Samsung Introduces Obstacles for Reusing Stolen Phones, Irks Tech Enthusiasts Despite Theft Deterrence
In a move that may resonate with power users and enthusiasts, Samsung's upcoming One UI 8 software update will restrict the ability to unlock the bootloader on Galaxy devices worldwide. This change effectively prevents users from rooting their phones, installing custom ROMs, or running custom kernels, thus limiting advanced customisation and software modifications.
The "OEM Unlocking" toggle in Developer Options, previously available in some regions outside the US, is being removed entirely with One UI 8. This means that bootloader unlocking is no longer accessible globally, not just in the US where it was already disabled.
As a result, devices such as the Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and Galaxy Z Fold 7 will no longer offer this option. While Samsung retains the internal ability to unlock bootloaders (for service purposes, for example), users themselves cannot unlock the bootloader via software, removing a key prerequisite for rooting and installing custom firmware.
For the majority of users who do not engage in such customisation, this change has little impact, especially given Samsung's extended official update support, which promises seven years of Android OS upgrades. However, for enthusiast communities, this move will likely be viewed negatively as it limits their control over device software, reducing options for performance tweaks, custom ROMs, or software longevity beyond official support periods.
This move is consistent with a broader industry trend towards locking down devices to improve security or comply with regulatory demands. Samsung is betting that most people will prioritise security over device control, and they may be right.
Users in countries like Zimbabwe, where people hold onto their phones longer than the standard 2- or 3-year upgrade cycle, may be particularly affected by the bootloader locking. They rely on custom ROMs like LineageOS to stay up-to-date after official support ends. For instance, the Note 3, which came out in 2013, currently has an Android 14 option in the world of custom ROMs, but with the bootloader locked, this will no longer be possible.
If you're using a Samsung device and haven't received the One UI 8 update yet, this might be your last chance to unlock the bootloader, if you care about that kind of thing. Until now, users outside the U.S. could unlock the bootloader, but this option is being removed globally.
For everyone else, nothing changes today, but the bootloader locking will mean a loss of future flexibility, whether you realise it or not. Samsung is locking down the bootloader for reasons including security, stability, control, and business purposes. For some users, this will mean the loss of control over their devices, as they will no longer be able to root the phone, remove pre-installed apps, improve battery life, tweak performance, or install entirely new versions of Android after Samsung stops sending updates.
Locking the bootloader also keeps users within Samsung's ecosystem, preventing removal of bloatware, skipping software restrictions, and workarounds. This move may be seen as a strategic decision by Samsung to maintain control over the user experience and ensure the smooth operation of their devices.
In summary, Samsung's One UI 8 update is set to limit the flexibility of Galaxy users by removing the official mechanism for bootloader unlocking, hindering custom software modifications and rooted usage on Samsung devices worldwide.
- For individuals who value customization in their smartphones and technology, the worldwide removal of the 'OEM Unlocking' toggle in Samsung's One UI 8 update may be concerning, as it restricts the ability to root devices and install custom ROMs.
- Enthusiasts worldwide, including those in countries like Zimbabwe, who rely on custom software like LineageOS to extend the life of older Samsung devices beyond official support periods, may find the bootloader locking feature in One UI 8 a significant setback.
