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Bootloader unlocking: Difference between revisions

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Unlocking the bootloader of a smartphone allows the user to install an alternative system on the device, also known as a custom ROM.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Aug 2025 |title=Android ROM |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222958/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |archive-date=23 Dec 2024 |website=PCMag}}</ref>
The bootloader is a special program on a device that loads the operating system when the device is turned on. Bootloaders are typically set by the manufacturer and shipped to retailers and consumers in a "locked" state, in which the bootloader can only load the manufacturer's operating system (OS). [[wikipedia:Bootloader_unlocking|Unlocking a bootloader]] disables the checks that force the use of a particular operating system, allowing the use of third-party operating systems such as Linux or [[Android]] without [[Google]] software.  


There are several reasons why some smartphone users install alternative operating systems on their smartphones:
==Background==
Unlocking the bootloader of a smartphone enables the user to install [[wikipedia:List_of_custom_Android_distributions|alternative operating systems, colloquially known as "custom ROM"]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Aug 2025 |title=Android ROM |url=https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223222958/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom |archive-date=23 Dec 2024 |website=PCMag}}</ref>


*'''Superior Privacy:''' Most custom ROMs do not contain any of the components that send data to the manufacturer, Google, and their partner companies.<ref name=":0" /> In some cases, they even contain components that prevent individual apps from doing so, such as [https://doc.e.foundation/support-topics/advanced_privacy_main.html /e/'s Advanced Privacy] or [https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ CalyxOS's Datura Firewall].
'''Difference from Rooting'''
*'''Expanding Device Lifespan:''' Most custom ROMs are free of bloatware and can thus be used extend the longevity of phones that have become unusable due to the default system growing larger with each manufacturer update. Especially on low-end phones, these updates usually end up exhausting the built-in storage after sometimes as little as two years. This renders the devices slow and unstable and leaves no room for user data. Custom ROMs are typically much smaller than the manufacturer software. Consequently, many old phones can run even faster with a custom ROM than they were when new, thus often more than doubling their useful lifespan.<!-- Source? -->
*'''Security Updates after device is abandoned by manufacturer:''' Low-end devices usually receive only a few years or even months of security updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Android Update Matrix |url=https://www.androidupdatetracker.com/update-matrix |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Android Update Tracker}}</ref> Since most custom ROMs are built by the open source community, installing one of these custom ROMs allows users to receive security updates for the Android system and default components like web browser engines and PDF readers much longer than with the manufacturer's OS.<!-- Source? -->
*'''Customisation''' Some applications cannot be removed easily with the default OS. A custom ROM can be used to only include the applications the user wants, potentially with customisation that isn't originally available by default.


Unlocking the bootloader is only [[Phones that do not allow bootloader unlock|possible on some, but not all Android devices]]. Apple has measures in place to prevent users from installing third party operating systems on iPhones and iPads.<!-- Source? -->
Rooting a device allows users to bypass OS restrictions while the device is running. Conversely, bootloader unlocking allows rewriting the storage drive where the OS is installed, but does not grant any further abilities after the OS is loaded. Bootloader unlocking, however, allows users to enable root access by either manually editing the loaded operating system or using an app to do so automatically.{{Citation needed|date=12 Mar 2026}}


==Features==
See [[Jailbreak]] for more info.
On a default Android system there is the deep integration with Google Play Services. This is a system process that requires access to files, contacts, storage, call logs, SMS messages, location, camera and microphone so that basic system apps are able to function.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aragon |first=Jonah |date=21 Jul 2024 |title=Android |url=https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/#install-a-custom-distribution |url-status=live |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Privacy Guides}}</ref> Alternative systems avoid this process entirely, or use a privacy preserving workaround.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Arielle |date=7 Jun 2019 |title=The Open Source Project That Keeps Google's Hands Off Your Android Data |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630130025/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>
 
