Bootloader unlocking: Difference between revisions

The bootloader is a special program on a device that loads the operating system when the device is turned on. Bootloaders are typically established by the manufacturer and shipped to retailers and consumers in a "locked" state, where the bootloader can only load the operating system (OS) delivered by the manufacturer. [[wikipedia:Bootloader_unlocking|Unlocking a bootloader]] disables the checks that force the use of a particular operating system, granting the ability to run third-party operating systems such as Linux or [[Android]] without [[Google]] software.  

Unlocking the bootloader of a smartphone enables the user to install an alternative operating 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>

Rooting a device allows users to bypass restrictions from within the OS, while it 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 does, however, allow 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}}  

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 of these custom ROMs allows users to receive security updates for the Android system and default components, such as web browser engines and PDF readers, for as long as custom ROMs are developed. Popular custom ROMs such as 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>

Some applications cannot be removed easily with 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}}

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, the removal of some apps and services, and the bypassing of other DRM such as the iPhone's component DRM.{{Citation needed|date=12 Mar 2026}}

Apple products such as iPhones do not support unlocking the bootloader, utilizing digital signatures to verify the authenticity of the firmware and bootloader, 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. -->