Download Unlock Bootloader Tool: How to Unlock Your Android Phone's Bootloader
If you are an Android enthusiast who wants to customize your phone with custom ROMs, kernels, and mods, you may need to download an unlock bootloader tool. A bootloader is the software that runs before the operating system on your Android phone, and it controls what gets loaded and executed. By default, most bootloaders are locked, meaning they only allow official software from the manufacturer or carrier to run on your phone. Unlocking the bootloader gives you the freedom to flash any software you want, but it also comes with some risks and challenges. In this article, we will explain what a bootloader is, why you need to unlock it, and how to do it using an unlock bootloader tool.
download unlock bootloader tool
What is a bootloader and why do you need to unlock it?
The bootloader is the software that runs before the operating system on your Android phone
A bootloader is a small program that runs when you power on your phone. It checks the hardware and software components of your phone, and then loads the operating system (OS) into the memory. The OS is usually stored in a partition called system, which contains the Android framework and apps. The bootloader also loads other partitions, such as recovery, which allows you to perform factory reset or update your phone, and cache, which stores temporary data.
Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom ROMs, kernels, and mods on your phone
A custom ROM is a modified version of the Android OS that may offer different features, performance, or aesthetics than the stock ROM. A custom kernel is a modified version of the core component of the OS that may offer better battery life, overclocking, or security than the stock kernel. A mod is a modification of an app or a system file that may enhance its functionality or appearance. To flash these customizations on your phone, you need to have an unlocked bootloader. An unlocked bootloader allows you to use a tool called Fastboot, which can communicate with your phone's bootloader and flash any partition you want.
Unlocking the bootloader also voids your warranty and may erase your data
Before you decide to unlock your bootloader, you should be aware of the potential consequences. First of all, unlocking the bootloader will void your warranty from the manufacturer or carrier. This means that if you encounter any problems with your phone after unlocking it, you will not be able to get any support or service from them. Secondly, unlocking the bootloader will trigger a factory reset on some phones, which will erase all your data and settings. Therefore, you should backup your important data before proceeding. Thirdly, unlocking the bootloader may expose your phone to security risks, such as malware or unauthorized access. Therefore, you should only flash trusted software from reputable sources.
How to enable OEM unlocking and USB debugging on your phone
Go to Settings > About phone and tap on Build number seven times to enable developer options
Before you can unlock your bootloader, you need to enable two options on your phone: OEM unlocking and USB debugging. OEM unlocking allows you to unlock the bootloader of your phone, and USB debugging allows you to connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable. To enable these options, you need to access the developer options menu, which is hidden by default. To do that, go to Settings > About phone and find the Build number section. Tap on it seven times until you see a message saying "You are now a developer".
Go back to Settings > System > Developer options and toggle on OEM unlocking and USB debugging
Once you have enabled the developer options menu, go back to Settings > System and find the Developer options section. Tap on it and scroll down until you see the OEM unlocking and USB debugging options. Toggle them on and confirm any prompts that appear. You may need to enter your PIN or password to do so. You have now enabled the necessary options on your phone.
How to install Android tools on your computer
Download the latest Android tools ZIP file for Windows or use sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot for Ubuntu/Debian Linux
To unlock your bootloader, you need to use a tool called Fastboot, which is part of the Android tools package. You can download the latest version of the Android tools ZIP file for Windows from this link or use the following command in a terminal window if you are using Ubuntu/Debian Linux:
sudo apt install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot
Unpack the ZIP file into a convenient folder or open a terminal window in Linux
If you are using Windows, you need to unpack the ZIP file into a folder of your choice. You can use any file manager or extraction tool to do so. If you are using Linux, you don't need to unpack anything, as the tools are already installed in your system. However, you need to open a terminal window and navigate to the folder where you want to run the commands.
How to unlock your phone's bootloader with Fastboot
Plug your phone into your computer with a USB cable and run adb devices to connect your phone
Now that you have enabled the options on your phone and installed the tools on your computer, you are ready to unlock your bootloader. The first step is to connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable. Make sure your phone is turned on and unlocked. Then, open a command prompt window if you are using Windows or a terminal window if you are using Linux, and navigate to the folder where you have the Android tools. Type the following command and press Enter:
adb devices
This command will list all the devices connected to your computer via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). You should see your phone's serial number followed by "device". If you don't see it, make sure you have installed the correct drivers for your phone and allowed USB debugging access on your phone's screen.