==Benefits of unlocked bootloaders==
 
==='''Better Privacy'''===
Most custom ROMs do not contain any components that send data to manufacturers, Google, or their partner companies.<ref name=":0" /> In some cases, they even contain components that prevent individual apps from doing so, such as:
 
*[https://doc.e.foundation/support-topics/advanced_privacy_main.html /e/'s Advanced Privacy]
*[https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ CalyxOS's Datura Firewall]
*[https://github.com/iodeOS/ota iodéOS's blocker]
 
====Workaround Google Play Services====
Default Android systems deeply integrate with [[wikipedia:Google_Play_Services|Google Play Services]] (and [[Google Mobile Services]] (GMS)). This is a system process that requires access to files, contacts, storage, call logs, SMS messages, location, camera, and microphone. Without this process running, many apps will not function.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aragon |first=Jonah |date=21 Jul 2024 |title=Android |url=https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/#install-a-custom-distribution |url-status=live |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Privacy Guides |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260131014956/https://www.privacyguides.org/en/android/ |archive-date=31 Jan 2026}}</ref> Alternative systems avoid this process entirely, or use a privacy-preserving workaround such as:
 
*[https://grapheneos.org/features#sandboxed-google-play GrapheneOS's Sandboxed Google Play]
*[https://github.com/microg/GmsCore/wiki MicroG]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Arielle |date=7 Jun 2019 |title=The Open Source Project That Keeps Google's Hands Off Your Android Data |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630130025/https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-open-source-project-that-keeps-googles-hands-off-your-android-data/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref>
*[https://unifiedpush.org/ Unified Push]
 
==='''Extending device lifespan'''===
Most custom ROMs do not contain [[bloatware]] and can thus be used to extend the longevity of phones that have become unusable due to later updates requiring more performance and storage. Especially on low-end phones, these updates often exhaust the built-in storage after as little as two years.{{Citation needed}} This renders the device slow and unstable, without room for user data. Custom ROMs are typically much smaller than the manufacturer's software.{{Citation needed}} Consequently, many old phones can run even faster with a custom ROM than they did when new, extending their useful lifespan.{{Citation needed|date=12 Mar 2026|reason=Low verifiability}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=By how much do custom roms really extend Phone lifespans? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/gdq2rc/comment/fpj11ay/ |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Reddit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223033349/https://old.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/gdq2rc/by_how_much_do_custom_roms_really_extend_phone/fpj11ay/ |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-10 |title=Xiaomi Redmi 8a - olivelite with Dual Sim |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/xiaomi-redmi-8a-olivelite-with-dual-sim/29192/12 |url-status=live |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=/e/OS Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907145946/https://community.e.foundation/t/xiaomi-redmi-8a-olivelite-with-dual-sim/29192/12 |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</ref><!-- Please provide better sources than forums and reddits. You can read the citation guide on this wiki for more tips -->
 
===='''Updates after the manufacturer abandons the device'''====
Low-end devices usually receive only a few years or even months of security updates.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Android Update Matrix |url=https://www.androidupdatetracker.com/update-matrix |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=Android Update Tracker |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251206020040/https://www.androidupdatetracker.com/update-matrix |archive-date=6 Dec 2025}}</ref> Since most custom ROMs are built by the open-source community, installing one allows users to receive security updates for the Android system and default components, such as web browser engines and PDF readers, as long as custom ROMs are developed. Popular custom ROMs such as [[wikipedia:LineageOS|LineageOS]] and [[GrapheneOS]] have lasted over 10 years, and are open source, allowing anyone to maintain them and continue their development. <ref>{{Cite web |last=ciwrl |first= |date=2016-12-24 |title=A fork in the road |url=https://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/a-fork-in-the-road |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225091051/https://www.cyanogenmod.org/blog/a-fork-in-the-road |archive-date=2016-12-25 |access-date=2026-02-26 |website=Cyanogen Mod}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 Feb 2026 |title=History |url=https://grapheneos.org/history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260225034058/https://grapheneos.org/history/ |archive-date=25 Feb 2026 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=GrapheneOS}}</ref>
 
