Xiaomi is reportedly considering stricter measures for bootloader unlocking in its smartphones, particularly in China, raising concerns among its user base. Leaked information indicates that Xiaomi may make the process of unlocking the bootloader more challenging, impacting customization, custom ROM installation, and advanced user operations.
Speculations Surrounding Xiaomi’s Bootloader Unlocking Policy
Recent leaks from Xiaomi Community China revealed a hidden “Bootloader Unlock Beta” option, suggesting the company’s intention to tighten bootloader unlocking procedures. The motivations behind these changes remain unclear, but they may be driven by concerns related to security and software integrity.
These potential complications in bootloader unlocking could adversely affect users, especially those interested in installing custom ROMs. If implemented, users may need to invest more effort in understanding and navigating the new procedures.
Xiaomi’s recent launch of the Xiaomi 14 series in China introduced the HyperOS, replacing MIUI. Xiaomi later confirmed (via Android Authority) that bootloader unlocking will be disabled by default on HyperOS smartphones, citing reasons such as security, data protection, and user experience. Users will now need to request permission to unlock the bootloader through Xiaomi’s community forum.
There are reports that for Chinese users, additional restrictions include reaching a “level five” status on the Xiaomi community forums, time-sensitive unlock permissions, and a limit of three unlocked devices annually. These restrictions specifically apply to the Chinese version of HyperOS, with global users awaiting further announcements.
Moreover, Xiaomi disclosed that users who unlock their bootloader will no longer receive HyperOS updates, impacting both MIUI 14 and HyperOS. However, users can regain access to updates by relocking their devices.
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