How to unlock the bootloader on your Android phone
Unlock the bootloader and enable partitions to be reflashed
Bootloader unlock method for Huawei and Honor devices with Kirin SoCs
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - ChimeraTool features
Download Fastboot tool to unlock the Android bootloader
Unlock the bootloader of LG phones with LG Developer Portal
Bootloader unlock method for Sony Xperia devices with Flashtool
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - KingoRoot features
Download PotatoNV - an open-source bootloader unlocker for Huawei/Honor phones
Unlock the bootloader of Samsung phones with Odin tool
Download Mi Unlock tool to unlock the bootloader of Xiaomi devices
Unlock the bootloader of Motorola phones with Motorola Bootloader Unlock website
Bootloader unlock method for OnePlus devices with OnePlus Unlock Token
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - Magisk features
Download HTC Sync Manager to unlock the bootloader of HTC devices
Unlock the bootloader of Google Pixel phones with Google Factory Images
Bootloader unlock method for Asus Zenfone devices with Asus Unlock Tool
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - TWRP features
Download Nokia Online Service Tool to unlock the bootloader of Nokia devices
Unlock the bootloader of Oppo phones with Oppo Unlock Tool
Bootloader unlock method for Realme devices with Realme In-depth Test app
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - SP Flash Tool features
Download ZTE Axon 7 Toolkit to unlock the bootloader of ZTE Axon 7 devices
Unlock the bootloader of Vivo phones with Vivo Fastboot Mode
Bootloader unlock method for Lenovo devices with Lenovo Moto Smart Assistant
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - QPST features
Download LGUP tool to unlock the bootloader of LG V20 devices
Unlock the bootloader of Alcatel phones with Alcatel Mobile Upgrade tool
Bootloader unlock method for Essential Phone devices with Essential Developer Portal
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - ADB features
Download Sony Flash tool to unlock the bootloader of Sony Xperia XZ Premium devices
Unlock the bootloader of Huawei Mate 10 Pro devices with Huawei ID and code
Bootloader unlock method for Samsung Galaxy S10 devices with SamPWND tool
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - RSD Lite features
Download Nubia Emergency Tool to unlock the bootloader of Nubia Z17 devices
Unlock the bootloader of OnePlus 6T devices with OnePlus 6T MSMDownload Tool
Bootloader unlock method for LG G7 ThinQ devices with LG G7 ThinQ Developer Mode
Unlock / Relock Bootloader - Odin features
Download Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 Toolkit to unlock the bootloader of Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 devices
Unlock the bootloader of Redmi Note 7 Pro devices with Mi Flash Pro tool
Run adb reboot bootloader to reboot your phone into the bootloader mode
The next step is to reboot your phone into the bootloader mode, which is also known as fastboot mode. This is where you can use Fastboot commands to flash partitions on your phone. To do that, type the following command and press Enter:
adb reboot bootloader
This command will reboot your phone into the bootloader mode. You should see a screen with some text and icons on your phone. If you don't see it, try holding down the power and volume down buttons simultaneously until it appears.
Run fastboot flashing unlock or fastboot oem unlock depending on your phone model
The final step is to unlock your bootloader using Fastboot. The exact command may vary depending on your phone model, so make sure you check the official instructions for your device before proceeding. Generally, there are two possible commands: fastboot flashing unlock or fastboot oem unlock. Type one of them and press Enter:
fastboot flashing unlock
fastboot oem unlock
This command will initiate the unlocking process. You should see a warning message on your phone's screen asking you to confirm the unlock. Use the volume buttons to select "Yes" or "Unlock" and press the power button to confirm. This will erase all your data and settings on your phone, so make sure you have backed up everything before doing this.
Confirm the unlock on your phone's screen and wait for the process to finish
After confirming the unlock, you will see a message saying that your bootloader is unlocked. Wait for your phone to reboot automatically. You may need to set up your phone again as if it was new. Congratulations, you have successfully unlocked your bootloader using an unlock bootloader tool.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have explained what a bootloader is, why you need to unlock it, and how to do it using an unlock bootloader tool. Unlocking the bootloader gives you the freedom to customize your phone with custom ROMs, kernels, and mods, but it also voids your warranty, erases your data, and exposes your phone to security risks. Therefore, you should only do it if you are confident and careful. Here are some FAQs that may help you further:
Q: What is the difference between unlocking the bootloader and rooting the phone?
A: Unlocking the bootloader allows you to flash custom software on your phone, while rooting the phone gives you superuser access to the system files and settings. You can unlock the bootloader without rooting the phone, but you usually need to unlock the bootloader before rooting the phone.
Q: Can I lock the bootloader again after unlocking it?
A: Yes, you can lock the bootloader again by using the fastboot flashing lock or fastboot oem lock command. However, this will also erase your data and settings again, and may prevent you from booting into custom software.
Q: Can I update my phone normally after unlocking the bootloader?
A: It depends on what software you have flashed on your phone. If you are using a custom ROM, you may need to update it manually or use a custom updater app. If you are using the stock ROM, you may still receive OTA (over-the-air) updates, but they may fail to install or cause problems if you have modified the system files.
Q: How can I find the official instructions for unlocking the bootloader of my phone model?
A: You can search for your phone model on the official website of your manufacturer or carrier, or on forums like XDA Developers or Reddit. You can also use websites like this one to find the unlock bootloader tool for your phone model.
Q: How can I backup my data before unlocking the bootloader?
A: You can use apps like Google Photos, Google Drive, or Dropbox to backup your photos, videos, and documents online. You can also use apps like Titanium Backup or Helium to backup your apps and settings locally or on cloud storage. Alternatively, you can use ADB backup or TWRP recovery to backup your entire system image.
I hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 44f88ac181