Samsung Remove bootloader unlocking globally with One UI 8
Samsung has effectively ended bootloader unlocking worldwide with its One UI 8 update, expanding restrictions that previously applied only to US models to all Galaxy devices globally. The move marks a departure from the company's historically more permissive stance outside the American market.
Reports from users and investigations by XDA Developers contributors reveal that the OEM Unlocking toggle has disappeared from Developer Options on devices running One UI 8. The restriction affects both new devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, which ship with One UI 8, and existing devices receiving the beta update, including the Galaxy S25 series
XDA Developers contributor salvo_giangri discovered that Samsung added the code "androidboot.other.locked=1" to the bootloader configuration. This line prevents the Settings app from displaying the OEM Unlock option entirely, making it impossible to begin the bootloader unlocking process.
The technical analysis suggests Samsung has gone further than simply hiding the toggle. "The whole code which controls the bootloader unlocking has probably been entirely stripped off in the bootloader itself, meaning that a workaround to this is not possible in the worst case," according to findings reported by Android Police.
Some users with previously unlocked bootloaders discovered that updating to One UI 8 automatically re-locked their devices, affecting models like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and Galaxy S22 Ultra.
The change eliminates the ability to install custom ROMs, gain root access, or install custom kernels on Samsung devices. This particularly affects the Android modding community, which has relied on bootloader unlocking to extend device lifespans beyond official software support periods.
Samsung's decision comes as the company has committed to seven years of Android updates for flagship devices, potentially reducing the immediate need for community-developed software solutions. However, the restriction prevents power users from accessing advanced customization options and feature previews that required root access
The move aligns Samsung with other manufacturers like Xiaomi, which has implemented similar restrictions in certain markets. For users seeking bootloader unlocking capabilities, alternatives include Google Pixel devices, which continue to support the feature for custom firmware installation.
Samsung has not officially commented on the policy change. Users currently on One UI 7 can still access bootloader unlocking, but this capability will likely disappear once they update to One UI 8