How to determine whether the bootloader is unlocked on the Xiaomi smartphone: all ways to check

Unlocking the bootloader on Xiaomi smartphones is a procedure that allows users to install custom firmware, root rights and other system modifications. However, not all owners of Redmi, POCO or Mi devices realize that their bootloader is already unlocked (for example, after buying a used phone), or vice versa – confident in unlocking, when in fact it is not performed, this can be fraught with problems when trying to flash the device or gain root access.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to check the status of the bootloader – from standard methods through the phone menu to fastboot commands and specialized utilities. You'll learn how to distinguish an officially unlocked device from one that was simply reset to factory settings, and what hidden signs point to unofficial unlocking with Xiaomi's circumvention. Instructions are suitable for all modern models: Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13 and others.

Before you go to the check, it is important to understand that the status of the bootloader affects not only the ability to install custom software, but also the operation of certain functions, such as Mi Pay or Widevine L1 (responsible for playing high-resolution video on streaming platforms).

1. Check through phone settings (the easiest way)

On most Xiaomi devices, bootloader status can be found directly in the settings menu without connecting the phone to the computer, a method that works on MIUI 12 firmware and later, but can be hidden on some regional versions (for example, for Russia or India).

To check:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Find the MIUI version line and tap it 7-10 times until you become a developer!
3. Return to the main settings menu and open a new section → For developers.
4. Scroll down to Bootloader Status.

Here you will see one of two meanings:

• 🔓 Unlocked – the bootloader is officially unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool.
• 🔒 Locked – a loader in a drain state.

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If there is no section for developers even after multiple taps according to MIUI, try connecting the phone to a PC and using the method with fastboot (described below).

⚠️ Note: On certain devices (e.g, POCO F4 or Redmi K50) After unofficially unlocking, this status can be displayed as Locked, although in fact the bootloader is unlocked.This is due to the fact that Xiaomi blocks the display of real status when bypassing the official procedure.

2. Check through Fastboot mode (exact method)

If the method through the settings did not work or you doubt its reliability, the most reliable option is to check through fastboot. ADB/Fastboot original USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the buttons Loud down + Power and hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (its serial number appears), continue. If not, install the driver.
5. Enter the command to check the status: fastboot oem device-info

In the answer, find the lines:

• Device unlocked: true - the bootloader is unlocked.
• Device unlocked: false - bootloader is locked.

Run the command line on behalf of the administrator|Check the cable connection (try another port) USB)|Install the drivers ADB/Fastboot via Mi Flash Tool|Restart your phone and PC-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T Or the Redmi Note 11 Pro.+) The fastboot oem device-info command may be making an error FAILED (remote: unknown command. In this case, use an alternative command:

fastboot getvar unlocked

If the answer is unlocked: yes, the bootloader is unlocked.

3.Using the Mi Unlock Status utility

Xiaomi has released the official Mi Unlock Status app, which shows the bootloader status without having to enter commands.The utility works on most devices, but may not support the newest models (such as Xiaomi 14).

How to use:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website (Download Mi Unlock section).
2. Install the program on your PC and run it.
3. Connect your phone in fastboot mode (as in the previous method).
4. In the utility window, click Check.

The results may be as follows:

• 🟢 This device is unlocked – the boot loader is unlocked.
• 🔴 This device is locked – the boot loader is locked.
• ⚠️ Couldn't receive device message - communication error (check driver or cable).

Through phone settings|Through fastboot teams|Through Mi Unlock Status|I haven't checked yet.-->

⚠️ Note: If the utility shows locked status, but you are sure that the unlock was performed, perhaps the device has a firmware with a patch that hides the real status.

Indirect signs of an unlocked loader

Sometimes, the status of the bootloader can be determined by indirect signs, even without connecting the phone to the PC. These methods are less accurate, but will help to suspect something wrong if you buy a used device.

Signs that the loader is unlocked:

• 📱 No data encryption: no input is required when the phone is turned on PIN-code or password for decryption (if encryption has been activated previously).
• 🔄 It's impossible to upgrade by air (OTA): When you try to install an update through Settings → System updates appear to be an error.
• 🛠️ Custom firmware installed: in phone information (Settings) → On the phone) unofficial versions are provided MIUI (For example, xiaomi.eu or LineageOS).
• 🔓 Root access: apps like Magisk Manager or Root Checker show root rights.

Signs that the loader is blocked:

• 🔒 Impossible to establish TWRP: Trying to flash custom recovery through fastboot flash recovery twrp.img bug.
• 📦 All functions are working. MIUI: Mi Pay, Widevine L1, Find Device is active without failure.
• 🔄 Updates OTA set up without error.

5. Verification through applications (without PC)

If you don't have access to a computer, you can use mobile applications that read bootloader status through system APIs.

1. Droid Hardware Info (Free, Google Play)

• 📊 Open the application and go to the System section → Bootloader.
• 🔍 Find the Bootloader line and it will show the status (Unlocked or Locked).

2. DevCheck Hardware and System Info (Google Play)

• 📱 Launch the application and select the Hardware tab.
• 🔓 Scroll to the Bootloader block - status will be indicated there.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and later, some apps may be incorrectly status-based due to restrictions imposed by Xiaomi. If the app gives away Locked, but you suspect fraud, use the method with fastboot.

Table 6: Methods compatibility with Xiaomi models

Not all validation methods work on all devices, and below is the compatibility table for popular models:

If your model isn’t in the table, use the universal method with fastboot oem device-info – it works on 99% of Xiaomi devices released after 2016.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

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

1 Mi Unlock Status utility doesn't see the phone

• 🔌 Check the cable – use the original one from Xiaomi (cheap cables often don’t support fastboot data transfers).
• 🖥️ Install drivers via Mi Flash Tool (download here).
• 🔄 Restart your phone to fastboot again (sometimes reconnecting helps).

2.The fastboot oem device-info command returns the error

• 📱 On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 11), this command is blocked. Use the alternative: fastboot getvar unlocked
• 🔧 If that doesn’t work, try upgrading fastboot to the latest version via Google’s Platform Tools.

3.Applications show conflicting data

• 📲 Compare the results of 2-3 applications (for example, Droid Hardware Info and DevCheck).
• 🔍 If there are any discrepancies, trust only the method with fastboot.

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If neither method gave a clear answer, but you suspect that the bootloader is unlocked (for example, due to the inability to upgrade by air), try installing custom recovery. If the installation is error-free, the bootloader is precisely unlocked.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions