Content deleted Content added
No edit summary |
|||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
Line 10:
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 ==
Line 22:
! 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
|-
| [[Samsung Galaxy|Samsung]]||
* Some very old Android versions - available with usual flashing tools.
Impossible (North America and One UI 8 and newer versions)<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>▼
* 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.
▲
| 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.
Line 49 ⟶ 55:
| [[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>
Medium (Except Verizon, AT&T, TracFone)
Impossible (Verizon, AT&T, TracFone)
| Command-line, request code at Motorola website
Line 74 ⟶ 81:
|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.
| |||