Bootloader unlocking



Bootloader unlocking is the process of disabling the bootloader security that makes secure boot possible. It can make advanced customizations possible, such as installing a custom firmware. On smartphones this can be a custom Android distribution or another mobile operating system. Some bootloaders are not locked at all, others can be unlocked using a standard command, others need assistance from the manufacturer. Some do not include an unlocking method and can only be unlocked through a software exploit.

Bootloader unlocking is also done for mobile forensics purposes, to extract digital evidence from mobile devices, using tools such as Cellebrite UFED.

Background
Unlocking the bootloader usually voids any warranties and may make the device susceptible to data theft. On Chromebooks, enabling developer mode makes the system less secure than a standard laptop running Linux. Unlocking the bootloader may lead to data loss on Android and ChromeOS devices, as some data is impossible to back up without root permission. This will also lead to certain security apps not working, such as Samsung Knox which the counter would be stuck at "0x1."

Sascha Segan from PCMag considered a locked bootloader a mistake on the Qualcomm Snapdragon Insiders phone, which is targeted at advanced users.

Android
Unlocking the bootloader is typically done during the process to obtain root access and/or a custom ROM.

History
The bootloaders of Nexus and Pixel devices can be unlocked by using the fastboot command  or if it doesn't recognize the command.

When Motorola released a bootloader unlocking tool for the Droid Razr, Verizon removed the tool from their models.

In 2011, Sony Ericsson released an online bootloader unlocking tool. Sony requires the IMEI number to be filled in on their website. For the Asus Transformer Prime TF201, Asus has released a special bootloader unlock tool.

In 2012, Motorola released a limited tool for unlocking bootloaders. They require accepting terms and conditions and creating an account before the bootloader can be unlocked for your Motorola device.

HTC phones have an additional layer of lock called "S-OFF/S-ON".

Bootloaders can be unlocked using an exploit or using a way that the vendor supplied. The latter method usually requires wiping all data on the device. In addition, some manufacturers prohibit unlocking on carrier locked phones. Although Samsung phones and cellular tablets sold in the US and Canada do not allow bootloader unlocks regardless of carrier status, a service has allowed users on an earlier version to unlock their US/Canadian Samsung phone(s) and/or tablet(s)

In 2018, a developer from XDA Developers launched a service which allowed users to unlock the bootloader of some Nokia smartphone models. Similarly, another developer from XDA Developers launched a service to allow users to unlock the bootloaders of Samsung Galaxy S20 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Phones.

Huawei announced plans to allow users to unlock the bootloader of the Mate 30 series, but later retracted that. Huawei has stopped providing bootloader unlock codes since 2018. A bootloader exploit named checkm30 has been developed for HiSilicon based Huawei phones.

When the bootloader of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 was unlocked, the camera became less functional. This could be restored by re-locking the bootloader. This issue was later fixed by Samsung. For the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, unlocking the bootloader has no effect on the camera.

Microsoft
The WPInternals tool is able to unlock bootloaders of all Nokia Lumia phones running Windows Phone, but not phones like the Alcatel Idol 4 or HP Elite x3. Version 1.0 was released in November 2015. In October 2018, the tool was released as open source software when the main developer René Lergner (also known as HeathCliff74) stepped down.

The slab bootloader used by Windows RT could be unlocked using a vulnerability, but was silently patched by Microsoft in 2016. UEFI Secure Boot on x86 systems can generally be unlocked.

Apple
The boot ROM protection on iOS devices with an A11 processor or older can be bypassed with a hardware exploit known as checkm8, which makes it possible to run other operating systems including Linux.

The bootloader on Apple Silicon-based Macs can be unlocked. However, other Apple devices like the iPhone and iPad cannot be bootloader unlocked even when using the same chip used in a Mac.

Google
The equivalent of bootloader unlocking is called developer mode in Chromebooks. Chromebooks use custom bootloaders that can be modified or overwritten by removing a Write-protect screw. Some models lack a screw and instead may or may not require disabling the onboard Cr50 chip.

In 2013, the bootloader of the Chromecast was hacked using an exploit. In 2021, it was hacked again for newer versions.

Asus
Asus used to provide an Unlocking tool for both of their smartphone lines, the Zenfone and ROG Phone. This worked as an installable .apk file that the user could install on their phone, then unlock the bootloader. The app worked by contacting Asus unlocking servers, then prompting the user to perform a factory reset.

In 2023 Asus removed the tool from their website and closed the unlocking servers, so even phones with the .apk file installed couldn't unlock their bootloaders. Representatives on the Asus forums claimed the tool would be available again, but as of March 2024 no additional information has been provided, even after the release of their latest device the ROG Phone 8 and the upcoming release of the Zenfone 11 Ultra.

A user on the popular fourm XDA (website) filed a court claim application against Asus due to the unlock tool never being released and alleged that Asus censored comments about the unlock tool on their form.

SpaceX
In August 2022, security researcher Lennert Wouters applied a voltage injection attack to bypass firmware verification of a Starlink satellite dish from SpaceX.

Relocking
On Android, it is possible to relock the bootloader.

VNeID app changes
According to information from technology groups in Vietnam, after updating version 2.1.6 of the VNeID application released on May 30, 2024, some Android phone users have received warnings : "Your device is not safe, there is a risk of containing malicious code...". As a result, users are thrown to the main screen and cannot use the VNeID application, even though before the update they could still log in and use it normally.

This is because VNeID 2.1.6 update has added new security measures to stop working on Android devices with root access, unlocked bootloader and developer mode enabled. To use, users must disable root access to the device, relock bootloader and turn off developer options.

Shutdown of online services
In 2018, Huawei stopped providing bootloader unlock codes. On 31 December 2021, LG shut down their website which provided bootloader unlock codes. In August 2023, ASUS removed the unlocking tool from their website and shut down the servers used to unlock the bootloader.