Category News, Tips

How to Unlock Bootloader via Fastboot on Android

Author Shivam Malani Published on
Bootloader Unlock Fastboot

Unlocking the bootloader via Fastboot is the easiest thing to do. But not all Android devices support straightforward bootloader unlocking. Many manufacturers put up a setup on their devices to let users unlock bootloader only when they request a bootloader unlock token. This way the manufacturer gets to know that bootloader has been unlocked on the device and thus disables warranty on it.

This guide has bootloader unlocking steps for the devices that support direct bootloader unlocking without the interference of a manufacturer. For your information, most Motorola’s, Sony, LG (flagships only) doesn’t support direct bootloader unlock. It’s okay if you’re not sure about your device though, you can still give with the Fastboot bootloader unlock process shared below. If it passes, good. If it fails, no harm will be done.

To unlock bootloader via Fastboot you’ll need a PC and ADB with Fastboot setup, which can be tricky for some, but we’ll guide you through. Also, make sure your device is at-least 20% charged before you attempt to unlock bootloader.

Note: Unlocking the bootloader will completely wipe/delete all data on your device. Including photos, videos, movies, documents, apps, games, basically everything. So make you backup the important files before unlocking the bootloader.

How to Unlock Bootloader via Fastboot

  1. Setup ADB and Fastboot on your PC.
  2. Enable USB debugging and OEM Unlock on your Android device.
  3. Connect your device to the PC with a USB cable.
  4. Open a command window on your PC.
  5. Boot your device into bootloader mode using the following command: 
    adb reboot bootloader

    └ You may get a request to authorize USB debugging on the device, accept it.

  6. Once your device is in bootloader mode, issue the following command to unlock bootloader: 
    fastboot flashing unlock

    If the above command doesn’t work, run this command (older devices need this): fastboot oem unlock

  7. (Not applicable for all) If you get a confirmation screen on your device. Press Volume Up button to highlight Yes and press Power button to select it. This will begin the bootloader unlocking process, which shouldn’t last more than a couple of minutes.
  8. Once the bootloader is unlocked, your device will reboot into bootloader mode. You need to boot it into the system now using the command below: 
    fastboot reboot
  9. During reboot, your device will go through a factory reset and then finally boot into system.

That’s all. Your Android device’s bootloader is now unlocked.

Happy Androiding!

Posted by
Shivam Malani

Shivam is our resident designer and web developer who also enjoys writing. He loves to meditate, drive on the freeways and hunt for snipers during his Call Of Duty playtime. Email: shivam@theandroidsoul.com

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152 Comments

  2. Great. The only thing is adb command worked for me is
    adb reboot-bootloader

    also in developer option you need to set oem unlock option

  3. Great. The only thing is adb command worked for me is
    adb reboot-bootloader

    also in developer option you need to set oem unlock option

  4. Great. The only thing is adb command worked for me is
    adb reboot-bootloader

    also in developer option you need to set oem unlock option

  5. Great. The only thing is adb command worked for me is
    adb reboot-bootloader

    also in developer option you need to set oem unlock option

  10. what if when i type “fastboot oem unlock”
    then the reply is “oem unlock is not allowed” what’s wrong with it?

    1. go to developer options and enable the option which says ” allow OEM to be unlocked”

    2. When I type command line: “adb reboot bootloader” all it does is restart my devices. Does this mean it’s already completed?

      EDIT: I already have OEM option unlocked

  11. what if when i type “fastboot oem unlock”
    then the reply is “oem unlock is not allowed” what’s wrong with it?

    1. go to developer options and enable the option which says ” allow OEM to be unlocked”

    2. When I type command line: “adb reboot bootloader” all it does is restart my devices. Does this mean it’s already completed?

      EDIT: I already have OEM option unlocked

  12. what if when i type “fastboot oem unlock”
    then the reply is “oem unlock is not allowed” what’s wrong with it?

    1. go to developer options and enable the option which says ” allow OEM to be unlocked”

      1. When I type command line: “adb reboot bootloader” all it does is restart my devices. Does this mean it’s already completed?

        EDIT: I already have OEM option unlocked

  13. what if when i type “fastboot oem unlock”
    then the reply is “oem unlock is not allowed” what’s wrong with it?

  18. its says “”adb” is not recognized as an Internal or external command, operable porgram or batch file” need help!

  19. its says “”adb” is not recognized as an Internal or external command, operable porgram or batch file” need help!

  24. its says “”adb” is not recognized as an Internal or external command, operable porgram or batch file” need help!

  25. its says “”adb” is not recognized as an Internal or external command, operable porgram or batch file” need help!

