For years, Android has let its users customize their phones even by installing a Custom ROM or rooting their device due to bootloader unlocking. It allows them to tweak their device to work exactly as they want, and most of the time, get it to perform actions that are not available on stock Android. Apple iOS, on the other hand, has always made it hard to customize your phone, and it seems to be the way forward for smartphone makers.
Android is said to be an open-source platform with endless possibilities for heavy users. However, smartphone makers have begun to limit these possibilities. It was Xiaomi that first made the move when they stopped bootloader unlocking and later limited it to once a year with so many requirements. That seems to have remained the same but might change with the release of HyperOS 3. Samsung, on the other hand, has removed the ability to unlock the bootloader.
According to reports from those running stable and beta One UI 8, Samsung has removed the ability to unlock the bootloader. Interesting, those that have their bootloader unlocked before installing the One UI 8 update confirmed the One UI 8 beta update locked their bootloader.
While there is always a workaround for this type of thing on Android, an XDA Developer forum user suggests that it might not be possible in this case. Samsung has removed all lines of code that control bootloader unlocking, meaning it is not only the setting that has been removed from the menu.
Samsung has yet to comment on this development, but it seems to have already thought about it, and it is the way forward. Since it also affects the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 running stable Android 16-based One UI 8 build, it is not an error. Additionally, other smartphone brands have already jumped into the idea, hinting that this is where Android might be headed.
Bootloader unlocking on Android is about to die
Some people who opt for Android do so because of what they can achieve with the system. Removing bootloader unlocking will likely limit the ability to tweak and customize their device, which might lead to switching to another operating system. However, there are people who like the idea and feel their phones will be more secure without the bootloader access.
Android is better with bootloader unlocking access, but the requirements for it should be raised, like Xiaomi did on the recent HyperOS release. That way, only heavy users will be allowed to unlock their device, resulting in fewer complications and security issues.
via: Gsmarena
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