Nokia phones are known for their durability and power, but unlocking the bootloader on these devices can be a difficult task. This blog post will help you learn how to unlock your Nokia phone’s bootloader with simple instructions.
Nokia Smartphones have their own history, embarked with the golden plates and real stars. They started their journey with the Nokia 1011 phones. Yeah, We’re talking about those old days when you were required to keep the smartphones with having giant antennas above them.
These phones were damn secure and could only get hacked by sitting in the room above you. Those were the golden days when Nokia developed almost all kinds of smartphones, Gaming, folding, and smart ones.
I’ve used most of the Java phones manufactured by Nokia, like those smartphones with enabled internet and supportive with various apps and games.
Gameloft was my favorite, but nowadays, Nokia has developed many amazing Android and Windows smartphones. If we keep Windows sideways, The Android creations of Nokia are all exceptional, in-built with extraordinary features and the perfect camera setup.
Nowadays, You can do almost everything on your Android smartphone, which you could only do on your computers and laptops using the privileged Android apps and lots of smartphone modules. Moreover, Tremendous techies have learned rooting their Smartphone and do the fantastic tweaks that no one have ever heard.
Well, That’s legit, but before gaining root access, You first need to unlock the Bootloader and do so many preliminary tasks to root your Smartphone or install the TWRP Recovery tool inside it.
Well, It’s not that complex to unlock the Bootloader of Nokia Android smartphones. Besides, We also have developed a complete guide based on the complete information about the Bootloader unlocking process and the steps to complete this task. So If You’re the one deeming to unlock your Nokia’s Bootloader, let’s do this legitly.
What is Bootloader in Nokia Smartphones?
In my opinion, Nokia is one of the most advanced smartphone manufacturing brands, as it showed lots of premium class smartphones when no one was there in the industry.
I used most of those classic Qwerty Keypad devices and the flipping devices from Nokia and used the Nokia 6 and Nokia 8 developed this decade. Still, It’s keeping the same legacy.
Now, If You want to know the meaning of Bootloader in Nokia Smartphones, first you’re required to know that there is a preliminary process behind all the running processes on your Smartphone.
What do You think about the high amount of time needed while restarting your device? It’s because the Bootloader gets started at the initialization of your Smartphone.
So In simple words, Bootloader is a set of programs that get started before each process of your Smartphone. It helps your Smartphone handle all the upcoming operations, keeping UI ready and helping you use all those Systems and Third-Party applications. So get ready to unlock it and make all the tweaks in your desirable mind.
Why Unlock Bootloader?
After ultimately acknowledging the meaning of Bootloader, the first thought that pings our mind is what would be the reason to unlock Bootloader? It’s the most secure part of your Android smartphone, including almost all the security modules working on your device right now, including those Payment Security modules, Call Security Modules and App Security Modules.
That’s why You’re required to have a legit reason to unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Android smartphone. If You’re making this process without any reason, You’re going to face lots of disadvantages that we’ll cover in the following few sections. Moreover, We also have listed below the most frequent reasons why people unlock their device’s Bootloader. Choose from them and go on for the process –
- If You’re dreaming of gaining root access on your Smartphone.
- If You want to install the TWRP Recovery tool on your Nokia Smartphone.
- If You’re going to overclock your device or use the privileged apps.
- If You’re going to create the intelligent backup of your app data within files and folders.
Advantages
- First of all, The Unlocked Bootloader helps you rooting your Smartphone and perform all other brilliant tweaks you want with your Smartphone.
- You can now download almost all the privileged Android apps for modifying games on your own. You won’t need to wander on those ad-filled websites anymore.
- Unlocked Bootloader is the first need to install the TWRP Recovery Tool on your Nokia Android smartphone.
- Unlocked Bootloader will help you if you’re deeming to install any Custom ROM or Stock ROM on your Nokia smartphone.
- If You’re unlocking your Nokia Device’s Bootloader, You can uninstall all those annoying system apps eating almost all your RAM and ROM.
