What does bootloader mean? Do you need to unlock the bootloader of an Android smartphone?

The bootloader (Hboot) is a program that controls the kernel operating system your device so that it boots into normal mode. Moreover, this applies not only to Android, but also to other devices with an OS, such as a PC, laptop, and even an old one. push-button telephone. In addition, it is the bootloader that gives permission to install any programs and firmware. For this reason, users are interested in factory unlock bootloader on android phone.

Hboot is activated when the device is turned on, and is an analogue of Bios in a computer. It prepares all the data for the kernel, loads it into memory, and then direct launch systems. If its integrity is damaged or something interferes, thanks to the bootloader you can get into recovery mode to clear the data, or perform a reset to factory settings. To do this, before turning on the device, hold down the power and volume down keys and do not release them until booting (in some cases, the combination of buttons may differ).

Why is the bootloader locked?

Manufacturers block for two reasons:

1. Oblige the owner to use the operating system that was developed for his device.

2. Security. Many smartphones and tablets are sold online or in retail stores. In both cases, the seller or intermediary may, at its discretion, add advertising or malicious software that should not exist. For the same reason Xiaomi company began to block the bootloader of devices released after 2016 due to numerous complaints about the presence of viruses in their firmware (which were not initially present).

Benefits of an unlocked bootloader

An unlocked bootloader opens up exactly the same possibilities for the user as on a PC, namely:

Flash any operating system (available for your device).
Installation individual modules, OS kernels, applications, patches.
Freely migrate between standard firmware, especially if they are based on different versions Android.
Create without much difficulty backups current OS and/or applications, as well as restore them without using a PC.
Use Dual-Boot and install two or more operating systems, as in internal memory, and to an external SD card.
Wider recovery options in case of unsuccessful firmware.

And this is not the entire list of possibilities after factory unlocking Android.

How to unblock

Each device has own version bootloader, which means the unlocking method will differ depending on the model and manufacturer. When submitting an application, the block can be removed by the company itself (especially if you Android developer), but most often, this happens by hacking previously found vulnerabilities in the system.

Risks and consequences

Unauthorized unlocking of the bootloader deprives you warranty service. In addition, your device becomes less secure and vulnerable to hacker attacks. Open bootloader allows you to bypass set passwords, access personal information or erase everything and install another firmware.

Conclusion

There is no need to worry too much about problems with the bootloader, especially when it comes to personal information. Found or stolen devices most often have their data erased, and rarely will anyone restore anything. An open bootloader is more needed by advanced users who know what to do with it, regularly flash something and experiment.

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Hello everyone Today, guys, my task is not an easy one, I have to find out what Reboot to Bootloader is on Android, but there is no information on the Internet, and what I have found is just nonsense. I really don’t understand why I write nonsense. I had to use secret information channels to understand what Reboot to Bootloader is. So the first thing I learned was that Reboot to Bootloader is an item in the menu. One person says that, in short, he was sleeping, and at that time the phone rebooted itself and after that it no longer logs into the system. Moreover, after the reboot, Software status: Modified is written at the top of the screen, there is also an item Reboot to Bootloader, if you select it, the inscription changes to Software status: Official. There is also a Boot to Download Mode item, if you select it, then after turning on the smart phone it will be written at the top Failed error to boot download mode. In short, it’s not clear enough

If we literally translate Reboot to Bootloader, then if I’m not mistaken, the translation will be like this: they say it will reboot to load Bootloader, this is apparently boot menu, something like that.

Well, here is a screenshot of that same menu:

So this is what I understood. Reboot to Bootloader is an item in the menu that appears when you turn on the phone, but the system itself does not boot. Apparently this is when the phone is locked somehow. That is, the phone needs to be unlocked, or rather not even the phone, but the bootloader. So guys, I understand everything and what can I tell you here. I’m not such an expert to advise anything, but I can give you a link where you can probably get some important information, here’s the link:

I’ll say right away that this is not some kind of forum, this is a powerful forum on Android and in general portable devices. I advise you to look at the link, there is information about unlocking the bootloader.

What is a bootloader, how to unlock it, and why do I need it?

Every phone running Android OS has a bootloader that instructs the operating system kernel to boot normally. Each device has its own bootloader version. The bootloader is usually locked at Android devices, because manufacturers want you to stick Android versions, specifically designed for their equipment.

If you want to install modified version O.S. Custom ROM), you need to unlock the bootloader. Speaking in the language of an ordinary person: unlocking the bootloader will allow you to install modified firmware, with a variety of “goodies” on your Android phone.

Let's start, perhaps, with the world famous brand HTC. In 90% of cases, this method works, the remaining 10% will be allocated to software problems, fakes by Chinese craftsmen, as well as models that lack the visual part of the bootloader; in general, of course, it is there, but hidden from view.

First step , registration http://htcdev.com/. Download ADB drivers from our website, program HTC Sync from the official website http://www.htc.com/ua it will contain everything necessary drivers to your device. You might also need Java http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html

Step two , create a folder in the root of drive C and give it Android name. Unpack into this folder: adb.exe, AdbWinApi.dll, fastboot.exe. HTC Sync can be removed or disabled in the system so that it does not interfere with connecting the device to the computer.

Step three , put the phone into bootloader mode. Option one, if the phone has removable battery, remove the battery, insert it, hold down the volume rocker (-) and power. Hold until the phone reboots into the above-mentioned bootloader state. This is what he looks like.

Option two , for more advanced users, the phone is turned on, permission for the “usb debugging is allowed” function is set, we work through command line Start -> Run and enter the program name cmd.exe. A window will appear

After entering the command CD C:\Android, press Enter, we get the answer C:\Android>. Next we enter adb command devices, the answer should be:

List of devices attached HC413MW00787 device

The command is entered to check the connection with the PC, if the serial number is determined, then everything is ok, and we continue further. If not, then check “usb debugging is allowed” and whether the ADB drivers are installed. Next command puts the phone into the mode we need: adb reboot-bootloader press enter,

Now we turn our attention to the phone, it should be like in the first image.

Let's move on to unlocking, everything happens using the console, the necessary commands on the site https://www.htcdev.com/ and also yours Email which was used during registration.

The phone is connected and is in bootloader mode. We go to the site and follow these steps:

If your model is not in the list, select what is circled, otherwise we are looking for ours. For example, I always select this item regardless of whether it works. Then click green button with continuation, we get this:

Place two checkmarks and click on the Proceed to Unlock Instructions button.

This window contains instructions for preparation, it is in English, we skip it. Scroll down the page and move on to the fifth step. The following is the continuation of the instructions. Scroll to the very bottom:

In it empty window We will paste the information received for unlocking.

To do this, go back to the console and enter the command fastboot oem get_identifier_token and press enter

At the output we get:

What is circled in red must be selected, copied and pasted into that empty window in the image above. Click on the Submit button. How to copy and paste? By pressing right click mouse, we get a menu in which we select mark, select the area we need. Press Enter. In the console, enter is used to copy the required values.

A bootloader (Hboot) is a program that controls the kernel of your device’s operating system so that it boots normally. Moreover, this applies not only to Android, but also to other devices with an OS, such as a PC, laptop, and even an old push-button phone. In addition, it is the bootloader that gives permission to install any programs and firmware. For this reason, users are interested in factory unlocking the bootloader on an Android phone.

Hboot is activated when the device is turned on, and is an analogue of Bios in a computer. It prepares all the data for the kernel, loads it into memory, after which the system starts directly. If its integrity is damaged or something interferes, thanks to the bootloader you can get into recovery mode to clear the data, or perform a reset to factory settings. To do this, before turning on the device, hold down the power and volume down keys and do not release them until booting (in some cases, the combination of buttons may differ).

Why is the bootloader locked?

Manufacturers block for two reasons:

1. Oblige the owner to use the operating system that was developed for his device.

2. Security. Many smartphones and tablets are sold online or in retail stores. In both cases, the seller or intermediary may, at its discretion, add advertising or malicious software that should not exist. For the same reason, Xiaomi began to block the bootloader of devices released after 2016, due to numerous complaints about the presence of viruses in their firmware (which were not initially present).

Benefits of an unlocked bootloader

An unlocked bootloader opens up exactly the same possibilities for the user as on a PC, namely:

Flash any operating system (available for your device).
Installation of individual modules, OS kernels, applications, patches.
Freely migrate between stock firmwares, especially if they are based on different versions of Android.
Easily create backup copies of the current OS and/or applications, as well as restore them without using a PC.
Use Dual-Boot and install two or more operating systems, both in internal memory and on an external SD card.
Wider recovery options in case of unsuccessful firmware.

And this is not the entire list of possibilities after factory unlocking Android.

How to unblock

Each device has its own version of the bootloader, which means the unlocking method will differ depending on the model and manufacturer. When submitting an application, the block can be removed by the company itself (especially if you are an Android developer), but most often, this happens by hacking previously found vulnerabilities in the system.

Risks and consequences

Unauthorized unlocking of the bootloader will void your warranty service. In addition, your device becomes less secure and vulnerable to hacker attacks. An open bootloader allows you to bypass set passwords, gain access to personal information, or erase everything and install different firmware.

Conclusion

Leave your questions in the comments to the article below - we will try to answer.

Was the article useful to you?

Rate it and support the project!

In the recovery menu the owner Android smartphone can find a lot of different items that will certainly raise questions in him. One of the items, the name of which usually means nothing to the user, is called Reboot to Bootloader. What does it mean?

Reboot to Bootloader translates as “reboot in bootloader mode.” Don't understand anything? Then you need to explain what Bootloader is.

Bootloader is translated as “bootloader”. Essentially it is software, which is responsible for starting the operating system. In our example, this is the operating room Android system. However, there is also a bootloader in computers, where it allows you to select the operating system to run if several are installed (for example, Windows and Linux).

Every smartphone on Android based equipped with a bootloader, which in turn controls the operating system kernel to boot the device in normal mode. In the case of Android, in the vast majority of cases, the bootloader will be blocked: this is done to ensure that the owner of the smartphone uses the firmware version that was installed by the manufacturer. What does it mean? This means that with a locked bootloader you will not be able to install the firmware third party developer, including custom. But in many cases this is not a problem, since it is possible to unlock the bootloader using special software and then reflash the device. However, there are smartphones where the bootloader cannot be unlocked.

Reboot to Bootloader in the recovery menu:

On an HTC smartphone:

When you select this item in our example, the smartphone reboots into normal mode. This is how it should be, since the bootloader is locked. But if it were unlocked, then we could put the device into Bootloader mode and, using special software, say, install third party firmware. In short, this is a menu item that the user may need if he is going to install third party recovery menu, firmware, etc., but, of course, not in all cases.