this screen, usually at the bottom or in the status bar, displays the current status.
☑️ Procedure for verification
You need to find a line called Device State or simply State, and next to it you'll find one of two values: Locked or Unlocked, which is the most reliable source of information, because it's read directly from the protected memory area.
| Status on screen | Meaning | Firmware capability | Security of data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Locked | Blocked. | Only official. | Tall. |
| Unlocked | Unlocked. | Any (Custom/Stock) | Medium/Low |
| Locked (Orange) | Signature error | Reset required | Compromised. |
| Test | Engineering regime | Only for tests. | Absent. |
If you see Unlocked, the path to install custom Recovery is open, and if you have Locked status, any attempts to stitch the modified image will be rejected by the device with an error of signature.
⚠️ WARNING: While in Fastboot mode, don't press the power button to reboot unless you're sure of your actions. Better disconnect the cable and remove the battery (if possible) or pinch the power for 15 seconds to force a reboot.
Use of engineering menus and codes
Some users prefer software-based methods of checking without rebooting the device.The built-in MIUI engineering menu contains a lot of useful information, although access to full bootloader status there may be limited in new versions of Android 12/13/14.
Open the standard Phone app and dial ##6484##. This will open the CIT menu, where you can check all the modules, but you may not have direct information about the Bootloader. However, the transition to Version Information sometimes shows the status of Lock Status.
Alternative code ##4636## opens the testing menu. Go to Phone Information. Scroll down. If you're lucky and the software version allows, you'll see the Bootloader Status field. In modern HyperOS firmware, this method often doesn't work, and fields can be hidden.
Why did the codes stop working?
Diagnostics through ADB and Fastboot Utility
For advanced users who have Android SDK drivers and tools installed on their computer, there is a command method that allows you to get an accurate response from the device in text form, first you need to enable debugging over USB in the "Developers" menu.
Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the tool folder. Type a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf the device is determined, transfer it to the bootloader mode by the command:
adb reboot bootloaderAfter switching to Fastboot mode, enter a command to survey the status:
fastboot getvar allIn the line list you find the bootloader unlocked. The value of yes means the bootloader is unlocked, and the value of no means that it is locked. The good thing about this method is that you can copy the log and analyze other variables, like the anti-rollback version (anti_version).
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The fastboot getvar all command provides the full loader variable environment, including the serial number, product version and lock status, making it the most informative diagnostic tool.
Status check annexes
There are many apps in the Google Play store and GetApps that claim to show bootloader status, and popular utilities like Device Info HW or AIDA64 can actually count some system flags, but their data is not always 100% reliable.
These applications work through the Android operating system API. If the bootloader is locked, the OS may simply not be able to read the lock flag, and the application will show "Locked" by default or "Unknown." So relying on third-party software is only for preliminary evaluation.
Use of such programs is justified if you do not want to restart the phone right now. However, before starting any serious operations, such as firmware, be sure to double-check the data through Fastboot, as this is the only method that does not depend on the operating system.