- Suppose You’re a gamer and feel annoyed because of the low configuration of your Nokia Smartphone. In that case, You can unlock the Bootloader and download the privileged Overclocking third-party apps to overclock your device’s processor within seconds.
- It’ll also help you save most of your battery percentage being eaten by those third-party dead apps.
- Root access will also offer you access to almost all the exclusive modules for making your enjoyment classic.
- You can customize the entire interface of your Smartphone after having an unlocked Bootloader and root access.
- This will simplify most of your complex tasks, like backing up data, securing folders, and enhance the beauty of apps used on these devices.
Disadvantages
- First of all, A single mistake between the entire process of unlocking your Smartphone’s Bootloader can brick your device for nearly a lifetime.
- If You’re unlocking your device’s Bootloader, You’re indirectly voiding the warranty of your Smartphone. So Please, Don’t go ahead If You aren’t having a legit reason behind that and just doing this for fun.
- You won’t be able to use the highly secured Android banking apps on your Nokia Smartphone after unlocking its Bootloader.
- This process will disable almost all the security modules from your Nokia Smartphone. So You’ll have to make all the processes carefully after unlocking your device’s Bootloader.
- Your device will become easily hackable after unlocking its Bootloader.
- If You’ve Rooting as the significant reason behind unlocking your Smartphone’s Bootloader, remember that Rooting also holds its own disadvantages.
- Overclocking is good, but going ahead to overclock your Nokia Android smartphone for like an entire day can be dangerous. So be careful while overclocking since it can overheat your device’s processor.
- Uninstalling the System apps is also a risky task after unlocking the Bootloader since the lack of a single essential app can put you in big trouble. Keep that in mind, and be careful while uninstalling those apps.
Prerequisites before unlocking Nokia Smartphone Bootloader
Prerequisites steps can be defined as the most preliminary steps you need to take before proceeding with any process. Every process has its own advantages and disadvantages, but the most extensive harm you would have is not following the process carefully. So be careful at every moment and must follow both the below steps before going forward to unlock the Bootloader of your Android smartphone.
- Backup necessary data – First of all, You’re required to create the entire backup of your essential data available on your Smartphone. Basically, The Bootloader Unlocking process indirectly means formatting Android smartphones. So be careful, and create a hard or cloud backup of all your images, videos, music tracks, apps, Contacts, Call Logs, and all the most important stuff.
- Keep your Nokia phone charged – After creating the complete backup of all your important data, You’re supposed to charge your Nokia Smartphone 60%+. As we told you above that, a single mistake can brick your Smartphone for a lifetime. It would be best to keep it charged since being switched off between the Bootloader Unlocking process would be the most severe thing.
Methods to Unlock Bootloader On Nokia Smartphones
Finally, We’re ready to take steps for unlocking the Bootloader of our Android smartphone. First of all, It’s a simplistic step, and all you need is to be careful at each moment while processing the below steps. Afterward, You can make all your desired tweaks with an unlocked Bootloader. Be gentle, and let’s start the process –
Method 1 – Nokia’s Official Method to Unlock Bootloader
First of all, We’ll have the official method to unlock the Bootloader of our Nokia Android smartphone. It’s one of the working processes and the most simplistic one, but it will only be suggested to all those developers kind of guys who wanna unlock their device’s Bootloader.
So If You’re a normal guy trying to do this for fun, please don’t go for the official method. It’s only developed for those techie guys who know properly about installing Custom ROMs and the TWRP tool. So let’s not waste more time and get sharply inside the official method to unlock Nokia Smartphone’s Bootloader.
Download the Nokia Bootloader app on your Smartphone and validate code for Nokia official website
First of all, You’re required to get the unlock code for your Nokia Smartphone. Basically, premium devices like Nokia and Huawei devices provide the unlocking keys independently, and there isn’t any method to unlock these smartphones without having these keys. Unlike those Oppo and Vivo Smartphones, which can get unlocked without using any Unlock Key.