==='''Control'''===
Some applications cannot be easily removed in the default OS. A custom ROM gives users complete control over what is in their operating system, such as preinstalled apps and system themes. <ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/k2320l/cant_delete_certain_apps_on_android_only_disable/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20230615024140/https://old.reddit.com/r/privacy/comments/k2320l/cant_delete_certain_apps_on_android_only_disable/ Archived])</ref>{{Citation needed}}
==Why most bootloaders are locked==
 
===Security===
A locked bootloader protects the device from an [[wikipedia:Evil_maid_attack|Evil Maid Attack]]. This attack occurs when a person with physical access to a device manipulates the operating system, typically when the device is left unattended or when handed over for inspection by authorities. Locking the bootloader ensures that the operating system remains intact and cannot be altered from the state in which the manufacturer released it.{{Citation needed|date=12 Mar 2026}}
 
===DRM and ecosystem control===
Some devices hold [[Digital_rights_management|DRM]] keys, which are deleted when the bootloader is unlocked. Other devices go so far as to wipe proprietary drivers. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Sony wipes TA/ partition |url=https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/4ca762b08e77034db2a5ceb78703ac4789349ed0/brands/sony/README.md?plain=1#L23 |url-status=live |website=GitHub |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223033412/https://github.com/zenfyrdev/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/4ca762b08e77034db2a5ceb78703ac4789349ed0/brands/sony/README.md?plain=1 |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> This allows manufacturers to force the use of their software and maintain control over devices, preventing unsupported devices from receiving updates, removing some apps and services, and bypassing other DRM, such as the iPhone's component DRM.{{Citation needed|date=12 Mar 2026}}
 
===Locks from mobile carriers===
Some mobile carriers have completely restricted the unlocking of bootloaders on specific models of cellphones that they sell to prevent bypassing carrier restrictions.{{Citation needed}}
 
==Availability==
Unlocking the bootloader is [[Phones that do not allow bootloader unlock|possible on some, but not all, Android devices]].
 
Apple products such as iPhones do not support unlocking the bootloader or verifying the authenticity of the firmware and bootloader with digital signatures, making bootloader unlocking difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 Feb 2026 |title=Apple |url=https://github.com/zenfyrdev/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/main/brands/apple/README.md |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114112736/https://github.com/zenfyrdev/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame/blob/main/brands/apple/README.md |archive-date=14 Jan 2026 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=Github}}</ref> Instead, People jailbreak their iPhones using 3rd party software.<ref>https://www.quora.com/Can-you-install-a-different-operating-system-on-your-iPhone-if-it-was-not-sold-with-one-built-in-from-Apple</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/O0_Aou3eZl8 ([https://preservetube.com/watch?v=O0_Aou3eZl8 Archived])</ref><!-- Requires more reputable citations. -->


==Alternative Android-based Operating Systems==
==Alternative Android-based Operating Systems==
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*[https://calyxos.org/ CalyxOS]
*[https://calyxos.org/ CalyxOS]


*[https://source.android.com/ AOSP (Android Open Source Project)] , also known as "stock" Android.<ref>https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Pratham |date=20 Feb 2024 |title=5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems to Free Your Smartphone from Google and other Big Tech |url=https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707220149/https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |archive-date=7 Jul 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=It's FOSS}}</ref>
*[https://source.android.com/ AOSP (Android Open Source Project)] , also known as "stock" Android.<ref>https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260115003706/https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm Archived])</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Pratham |date=20 Feb 2024 |title=5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems to Free Your Smartphone from Google and other Big Tech |url=https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250707220149/https://itsfoss.com/android-distributions-roms/ |archive-date=7 Jul 2025 |access-date=19 Aug 2025 |website=It's FOSS}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Common terms]]
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