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Phones that do not allow bootloader unlock: Difference between revisions

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Magnusmaster (talk | contribs)
Created page with "A bootloader is a program that runs when the phone turns on and loads the operating system. <ref>{{Cite web |title=GNU Grub website |url=https://www.gnu.org/software/grub/index.html}}</ref> Most phones lock the bootloader by default, which means that a new bootloader or operating system can't be installed on the phone. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Lock and unlock the bootloader |url=https://source.android.com/docs/core/architecture/bootloader/locking_unlocking |website=Android..."
 
JP (talk | contribs)
m Examples[3]: Added Google Pixel using Verizon to the list
 
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If the bootloader cannot be unlocked the operating system can't be modified in any way which is not allowed by the manufacturer.
If the bootloader cannot be unlocked the operating system can't be modified in any way which is not allowed by the manufacturer.


==Examples<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Bootloader wall of shame |url=https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame |website=GitHub}}</ref> ==
==Examples<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Bootloader wall of shame |url=https://github.com/melontini/bootloader-unlock-wall-of-shame |website=GitHub}}</ref>==


* Huawei
*Huawei
* HMD Global/Nokia
*HMD Global/Nokia
* Vivo/IQOO
*Vivo/IQOO
* ZTE
*ZTE
* Meizu
*Meizu
* Asus
*Asus
* Alcatel
*Alcatel
* Apple
*Apple
* Energizer
*Energizer
* Cat
*Cat
* Sharp
*Sharp
* Doogee
*Doogee
* TCL
*TCL
* Coolpad
*Coolpad
* Realme (on some regions)
*Realme (on some regions)
* OPPO (outside China)
*OPPO (outside China)
* Xiaomi (China only)
*Xiaomi (China only)
* Samsung (USA only)
*Samsung (USA only)
* HTC
*HTC
* Motorola (on some devices)
*Motorola (on some devices)
*Google Pixel (Verizon)





Latest revision as of 12:15, 14 June 2025

A bootloader is a program that runs when the phone turns on and loads the operating system. [1] Most phones lock the bootloader by default, which means that a new bootloader or operating system can't be installed on the phone. [2]

How it works[edit | edit source]

Some manufacturers do not allow unlocking the bootloader even if the phone is not under a contract. Some manufacturers allow to unlock the bootloader on some regions, or require a payment or an online connection to unlock the phone. Some manufacturers may void the warranty or block certain features permanently if the bootloader is unlocked

Why it is a problem[edit | edit source]

If the bootloader cannot be unlocked the operating system can't be modified in any way which is not allowed by the manufacturer.

Examples[3][edit | edit source]

  • Huawei
  • HMD Global/Nokia
  • Vivo/IQOO
  • ZTE
  • Meizu
  • Asus
  • Alcatel
  • Apple
  • Energizer
  • Cat
  • Sharp
  • Doogee
  • TCL
  • Coolpad
  • Realme (on some regions)
  • OPPO (outside China)
  • Xiaomi (China only)
  • Samsung (USA only)
  • HTC
  • Motorola (on some devices)
  • Google Pixel (Verizon)


References[edit | edit source]

  1. "GNU Grub website".
  2. "Lock and unlock the bootloader". Android Open Source project.
  3. "Bootloader wall of shame". GitHub.