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How To Check If Bootloader Is Unlocked

The bootloader is the first piece of software that runs when you turn on your Android device. It helps load the operating system and other software.

An unlocked bootloader allows you to install custom ROMs, kernels, and mods. However, it also decreases security as it allows anyone to modify the device software. So for most users, keeping the bootloader locked is recommended.

There are a few ways to check your Android bootloader status. Here are the steps for some popular methods:

Using ADB and Fastboot Commands

ADB and fastboot are command-line tools used by Android developers and advanced users. They allow communicating with an Android device connected via USB.

Steps

  • Install ADB and fastboot tools on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer.
  • Enable USB debugging in your device Developer options.
  • Connect your phone via USB and open a command prompt/terminal.
  • Type adb devices and verify your device is detected.
  • Now type fastboot devices. This should also show connected devices.
  • Finally, type fastboot oem device-info.

In the output, look for a line like:

(bootloader)    Device unlocked: true

If it says “Device unlocked: true“, your bootloader is unlocked.
If it shows “Device unlocked: false“, your bootloader is still locked.

So this method directly queries the bootloader status using official Android tools.

Using a Root Checker App

There are many root checker apps on the Play Store. Most also show the bootloader status.

Steps

  • Install an app like Root Checker Basic from Play Store.
  • Open the app and grant root access if prompted.
  • Look for a section named “Bootloader status”.
  • It would show “Bootloader UNLOCKED” or “Bootloader LOCKED” based on your device.

The app is making use of Android APIs to identify the bootloader state. So it should accurately detect if your bootloader is unlocked or locked.

Checking in Recovery Mode

You can also directly view the bootloader status from recovery mode:

Steps

  • Turn off your phone
  • Press and hold Volume Up + Power buttons together
  • Your phone should now boot into recovery mode
  • Use Volume keys to scroll down to the “Reboot bootloader” option
  • Press Power button to select it
  • Your phone will now reboot into fastboot/bootloader mode
  • Here check the message or status

On most devices, it would directly show “Device State – Unlocked” or “Device State – Locked” based on bootloader status.

So this method allows you to double check without needing a computer or app.

Checking via Third-party Apps

There are many other apps on the Play Store that can show your bootloader status:

  • System Info & Hardware Info – Shows if Bootloader unlock is enabled under Device Details
  • DevCheck – Has a dedicated Bootloader Status section
  • CPU-Z – Tap System > Bootloader to view status

The steps are simple – just install the app and check for the relevant bootloader status section. These apps are also using official Android APIs.

Identifying by Warning Message on Reboot

When your bootloader is unlocked, most devices will show the message “Your device has been unlocked and can’t be trusted” on every reboot.

So if you see this message after your phone boots up, it means your bootloader is definitely unlocked.

If there’s no such warning, your bootloader is likely locked.

Final Verification Using Fastboot

As a final verification, you can use fastboot commands:

  • Turn off your phone
  • Boot into fastboot mode (press Volume Down + Power)
  • Connect phone via USB and run fastboot devices
  • It should show your connected device
  • Now run fastboot oem device-info
  • Check for the “Device unlocked: true/false” message

This gives a definitive verification directly from the bootloader itself.

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