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How to Check Bootloader Unlock Status [5 Methods] [Video]

In this guide, we will show you five methods to check the bootloader unlock status on your Android device. If you are planning to step into custom development, then unlocking the bootloader is the first prerequisite that needs to be checkmarked off the list. But what if you have already done so but aren’t sure of the same? Likewise, if you have returned to stock and relocked the bootloader but once again wish to reverify that it has indeed been locked, then what could be done?

Well, one approach that some users opt for is to directly flash a file and check out the results. However, it is never recommended to take this route as it could only make the matter worse. So what else could be done? Well, in this guide, we will make you aware of five different methods that should help you check the bootloader unlock status on your Android device. Follow along.

Video Guide to Check Bootloader Unlock Status on Android

Check Bootloader Unlock Status from Developer Options

Check Bootloader Unlock Status

This is the easiest way of getting this job done and should be present near about all Android devices. Here’s how it could be done:

  1. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 Times [MIUI Number in Xiaomi].
  2. Then go to Settings > System [Additional Settings in Xiaomi] > Developer Options > OEM Unlocking.
  3. Now check the status next to OEM Unlocking. It could be either of the two cases:
    It will be greyed out and underneath it, it will be written that Bootloader is already unlocked.
    You will be able to enable this toggle and underneath it, it will be written Allow the bootloader to be unlocked.

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  4. If it’s the first case, then the bootloader is already unlocked. Whereas if it’s the second case, then the bootloader is currently locked.

Check Bootloader Unlock Status via Unlock Status

While it is another fairly simple process, but it’s only available for some Android devices, such as Xiaomi. Anyways, you could still give it a shot using the below-listed steps and check it out for yourself

  1. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 Times [MIUI Number in Xiaomi].
  2. Then go to Settings > System [Additional Settings in Xiaomi] > Developer Options.
  3. Now go to the section named Mi Unlock Status. It could be either of the two cases:
    The device is locked. The Phone is secured.
    This device is unlocked

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  4. If it’s the first case, then the bootloader is currently locked. Whereas if it’s the second case, then the bootloader has been unlocked.

Check Bootloader Unlock Status via Fastboot Mode

While Fastboot Mode is present across all android devices, however, not every OEM gives out detailed information about the Bootloader in this mode [for example, OnePlus and pixel do but Xiaomi and Poco do not]. Anyways, let’s give it a try and check out the results:

  1. To begin with, download and extract Android SDK Platform Tools on your PC.install adb platform tools windows
  2. Head over to Settings > About Phone > Tap on Build Number 7 Times.
  3. Then go to Settings > System > Developer Options > Enable USB Debugging.Check Bootloader Unlock Status
  4. Now connect your device to the PC via a USB cable.
  5. Then head over to the platform-tools folder, type in CMD in the address bar, and hit Enter. This will launch the Command Prompt.
  6. After that, type in the following command in the CMD window to boot your device to Fastboot Mode
    adb reboot bootloader

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  7. Now check out the value next to Device State. It will be either Locked or Unlocked.
  8. If it’s Locked, then the Bootloader is Locked. Unlocked signifies that the bootloader has been unlocked.

Check Bootloader Unlock Status via Fastboot Device-Info Command

While this might sound a tad technical but this is the most fail-safe approach and is applicable across all Android devices. Moroever, if your device is currently in a soft brick or bootloop state, then the Fastboot approach is the only method that will help you out. So on that note, let’s get started.

[Note: if your device is currently sem-bricked, then you wouldn’t be able to boot to Fastboot via the below method, instead, you’ll have to take the help of hardware key combinations. So power off your device by long pressing the Power key for around 15-20 seconds. Then press and hold the Power and either Volume Up or Down for around 5-7 seconds and your device will boot to Fastboot Mode].

  1. Carry out STEPS 1 to 6 listed above. Then verify the Fastboot connection by typing in the below command.
    fastboot devices

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  2. Make sure you get the device ID. If you are not getting any ID, then please install the Fastboot Drivers.
  3. Now, execute the below command and check out the value next to Device Unlocked:
    fastboot oem device-info

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  4. The output would be either of the two:
    (bootloader) Device Unlocked: True
    (bootloader) Device Unlocked: False
  5. If the value is True [first output], then the bootloader on your device is unlocked.
  6. On the other hand, if the value is False [second output], then the bootloader on your device is locked.

Check Bootloader Unlock Status via Fastboot Getvar Command

Similar to the aforementioned method, this will also universally work across all Android devices. And as before, you could use it in case of softbrick or bootloop state as well. So with that said, let’s get started:

  1. Carry out STEPS 1 to 6 listed in the Fastboot Mode section.
  2. Then verify the Fastboot connection by typing in the below command.
    fastboot devices

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  3. Make sure you get the device ID. If you are not getting any ID, then please install the Fastboot Drivers.
  4. Now execute the below command and check out the value next to Unlocked:
    fastboot getvar unlocked

    Check Bootloader Unlock Status

  5. It will be either YES or No. If it’s YES, then the bootloader is unlocked, No means it’s locked.

That’s it. These were the five different methods to check the bootloader unlock status on your Android device. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.


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