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Drastically Reduced Xiaomi Bootloader Unlock Policy Raises Questions Over Device Ownership

Xiaomi has further restricted bootloader unlocking to just one device per user per year, significantly hindering custom ROM development and reinforcing user dependence on its proprietary HyperOS ecosystem. Android Police reports: Roughly a year ago, Xiaomi introduced a policy limiting users to thre...

Unlocking the bootloader changes the way a phone works by preventing automated software updates, among other things, and isn't a good idea for most users. The new unlocking restrictions could place undue hardship on resource-limited development teams, reducing the number of custom ROMs produced moving forward. Xiaomi first tightened restrictions roughly a year ago, following the enforcement of a Chinese law requiring certain pre-installed software behaviors.

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