  26. Don’t bother trying this, it will not work on your LG Stylo 2 Plus. It WILL Brick your phone and it WILL not be recoverable.
    rip my phone…

    All I did was run the adb commands as typed, nothing extra, phone is now a brick, won’t do anything.

  27. Don’t bother trying this, it will not work on your LG Stylo 2 Plus. It WILL Brick your phone and it WILL not be recoverable.
    rip my phone…

    All I did was run the adb commands as typed, nothing extra, phone is now a brick, won’t do anything.

  28. Don’t bother trying this, it will not work on your LG Stylo 2 Plus. It WILL Brick your phone and it WILL not be recoverable.
    rip my phone…

    All I did was run the adb commands as typed, nothing extra, phone is now a brick, won’t do anything.

  29. Don’t bother trying this, it will not work on your LG Stylo 2 Plus. It WILL Brick your phone and it WILL not be recoverable.
    rip my phone…

    All I did was run the adb commands as typed, nothing extra, phone is now a brick, won’t do anything.

  34. i sorry but i cant choose yes or no on my infinix hot note . (CANT CHOOSE HIGHLIGTH EVEN I PRESS VOLUP OR VOLDOWN ) so i press power button to cancel

  35. i sorry but i cant choose yes or no on my infinix hot note . (CANT CHOOSE HIGHLIGTH EVEN I PRESS VOLUP OR VOLDOWN ) so i press power button to cancel

    1. Have you installed drivers for the make of you phone. Also in developer options change from charging to mtp seeing

    1. Have you installed drivers for the make of you phone. Also in developer options change from charging to mtp seeing

  42. “‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.”pc said this

  43. “‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.”pc said this

  44. after the command “fastboot oem unlock” , the device automatically restarts without my command . plz help

  45. after the command “fastboot oem unlock” , the device automatically restarts without my command . plz help

  46. Hello the in the bootloader unlock options my fon volume up is not working to accept unlock bootloader

  47. The volume up button ain’t working to accept bootloader unlock. Is there any command to ulock bootloader?

  48. Hello the in the bootloader unlock options my fon volume up is not working to accept unlock bootloader

  49. The volume up button ain’t working to accept bootloader unlock. Is there any command to ulock bootloader?

  52. hey im trying to unlock bootloader but everytime i type in adb reboot bootloader into command prompt my phone goes into odin mode and it says Downloading… Do not turn off target
    im using a samsung galaxy A5 (the 2015 one) plz help.

  53. hey im trying to unlock bootloader but everytime i type in adb reboot bootloader into command prompt my phone goes into odin mode and it says Downloading… Do not turn off target
    im using a samsung galaxy A5 (the 2015 one) plz help.

  57. Error: device ‘(null)’ not found
    I have install edb drivers and all the drivers
    I got this error how to fix this plZ tell me plz plz plz

  60. < waiting for device>
    …
    FAILED (command write failed (Too many links))
    finished. total time : 0.008s
    Please Tutorials

  62. Hello, I got a Lenovo S5 pro, I tried unlocking the bootloader for hours but I couldn’t. It gives me this error
    FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
    even though my USB debugging and OEM unlock are turned on.
    I checked my device ability to be unlocked and it says it’s true.
    Any ideas?

  64. My samsung galaxy tab 2 (GT P5110) has no “OEM Unlock” options. I enter “adb reboot bootloader” and the tablet reboot without entering fastboot mode. What can I do? I’ve read that on older devices the oem option is not there and i don’t need it enabled. Also my tablet is rooted.
    Edit: I gave up because someone assured me that I didn’t need to unlock my device since it’s samsung. I also tried to install twrp with the official app on the play store. Hope it works fine

    1. You have to enter the download mode, not fastboot mode. First, power off the device. And then press and hold the Volume down + Home + Power buttons until you see anything on the screen. You will see download mode soon. Install stuff like TWRP here. Or even install a firmware to go back to stock.
      Note that you do not need to unlock bootloader on your Tab 2. It’ already unlocked, just use Download mode to flash stuff.

  65. adb reboot bootloader, command works but fastboot flashing unlock command dosen’t work.

    by giving command “adb reboot bootloader” mobile restarts and gives screen notice saying “Download unauthorized software can cause your device malfunction, jeopardizing security……”.

    In bottom with small font it shows (FASTBOOT MODE…[LONG PRESS POWER KEY TO NORMAL BOOT])

    Stuck at this point each time….. Device Coolpad Mega 3

  66. I have a LG k8 and after adm reboot it just restarts the whole phone, when I try to do the fastboot oem unlock it does nothing, what should I do?

