Bootloader unlocking

Unlocking the bootloader allows installing and running unsigned code on a device, including user customized software.

[1] On Chromebooks, enabling developer mode makes the system less secure than a standard laptop running Linux.

[2] Unlocking the bootloader may require reinitialization, formatting to factory settings, or otherwise lead to data loss on Android and ChromeOS devices.

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

[3] Unlocking the bootloader is typically a prerequisite of obtaining root access and/or installing a custom ROM.

For Mainland China devices with HyperOS, you need to reach Xiaomi Community Level 5 and take an exam and pass the manual grading before you can add your account.

Huawei announced plans to allow users to unlock the bootloader of the Mate 30 series, but later retracted that.

[29] In October 2018, the tool was released as open source software when the main developer René Lergner (also known as HeathCliff74) stepped down.

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 app worked by contacting Asus unlocking servers, then prompting the user to perform a factory reset.

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

[41] 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...".

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.