Do you want to unlock your bootloader on a Samsung phone? If so, read this blog post. You will learn how to do it and which are the best methods for unlocking the bootloader on any Samsung phone!
The first Samsung Android smartphone was developed in April 2009, named the Samsung Galaxy Smartphone. It was one of the first Android smartphones operated on Android 1.5 Cupcake, and the best thing was its 3.2 inch AMOLED touchscreen display. Now You can simply understand the legendary of the Samsung brand. When there were almost no Android smartphones in the market, they developed one with an AMOLED touchscreen.
Let’s look nowadays at the creations by Samsung. They can all blow up our minds, since many beast smartphones are getting manufactured these days, like Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G smartphone. These all smartphones can blow up our minds with their performance and overall features.
But have you tried rooting your smartphone and got stuck between the process for unlocking the Bootloader of Samsung Smartphones? If Yes, then today is the golden day for you, since today we’re here with an excellent article below, which is entirely based on the process to unlock the Bootloader of Samsung Galaxy Smartphones. It’ll clear all your doubts regarding the meaning, advantages, disadvantages, and methods of Unlocking Bootloader. Let’s get into it –
What is Bootloader in Samsung Smartphones?
The Bootloader can be simply defined as the set of programs required to boot up the smartphone and its insider applications. Getting towards the deep knowledge, It’s essential software of your smartphone developed by the manufacturer brand, not just in Samsung smartphones, but inside almost all kinds of Smartphones and smart devices like PC, Laptop, and Smart Television.
If You’re assuming making tweaks with your smartphone and installing different UI ROM or firmware inside it, you first need to unlock your device’s Bootloader. Additionally, We also have listed the reason to unlock Bootloader and all the advantages and disadvantages you need to face after unlocking the Bootloader on your Samsung Smartphone.
Why Unlock Bootloader?
Now You can ultimately acknowledge the reason for unlocking the Bootloader of Android smartphones. After knowing the meaning of Bootloader, You can simply understand why we need to open it. Additionally, we have listed a few legit reasons why most Android techies unlock their device’s Bootloader below. So take a deep look in there –
- To gain root access on Android smartphones.
- To install Custom ROMs on Android smartphones.
- To customize the interface of the smartphone.
- To use different OS versions and UI versions on Samsung Galaxy Smartphones.
Advantages
- You can root your Samsung Galaxy Smartphone simply after unlocking its Bootloader.
- Unlocking the Bootloader will allow you to install any Stock or Custom ROM on your Android smartphone conveniently.
- You can now use any root method like Magisk Manager and gain SuperSU access on your smartphone.
- Unlocking Bootloader will help you use the different UI versions like Oxygen OS and the MIUI on your Samsung Smartphone.
- You can also get back to the Stock Android and enjoy using the stock interface like those Google smartphones.
- It’ll help you customize your device’s overall interface, including the notifications, grids, header, footer, and almost all other interior stuff.
- Unlocking the Bootloader gives you access to most third-party software, like Lucky Patcher, with the full capability and all privileges unlocked.
- You can increase the processor’s speed after unlocking your device’s Bootloader, as many modules can help you do that. Now play all your favorite games with ultimate processing.
- The backup process will also become smart after unlocking the Bootloader of the Android smartphone. As of now, You can also take the App data backup for your smartphone.
- Some third-party software helps you saving battery and shutting most of the non-needed processes.
- Unlocking the Bootloader will allow you to download the latest software update that you don’t have yet on your smartphone(Updates that are only developed for high-budget smartphones).
- Unlock the Bootloader, and your smartphone will now permit you to uninstall any Android System application you hate, like Google Chrome, Play Books, Play Movies, and any of them. It’ll help you save your storage and RAM.
Disadvantages
- Unlocking Bootloader sometimes bricks Android device, which is the worse condition. Moreover, You can’t fix most of the bricks, so be careful and follow the process accurately.
- If You’re unlocking your Samsung Galaxy phone’s Bootloader, You’re indirectly unlocking or disabling most of the security modules present inside your Android smartphone.
