Xiaomi's Significant Adjustment to Surge OS Bootloader (BL) Unlock Policy: One Device Per User Starting 2025

Xiaomi's Significant Adjustment to Surge OS Bootloader (BL) Unlock Policy: One Device Per User Starting 2025Xiaomi's community recently announced a major adjustment to its Surge OS Bootloader (BL) unlock application rules. This adjustment will take effect on January 1st, 2025, limiting each user to unlocking only one device within the validity period of their unlock permission

Xiaomi's Significant Adjustment to Surge OS Bootloader (BL) Unlock Policy: One Device Per User Starting 2025

Xiaomi's community recently announced a major adjustment to its Surge OS Bootloader (BL) unlock application rules. This adjustment will take effect on January 1st, 2025, limiting each user to unlocking only one device within the validity period of their unlock permission. This change undoubtedly introduces new restrictions for users wishing to experience the customization capabilities of Surge OS.

The announcement details the specific changes and provides explanations for users during the transition period. Below is a point-by-point explanation of the key information:

First, the announcement clarifies that if a user is currently using MIUI and their device is unlocked, but they wish to receive Surge OS updates, they must re-lock their bootloader. This is because the update mechanism for Surge OS differs from MIUI; unlocked devices might not receive updates properly. This step is a necessary prerequisite for receiving Surge OS updates, requiring users to choose between unlocking and receiving updates.

Second, the announcement emphasizes the time-limited nature of unlock permissions. Users must complete the unlock process within the validity period, calculated from the actual unlock time, not the binding time. This urges users to unlock promptly after approval to avoid missing the deadline. A transition period from November 8th, 2023, to December 31st, 2024, is mentioned. Users approved during this period retain their unlock permission until December 31st, 2024, at 24:00. The announcement also advises users to consider the unlock waiting period after successful binding to prevent expiration.

The announcement differentiates the number of unlock permissions for different periods. Between November 8th, 2023, and December 31st, 2024, approved users could unlock up to three devices until December 31st, 2024, at 24:00. However, from January 1st, 2025, this limit drastically reduces to one device. This means that from 2025 onwards, regardless of approval status, each user can only unlock one device within the validity period of their permission. This stricter policy will undoubtedly affect some users.

Finally, the announcement reiterates that this unlock policy applies only to users in mainland China and devices sold in mainland China. Other regions will follow local regulations. This highlights Xiaomi's differentiated approach to different regions and reminds overseas users to check their local unlock policies.

This adjustment to the Surge OS BL unlock policy is likely based on various factors. While the announcement doesn't detail the reasons, it's likely aimed at controlling the number of unlocked devices, maintaining system security and stability, and managing resource allocation. BL unlocking involves core system components; excessive unlocking could pose security risks or strain system resources.

In summary, this policy adjustment significantly restricts users, especially those planning to unlock multiple devices in the future. While a more lenient policy is in place until the end of 2024, the one-device-per-user limit starts in 2025. Users should plan their unlocks accordingly. This change highlights the need to understand and comply with regulations while enjoying technological advancements. This policy will undoubtedly impact Surge OS's future development and user experience. We hope Xiaomi will refine the policy to balance user needs and system security. More users may need to carefully consider whether to apply for an unlock and how to best utilize this single opportunity.

This information is crucial for anyone interested in Xiaomi Surge OS and BL unlocking. We hope this explanation helps users understand and adapt to the new policy. Users should monitor Xiaomi's community for official announcements and carefully read instructions before proceeding to avoid errors.