So If You’re deeming to unlock your Nokia Smartphone, the first measure you need to do is find a validating code to get the unlock code from Nokia’s official website. So, First of all, You’re required to download the Nokia Bootloader Unlock App from the below link and open it ASAP.
Nokia Bootloader Unlock APK – (Link)
After downloading this tool, You’re required to fill in some of the crucial details on the validating form, like your Smartphone’s Model Name, your name, and all the legit information. After filling in all these details, You’ll get a validating code. Now write down this validate code on any page accessible to you.
Log in or register in your Nokia account and enter a valid key for unlock code
After successfully getting the Validate code, You’ve o enter the below official Nokia website link on your web browser and hit enter. If You have a Nokia Account, fill in the login credentials or register for a new account if you haven’t got anyone. After logging in, Fill in the Validation code you got through the above steps on the Validation code section and hit enter.”
After completing the above step, You’ll get a mail on your registered email-id, including the unlock key. Create a new folder on the Desktop named Bootloader and save this currently downloaded nokiaunlock.key there on the same folder. After doing that, get towards the next step and make some moderations with your Android smartphone’s developer options.
Enable OEM Unlocking and USB Debugging
As of now, You’ve conquered the free unlock key for your Nokia smartphone and are ready to make the remaining steps and unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone. It would be damn easy steps on the next part, too, so all you need is to be gentle in between the entire process. Now You’re required to enable the OEM Unlock and USB Debugging on your Android smartphone for going ahead.
Both these are the most crucial developer options that you need to enable before unlocking the Bootloader of your Smartphone. OEM Unlock will authorize you or allow you to unlock your device’s Bootloader, and the USB Debugging will help your PC driver recognize your Smartphone as a fastboot option. So let’s enable them both ASAP –
Step 1 – Open the Settings app on your Nokia Smartphone through the notification window or simply click the Settings icon.
Step 2 – Scroll down, and find the About Phone section on the Settings page. Open it.
Step 3 – You’ll get there a detail listed named Build Number. You’ll have to click this Build Number repeatedly for 7-8 times, and afterward, You’ll notice a pop-up notification saying Developer Options Enabled.
Step 4 – As of now, You’ve enabled Developer Options and are required to go back on the Settings app. Please search for the System named tab and enter it ASAP.
Step 5 – Search for the Developer Options inside System Settings and tap it.
Step 6 – Scroll down and search for an OEM Unlock option and hit the toggle right to it to enable it.
Step 7 – Do the same process for USB Debugging in the list and enable it too.
Download & Install ADB and Fastboot tool for PC
After completing all the above steps and simply enabling both the important developer options on your Nokia Android smartphone, you’re now required to install a few most essential tools and drivers on your PC. Again, It’s a simple process here, where you just need to download and install the two critical tools. We’ve listed the web links for both the tools below so that you can simply download them –
ADB Driver – (Link)
Fastboot Tool – (Link)
Both these ADB Driver and the Fastboot Tool are damn essential to be installed for completing the process, as here the ADB Drivers are crucial to recognizing your Nokia Smartphone and Fastboot Tool for all the further procedures. Further operations will include opening the bootloader mode on the Smartphone, unlocking the Bootloader, and rebooting the device. So let’s get through the below steps and install both these tools ASAP –
Step 1 – Download both the files, ADB Driver and Fastboot Tool, from the above links.
Step 2 – Both are the zipped file you’re required to extract in the same Bootloader folder, where you’ve saved the Unlock Key.
Step 3 – After extracting both these zipped files, open that Bootloader folder and right-click the ADB Driver Exe file.
Step 4 – Choose Run it as administrator and hit the Next tab on all the upcoming prompts to install it successfully.
Step 5 – Get back on the Bootloader folder and make similar steps with the Fastboot tool Exe file. Right-click it and choose the Run it as administrator tab.
