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Unlocking the bootloader allows installing and running unsigned code on a device, including user customized software. Operating outside the manufacturer specification might usually result in voiding any [[warranties]] and may make the device susceptible to [[data theft]], as the integrity of the operating system (as intended by the manufacturer) can no longer be guaranteed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tamma |first=Rohit |title=Learning Android forensics: a hands-on guide to Android forensics, from setting up the forensic workstation to analyzing key forensic artifacts |author2=Donnie Tindall |date=2015 |isbn=978-1-78217-444-8 |___location=Birmingham, UK |oclc=910639389}}</ref> On Chromebooks, enabling developer mode makes the system less secure than a standard laptop running Linux.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porup |first=J. M. |date=2017-06-19 |title=How to install Linux on a Chromebook (and why you should) |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/06/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619130103/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/06/how-to-install-linux-on-a-chromebook/ |archive-date=2017-06-19 |access-date=2021-09-06 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us}}</ref> Unlocking the bootloader may require reinitialization, formatting to factory settings, or otherwise lead to data loss on Android and [[ChromeOS]] devices. This is due to the fact that some user data is impossible to back up without root permission. This will also lead to certain security apps not working, such as [[Samsung Knox]] for which the counter would be stuck at "0x1."
Sascha Segan from [[PCMag]] considered a locked bootloader a mistake on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Insiders phone, which is targeted at advanced users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qualcomm Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders Review |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/qualcomm-smartphone-for-snapdragon-insiders |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816140636/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/qualcomm-smartphone-for-snapdragon-insiders |archive-date=2021-08-16 |access-date=2021-09-06 |website=[[PCMag]] |date=16 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
== Platforms ==
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Android bootloader unlocking as of
|-
! Manufacturer !! Difficulty level !! Method
|-
| [[Google Pixel|Google]]|| Easy (non-Verizon)<br>Medium<ref>{{cite web | title=Rooting your Bootlocked Pixel Phone (Verizon Edition) | url=https://joshspicer.com/root-pixel-1 }}</ref> (Verizon) || Command-line (unlocked variant, not restricted to carrier, and non-Verizon carrier variants when paid off fully)
|-
| [[Samsung Galaxy|Samsung]]||
* Some very old Android versions - available with usual flashing tools.
| Enable option that allows OEM unlock (if it exists) in Development settings, then unlock bootloader in Download mode.▼
* North American versions
** Below March 2021 security update - Freely unavailable, commercially available (requred unlock tokens that are officially unobtainable, but obtainable by third parties through yet publicly unknown means, resold as paid shady services available in Telegram and Discord), additionally modified flashing tools and firmwares are required<ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/closed-android-unsamlock-bootloader-unlock-for-samsung-us-canada-devices.4215101/</ref><ref>https://xdaforums.com/t/2023-sm-g950u-u1-w-rev8-root-method-android-9-snapdragon-models-via-bootloader-unlock-token.4060701/</ref>.
** Above March 2021 security update - unavalable.
* Other versions
** Below One UI 8.0 - freely available.
** Any versions above One UI 8.0 - unavailable<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Bootloader unlocking option removed from |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=XDA Forums |language=en-US}}</ref>
▲| Enable option that allows OEM unlock (if it exists) in Development settings, then unlock bootloader in Download mode.
[[Samsung Knox]] (on supported<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.samsungknox.com/en/knox-platform/supported-devices |title=Device Compatibility Knox Solutions | Samsung Knox |access-date=2024-12-05 |archive-date=2024-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207152737/https://www.samsungknox.com/en/knox-platform/supported-devices |url-status=live }}</ref> devices) will be permanently tripped if modified or custom firmware is flashed, so [[Samsung Wallet]], Secure Folder and applications made use of the Knox framework will be permanently unusable even if the bootloader is re-locked.
Prior to One UI 8.0, Devices sold outside of North America had the OEM Unlock option to unlock the bootloader.
From One UI 8.0, Samsung has removed the ability to unlock the bootloader in all regions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Bootloader unlocking option removed from One UI 8.0 |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=XDA Forums |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Leon |first=Jean |date=2025-07-26 |title=One UI 8 Could Be Killing Part of the Core Essence of Android |url=https://www.androidheadlines.com/2025/07/samsung-one-ui-8-prevents-unlocking-bootloader-galaxy-phone.html |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=Android Headlines |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| [[OnePlus]]|| Easy (non-[[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]])<br>Medium ([[T-Mobile US|T-Mobile]])|| Command-line, except on T-Mobile US variants where an unlock code is needed
|-
| [[Xiaomi]]|| Hard (MIUI powered devices)<br>Very Hard (non-Chinese HyperOS powered devices)<br>
| Requires a 3-7 day old Mi account (limited to one device per month and three devices per year).
On devices with [[Xiaomi HyperOS]] outside mainland China, you need to request bootloader unlock permissions in the Xiaomi Community app before proceeding with bootloader unlocking. Requires a 1-month-old Xiaomi account.
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For Mainland China devices with HyperOS, bootloader unlock has not been available since February 2025.
|-
| [[Asus]]||
|-
| [[Sony Mobile|Sony]]|| Medium || Command-line, request code at Sony website
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|-
| [[Motorola]]|| Varies widely between model and SoC manufacturer<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-04-08 |title=[Guide]Un/locking Motorola Bootloader |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/guide-un-locking-motorola-bootloader.4079111/ |access-date=2025-06-12 |website=XDA Forums |language=en-US}}</ref>
Impossible (Verizon, AT&T, TracFone)
| Command-line, request code at Motorola website
|-
| [[Realme]]|| Medium-Hard (China Mainland and India)<br>
|-
| [[Nothing (company)|Nothing]]|| Easy || Command-line
|-
| [[Huawei]]|| Medium-Hard (Kirin SoCs, select Huawei phones)
| Select Huawei phones using the Kirin SoC can have their bootloader unlocked unofficially via potatonv: https://www.xda-developers.com/huawei-honor-bootloader-unlock-potatonv/
For other devices, bootloader unlock has not been available since July 2018.
|-
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Any phones bought from mainland China and in depth-test's device support lists: Depth test regardless of SoC (the depth test app can be downloaded from Oppo's website). Command line using adb and fastboot.
|-
| [[HMD Global|HMD]]-[[Nokia]]||
|-
|[[Vivo (technology company)|
|
|N/A
|-
| [[LG]]|| Hard || Possible<ref>{{cite web |title=V60 Bootloader Unlock and Magisk Root |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/v60-bootloader-unlock-and-magisk-root.4358785/ |website=XDA Forums |date=8 November 2021 |access-date=24 July 2025}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=July 2025}} by flashing bootloaders with QFIL utility (Unofficial).
|-
| [[Tecno Mobile|Tecno]]|| Medium || Command-line. Requires Tecno ID account at least two weeks old.
| |||