With the announcement of the new Xiaomi 14 series, the company also introduced a new Android skin overlay replacing the old MIUI with HyperOS. However, the company now issued a statement regarding bootloader-unlocked devices.
Xiaomi said it won’t be updating any devices with unlocked bootloaders, no matter if they are running HyperOS or MIUI 14. In addition, HyperOS devices will be harder to unlock. Right now, to unlock a Xiaomi phone, the company requires you to submit an application via their Windows app and wait one week until you can finally unlock the bootloader. Chinese HyperOS users will be required not only to wait out the one-week period, but also gain level 5 on their community forums. Users outside of China will have to wait for an official Xiaomi announcement on how the new unlocking process will work.
Of course, if you lock back your device, you will immediately receive your next HyperOS update.
Xiaomi is also introducing a new limit – only three device unlocks per year will be allowed. That’s once again a China-specific limitation, but Xiaomi may decide to extend it to other markets as well.
Xiaomi cites security concerns when asked why it’s imposing such strict measures and barring users from unlocking their smartphones.
