Locked Out: The Battle for User Ownership in Smartphone Bootloader Unlocks
The Fight Over Bootloader Unlocks: User Ownership vs Manufacturer Control
When you purchase a smartphone, you might assume that you own the device and can use it as you please. However, in reality, the manufacturers often place restrictions on how you can use the device, including what software you can install.
One of the most frustrating limitations for smartphone users is the bootloader lock. Bootloaders are programs that run when you turn on your device, and they check and start the operating system. By default, smartphone manufacturers lock the bootloader to ensure the software running on the device meets specific security standards. However, this means that users can’t install custom ROMs or operating systems.