Latest news with #bootloader
The Verge
28-07-2025
- The Verge
Samsung's One UI 8 might shut down bootloader unlocking on Galaxy phones
Samsung's One UI 8 update seems to prevent users from unlocking their device's bootloader to load custom ROMs, as spotted earlier by SammyGuru. Over the weekend, users on the XDA Developers forum noticed that Samsung appears to have disabled the option on devices in regions outside the US, where the option had already been locked for years. By unlocking the bootloader, users can install custom software and make other modifications to their phone. Users discovered the new restriction after digging into the code of the Settings app on One UI 8, which ships with the newly released Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7. As pointed out by SammyGuru and Android Authority, the code contains the line ' When this line is set to '1,' it means the bootloader is locked, like it is here in the US. Before One UI 8, this line had previously been set to '0' to enable bootloader unlocking in regions outside the US. Users spotted the restriction within One UI 8 beta builds for the Galaxy S25 as well. Samsung didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Emma Roth Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Android Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Mobile Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Samsung Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
GSM Arena
28-07-2025
- GSM Arena
Samsung restricts bootloader unlocking on One UI 8 devices
It's not all sunshine and roses with the latest One UI 8 software by Samsung. The company's take on Android 16 is currently available as a stable version on its Galaxy Z Fold7 and Z Flip7 smartphones. Meanwhile, some users are running a beta version of the software on their Galaxy S devices and older foldables. While most people are enjoying the new features, some power users are left disappointed because Samsung quietly restricted the ability to unlock the bootloader. And this appears to be true for both stable and beta builds. Moreover, previous Galaxy S and Z Fold/Z Flip generation users with unlocked bootloaders are reporting that the update to One UI 8 beta locked their bootloader. An XDA Developers forum user dug deeper into the code and found out that there isn't a potential workaround either. It appears that Samsung has completely removed all lines of code that control bootloader unlocking, so it's not just a setting that's been removed from the Settings menu. This sounds like a significant blow to Samsung's power user base, and it could potentially trigger some regulatory alarms in the EU. Source 1 | Source 2
Android Authority
28-07-2025
- Android Authority
Samsung may be killing bootloader unlocking on all phones with One UI 8
Joe Maring / Android Authority TL;DR Samsung appears to be disabling bootloader unlocking in One UI 8 on more devices than before. Previously, only US models lacked the OEM Unlock toggle, but the restriction now seems to be spreading to global models as well. A contributor on XDA Developers discovered that Samsung is likely stripping out the necessary code to unlock bootloaders entirely. Samsung might be quietly locking down its phones even more tightly with the One UI 8 update. A new report from an XDA Developers contributor reveals that Samsung appears to be removing the ability to unlock the bootloader on more devices, including international versions that previously supported it. Samsung phones in the US already lack the 'OEM Unlocking' toggle in Developer Options, effectively preventing users from unlocking the bootloader and installing custom ROMs. But now, it looks like that restriction could apply globally. What's changed? The contributor, salvo_giangri, discovered that Samsung has added a line to the device's bootloader configuration: This line tells the Android system whether the device is allowed to unlock the bootloader. If it's set to 1, the Settings app won't even show the OEM Unlock option, which is the first step in unlocking a phone. In the latest One UI 8 firmware, this line is present even on non-US devices, indicating that the restriction is no longer region-specific. We checked and can confirm that our non-US Galaxy Z Fold 7 does not have the 'OEM Unlocking' toggle in Developer Options. Some folks think this could be a mistake on Samsung's part. However, those running the One UI 8 beta build also report that the option is missing from their devices. Unlocking the bootloader is essential for enthusiasts and developers who want to install custom ROMs or kernels, gain full root access to their devices, or further customize their phones. If you're someone who loves customizing your phone or values the freedom to tinker with Android, then this is a significant step back from Samsung. Anyone planning to update to One UI 8 or buy a new Samsung device running Android 16 should know that this restriction may apply to their devices. That said, we'll reach out to Samsung for an official confirmation on the matter. For now, the bootloader on your current Samsung devices that are not running One UI 8 should still be unlockable, but with new updates and devices, that may no longer be the case.
