How to lock the bootloader on a Xiaomi smartphone: effective and easy ways

Initially, Chinese mobile phone manufacturers Xiaomi supplied the market with devices with an unlocked bootloader. Thanks to this, users could perform various operations with the flagship, even delete system files that slowed down the system.

Today, Xiaomi's policy has changed, as a result of which mobile phones are sold with a blocked Bootloader. Sometimes users need to unlock it in order to make device settings or change the global firmware. After this, you have to perform the reverse manipulation. But not everyone knows how to lock Xiaomi bootloader. You can see information about this below.

Is it possible to block the bootloader, and what is it for?

Smartphone models from] Xiaomi[/anchor], Redmi Note 3 go on sale with closed access to the Bootloader section, that is, with a locked bootloader. This decision was made by manufacturers to protect inexperienced users from accidentally breaking their mobile device.

Regardless of whether the Xiaomi bootloader was publicly available initially, or the user himself removed the lock, you can block it back using a suitable method.

ATTENTION: There is one important limitation that users should be aware of - if you are using a Chinese version of a smartphone, it is prohibited to block the bootloader on MIUI Global Stable firmware.

The most important reasons why Bootloader locking is required are:

1. Insufficient security of the mobile device due to the disabling of the Google Lock, face and fingerprint recognition functions, as well as removing the password that locks the screen. Under such conditions, due to the high vulnerability of the phone, an attacker can easily take possession of it.
2. Software malfunctions - involuntary shutdowns, interface slowdowns.
3. Inability to use Android Pay, Google Pay and other services that simplify payments at retail outlets. This problem is associated with a decrease in the level of security and confidentiality.
4. Reselling a mobile device. Before selling a used smartphone, you must return it to factory settings, including locking the bootloader.

Common reasons for blocking

There are several reasons why users lock Xiaomi bootloader:

• safety problems. A phone with an unlocked bootloader is vulnerable. That is, if necessary, attackers will be able to hack it in a couple of clicks (the enabled screen lock can be easily removed). In addition, if you lose your smartphone, finding it becomes very difficult, since the Google Lock function is disabled on an unlocked bootloader;
• gadget resale. In some cases, before selling a used smartphone, you need to block the bootloader in it. This is done so that a person does not change his mind about buying a gadget;
• lack of support for certain services . For example, let's take the Google Pay payment service. It often refuses to work, citing insufficient security of the smartphone caused by an unlocked bootloader. At the same time, even obtaining root rights does not help to restore Google Pay functionality with an unlocked bootloader.

There are other reasons, but these are the main ones.

Lock the bootloader without losing data - using ADB

Now let's look at how to re-lock Xiaomi's bootloader while preserving all data. In this case, the ADB utility - Android Debug Bridge is used. This method is quite complicated, so its use requires certain skills.

You also need to know what limitations this method has:

1. On Xiaomi smartphone models released before 2021, the utility may not work.
2. Blocking is possible only on stable official firmware. Localized versions of MIUI are not suitable for this.
3. Full data retention is not guaranteed in all cases. After about a time, they may be deleted during the process, so it is recommended to take care of a backup copy.

IMPORTANT: To use this complex method, the latest Fastboot and ADB drivers must be installed on your computer.

The following steps must be completed:

• Hold down the power and volume buttons until the vibration sound appears and go to the Fastboost menu.

• Connect your smartphone to your computer using a native USB adapter.
• In the Xiaomi settings menu, activate the “USB Debugging” option.
• On your computer, open the folder with the ADB and Fastboot drivers installed.
• On an empty section of the folder, right-click while pressing the Shift key and select the “Open via Power Shell” command.
• Enter the command “fastboot devices”, after which the ID address of the mobile device will be displayed on the screen.
• To make sure that the Bootloader is indeed unlocked, enter the command “fastboot oem device-info”. The inscription “true” opposite the line “device unlocked” indicates that there is no lock on the device.
• To start the locking process, enter the command “fastboot oem lock”. If everything is specified and completed correctly, the message “okay” will appear in the program window.

• Recheck the current status of the bootloader by entering the “fastboot oem device-info” command. Now opposite the line “device unlocked” there should be the inscription “false”.
• Finally, run the command “fastboot reboot” and reboot your smartphone.

Method with data loss

You can lock the bootloader on Xiaomi via MiFlash. Anyone can handle this kind of manipulation.

On a note!

When choosing this method, you first need to copy all important data and information from the device, since the procedure will completely clear the existing information. Before starting, you should remove the flash drive from the device.

When a smartphone is locked using MiFlash, it returns to factory settings.

Originally:

• download firmware for a specific model from the official resource;
• the folder with the archive is moved to the root directory (drive C:\);
• download drivers for the computer;
• prepare a USB cable for connection;
• download and unpack the archive with the MiFlash application;
• perform backups;
• charge the smartphone (minimum battery value – 60%).

After completing all the preliminary procedures, the main steps to lock the bootloader are:

1. Turn off the device. Start the device in FastBoot mode (press and hold the power and volume down buttons at once).
2. The phone is connected to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Open the MiFlash directory, where the executable file XiaoMiFlash.exe is launched.
4. Specify the path to the firmware file. To do this, use the Select or Open keys (the name of the button may vary in different versions).
5. After pressing the Refresh button, information about the connected smartphone will be displayed.
6. To install a lock on the bootloader during firmware, make the “Clean all and Lock” option active.
7. The Flash button starts the procedure and waits for it to finish.