- You won’t be able to use the most highly secured Android applications like Banking apps and Trading apps on the devices with unlocked Bootloader.
- You can’t relock the Bootloader again for some of the Samsung Galaxy Smartphones. Well, If You’re using one of the most recent series, like the Alpha, Millenial, or Super Smart, You can relock Bootloader there.
- Rooting can also brick your smartphone, so you must be careful if you’re unlocking Bootloader to gain root access.
- Gamers can overclock the processor of their smartphone after unlocking the Bootloader. Still, this process can also heat your smartphone and damage some interior hardware if you’re overclocking your device for the long term.
- Unlocking the Bootloader will void the one-year or two-year warranty of your Samsung Smartphone instantly.
- It would be best to be careful while uninstalling the System applications since uninstalling a single necessary system app can push you into big trouble.
Prerequisites before unlocking Samsung Galaxy Smartphone Bootloader
- Backup necessary data – Unlocking the Smartphone Bootloader is the process where you unlock the security modules and the program for starting all your Android services and starting your smartphone from the initial stage. Yeah, You heard right! So If You haven’t created the backup of all your data available on your device storage, You can lose it entirely. So, First of all, take the complete backup of all your essential data, like Photos, Videos, Documents, Contacts, Call Logs, and Messages, and then start the process of unlocking the Bootloader.
- Keep your Samsung Galaxy phone charged – Suppose that You’re unlocking your Device’s Bootloader, or even doing any system process, like updating the firmware or Android OS, and instantly your phone gets discharged. In this scenario, If You haven’t completed installing that update, Your phone can get bricked because of the half update installation. So just charge your smartphone’s battery at least 40% before Unlocking the Bootloader, or otherwise, you’ll get inside big trouble.
Steps to Unlock Bootloader On Samsung Smartphones
Finally, We’re ready to present the entire process of unlocking the Samsung Galaxy Smartphone Bootloader in front of you. All You need is to be careful about all the steps listed below, and don’t be panic since it’s the most convenient method to unlock Bootloader on Samsung Smartphones. Get ready –
Enable Developer Options and OEM Unlocking
First of all, You’re required to enable a few developer options since unlocking Bootloader needs the OEM Unlocking permission. It’s permission to accept you to unlock the Bootloader without any authorized access. Or, In simple words, You can’t unlock the Bootloader if you’re not the Manufacturer brand until you haven’t enabled OEM Unlocking.
Well, It’s the most simplistic process in the entire method. So don’t be panic and get directed towards the below procedure –
Step 1 – Firstly, Open the Settings app from the App Drawer on your Samsung Smartphone.
Step 2 – Now, Scroll and locate the About Phone tab, and hit that tab.
Step 3 – Search and tab the Software Information tab.
Step 4 – You’ll have to hit now the Build Number tab five times. Now You’ll get a prompt notification that Developer Mode has been enabled.
Step 5 – Now, You need to go back to the Settings main menu.
Step 6 – You’ll now observe the Developer Options tab there. Enter it!
Step 7 – Search for the OEM Unlocking toggle, and press it to Enable.
Step 8 – Now tap the Enable tab, and wait for a second.
You can now observe the enabled toggle just after the OEM Unlocking tab. It’s time to get towards the next step –
Enter the Device Unlock Mode
Finally, You’ve enabled the OEM Unlocking tab, and now You’re ready to unlock your Samsung Galaxy smartphone’s Bootloader. Basically, This process is a smartphone-only process, where you won’t need your PC to unlock the Bootloader. So It’s a more simplistic way of unlocking the Bootloader, developed by the Samsung manufacturers.
Here You’re supposed to enter the Device Unlock Mode, and there you can unlock your device’s Bootloader. Other Android smartphone brands only offer the Fastboot mode, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Smartphones have developed an entirely different space for unlocking Bootloader.
However, It’s not as complex as it sounds. We’ve simplified it below for all kinds of Samsung Galaxy smartphones. Just choose your device, and go through the supported process to access the Unlock Mode –
Unlocking the Bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Smartphones with the middle Home button –
Step 1 – Switch off your smartphone by hard pressing the power button and tapping the Shut Down tab.
