Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to know the current status of the system bootloader, which is a critical parameter that determines the ability to install custom recavators, obtain root rights or even simply flash the device through the computer. Locked Bootloader is a security standard that does not allow you to make changes to the system partition without official permission of the manufacturer.
Understanding the current state of Bootloader helps avoid many mistakes, such as trying to flash the wrong image or getting an endless cycle of reboots. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all existing diagnostic methods, from simple visual checks to using professional ADB tools.
Whether you bought the device from the global market or brought it from China, the verification procedure remains almost identical.We will look at the nuances for different versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell so you can get an accurate result.
Visual verification via Fastboot mode
The fastest and most reliable way, without having to connect to a computer or install additional software, is to enter a special diagnostic mode, which requires completely turning off the smartphone and pressing the combination of the volume keys "Down" and the power button.
Once you see a picture of a rabbit fixing a robot or a Fastboot logo on the screen, take a closer look at the bottom of the display, and that's where the service information on the status of the device is located, and if you see Locked in orange, the protection is active and access to the system partitions is closed.
If the bootloader is unlocked, the same area of the screen will be marked Unlocked blue, which confirms that the restrictions are removed and the device is ready for modifications. However, be careful: the presence of Unlocked status reduces the level of security of data on the device.
⚠️ Note: If you see Unlocked status on a newly purchased device, it could mean that the previous owner or seller has already interfered with the software part of the smartphone, which could theoretically carry the risk of malware.
Sometimes the text may not be visible immediately because of the foil or the brightness of the screen. Try changing the angle of view or brightness slightly to clearly read the status. In some rare cases, when installing custom themes or modified boot screens, the text may be hidden, but this is extremely rare on stock firmware.
Checking through the menu for developers
If you are unable to log in to Fastboot mode for some reason or inconvenient, you can use the built-in functionality of the operating system. To do this, you will need to activate the hidden developer menu. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the version of MIUI or HyperOS seven times.
Once you have been notified that you have become a developer, go back to the main settings menu and select "Additional → For Developers" and find "Mi Unlock status" on the list that opens.
Once the servers are checked, the current status will appear on the screen, and if the device is certified and secure, you will see a message that the bootloader is locked, and it often displays a waiting timer if you plan to unlock in the future, which is the official method that Mi Unlock Tool itself uses to initially bind accauenta.
- 📱 An active Internet connection is required to access.
- 🔒 Menu status may be updated with a delay after official unlocking.
- ⚙️ Menu is available only after activation of the developer mode.
What to do if the status is not displayed?
Diagnostics with computer and ADB
For a deeper technical diagnosis, especially if the smartphone screen is not working or you want a 100% guaranteed result, it is best to use a computer.You will need to install Xiaomi USB Drivers and a minimum set of Platform Tools (ADB and Fastboot).
Connect the smartphone to your PC by pressing the volume button "Down" to get into Fastboot mode. Open the command line or terminal in the tool folder and type in the command fastboot devices. If the device is determined, you will see its serial number. Next, type in the command fastboot getvar all.
fastboot getvar allIn the output stream, you need to find the line (bootloader) unlocked. The value of no means that the bootloader is locked, and the value of yes means that it is unlocked. This method is good because it shows raw data directly from the controller, eliminating possible software errors of the interface.
☑️ Check through ADB
Using ADB not only allows you to check the status, but also see many other technical parameters, such as the bootloader version, partition hash sums and dm-verity protection status.
Comparison of Statuses: Locked and Unlocked
Understanding the difference between the two bootloader states is essential for every Xiaomi owner.It’s not just a technical detail, it’s a fundamental aspect of the security and functionality of your device. Below is a table comparing the key characteristics of both states.
| Parameter | Locked (Blocked) | Unlocked (Unlocked) |
|---|---|---|
| Security of data | High (active encryption) | Reduced (section access) |
| Installation of custom ROMs | Impossible. | Possible. |
| Getting Root Rights | Impossible. | Maybe. |
| Work of banking applications | Stable. | Possible blocking (Play Integrity) |
| Official OTA Updates | They come automatically. | They may not come or fly. |
As you can see from the table, unlocking gives you complete freedom of action, but in return requires the user to take increased responsibility for the safety of their data. Verified Boot (proven boot) ceases to guarantee the integrity of system files, which opens the door to potential vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, having Locked status ensures that even if an attacker gains physical access to the phone, he or she cannot easily read data from memory or introduce viruses at a deep system level.
Impact of Status on Bank Applications
One of the most common questions concerns how Google Pay (now Google Wallet) works and banking apps, and many users mistakenly believe that the mere fact of unlocking a bootloader instantly blocks payment, but in fact, the situation is somewhat more complicated and depends on the Play Integrity API’s security mechanisms.
When the bootloader is unlocked, the system marks the device as “untrusted.” Banking applications may refuse to run following security policies. However, modern bypass methods, such as using Magisk with root-rights concealment modules and Zygisk, often allow you to successfully circumvent these restrictions.
⚠️ Note: Even if the unblocking status is successfully concealed, some banking applications (especially Russian Sberbank, Tinkoff and others under sanctions restrictions) can use additional detection methods and block work regardless of the status of the bootloader.
If you are critical to keeping all banking services running out of the box without drum dancing, you should leave the bootloader in Locked state, otherwise be prepared for the fact that after every Google or bank security update, the bypass methods may stop working, requiring new solutions to be found.
Frequent errors in determining status
Users often confuse the bootloader status with other system parameters. For example, having root rights does not automatically mean that the bootloader is unlocked, although it is almost impossible to get a root on a locked BL using standard methods.
Another common mistake is ignoring regional features: Global versions of Xiaomi have only validation algorithms, and Chinese versions (China ROM) may behave differently when flashing to global. If you reflashed a Chinese smartphone to a global version without first unlocking (through test points or authorized services), the status on the menu may not appear correctly.
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If you have reflashed the device and status in Fastboot gone or became unreadable, try resetting the recavator settings via the “wipe data” command in the same Fastboot mode using volume buttons for navigation.
Also worth mentioning are the gray unlock schemes that some services offer, which can be formally unblocked after such procedures, but when you try to officially flash through Mi Flash, you can give out errors, in which case the only sure way to find out the truth is by fastboot getvar all.
Can I lock the bootloader back?
Yes, a factory-return procedure is possible and even recommended before selling the device or contacting a service center, and you need to install the official stock firmware through Fastboot mode using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Key point: in the Mi Flash interface, you need to select the Clean All and Lock option. If you choose Clean All, the data will be deleted, but the bootloader will remain unlocked.
⚠️ Attention: Attempt to block the loader (Lock) when installed custom firmware or modified Recovery (TWRP) The device will stop turning on and can only be restored through a paid Mi Auth account or re-sold memory.
The locking process takes a few minutes and is accompanied by a complete cleanup of user data, and once completed, the device will restart, and you will see the orange label Locked again when booting, which will return your smartphone to its original level of protection and compatibility with all applications.
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Locking the bootloader is only possible on clean stock firmware, trying to lock down the modified system will put the smartphone out of order.