After flashing the firmware, turn off the phone and start it up again. If a backup was made, the information on the phone can be restored.

On a note!

You can make sure that the actions performed are correct in the settings. The bootloader status will change to “locked”.

Four important questions that may bother users

When performing Xiaomi bootloader locking, users may have various questions. The four most important and serious of them are the most common.

How to find out the current status of the bootloader - is it locked or unlocked?

This can be done in two ways - directly through the phone, and also through a PC.

In the first case, you need to open the settings menu, scroll to the very bottom, and then open the item labeled “About the device.” Click on the “Kernel” item several times in a row until the menu appears. Next, select the “Software” line.

In it, pay attention to the status of the “fastboot lock state” item - unlock means “unlocked”, and lock means “locked”.

To check via a computer, first of all, you need to put your phone into Fastboost mode by holding down the power and volume buttons. Connect the devices with a USB cable. On your PC, open the command line, enter the “adb” command and press the “Enter” key. Enter the command “fastboot oem device-info”. If after this the message “Device unlocked” appears, it means that the lock on the device is not installed or has been removed.

Is it necessary to make a backup before blocking access to the bootloader?

Data backup should be carried out regardless of which method you plan to use. As practice shows, even with the use of the ADB utility there is a risk of data deletion.

I applied, waited 20-30 days, but was rejected!

Yes, even this happens. And if you are one of the “lucky” ones, try one more option.

You need to wait about 2-3 weeks after the refusal, and then create a second account and contact technical support. But not through the website, but directly to the company’s email. You will send it to the following address - [email protected]

Be sure to specify the following as the subject – “Unlock Your Mi Device”.

After sending, you will receive a message with a response in which you will be asked to fill in the data. Just copy this template and enter your data next to the items. Most likely, everything will be decided here!

But, if even in this case it doesn’t work out (what an unlucky person you are), you can cheat! Put your smartphone into parental control mode and write a letter to technical support that you cannot exit it. Developers will send you emails with different solutions to the problem, but reply to all of them that none of the options helped you in the end. In the end, you will be offered to unlock the bootloader itself. Most likely, you will be asked for additional information to do this, so provide it promptly.

Possible problems

When using any method, unfortunately, problems cannot be ruled out. Let's look at the most common ones and find solutions for them.

Locking the Xiaomi bootloader will improve the functionality of your mobile device, as well as increase its level of protection and security. Using the proposed instructions and recommendations, even a beginner will complete each step correctly.

How to check the bootloader

Not everyone knows how to find out if the bootloader is locked. It's quite easy to check this. To do this you need:

• Go to your phone settings;
• Click “For Developers”;
• Find the line “Loader status”. Opposite it is the status (blocked or unlocked).

Unlock process

Much more often, users ask how to unlock Bootloader. How can I do that?

After this, you can install any firmware on your smartphone, including Russian, as well as any programs. Sometimes an error may occur while applying for unlocking. Monitor the status of your application in your personal account or submit another application if enough time has passed since the first one.

The Xiaomi bootloader version depends on the phone model and operating system. Therefore, it is better to update it before unlocking.

Why unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi

Experienced users often prefer to make changes to system settings themselves. This can be done through the built-in Bootloader program, which starts before the OS boots. The plugin also provides access to system firmware and embedded applications.

The first devices produced by the Chinese brand were open to customization. But starting in 2015, the manufacturer’s policy has changed. Today on Xiaomi, access to the bootloader is blocked by default. However, if necessary, the ban can be circumvented.

You may need to unlock the bootloader in the following cases:

• quick system reinstallation;
• downloading additional patches that affect the operation of the OS;
• installation of unofficial MIUI updates, including those released for this device model;
• creating backups in Fastboot mode;
• removing system applications.

By opening Bootloader, the user receives an analogue of Root rights on the device, and can, at his own discretion, make any changes to the system. For example, with the help of an unlocked bootloader, owners of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 t or 9 Pro phones were able to install the stable Russian version of MIUI 12 V12.0.2.0 even before its official release.

There are two ways to unlock the bootloader on Xiaomi:

1. Submit an official application on the website. This is recommended if you purchase a phone via the Internet and need to change the firmware version from Chinese (Indian) to global.
2. Use a third-party utility on your PC (for example Xiaomi ADB Fastboot Tool).

Attention!

Users should remember that when unlocking themselves, the owner bears full responsibility for possible problems that arise as a result of the operation.

Stage one - get the service lock code

The bootloader lock code is the same code that was used to unlock it. To receive it, you must use an automatic service (it may differ for each model), or use a universal method by sending a letter to the address, indicating the following data:

1. Topic - Unlocking Bootloader (indication of the device model is required - this is necessary to move the request to the support department);
2. Serial Number - XXXXXXXXXXXX (the serial number is indicated on the device body under or next to the battery, as well as on the box next to the barcode);
3. IMEI - XXXXXXXXXXXX (we look in the same place as the serial number, or by the combination *#06# in the dialer);
4. Product ID: XXXXXXXXXXXX (the product code can be found in the dialer using the command *#*#1357946#*#*);
5. Model: HUAWEI XXXXXXXXXXXX (your device model including modifications, for example, Huawei Mediapad 7 Vogue S7-601u).