Step 6 – Hit Yes or Y on all the upcoming prompt notifications to install the Fastboot tool successfully on your PC.
Last call before unlocking the Nokia Smartphone’s Bootloader
As of now, You’ve done half of the processes to unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone. All You need now is to connect your Nokia Smartphone to your PC using a USB Cable and complete all the below steps. Before that, you must remember that it’s the last chance to create a backup of all your essential data. If You already have made the backup of your crucial files, ignore this message and get towards the next or final section.
Unlock the Bootloader for your Nokia Smartphone
Finally, We’re ready to unlock the Bootloader of our Nokia Smartphone and completed all the preliminary steps. Right now, You’ve completed backup of your data, charged your phone at least 60%, enabled OEM Unlock & USB Debugging on the Developer Options, and installed both the crucial tools on your PC.
So right now, You have to complete the final few steps listed below. Again, It’s not as complex as it sounds, and all you need to do is to take a deep breath and start the process as soon as possible. Let’s get to the steps –
Step 1 – Open the recently created Bootloader folder again on your PC.
Step 2 – Select the above address bar, inscribe the command named cmd there, and hit enter.
Step 3 – This command will open the Command prompt for you on the requested Bootloader folder.
Step 4 – Now, You’re required to restart your Nokia Smartphone in the download mode. For doing that, switch off your Nokia smartphone and hold its Volume down key. Now connect your Nokia Smartphone with your PC using a USB cable while holding the Volume down key.
Step 5 – After connecting your Smartphone with a PC, You’ll observe your Nokia smartphone restarting in the different mode that you may never have seen before.
Step 6 – After a successful restart, maximize the command prompt you opened in the Bootloader folder and copy the below command.
fastboot flash unlock nokiaunlock.key
Step 7 – Hit the enter button, and then Nokia servers will verify your Unlock Key.
Step 8 – After a successful verification, inscribe the below command on your cmd to finally unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone –
fastboot oem unlock
Step 9 – Hit the Enter button.
Step 10 – Now wait to complete the Bootloader unlocking process, and afterward, reboot your Smartphone with the below command.
fastboot reboot
Step 11 – Hit the enter button last time.
Finally, You’ve completed performing all those steps and unlocked the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone. After a successful reboot, You’ll see a warning message saying to relock the Bootloader. Ignore that message and start making all your tweaks, like gaining root access and installing the TWRP Recovery tool on your Android smartphone. Enjoy tweaking..
Method 2 – Unofficial method to unlock Nokia smartphone’s Bootloader
The unofficial method is developed for all the below listed Nokia Smartphone models, or the models having the Snapdragon chipset installed inside them. If You’re unable to complete the Bootloader unlocking process from the above method and have any of the smartphone models listed in the below list, You can try this one.
It’s a paid method, where you’re required to pay a mere $5 to get the unlock code for your Nokia Smartphone Bootloader Unlocking process. Please go through the below list and find your device below to find the capability –
- Nokia 2
- Nokia 2.1
- Nokia 5
- Nokia 6,
- Nokia 6.1 (Nokia 6 2018),
- Nokia 6.1 Plus,
- Nokia 7,
- Nokia 7 Plus,
- Nokia 8
- Nokia X71
Fill the form to get an unlock code for your Nokia Smartphone at $5
As we told you above that, you need to purchase the key inside the unofficial method to unlock the Nokia Smartphone’s Bootloader. So You’re firstly required to follow the below link and fill the form asking for all the details, like your name, email-id, contact number, phone model, IMEI Number, and the Serial Number of your Nokia Smartphone.
Providing the details like name, email-id, and contact number would be the simplistic steps of the form, but most guys get stuck while finding the IMEI Number and Serial Number for their Smartphone. If You’re the one, don’t worry, and follow the below steps to find both IMEI Number and Serial Number damn simplistically –
Step 1 – Open the dial pad of your Nokia Smartphone.
