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Hovatek Forum DEVELOPMENT Android [Development] How to unlock and relock Android bootloader
with fastboot

[Development] How to unlock and relock Android

bootloader with fastboot
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hovatek
Administrator

26-07-2017, 02:47 PM #1

This guide will explain how to unlock and relock the bootloader of an Android device using
fastboot. Except for rare cases like Motorola devices, your bootloader must be unlocked to flash
even factory files via fastboot. While you can flash modified files (TWRP/GSI/Custom ROMs) to
your Mediatek (MTK), Spreadtrum (SPD) or Qualcomm (QLM) Android devices using their flash
tools on a locked bootloader, doing so is just asking for a boot loop or bricked device.

It is important to mention that this is a generic approach and doesn't work for all devices. Some
relevant guides on bootloader unlock to checkout include:
How to unlock Unisoc / Spreadtrum / SPD bootloader using an unlock token
How to unlock Xiaomi bootloader using Mi Unlock Tool
How to use mtkclient to unlock Mediatek bootloader
How to unlock Motorola bootloader
How to unlock and relock Samsung bootloader
How to unlock Sony Xperia bootloader

Requirements
 Setup ADB-Fastboot on your PC. For Spreadtrum devices, follow this guide (in order to enable
adb detect your device)
Enable USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking (if available)

How to unlock Android bootloader using fastboot

Follow the steps below to unlock the Bootloader of an Android device

See the video tutorial below or @ https://youtu.be/DL5NMR-n4_Q

1. Open the adb folder

2. Hold Shift (on the keyboard) then right-click on a blank space in the folder > Select Open
Command window here

3. Command prompt screen (ADB) should now be open

4. Connect the device to the PC (via USB cord) while ON then run the command below (by "run", I
mean type then press Enter

Code:

adb devices
5. If you've set up everything right, the device should get detected under the List of devices
attached

6. Run the command below to get the device into Bootloader (fastboot)

Code:

adb reboot-bootloader

if that fails

Code:

adb shell reboot fastboot

7. The device should now boot into fastboot (a black or coloured screen with the text fastboot)

8. In fastboot, test detection/connection to the device using the command:

Code:

fastboot devices
 9. If fastboot is set up right, you should see its ID printed out

10. Now, check the device's Bootloader lock status using either of the two commands below (if it's
locked or unlocked)
Code:

fastboot oem device-info

fastboot getvar unlocked

a. If you use the fastboot oem device-info command and the result is false then your
bootloader is locked but if the result is true then the bootloader is unlocked
 b. If you use the fastboot getvar unlocked command and the result is no then your
bootloader is locked but if the result is yes then the bootloader is unlocked

11. If you've confirmed your bootloader is locked, then run the command below to unlock the
Bootloader
 Code:

fastboot oem unlock

12. If that doesn't work then try the commands below:

Code:

fastboot oem unlock-go

fastboot flashing unlock
fastboot flash unlocking
fastboot bbk unlock_vivo

Note: Vivo phones require a custom fastboot binary (attached at the end of this post)

13. Some devices require you to also run:

Code:

fastboot flashing unlock_critical

 14. You should get a prompt (on the device) asking you to press Volume up to confirm or Volume
down to cancel. Press Volume up on the device (for some phones it is actually the opposite;
Volume down would confirm while up would cancel or do nothing)

15. Once the Bootloader is unlocked, reboot the device using

Code:

fastboot reboot

16. The device might take a while to boot up (since it is a first boot) so be patient

How to relock Android bootloader using fastboot

It is important to return the device to stock ROM by flashing its factory/stock/official firmware
before relocking the bootloader. Relocking the bootloader with a custom partition (TWRP/Custom
ROM/GSI) still in place will brick the device.
Depending on the unlock command you used, try its corresponding bootloader relock command:

Code:

fastboot oem lock

fastboot oem lock-go
fastboot flashing lock
fastboot flash locking
fastboot bbk lock_vivo

Important Notice
This guide isn't guaranteed to work on all (Mediatek, Spreadtrum, Qualcomm, Exynos,
Hisilicon, Intel etc) Android devices
Ensure to backup your important stuff because unlocking your Bootloader wipes your data
(/userdata)
Unlocking the bootloader bricks some devices so ensure to relock or flash the firmware if you
find yourself in such a situation
If you successfully installed ADB / fastboot and your device still isn't detected then it is most
likely due to old ADB or drivers, fix it using the guide on fixing ADB and fastboot detection
problems

 This post was last modified: 17-11-2023, 12:25 PM by hovatek.