Step 2 – Now, You’re required to tap Home, Volume Down, and the Power Key together while starting your smartphone.
Step 3 – Release all these three buttons after successfully observing the Blue Warning page.
Step 4 – Now, Hold the Volume Up key, as mentioned in the list, to access the Unlock Mode.
Unlocking the Bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Smartphones having Bixby button –
Step 1 – Switch off your smartphone by hard pressing the power button and tapping the Shut Down tab.
Step 2 – Now, You’re required to tap the Bixby key, Volume Down, and the Power Key together to start your smartphone on Download mode.
Step 3 – Release them all after successfully observing the Blue Warning page.
Step 4 – Hold the Volume Up button to get inside the Unlock mode ASAP.
Unlocking the Bootloader on Samsung Galaxy Smartphones with only the side power and volume buttons –
Step 1 – Switch off your smartphone by hard pressing the power button and tapping the Shut Down tab.
Step 2 – Now, wait for your smartphone to get shut down successfully.
Step 3 – Press the Volume Up and Volume Down keys together and connect your smartphone to the PC via USB Cable.
Step 4 – Release both these buttons after observing the blue warning page on your smartphone screen.
Step 5 – Now, Hold the Volume Up key, as mentioned in the list, to access the Unlock Mode.
Finally, Unlock the Bootloader of Samsung Smartphone
Finally, You have restarted your smartphone in the Unlock Mode, developed separately on Samsung Galaxy Smartphones to unlock the Bootloader. It’s the final and the most simplistic step to unlock your device Bootloader.
But before covering that step, You must need to remember that you’ve created the entire data backup of your smartphone on any external storage since unlocking the Bootloader also means factory resetting the smartphone. Afterward, follow the below process and unlock the Bootloader ASAP –
Step 1 – After accessing the Unlock Mode by the above process, You’ll observe two different options for Yes or No.
Step 2 – You’re required here to press the Volume Up Button saying Unlock Bootloader(may void warranty).
Now You’re supposed to wait for a few minutes till the Bootloader Unlocking process, and the Factory Data Resetting process will get done. Afterward, You’ll observe an automatic reboot on your smartphone with an obligatory warning message to notify you that Bootloder is unlocked on this smartphone.
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 Samsung Smartphones?
After Unlocking the Bootloader of your Samsung Galaxy Smartphone, You can quickly gain root access on your smartphone with any of your desired Root gaining methods. Additionally, You can also go through the below link, where we’ve published an article solely based on the process of Rooting smartphones with many legit methods.
(Link)
Is unlocking the Bootloader the same as rooting?
There is the different meaning for both, Unlocking the Bootloader and Rooting the Smartphone. Yeah, We can say that Unlocking the Bootloader is a preliminary process required for rooting smartphones. But still, we can’t use the root access requiring Android apps on the Samsung Smartphones with unlocked Bootloader.
Does unlocking bootloader erase data?
As we already have warned you above, that you must need to make an entire backup of all your essential data, including Contacts, Call Logs, Messages, and the File Manager Data. It’s only because Unlocking the Bootloader means restarting the smartphone from the initial stage or erasing all its data.
What is OEM unlock?
OEM Unlock is one of the most necessary developer options placed on Samsung Smartphones to unlock the Bootloader. It’s a simplistic toggle that you can enable by going through the first step listed above for Unlocking the Bootloader. OEM Unlock is a system that gives us unauthorized access to unlock the Bootloader of a smartphone.
Is OEM unlock safe?
OEM Unlock won’t affect your smartphone’s data, and also it’s one of the legit processes, which is 100% secure. Moreover, You won’t have to provide access to any third-party application since it’s a system process that starts with System Settings and ends in the same space.
Will I get OTA updates if the Bootloader is unlocked?
Yeah, You’ll surely get all the OTA updates after unlocking the Bootloader of your Android smartphone. Additionally, You can also install the latest updates that are still not launched for your Samsung Galaxy smartphone model.
