Unlocking the bootloader allows installing and running unsigned code on a device, including user customized software. Operating outside the manufacturer specification might usually voidsresult 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,. asThis 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]] |language=en}}</ref>
