What do you know about OEM unlock? Do you like to unlock your mobile device’s bootloader? Then you initially turn on the OEM Unlocking option. In this article, we will discuss what OEM Unlocking is and how to turn it on your mobile device.
Android is also known for its open-source nature and the responsibilities to push it beyond the restriction set by the OEM. However, the device developers tend to reduce the OS’s functionality via software switch. Just to disallow any outside customizations. Also, it encouraged to turn on day-to-day users to secure the integrity of their Android devices. But what if a user selects to intentionally tinker with the preinstalled software? Well, as the “official” word is concerned, it is not compatible in some situations. It means that the unlocking mobile device’s bootloader will lead to destroying the warranty.
Now, if you want to customize your Android phone using third-party software, you will initially want to unlock the bootloader. But if you want to do that, you will be needed to turn on the ‘OEM unlocking’ choice in the phone’s settings.
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What do you know about OEM Unlock?
OEM Unlocking on Android is a choice in the device’s Developer Options settings that wants to be turned on to unlock the bootloader. It was initially launched by Google in Android 5.0 Lollipop and is also certainly referred to as “OEM Unlock”.
Turning on the option sets the “unlock_ability” flag to “1”, thus providing the user the ability to run the “fastboot flashing unlock” command to unlock the phone’s bootloader. Once turned on, this choice stays persistent across reboots and factory data resets, until turned off manually.
The choice itself is generally hidden to secure any accidental access, such as “USB debugging”. It also serves as a recovery process to save your device if anything went wrong using the software.
Why would you need to turn on OEM Unlocking?
Before we get to the steps and turn on OEM unlocking on Android, let’s check through the complete understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of unlocking the bootloader.
The complete process of installing a kernel, custom ROM, or some popular mods such as ViPER4Android, etc would need your device to have root permissions. Rooting depends on a custom recovery such as TWRP in some situations. Also, installing a custom recovery would needs you to have access to write the device’s partitions. However, a locked bootloader secures just that. It wouldn’t enable you to overwrite or change the existing partitions. Also, the initial step towards rooting an Android device is to unlock the bootloader.
The steps below will help you to further understand the process:
So what is a bootloader?
The bootloader is a software program that runs from the minute when your Android phone enables. Also, it is loaded with the steps to boot the OS kernel and OEM provides the required permission for the user to change or access the bootloader. However, unlocked bootloaders will also enable flashing factory images in the case of Google Nexus/Pixel, Razer, and much more.
An unlocked bootloader has its own advantages. But it also has some drawbacks of its own. So before we move to the steps to turn on OEM unlocking on Android.
- The foremost drawback is that you’d lose your official warranty or compatible in some cases. Except in case of some OEMs like OnePlus.
- Secondly, your device will be wiped the instant once you unlock the bootloader.
- It might secure you from using DRM-protected features or apps such as Netflix on your mobile device.
How To Turn ON OEM Unlock on Android Devices
Simply follow the steps mentioned below to turn on OEM Unlocking on mobile devices:
Step 1: Take a Proper Backup
We recommend you to take a proper backup of your device completely. It includes apps, contacts, messages, and internal storage. While enabling or turning on OEM unlocking itself wouldn’t remove the data saved on your device. It’s likely that you’ll proceed further to unlock the bootloader, which complete data wipe.
Step 2: Turn On Developer Options on Android
As we mentioned above, the choice/switch itself is hidden by default at the bottom of the “Developer options” menu. If you want to turn on OEM unlocking, then uncover/turn on Developer Options in the Android’s settings.
Step 1:
Head over to the app drawer and open “Settings”.
Step 2:
Move down and search the “System” section. In case, if you using a device with Android Nougat or below, just look for “About phone”.
Step 3:
Click on the “About phone” section. You shall then view the device information such as the Android version, security patch level, etc.
Step 4:
Now find “Build number”.
Step 5:
Click 7 times on “Build number” rapidly. While having a PIN or Password set, you will be prompted to enter it.
Step 6:
Post that, you shall view toast alerts towards under the screen, saying – “You’re now a developer!”.
Step 7:
Move back to the “System” section. On Android Nougat just move back to the main settings.
Step 8:
You shall then view a new section named “Developer options”.
Now you can follow the steps below to turn on OEM unlocking on Android.
Step 3: Turn On OEM Unlocking (OEM Unlock) on Android
Step 1:
Head over to “Settings” and click on “System”.
Step 2:
Choose “Developer options”.
Step 3:
Move down through the options and find the “OEM unlocking”.
Step 4:
Just click on the toggle located next to it. Again, if you have a password/PIN set, then a popup appears to input it.
Step 5:
A prompted appears to confirm the process, so hit “ENABLE”.
Conclusion:
So that’s all about “OEM Unlock”. If you think that it is helpful then do let us know your suggestions in the comment section below. Have you found any other method that you think we can’t cover in this article? Comment us below!
Till then! Stay Safe ?
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