Checking if Your Bootloader is Unlocked
Hey there! Today, I want to talk to you about something really important – checking if the bootloader on your device is unlocked or not. Believe me, it’s crucial to know this because it determines whether you have the freedom to modify and customize your device as you wish.
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly is a bootloader? Well, think of it as the gatekeeper of your device. It’s a piece of software that gets your device up and running when you turn it on. In simpler terms, it’s like the security guard at the entrance of a building, allowing only authorized individuals to enter.
An unlocked bootloader, on the other hand, is like an open gate. It gives you the ability to install custom software, root your device, and even flash custom ROMs. Basically, it allows you to take full control of your device and tinker with it to your heart’s content.
So, how do you check if your bootloader is unlocked or not? Don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Just follow these steps:
1. Turn off your device completely.
2. Press and hold the power button and volume down button simultaneously. Keep holding until the device boots into a special mode called bootloader mode or fastboot mode.
3. Once you’re in the bootloader mode, look for a message that says “LOCKED” or “UNLOCKED.” This will indicate whether your bootloader is locked or unlocked.
If you see the word “LOCKED,” unfortunately, it means your bootloader is locked. This means you have limited control over your device and cannot make certain modifications. However, if you see “UNLOCKED,” congratulations! You have the freedom to explore and customize your device to your heart’s desire.
Now, keep in mind that unlocking your bootloader comes with risks. It can void your warranty and potentially cause stability or security issues. So, before you decide to unlock it, do thorough research and understand the consequences.
To sum it all up, checking if your bootloader is unlocked is essential for empowering yourself to customize your device. By following the simple steps I’ve shared, you can determine whether you have the freedom to take control of your device or if you’ll need to explore other options. Good luck, and happy tinkering!
Whether you’re a fan or not, one thing I can tell you for certain is that Android phones are incredibly customizable. The Android operating system has some unique capabilities that other systems don’t have. One of the biggest advantages of Android devices is the ability to unlock the bootloader. When you unlock the bootloader, you gain almost complete control over your phone by rooting it. Rooting allows you to customize just about anything.
Now, let’s find out how to check if your phone’s bootloader is unlocked and how to unlock it.
Is Your Bootloader Unlocked?
Messing with the bootloader might seem daunting, but trust me, it’s not as difficult as it sounds, and it doesn’t require a lot of technical know-how. Checking if your bootloader is locked or unlocked is even easier. You might need a little assistance from your trusty PC, though.
On Your Android Phone
Your Android phone might be all you need for this task. Make sure it’s fully charged and has the latest software update installed. To check for updates, go to Settings, scroll down to About device at the bottom of the list, and tap on it. Next, tap on System update, then Check for updates. If an update is available, tap on Download or Yes. Once the download is complete, tap on Install Now. Make sure your device is connected to a power source and wait for the update to install.
Now, let’s get to the fun part – checking if your bootloader is unlocked. It’s actually super simple, easier than you might think. Just open the Phone app and dial the following code as if you were making a call: “*#*#7378423#*#*“. Once you enter the code, a new window should pop up. In that window, go to Service info and then Configuration. On the Configuration screen, look for the “Bootloader unlock” heading and see if it says “Yes” next to it.
If it doesn’t say “Yes” next to the heading, that means your bootloader is locked and if you want to use it, you’ll need to try to unlock it.
Unlocking the Bootloader on Your Android Phone
So, you’ve tried entering the code mentioned above and nothing happened on your Android phone. Don’t fret! This can occur on certain Android models, but there’s a solution. You can use your PC to check the status of your phone’s bootloader. Let me guide you through it.
First, you’ll need a set of tools called ADB and Fastboot. These tools can be found on the official Android development site. Once you’ve downloaded them, extract the folder and open Command Prompt on your computer.
Now, put your Android phone in fastboot mode by turning it off and holding the Power and Volume Down buttons simultaneously until the phone turns on. This may take around 10 seconds, so keep holding the buttons until the phone powers on. When the phone turns on, release the Power button but continue holding the Volume Down button until the bootloader screen appears. You’ll recognize it by the familiar Android bot icon.
Next, connect your phone to your PC using the charger/data cable. Once your PC notifies you that your Android phone is connected, use the Command Prompt that you opened earlier to enter the following command: “fastboot devices“.
If Command Prompt detects your device, it will return a code. Now, type “fastboot oem device-info” and you should see the bootloader info. Next to “Device unlocked,” there should be “True.” However, if it says “False,” it means the bootloader on your Android device is locked.
Unlocking the Bootloader
Before we proceed, I must inform you that not every Android phone allows bootloader unlocking. It depends on various factors such as the phone model, the manufacturer, and your carrier.
First and foremost, it is crucial that you back up everything you want to save because the bootloader unlocking process deletes all data from your device. You can use the backup function on your phone to back up your files and settings.
Android SDK
Now, let’s install the Android SDK (SDK Tools Only) and the necessary drivers for your phone. Run the SDK Manager and select only the Android SDK Platform-tools. Once the installation process is complete, close the SDK manager. For the drivers, you can find them on the phone manufacturer’s website. If prompted to restart your PC, go ahead and do so.
After restarting your phone (without unplugging it), navigate to the Android SDK folder, open the folder called “platform-tools,” and then Shift + Right-Click on an empty part of the folder. From the drop-down menu, select Open Command Prompt Window Here. Now, type “adb devices” in the Command Prompt and press Enter.
Unlock Key
Visit the bootloader unlocking page on the phone manufacturer’s website. Make sure to follow their specific instructions because the process can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and even from phone model to phone model.
Unlock the Phone
To unlock the phone, start the fastboot mode on your phone. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding the code to enter once you’ve opened Command Prompt in the Android SDK folder. Enter the code and press Enter.
That’s it! You should see a message confirming that the bootloader on your phone has been successfully unlocked. Keep an eye out for this message during the boot screen. Enjoy exploring the possibilities of your unlocked Android device!
Is It Locked or Unlocked?
Now that you know how to check if your bootloader is locked and how to unlock it, let’s talk about some important things. Unfortunately, there are certain Android models that cannot be unlocked, and there’s no way to bypass this limitation. However, for those that can be unlocked, the process is relatively easy and straightforward, although it may take some time.
Have you unlocked the bootloader on your Android device? Are you planning to root your device? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so please share them in the comments section below!
