As of July 29th， Xiaomi has been progressively tightening restrictions on unlocking the Bootloader (BL). New requirements include real-name verification， achieving a Level 5 status in the Mi Community， and successfully completing a complex eligibility quiz. These measures are designed to deter casual users from modifying their devices.
While these restrictions might put off ordinary users， they haven’t stopped the more adventurous Mi fans from finding creative workarounds. Recently， a method dubbed the “after-sales run-off” BL unlock has gained significant attention. This ingenious approach leverages Xiaomi’s official system downgrading service. To perform a system downgrade， the service center first needs to unlock the BL. Once unlocked， they typically re-lock it before proceeding.
Clever users have exploited this process. The idea is to create a distraction immediately after the after-sales engineer has unlocked the BL and is preparing the next step. Seizing the opportune moment， the user quickly grabs their phone and makes a swift exit， leaving the understandably bewildered engineer behind.
This daring tactic has inspired many to follow suit， presumably catching the after-sales engineers completely off guard. It appears this generation of users has found a way to turn the tables on the service personnel.
The phenomenon has even spawned a miniature industry on second-hand platforms， with paid services offering this “run-off” unlock. Furthermore， software enthusiasts have gamified the process， creating web-based mini-games that allow users to virtually experience this “extreme tug-of-war.” The sheer ingenuity behind these efforts highlights a persistent desire among some users for greater device control and customization， even in the face of increasingly stringent manufacturer policies.
One user even posted about their experience: “I snatched the phone with the unlocked BL at a Xiaomi Home store and was held down by engineers for 10 minutes. Eventually， I feigned mental illness， and the police let me go.” This anecdotal account underscores the escalating and sometimes bizarre nature of user defiance.
However， it is strongly advised against emulating this method. Attempting to run off with the device and getting caught could lead to a highly embarrassing situation. Moreover， if the system downgrade process is interrupted， the phone could potentially be rendered unusable (bricked)， making the risk far outweigh any potential reward.
Beyond these specific tactics， it’s important to reiterate that unlocking the BL， obtaining Root access， or flashing custom ROMs inherently carries risks. For the average user without a compelling need for such modifications， it is generally best to avoid these operations to maintain device stability and warranty coverage.