Step 2 – Type there *#06#, and you’ll get a prompt notification including two different IMEI numbers. You can inscribe anyone inside the above form.
Step 3 – Now get back to the home page of your Smartphone and open the Settings app ASAP.
Step 4 – Scroll down and search for the About Phone tab and open it ASAP.
Step 5 – Now, You need to locate the Status tab on there and open it.
Step 6 – Finally, You’ll get there the Serial Number for your Smartphone. Copy it on the form and go on.
Step 7 – Now, After filling in the complete details, You’re required to submit the form and pay 5USD through Paypal.
Step 8 – Afterward, You’ll get the unlock code file in your e-mail inbox. So Open your E-mail account on your PC and download this unlockfile.bin.
Step 9 – Create a new folder on Desktop named Bootloader, and save this unlock file there.
Enable OEM Unlock and USB Debugging
After completing the above step, You’re required to enable both those developer options that you enabled similarly inside the first method. Moreover, You can go through the below steps to enable both of them step-by-step –
Step 1 – First of all, Open the Settings app on your Nokia Smartphone.
Step 2 – Now search for the About Phone or About section and tap it ASAP.
Step 3 – You’ll get there a detail named Build Number. Hit this Build Number repeatedly for 7-8 times until you get the prompt notification saying Developer Options Enabled.
Step 4 – Now, get back to the Settings app main menu and search for the System Settings. Tap it.
Step 5 – Search for the newly joined Developer Options on System Settings. Open it.
Step 6 – Now scroll down and search for a developer option named OEM Unlock under the Bootloader section. Tap the toggle right after this option and enable it by allowing it on the following notification prompt.
Step 7 – Perform the similar step with USB Debugging and enable it too by clicking the toggle next to it. Allow for USB Debugging.
Download and Install ADB and Fastboot tool
After the above moderation on your Android smartphone, You’re required to complete a few installations on your PC, named ADB Driver and Fastboot Tool. For making the process more simplistic, We’ve provided below the weblink to download both ADB Driver and the Fastboot tool. Download it from there –
ADB Driver – (Link)
Fastboot Tool – (Link)
After completing the downloading process, you need to install both the above-listed tools on your PC. Follow the below steps and install both of them damn simply.
Step 1 – Download both the tool and driver zipped files from the above link and extract them on the same Bootloader folder where you’ve saved the unlock file.
Step 2 – Open that Bootloader folder, and right-click the ADB Driver Exe file, and run it as administrator on the following options.
Step 3 – Tap Yes for all the upcoming prompts and install the ADB Driver successfully on your Windows PC.
Step 4 – Similar to step 2, get back to the Bootloader folder and now right-click the Fastboot Tool Exe file to run it as administrator.
Step 5 – Click on the Yes tab for all the allowances required to install the Fastboot tool.
Unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone
Finally, You’re ready to unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone, as you’ve completed all the preliminary steps. Ultimately, You’ve to complete the final stages and unlock the Bootloader of your device. Here You need to remember that you have completed backup or not. Please create a backup of all your data first, and then go for the below steps –
Step 1 – First of all, Shut Down your Nokia Smartphone and wait till the switching-off process.
Step 2 – After completing the switching-off process, press and hold the Volume Down key. Now connect your Smartphone with your PC using a USB Data cable while holding its Volume Down key.
Step 3 – Now, You’ll observe your Smartphone restarting on the Bootloader or Download mode.
Step 4 – Open the Bootloader folder where you’ve installed ADB drivers and Fastboot Tool with the unlock key.
Step 5 – Now, find an empty space and Right-Click there. Same as the below-linked picture.
Step 6 – Select and Click the Open Powershell Window tab from the Right-Click list.
Step 7 – Copy the below command and paste it in Powershell Window and hit enter to detect the connected Nokia Smartphone on your PC –
fastboot devices
Step 8 – After successfully observing your device, enter the below command to verify the Unlock Code –
fastboot flash unlock UnlockFile.bin
(Here, in the place of UnlockFile.bin, You’re required to paste the name by which you saved the unlock file.)
