Samsung: Difference between revisions

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===Bootloader unlocking===

[[Bootloader unlocking|Unlocking the bootloader]] of an Android device allows tech-savvy users to install a custom [https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Android ROM] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250822103721/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Archived]), which replaces the whole system of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Custom firmware |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Android |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Wikipedia |publisher=Wikipedia contributors |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202203145/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><sup>← {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Verifiability#Wikipedia_and_sources_that_mirror_or_use_it|[Wikipedia reference!]}}</sup> Many Samsung mobile devices outside the US and Canada can have their bootloader unlocked by various means, but this feature comes with many restrictions:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/</ref>

[[Bootloader unlocking|Unlocking the bootloader]] of an Android device allows tech-savvy users to install a custom [https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Android ROM] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250822103721/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Archived]), which replaces the whole system of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Custom firmware |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Android |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Wikipedia |publisher=Wikipedia contributors |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202203145/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><sup>← {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Verifiability#Wikipedia_and_sources_that_mirror_or_use_it|[Wikipedia reference!]}}</sup> Many Samsung mobile devices outside the US and Canada can have their bootloader unlocked by various means, but this feature comes with many restrictions:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112104/https://old.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/ Archived])</ref>

*When the bootloader is unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped if users decided to flash an unsigned file from Samsung, which voids the warranty and restricts access to apps such as: [https://www.samsungknox.com/en/solutions/personal-apps/secure-folder Secure Folder], [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-wallet/ Samsung Wallet], [https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-pass Samsung Pass] and [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-health/ Samsung Health]. If an unsigned file haven't been flashed when the bootloader was unlocked, re-locking the bootloader re-gains all KNOX functionalities. These restrictions apply even after re-locking the bootloader after the KNOX E-fuse has been tripped, meaning that gaining control over your own device requires you to give away some of the functionality you paid for and possibly hurting its after-market value.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Mar 2025 |title=Trusted Computing Platform |url=https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-mobile-security/security-principles/trusted-computing-platform/ |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=Samsung Knox Documentation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251223091227/https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-mobile-security/security-principles/trusted-computing-platform/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218115337/https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250904213328/https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |archive-date=4 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20231114181136/https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ Archived])</ref>

*In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218115337/https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112222/https://old.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3 Archived])</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250904213328/https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |archive-date=4 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20231114181136/https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ Archived])</ref>

*Devices that have shipped with OneUI 8 stable (which includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7) or that will be updated to OneUI 8 stable already had or will have their bootloader unlocking mechanisms removed, even if the device was purchased outside of the US and Canada. This makes it impossible to downgrade or flash a new OS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Bootloader unlocking option removed from One UI 8.0 |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |url-status=live |website=XDA developers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210142144/https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref>

*<!-- add a link to an internal article about Google Play services custom roms/ rooting / unlocking bootloaders

@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 ===Bootloader unlocking===
-[[Bootloader unlocking|Unlocking the bootloader]] of an Android device allows tech-savvy users to install a custom [https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Android ROM] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250822103721/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Archived]), which replaces the whole system of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Custom firmware |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Android |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Wikipedia |publisher=Wikipedia contributors |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202203145/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><sup>← {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Verifiability#Wikipedia_and_sources_that_mirror_or_use_it|[Wikipedia reference!]}}</sup> Many Samsung mobile devices outside the US and Canada can have their bootloader unlocked by various means, but this feature comes with many restrictions:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/</ref>
+[[Bootloader unlocking|Unlocking the bootloader]] of an Android device allows tech-savvy users to install a custom [https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Android ROM] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250822103721/https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/android-rom Archived]), which replaces the whole system of the device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Aug 2025 |title=Custom firmware |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware#Android |access-date=17 Aug 2025 |website=Wikipedia |publisher=Wikipedia contributors |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202203145/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Custom_firmware |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><sup>← {{Wplink|Wikipedia:Verifiability#Wikipedia_and_sources_that_mirror_or_use_it|[Wikipedia reference!]}}</sup> Many Samsung mobile devices outside the US and Canada can have their bootloader unlocked by various means, but this feature comes with many restrictions:<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/ ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112104/https://old.reddit.com/r/androidroot/comments/1g2xhd9/unlock_bootloader_for_newer_samsung_devices_in/ Archived])</ref>
 *When the bootloader is unlocked, Samsung devices have their KNOX fuse tripped if users decided to flash an unsigned file from Samsung, which voids the warranty and restricts access to apps such as: [https://www.samsungknox.com/en/solutions/personal-apps/secure-folder Secure Folder], [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-wallet/ Samsung Wallet], [https://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/app/samsung-pass Samsung Pass] and [https://www.samsung.com/us/apps/samsung-health/ Samsung Health]. If an unsigned file haven't been flashed when the bootloader was unlocked, re-locking the bootloader re-gains all KNOX functionalities. These restrictions apply even after re-locking the bootloader after the KNOX E-fuse has been tripped, meaning that gaining control over your own device requires you to give away some of the functionality you paid for and possibly hurting its after-market value.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 Mar 2025 |title=Trusted Computing Platform |url=https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-mobile-security/security-principles/trusted-computing-platform/ |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=Samsung Knox Documentation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251223091227/https://docs.samsungknox.com/admin/fundamentals/whitepaper/samsung-knox-mobile-security/security-principles/trusted-computing-platform/ |archive-date=23 Dec 2025}}</ref>
-*In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218115337/https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250904213328/https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |archive-date=4 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20231114181136/https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ Archived])</ref>
+*In some instances, Samsung has sold devices capable of bootloader unlocking, but further restricted it with an update. This happened with the Galaxy Tab A 2019 (SM-T290), which had an update to its bootloader that restricted both the ability to flash new firmware and to downgrade to an older, working firmware,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Install LineageOS on Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019) |url=https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/#special-requirements |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=LineageOS Wiki |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218115337/https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/gtowifi/install/ |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3 ([https://web.archive.org/web/20260224112222/https://old.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/119nz5t/bootloader_version_not_compatible_with/jabng43/?context=3 Archived])</ref> therefore restricting users to the sluggish One UI which runs notoriously bad on this device.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 Nov 2022 |title=Why is my device so slow |url=https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |url-status=live |access-date=29 Jun 2025 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250904213328/https://it.ifixit.com/Risposte/Visualizza/756811/Why+is+my+device+so+slow |archive-date=4 Sep 2025}}</ref><ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ ([http://web.archive.org/web/20231114181136/https://old.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/17v87gh/how_can_i_speed_up_samsung_galaxy_tab_a_2019/ Archived])</ref>
 *Devices that have shipped with OneUI 8 stable (which includes the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7) or that will be updated to OneUI 8 stable already had or will have their bootloader unlocking mechanisms removed, even if the device was purchased outside of the US and Canada. This makes it impossible to downgrade or flash a new OS.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-26 |title=Bootloader unlocking option removed from One UI 8.0 |url=https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |url-status=live |website=XDA developers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260210142144/https://xdaforums.com/t/bootloader-unlocking-option-removed-from-one-ui-8-0.4751904/ |archive-date=10 Feb 2026}}</ref>
 *<!-- add a link to an internal article about Google Play services custom roms/ rooting / unlocking bootloaders