Bootloader unlocking: Difference between revisions
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The bootloader is the core layer of a computerized device that connects the software to the physical hardware. In smartphones, the bootloader allows the mobile device to start up with an operating system such as iOS for iPhones and Android for most other smartphones. Bootloaders are generally established by the manufacturer and are shipped to retailers and consumers in a "locked" state, tying the hardware to a specific operating system chosen by the manufacturer. To unlock a bootloader is to disconnect the physical device from a particular operating system, allowing users more control over their purchased smartphones. This is especially relevant for users who wish to [[de-Google]] their android devices, the act of removing Google products and services for privacy, flexibility, and other concerns. | |||
== | ==Background== | ||
Unlocking the bootloader | History and technical details here... | ||
Unlocking the bootloader of a smartphone allows the user to install an alternative system on the device, also more popularly 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> | |||
'''Difference from Rooting''' | |||
== | Need to expand on this | ||
==Benefits of unlocked bootloaders== | |||
==='''1. Better Privacy'''=== | ==='''1. Better 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] | 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] | |||
*[https://calyxos.org/docs/tech/datura-details/ CalyxOS's Datura Firewall] | |||
*[https://github.com/iodeOS/ota iodéOS's blocker] | |||
====Workaround Google Play Services==== | |||
On a default Android system there is a 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. And without this process running, basic system 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}}</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] | |||
==='''2. Expanding Device Lifespan'''=== | ==='''2. 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.<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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03 |title= |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/xiaomi-redmi-8a-olivelite-with-dual-sim/29192/12 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=/e/OS Community}}</ref><!-- | 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.<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}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03 |title= |url=https://community.e.foundation/t/xiaomi-redmi-8a-olivelite-with-dual-sim/29192/12 |access-date=2025-08-23 |website=/e/OS Community}}</ref><!-- Please provide better sources than forums and reddits. You can read the citation guide on this wiki for more tips --> | ||
==='''3. Updates after device is abandoned by manufacturer'''=== | ==='''3. 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? --> | 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? --> | ||
==='''4. | ==='''4. Customization'''=== | ||
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 | 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 customization options that aren't originally available by default.<!-- Source? --> | ||
==Why most devices are locked== | |||
===Security=== | |||
A locked bootloader protects the device from what is often called an [[wikipedia:Evil_maid_attack|Evil Maid Attack]]. This is when a person with physical access to a device can manipulate the operating system, often when the device is left unattended or when handed over for inspection by authorities such as customs upon entering a country. | |||
A locked bootloader ensures that the operating system is intact and cannot be changed to differ from the state in which the manufacturer has released it. | |||
===DRM and ecosystem control=== | |||
Example Text | |||
===Locks from mobile carriers=== | |||
Example Text | |||
==Availability== | |||
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? --> | |||
==Alternative Android-based Operating Systems== | ==Alternative Android-based Operating Systems== | ||