Step 9 – Hit the enter button.
Step 10 – After the successful verification, Enter the below command to Unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone –
fastboot oem unlock-go
Step 11 – Hit the Enter Button.
Wait for the completion of the unlocking process and tada….. You’ve finally unlocked the Bootloader of your Nokia Android smartphone and can install any Custom ROM or TWRP recovery tool on your Smartphone. Moreover, You can also gain root access to have excellent privileges above the other Nokia users.
FAQ
How do I know if my phones’ Bootloader is unlocked?
It’s a simplistic process to check if the Bootloader is unlocked or not. You can do this with both your Smartphone and PC. If You’re convenient with your Smartphone, you’re required to open the dialer and write *#*#7378423#*#*. It’ll automatically redirect you to the Settings, where you have to enter Service Info>Configuration. Now, If there is Yes written under Bootloader, it’s unlocked or opposite for No.
Now, If You’re convenient with the PC, You’re required to follow the below process –
Step 1 – Download the Android SDK Platform-tools, and the drivers compatible with your Smartphone.
Step 2 – Now install these drivers and unzip SDK tools on a specified folder.
Step 3 – Open the folder where you extracted SDK Tools, and press Shift + Right Click on the empty location, and choose “Open with Windows Powershell.”
Step 4 – Switch off your phone with a hard pressing Power Button.
Step 5 – Now press the Power button again with the Volume-Up button and Volume Down button together. It’ll start your device in fastboot mode.
Step 6 – Connect your phone with the PC with a USB cable.
Step 7 – Copy the below command on your Windows Powershell screen –
fastboot devices
Step 8 – Soon, your PC will detect the connected Smartphone, and now you’re required to copy the below command there –
fastboot oem device-info
How do I get root access on the Nokia smartphone?
If You’re willing to gain root access on your Nokia Smartphone, firstly, You’re required to unlock its Bootloader. Well, It’s a simplistic process to unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Smartphone. All You need here is to choose one of the above two methods at your convenience, and afterward, You can go straight for unlocking its Bootloader.
Is unlocking the Bootloader the same as rooting?
Nope, Unlocking the Bootloader is not as exact as rooting. If the Unlocked Bootloader can offer you ten privileges, root access contains thousands of them. Yeah, You can acknowledge Bootloader Unlocking as the most initial step for gaining root access on Android Smartphones, but they aren’t the same.
Does unlocking bootloader erase data?
Yeah, Unlocking the Bootloader will indirectly factory reset your Android smartphone, and that’s why we have added it hundreds of times inside the article to create a complete backup first before Unlocking the Bootloader. So make a backup of all your files, including photos, videos, messages, contacts, and all the important stuff available on your device’s local storage before starting the process.
What is OEM unlock?
OEM Unlock is one of the Developer Options available on every Android smartphone. You can enable it by going through the above OEM Unlock enabling steps. It basically stands for offering you unauthorized access to unlock the Bootloader of your Nokia Android smartphone. It’s damn easy to enable it as listed in the above steps.
Is OEM unlock safe?
Yup, OEM Unlock is a safe developer option for your Android smartphone. Remember, It’s only linked with the Bootloader of your ANdroid smartphone, so that you only have to keep it enabled while you’re completing the Bootloader Unlocking process. Afterward, You can disable it. And It’s not linked with any other security module so that you won’t need to get worried if you’ve forgotten it enabled.
Will I get OTA updates if the Bootloader is unlocked?
Nope. You won’t get the OTA Updates with the unlocked Bootloader. But elsewhere, You can go for the free Custom ROMs and install them on your Smartphone to enjoy the distinct UI versions that you can’t experience typically with a locked Bootloader. So stop worrying about those server and manufacture-side updates and start enjoying the fantastic after-root interfaces on your Smartphone. Enjoy tweaking.
