Category:Bootloaders/Unlock Bootloaders
On many devices the bootloader is locked and you must unlock it before you can flash a custom ROM or recovery. Unlocking is therefore also required for installing postmarketOS.
If you have forgotten whether your device is unlocked or not, check to see if it displays "device unlocked" or something similar at the bottom in flash mode or during the boot.
Unlocking the bootloader
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WARNING: Unlocking the bootloader will result in a formatted userdata partition. Make sure that you have backed up your data. |
On some devices it is enough to enter:
fastboot oem unlock
Others will require you to enter a code:
fastboot oem unlock your-code-here
HMD Global
HMD Global no longer provides unlock codes.
There are several unofficial ways to unlock these devices. Some devices can be unlocked for free, while some are not.
See Category:Bootloaders/Unlock Bootloaders/HMD Global
HTC
Huawei
Huawei no longer provides unlock codes.
Tutorials that tell you to go to some Huawei website, log in with your Huawei ID and sign the unlock agreement to get a code are NO LONGER working. Even contacting their support has no effect.
Some services claim to be able to unlock these devices, but they charge money for it (e.g. DC-Unlocker charges 4€). Be careful, do your research and make sure that you're not on some fishy website before giving any of these services your money!
If you do try, please run wireshark usb capture, so there's a chance to understand how it works. Try to replicate it if possible.
Another option is to try brute forcing the code. This takes time and might not work.
There is also this Open Source Solution for devices on Kirin SoC called PotatoNV which can be used to unlock the bootloader of Kirin-based devices, but has the disadvantage that you have to open the device and short a "test point" (unique to each device) to ground. This will also change your bootloader unlock code to a new one instead of printing out the original code.
- WIP Experimental work around which involves replace the entire bootloader & [1]
- A bootrom exploit of Huawei Hisilicon Smartphones that could be used to unlock Huawei bootloaders
Motorola
An exploit does exist, see here.
Sony
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This is your last chance to download the latest ROM via OTA update before unlocking the bootloader. Sony does not provide OTA updates for unlocked devices. |
Wiko
Just enable OEM unlocking in the Developer options and then use fastboot oem unlock in fastboot mode.
Windows Phones
Use WPInternals. The tool contains the instructions for unlocking.
Xiaomi
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fastboot oem unlock method might work on some old device |
Samsung
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If you don't see OEM unlocking option, then
1. your device's bootloader can't be unlocked. 2. your device need Crom Service to unlock bootloader (See below). 3. your device has a bootloader that can't be locked (usually that is case for old devices). |
1. Turn on OEM unlocking in the developer settings
2. Turn off the device
3. Press Volume down + Power button + home key (if the device has a physical button )
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If you don't see that line of text, then your device's bootloader can't be unlocked. |
4. You should see blue screen on your phone. In that screen you should see this line of text : Volume up and long press: Device unlock mode. If you see it, then long press volume up.
5. Press volume up and wait for the bootloader unlock to reset the device.
Crom Service
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This method below only work on some Samsung device |
If you see this line of text: CROM SERVICE: LOCK in odin mode then you need a app named Crom Service to unlock the bootloader (can be found in Galaxy Store or Internet Archive).
Mixed
BootUnlocker for Google Galaxy Nexus (maguro) & (toro, toroplus), Google Nexus 4 (mako), Google Nexus 5 (hammerhead), Google Nexus 7 2013 (flo), Google Nexus 7 2013 (deb), Google Nexux 10 (manta), OnePlus One (bacon), OnePlus Two (oneplus2), OnePlus X (onyx), YU Yuphoria (lettuce), YU Yureka (tomato), Lenovo Zuk Z1 (ham), InFocus M810 (VNA), InFocus M812 (VN2), or Yota Phone 2 (yotaphone2).
If your phone uses a bootloader unlock key, then you can try to brute force the key via https://gist.github.com/alex-spataru/b187bdc3d987a0fcb1cae4e9b17c0e9e
See Also
Bootloader Unlock Wall Of Shame (It contain some unlock bootloader guides's link)
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