Category:Bootloaders/Unlock Bootloaders

From postmarketOS

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

Icon 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

HTC

htcdev unlock site

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 and try to do your research and make sure that you're not one 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 and replicate that

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.

Motorola

Motorola unlock site

An exploit does exist, see here.

Sony

Note 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.

Sony Unlock Page.

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

Xiaomi Unlock Page.

Samsung

Note If you don't see OEM unlocking option, then your device's bootloader can't be unlocked or 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 vol down + power button + home key (if the phone has it)

Note 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 to reset the device.


Crom Service (For some Samsung phones only)

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 use bootloader unlock key , then you can try to brute force the key via https://gist.github.com/alex-spataru/b187bdc3d987a0fcb1cae4e9b17c0e9e

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