Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a mysterious message that appears immediately after the device is turned on: The device is locked on a black screen with the company logo, which blocks further download or just hangs for a few seconds. For many users, this becomes the first frightening sign indicating a possible malfunction or lock of the device.
In fact, this message is a regular security feature of the Bootloader, and it indicates that the phone's software has not been changed. It is standard protection against unauthorized access to system files. However, if you plan to install custom firmware or obtain Root rights, this lock must be removed.
In this article, we will explain in detail why this warning appears, what is the difference between a blocked bootloader and an account, and provide step-by-step instructions for safely unlocking. It is important to understand that the process requires care, since incorrect actions can lead to data loss.
What does it mean to say that the Device is Locked?
The device is locked means "device locked." In the context of the Android ecosystem, this means that the Bootloader is closed. The bootloader is a program that runs before the OS starts and checks the integrity of system partitions. If it is locked, the phone only allows the officially signed firmware from the manufacturer to run.
It's not a bug or a virus, it's a confirmation that your Xiaomi is running on the original, unmodified MIUI or HyperOS firmware, it checks the digital signatures of all the components you download, and if you haven't made any changes to the code, it's perfectly normal for the device to appear on that screen for a few seconds each time it's turned on.
Many people confuse this lock with the Mi Account lock, which occurs after a Hard Reset is reset on a stolen or lost phone. In the case of the device is locked, it is solely about protecting the bootloader, not binding to a cloud account. Any device owner can unlock the bootloader, after complying with official company requirements.
⚠️ Warning: Unlock Bootloader automatically removes all user data from your device.Be sure to back up important files, contacts and photos before starting any procedures.
Do I need to remove the warning and why unlock the bootloader?
If you're a regular user who uses a smartphone for calls, social media and photos, you don't have to do anything. You can just ignore the label, it disappears after a few seconds and doesn't affect the speed of the work, and what's more, a blocked bootloader provides a higher level of security, protecting data from malware that tries to penetrate the deep level of the system.
However, enthusiasts often seek to unlock the device to extend functionality. Open Bootloader gives access to custom recavators (such as TWRP), complete removal of embedded advertising and unnecessary applications (Debloating), and the installation of alternative operating systems such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience.
It is also worth noting that after unlocking some banking applications may stop working due to system integrity violations, although modern methods of bypassing (Magisk Hide) often solve this problem.
Preparation for unlocking the Xiaomi bootloader
The unlocking procedure is officially supported by Xiaomi, but requires a number of preconditions. Ignoring any of the items can lead to an error in the verification phase.
You need to download and install the official Mi Unlock Tool utility on a computer with Windows. USB-cable, preferably original, as poor contact may interrupt the data transfer process and cause synchronization error.
☑️ Checklist of preparations for unlocking
The most important step is to link your account. Go to your phone settings, select Developer Options. If the menu is hidden, click 7 times on the MIUI version in the About Phone section. Inside the developer menu, find Mi Unlock Status and click Add Account and Device. Make sure that mobile internet is on, Wi-Fi is better off for this operation.
Step-by-step instructions for unlocking (Unlock)
Once you have linked an account, the system can tell you to wait, the standard waiting time is 168 hours (7 days), but in some cases it can be extended to 30 days, a security measure to prevent the stolen phone from being quickly reflashed, and you can move on to active action once the waiting period has expired.
Put your smartphone in Fastboot mode. Turn the device off completely, then press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time. Hold them until an image with a hare repairing an android appears and says FASTBOOT. Connect the phone with a cable to your computer.
Launch the Mi Unlock Tool on PC
Log in to the same Mi Account as on your phone
Press the "Unlock" button.
Wait for the process to be completed (progress bar)When you unlock it, the phone can reboot several times. Don't turn off the cable or interrupt the program. Once it's done, the device will reboot to the clean system. If you see Unlocked in orange when you start, congratulations, the bootloader is open.
What if the process is 99% frozen?
Possible errors and methods of their solution
Unlocking is rarely perfectly smooth for all users, and errors are often found related to network, drivers, or account status, and understanding the error code helps you quickly find a solution without wasting time on chaotic actions.
One of the most common problems is the error "Couldn't verify device" or "Account isn't bound to this device." This means that you are trying to unlock the phone from an account that was not tied to the developer menu, or it hasn't been long since the link was made.
| Code/Error text | Probable cause | Decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| 10008 / Network error | Internet connection problems | Use the mobile Internet or change the DNS |
| Account isn't bound | Account is not tied in settings | Tied to Mi Unlock Status and wait 7 days |
| Current account is different | Log in to another account on PC | Log out and log into the same Mi Account as the phone |
| Unlock failed (Device locked) | Failure of process or drivers | Reconnect the cable, reinstall the drivers |
If a program says, "Unlock is not allowed," it could mean that your version of MIUI is global and you're trying to unlock it with a regional account, or vice versa.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party paid services for instant unlocking (without waiting 7 days) carries high risks.You transfer your credentials to third parties, which may lead to account theft or device locking IMEI.
How to Remove the Device is Locked Forever
Many users want to get rid of the label not for firmware, but for aesthetics. Unfortunately, there is no official way to simply turn off this message in the settings. The inscription is an indicator of the status of the bootloader. While the bootloader is locked, there is an inscription. While it is unlocked, there is also an inscription (or the word Unlocked) in the settings, but a different color.
The only way to remove the label completely is to re-lock the bootloader, which can be done through the same Mi Unlock Tool utility, selecting the "Lock bootloader" option. However, this should be done very carefully. If the phone is custom firmware or a modified system partition, locking the bootloader will turn the phone into a "brick" (the device will stop booting).
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If you unlock the bootloader, but you're back on the official global firmware, locking the bootloader back will be successful and the inscription will disappear. But if you've put Chinese firmware on the globalist, you can't block it!
There are modified bootloader files that hide the inscription, but installing them requires an already unlocked bootloader and using Fastboot mode with the command fastboot flash ablk ablk.img. This is an advanced method that is not recommended for beginners because of the risk of disrupting the Secure Boot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will the warranty be reset after unlocking the bootloader?
Can I unlock the bootloader without a computer?
What is the Orange Mi Unlock message when downloading?
Is it safe to use banking applications with an unlocked bootloader?
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Unlocking the bootloader is an irreversible action for the data (it will be deleted), but reversible for the device itself. You can always lock it back if you return the original firmware.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to unlock the bootloader on someone else's phone or on a hand-buyed device without checking the status of Mi Account. If the previous owner did not untie the device, you will receive an activation lock that cannot be removed without his participation.