Key Takeaways
1. Samsung is restricting bootloader unlocking with the One UI 8 update, affecting global users.
2. The “OEM Unlocking” option has disappeared from developer settings in the latest software version.
3. This change has been noted in beta versions of One UI 8 on devices like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Galaxy Z Flip 7/Fold 7.
4. The absence of bootloader unlocking may not impact average users, but it limits developers and enthusiasts seeking customization.
5. The future of bootloader accessibility for older devices remains uncertain, as manufacturers increasingly restrict unlocking options.
Samsung’s One UI 8 update seems to be changing the way users interact with their devices. New reports indicate that the ability to unlock the bootloader on Galaxy phones is being taken away.
Changes in Bootloader Unlocking
For quite a while, Samsung has restricted bootloader unlocking for users in the United States. However, people in various other areas have had the freedom to unlock their devices without issues.
This situation looks to be shifting with the rollout of One UI 8.
According to findings from SammyGuru, the “OEM Unlocking” option, which is a crucial setting in the developer options to start the unlocking process, has disappeared in this new software version.
Impact on New Devices
This has been observed in beta versions of One UI 8 on devices such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the latest Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7, which come with One UI 8 already installed.
I can verify that the ‘OEM Unlocking’ toggle is also absent from my version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 in East Africa.
An XDA Developers contributor also discovered a line in the bootloader code: androidboot.other.locked=1.
This line instructs the system to conceal the OEM Unlock option, effectively stopping users from beginning the unlocking process. The existence of this code in the latest One UI 8 firmware on devices outside the US suggests that this may now be a worldwide policy.
Implications for Users
For most smartphone users, this change probably won’t be noticed. The majority do not delve into advanced settings, and even fewer attempt tasks that necessitate an unlocked bootloader.
However, for a passionate group of developers and enthusiasts, this is a notable development. Unlocking the bootloader is the first step toward installing custom ROMs, experimenting with different software kernels, or achieving root access for enhanced customization and features.
If you are considering upgrading to One UI 8 or buying a new Samsung device running Android 16, keep in mind that this limitation may be in effect.
It’s still unclear whether this change will be applied to older devices already available in the market through the One UI 8 update, but it is a possibility.
Currently, bootloaders on existing Samsung devices that are not updated to One UI 8 should still be unlockable. Nevertheless, the trend of manufacturers restricting bootloader access is not a new phenomenon.
For example, Xiaomi disabled bootloader unlocking in China some time ago. Samsung has not yet issued an official statement on this issue. For now, the community continues to watch these developments and contemplate the effects on the future of device customization.
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