 Attached Files

vivo_fastboot_for_windows.zip
Size: 891.91 KB / Downloads: 84

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sparleta
Junior Member

06-04-2018, 03:58 PM #2

hovatek (26-07-2017, 02:47 PM)

...

 This post was last modified: 07-04-2018, 10:05 AM by hovatek.

Attached Files

IMG_20180406_175243.jpg
Size: 942.95 KB / Downloads: 300
 freshtyt
Senior Member

06-04-2018, 10:27 PM #3

sparleta (06-04-2018, 03:58 PM)

Hi guys,I have been using the step by step guide to unlock my Infinix Hot5 Model X559C.
Unfortunately, once i send the code to unlock bootloader the screen pops out on my phone but
does not respond to either Volume Up/Down or Power button. What could be the case?
Attached is the image where it hangs

did you enable oem unlocking in settings before trying to unlock?

and why are you trying to unlock bootloader?

 This post was last modified: 06-04-2018, 10:34 PM by freshtyt.

slichy
Enthusiastic Member

21-04-2018, 10:49 PM #4

i have been following the instructions to unlock my leagoo t5c. my phone is detected in adb, but
when i want to reboot in bootloader using adb reboot bootloader, my phone stuck in boot logo. and
when i checked in fastboot devices, is showed the message <waiting the devices>. whats wrong
with my phone ? i have installed the driver clearly. my phone is use spreadtrum sc 9853i. thanks
before

 This post was last modified: 21-04-2018, 10:50 PM by slichy.

 hovatek
Administrator

23-04-2018, 09:28 AM #5

slichy (21-04-2018, 10:49 PM)

i have been following the instructions to unlock my leagoo t5c. my phone is detected in adb,
but when i want to reboot in bootloader using adb reboot bootloader, my phone stuck in boot
logo. and when i checked in fastboot devices, is showed the message <waiting the devices>.
whats wrong with my phone ? i have installed the driver clearly. my phone is use spreadtrum
sc 9853i. thanks before

Boot into recovery mode and check if there's an option to boot into Bootloader from there

Note!
We have a reply schedule for Free Support. Please upgrade to Private Support if you
can't wait.
 paeffiong
Senior Member

24-04-2018, 09:10 AM #6

Nice and well detailed. Could you please attach a video cos there are so many who learns faster
when taught with a video tutorial.

arip jumaing
Newbie

17-06-2018, 04:38 AM #7

Nice and well detailed. ADB AND FASTBOOT MODE FOR UBL..THANKS

Muhanad Samaty
Enthusiastic Member

03-07-2018, 04:36 AM #8

guys everything went well except rightnow how do i install supersu.zip when i dont have twrp or
philz recovery for my phone ,, im using Tecno CX AIR build number : cxair-H3713A-N-171207V139
please help.
 hovatek
Administrator

03-07-2018, 10:31 AM #9

Muhanad Samaty (03-07-2018, 04:36 AM)

guys everything went well except rightnow how do i install supersu.zip when i dont have twrp
or philz recovery for my phone ,, im using Tecno CX AIR build number : cxair-H3713A-N-
171207V139 please help.

Use our TWRP or Philz porter @ https://www.hovatek.com/forum/forum-39.html

Note!
We have a reply schedule for Free Support. Please upgrade to Private Support if you
can't wait.

belinda1093
Newbie

09-07-2018, 09:42 PM #10

Great post, I am a newbie and it took me two days to get this far. I use both linux and windows and
first a lot of problems with the adb fastboot drivers...and all the familiar problems. Then after much
hassle I found out that my bootloader is already unlocked and I thought it wasn't.
Now my biggest issue is that I cannot find a suitable custom ROM for my phone (strange device I
have, a Mango C9 android marshmallow, kernel 3.10.65 (!) with quad core chipset). So I should
learn how to port a Rom, but I am in a hurry because I started this whole process because my
phone has a virus in android system file. So I have to completely wipe it clean. I cant find a stock
rom either. What would your advice be?
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