  67. i have a Samsung galaxy s9+ and i ran the adb reboot bootloader command through the command console and it says downloading on my phones screen i dont know what it means by downloading it takes for ever and it says “do not turn off target” i need help.

  68. hey i get after the adb reboot bootloader
    i get the black screen and stuff
    but when i run the next command it says waiting for device.
    am i supposed to do something in the bootlaoder

  69. after typing in “fastboot flashing unlock”, it seems to get stuck and reads “waiting for device”. what should i do next??

  70. hello sir ,

    actually when i enter into recovery mode there is second option reboot bootloader.
    when click on it the phone restart and it get hang in logo screen only so i cant enter in bootloader or fastboot . i tried so many option from phone, from CMD, from Multi tool but before entering into bootloader its hang in logo stage only. please advice how to resolve is there is any hardware or software issue.
    please help me

  71. after typing in “fastboot flashing unlock”, it seems to get stuck and it reads “waiting for device”. what should i do next??

        1. Theoretically, it should support all Android devices. But if it isn’t working, then maybe the OEM has changed or disabled it.

  74. When I try to run the command “fastboot oem unlock”, it just says “< waiting for device >” and in the devices list (adb devices) no devices are shown.

    1. One piece of information that might help is that OEM Unlock isn’t an option in developer options even though I have Android 8.0.0.

  75. hi i have a samsung s8 SM-G950U1 and inputting fastboot oem unlock only causes cmd to display . what do i do

  76. C:WINDOWSsystem32>fastboot oem unlock
    …
    FAILED (remote: Token Verify Failed, Reboot the device
    )
    finished. total time: 0.003s

    C:WINDOWSsystem32>

    Not sure what the Token Verify failed means.

  77. Hello I am using a Samsung J3 6 SM-J320Y. I have a few problems first when I typed adb reboot bootloader in the cmd prompt it had an error. Second is when I pressed the Power Button+Volume UP+Home button it took me to the bios and then i pressed the reboot bootloader and after that i only got an light blue screen with white text saying Downloading… please don’t turn of the target. How to fix? ASAP!!

  78. Hello.I’m trying to unnlock redmi note 5 pro,but every time the screen says failed unknown command and too many links.
    Please help me.

  79. Hello. I’m trying to root my Galaxy S7 via TWRP. After inserting “adb reboot bootloader” into the console, a blue screen with white text on my phone reads “Downloading… Do not turn off target.” As the article says nothing about this occurring, is this supposed to happen?

    1. You do not need to unlock the bootloader on the Galaxy S7, or any other Samsung device. They are already bootloader unlocked. But not all of them, for example, as the AT&T and Verizon carrier in the US do not have unlocked bootloader, thus, they you cannot install TWRP on them (unless there is a workaround).
      What’s the model of your Galaxy S7? Unless it is G930V/A or G935V/A, you can simply install TWRP uring Odin software and even root it thereafter. You do not need fastboot.
      And BTW, what you are seeing (via adb reboot bootloader) is called download mode, or Odin mode (equivalent of fastboot mode on Samsung devices).

  80. Greetings to all..

    I typed the command: ‘fastboot oem unlock’ and it says ‘waiting for device’. I realized that adb does not recognize my phone while it is on fastboot mode. I looked for my device on Device manager and found ‘Unknown Device’.

    I’ve already installed these drivers:
    -UniversalAdbDriverSetup.msi
    -LGMobileDriver_WHQL_Ver_4.2.0.exe
    -LG-Mobile-Driver_v4.1.1.0.exe (This one is an older version so I cannot install it)

    Any ideas on how can I fix this? Can you provide drivers for my device? (LG K10 (2016) K430dsY)

    I’ll patiently wait for your assistance. Thanks

  82. By the way will it erase all of the data in my pc too? If yes should i backup my tablet file in there?

    1. Adb only edits files/firmware on android devices, so your computer will not be harmed.

  83. I HAVE A QUESTION CONCERNING A SAMSUNG SM-T377A (AT&T CARRIER PURCHASE VIA CONTRACT) WILL YOUR METHOD UNLOCK THE BOOTLOADER ON THIS DEVICE? I WOULD LIKE ROOT AND HAVE TRIED BUT NO SUCCESS. KINGROOT GOT TO 90% AND FAILED. APK AND PC ATTEMPTS. ANDROID 7.1.1 AND LATEST OTA UPDATE WAS 3 WEEKS AGO. MY S7 ACTIVE (AT&T CARRIER) IS ROOTED USING THE METHOD FOUND ON XDA (THOSE GUYS ROCK) JUST CANT INSTALL TWRP BUT HAVE ROOT!!
    ANY HELP WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THANKS IN ADVANCE.

