Bootloader unlocking
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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.[1]
There are several reasons why some smartphone users install alternative operating systems on their smartphones:
- Superior Privacy: Most custom ROMs do not contain any of the components that send data to the manufacturer, Google, and their partner companies.[2] In some cases, they even contain components that prevent individual apps from doing so, such as /e/'s Advanced Privacy or CalyxOS's Datura Firewall.
- 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.
- Security Updates after device is abandoned by manufacturer: Low-end devices usually receive only a few years or even months of security updates. 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.
- 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 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.
Features
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.[3] Alternative systems avoid this process entirely, or use privacy preserving workaround.[4]
Alternative Android-based Operating Systems
These include, but are not limited to:
- AOSP (Android Open Source Project) , also known as "stock" Android.[5][2]
References
- ↑ "Android ROM". PCMag. 19 Aug 2025. Archived from the original on 23 Dec 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Patel, Pratham (20 Feb 2024). "5 De-Googled Android-based Operating Systems to Free Your Smartphone from Google and other Big Tech". It's FOSS. Archived from the original on 7 Jul 2025. Retrieved 19 Aug 2025.
- ↑ Aragon, Jonah (21 Jul 2024). "Android". Privacy Guides. Retrieved 17 Aug 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Gordon, Arielle (7 Jun 2019). "The Open Source Project That Keeps Google's Hands Off Your Android Data". Vice. Archived from the original on 30 Jun 2025. Retrieved 19 Aug 2025.
- ↑ https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm