I've been writing about Android since 2011, with a focus on device reviews, Samsung and Google Pixel hardware, and the latest happenings in the ecosystem. In my entire writing career, I've reviewed ...

Xiaomi just launched its new “HyperOS” skin for Android devices, but in a bit of a twist of the knife to enthusiasts, the company is not only disabling the option to unlock the bootloader but is also ...

OnePlus is placing new restrictions on bootloader unlocking. It requires filling out an application form and limits the number of requests to one every 30 days. Thankfully, these limitations only ...

Xiaomi just introduced strict restrictions to unlocking the bootloader on its HyperOS-running phones, citing security and data protection. While MIUI devices offer some amount of flexibility in this ...

Samsung appears to be disabling bootloader unlocking in One UI 8 on more devices than before. Previously, only US models lacked the OEM Unlock toggle, but the restriction now seems to be spreading to ...

Chris Thomas was a reporter at Android Police from 2022 until 2025. People generally want the ability to use purchased devices how they see fit. Xiaomi, on the other hand, wants to maintain ...

Years ago, unlocking the bootloader on Android phones was more common. While far fewer people do it now, there is still a niche that likes to test advanced software modifications and more. That said, ...

For years, Android users have knocked iOS for being a "walled garden," with the iPhone locking users into Apple's ecosystem and limiting how far they can stray outside of the company's guidelines.

Early testers noticed that the "OEM Unlocking" option, which allows users to unlock the bootloader, is missing on both the Galaxy S25 Ultra One UI 8 beta build. It is also absent on the pre-installed ...