    KIND REGARDS,

    MARC

  84. Hi, I have a Samsung galaxy S6 G920F. Cannot boot into download mode to use Odin. When I press the Volume down, power and home buttons together it takes me to Chinese writing which I’m fairly certain is test mode. Volume up and power lets me select recovery mode, fastboot or normal startup. Pls assist in getting phone into download mode.

  85. bro could you help me please ? I want to instal twrp in asus zenfone max pro m1 but i don’t find twrp in official website ? And then i havent ubl this phone. But my friend instal twrp nubia on hisense and it’s work! Then Could you help me to choose twrp that support for asus zenfone max pro m1 ? Please answer my question i need your help🙏🏻

  87. Hi, I try this method with a ZTE Blade L2 (VTelca Telepatria 2 Venezuela´s Mod), but have pass more than 10 minutes and nothing.. Can help me? Thx!!

  88. Hey I have galaxy s5 sm-g900h I want to install TWRP recovery can you help me please. Tell me what should I do step by step

  89. Hi, thank for your share. I need help here…
    I have Samsung Galaxy J2 prime (it runs Android 6 and has oem unlock option). I successfully rooted it (by turned on first oem unlock and usb debugging under developer mode). My phone ran normal since. But I accidentally turned off the developer option thus it won’t boot (it says: CUSTOM BINARY BLOCKED by FRP ,boot.img.>).

    My question is: Can I turn the developer mode (and oem unlock) on in any way without boot to my phone first? Maybe using fastboot or something? and how.

    Thank you again

    2. Fastboot doesn’t help in the case of Samsung devices.
      Do you have TWRP recovery installed?
      Anyway, you shall install the firmware on your device using Odin. That should fix it.
      Download the firmware from here – https://nerdschalk.com/samsung-galaxy-j2-firmware/

      Make sure you download the firmware for your model no. only, so be sure to check that first already. It’s also visible in the Download mode.

      1. Thanks for the reply. I reflashed the rom using odin, like you said, and found no problem. thanks

    1. You don’t need to OEM Unlock the GT-S7392. When the Galaxy Trend was released, there was no option like OEM Unlock on Android. This option arrived only 3-4 years ago. Your device is already factory unlocked. So, ignore the OEM Unlock thing.

      May I ask why you needed that? Are you installing a firmware using Odin? Or trying to install TWRP? Whatever it is, just continue to next step.

      1. Thank you Kapil! I have successfully installed TWRP using odin but I am confused in what to do next… I mean whether I should unlock the bootloader or can I proceed to installing custom ROM

  93. i typed

    fastboot oem unlock and its stuck at and downloading blue screen and says do not turn off target its been 10 min

  98. hey im trying to unlock bootloader but everytime i type in adb reboot bootloader into command prompt my phone goes into odin mode and it says Downloading… Do not turn off target
    im using a samsung galaxy A5 (the 2015 one) plz help.

  100. Hello the in the bootloader unlock options my fon volume up is not working to accept unlock bootloader

  101. The volume up button ain’t working to accept bootloader unlock. Is there any command to ulock bootloader?

  102. after the command “fastboot oem unlock” , the device automatically restarts without my command . plz help

  103. “‘adb’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,operable program or batch file.”pc said this

    1. Have you installed drivers for the make of you phone. Also in developer options change from charging to mtp seeing

  106. My tablet is bootloop, how can i unlock bootloader?
    My tablet is Asus MeMopad ME173x

  107. i sorry but i cant choose yes or no on my infinix hot note . (CANT CHOOSE HIGHLIGTH EVEN I PRESS VOLUP OR VOLDOWN ) so i press power button to cancel

  109. Doesn’t work with Redmi note 8 pro .
    Both commands “fastboot flasshing/oem unlock” result to FAILED (Status read failed(Too many links))- Command failed.
    Kindly update your guides, these commands are as good as useless.

  110. I’ve got a question – where do you have this OEM Unlocking ? I don’t have it anywhere in Dev Options. Galaxy S6 G920F

  111. Anyone know the command fastboot oem unlcok without confirmation and without press volume up key?
    My android device doesn’t has physical volume key.

    Any help would be appreciated
    Thanks in advanved.

  113. Hello sir…how can I unlock my vivo z1x bootloader using another android phone throw the otg cable..pls help me coz I do not have any pc or laptop

  114. it says “FAILED (remote: ‘check password failed!’)
    fastboot: error: Command failed”
    what should i do now

  117. adb reboot bootloader works but then fastboot just says watiing for any device. it never finds the phone. Samsung used to be so cool. I will never buy Samsung again because they lock the bootloader and make it so impossible.

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