Samsung’s One UI 8 update appears to restrict bootloader access
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Samsung’s One UI 8 update appears to restrict bootloader access
Samsung may be killing bootloader unlocking on all phones with One UI 8. New findings suggest that the option for users to unlock the bootloader on their Galaxy devices is being removed. Samsung has yet to make an official statement on the matter. It is still uncertain if this change will be pushed to older devices already on the market through the OneUI 8 update. However, this trend of manufacturers locking down bootloaders is not new and has been seen in other countries, such as China and China, as well as the U.S.
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Samsung’s One UI 8 update appears to be tightening its grip on the software experience. New findings suggest that the option for users to unlock the bootloader on their Galaxy devices is being removed.
For a long time, Samsung has limited bootloader unlocking on its devices in the United States. However, users in many other regions have had the freedom to unlock their devices.
This is seemingly changing with the introduction of One UI 8.
Reports gathered by SammyGuru indicate that the “OEM Unlocking” option, a key toggle within the developer settings for initiating the unlock process, has vanished in the new software.
This has been noted in beta versions of One UI 8 on the Galaxy S25 Ultra and on new devices like the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Fold 7, which come with One UI 8 pre-installed.
I can confirm that the ‘OEM Unlocking’ toggle is also missing from my East African version of the Galaxy Z Fold 7.
A contributor at XDA Developers also found a specific line in the bootloader’s code: androidboot.other.locked=1.
This command directs the system to hide the OEM Unlock option, effectively preventing the user from starting the unlocking procedure. The presence of this code in the latest One UI 8 firmware on non-US devices suggests this is now a global policy.
For the average smartphone user, this change will likely go unnoticed. Most people do not engage with advanced settings, and even fewer perform actions that require an unlocked bootloader.
However, for a dedicated community of enthusiasts and developers, this is a significant move. Unlocking the bootloader is the first step to installing custom ROMs, trying different software kernels, or gaining root access for deeper customization and functionality.
If you plan on updating to One UI 8 or purchasing a new Samsung device running Android 16, you should be aware that this restriction might apply.
It is still uncertain if this change will be pushed to older devices already on the market through the One UI 8 update, but it remains a possibility.
For now, bootloaders on current Samsung devices not running One UI 8 should remain unlockable. However, this trend of manufacturers locking down bootloaders is not new.
Xiaomi, for instance, disabled bootloader unlocking in China some time ago. Samsung has yet to make an official statement on the matter. Until then, the community is left to observe these changes and consider the implications for the future of device customization.