Perhaps going for the most controversial move, Xiaomi has confirmed that if you unlock your device's bootloader, you will be locked out of its HyperOS, and you will not receive the latest update. However, if you still wish to unlock the bootloader, you will have to apply for permission via the forums.

Xiaomi wants you to seek permission if you are looking to unlock the bootloader on your phone

Xiaomi has confirmed in a statement that bootloader unlocking will be disabled on all phones that will ship with HyperOS. The company revealed that it is being done to protect the device's security and make sure that data is not being leaked. The company has also clarified that you will need to apply for permission via the community forum if you still wish to unlock the bootloader of your device.

Now, if you have used Xiaomi devices in the past, you should know that bootloader unlocking has always been disabled out of the box, and users had to apply for permission to unlock the bootloader. The company follows a restrictive protocol, where you can only unlock the bootloader when a specific time has passed from your application, and there are also other restrictions that prevent people from doing so.

Honestly, I think that this is perhaps an archaic method of preventing users from unlocking their bootloader. Bootloader unlocking is something that has been around for as long as one can remember, and even the most stringent companies like Samsung don't have any issues with users unlocking the bootloader. Sure, it does come with risks, but if you are not doing anything other than making some adjustments, then we don't see the harm. I am waiting to see how Xiaomi handles this situation going forward.

Considering how Xiaomi has become really popular over the past couple of years, I have a feeling that this decision to apply restrictions could result in an uproar from consumers who actually prefer unlocking their devices and indulging in whatever customizations they prefer. We will have to wait and see how things pan out, but until then, stay tuned.

News Source: Android Authority